(AUSTIN) – Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall today named William L. Kibler, Ph.D., sole finalist in the Sul Ross State University presidential search. Dr. Kibler, currently vice president for student affairs at Mississippi State University, was selected from a field of nearly 40 candidates who applied or were nominated for the position.
“Dr. Kibler has a passion for students, a deep appreciation for faculty and a vision for Sul Ross that is grounded in excellence,” said Chancellor McCall. “I am confident that Bill will lead the university into a new era and help instill an even greater sense of pride among Sul Ross students, faculty, staff and alumni.”
Last January, TSUS Board of Regents Chairman Donna Williams appointed an 18-member advisory search committee representing a cross-section of faculty, staff, alumni, campus and community leaders, and representatives from the Texas State University System to evaluate applicants and recommend finalists to the chancellor.
Dr. McCall said, “I want to thank the Advisory Search Committee for narrowing down a large field of candidates to three outstanding finalists, any of whom could have been a marvelous president.”
Dr. Kibler is expected to assume the presidency prior to the fall semester. By law, a candidate for president of a public college or university must remain the sole finalist for 21 days before a governing board can confirm the appointment.
"I am deeply honored to have been selected as the sole finalist to serve as the 12th president of Sul Ross State University,” said Kibler. “Pam and I were so warmly welcomed by everyone we met during our visit to Sul Ross and Rio Grande College. Our family looks forward to joining the Alpine community and becoming frequent visitors to the Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde communities. There is much to be proud of at Sul Ross State University and Rio Grande College, and I look forward to working closely with the faculty, staff and students as we move together into an exciting future."
Kibler earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in counselor education from the University of Florida. He later attended Texas A&M University, where he earned a Ph.D. in educational administration.
Kibler has worked in a variety of administrative and faculty positions in Florida, Texas and Mississippi—most recently leading the division of student affairs at Mississippi State, where he oversees the university’s enrollment, admissions, financial aid, housing and other student-centered programs.
He is married to Pamela Kibler, an educator and volunteer, and has six children and two grandchildren.
The president of Sul Ross State University is the chief executive officer of the main university campus in Alpine, as well as the three campuses of Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College in Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde.