COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar said Susan Ballabina’s decades of experience and understanding of the university culture made her the clear choice to lead Texas A&M University after years of leadership turnover.
“She’s a Tarleton State graduate, a graduate of this university system, worked for over 30 years, has learned to work on very complex issues, wide range of issues across this system, understands how to get results,” Hegar said.
Calm demeanor, decisive leadership
Hegar said Ballabina’s experience and understanding of the system set her apart from other candidates.
“She understands the culture. She’s a graduate of this system. She has worked in this system for over 30 years. And so that proven track record and someone who may have a calm demeanor, but with that being said, she’s decisive. She’s willing to take action to make sure and wants to propel and move this university to a higher status,” Hegar said.
Stability after years of change
Hegar said he expects Ballabina to usher in an era of stability at the university after several years of change.
“I want to make sure that we have a president that last for many years to come. I think that stability is important for this university, for the students, for the faculty, to increase our research volume that we do here at Texas A&M University, to move it higher up,” Hegar said.
Texas A&M has been without a permanent president since September, when Mark Welsh resigned following a controversial video showing an exchange between a student and English Professor Melissa McCoul about course curriculum. Welsh had taken over in 2023 following the sudden resignation of Kathy Banks, who left following a controversy over mishandling the hiring of a journalism professor.
Tommy Williams has been serving as interim president since Welsh’s departure.
“I want to say thank you to Tommy Williams for his service as interim president,” Hegar said. I would be remiss if I didn’t say, [he’s] done a fantastic job. “
Vision for the university
Hegar said Ballabina will elevate the university to the next level.
“We are a great university. We are blessed with 80,000 fantastic students, a fantastic group of professors and staff, but Dr. Ballabina will move it to the next level. And that’s what I’m looking forward to,” Hegar said.
The Board of Regents unanimously selected Ballabina as the sole finalist. Required by state law, she is subject to a 21-day waiting period before the board can take final action on her appointment.
“She still has a day job as my executive vice chancellor,” Hegar said. “Once the 21-day period gets passed, then obviously I think Susan then will start talking about her vision and leadership as she moves forward.”
Susan Ballabina named sole finalist to lead Texas A&M University
Copyright 2026 KBTX. All rights reserved.