STEPHENVILLE (August 31, 2017) — Tarleton State University has named Dr. Teresa Davidian executive director of its Academic Advising Center. She begins her new duties Sept. 1, following an 11-year stint as head of the school’s Department of Fine Arts.
“Dr. Davidian has a deep commitment to student learning, retention and degree completion,” said Dr. Javier Garza, vice president of Enrollment Management. “We are excited about her vision for our advising center and have every confidence that she’ll help us grow our strong reputation for academic excellence.”
In her new role, Davidian will provide leadership for the center—part of the university’s Student Success and Multicultural Initiatives—and be integral in the implementation, coordination and monitoring of academic services and programming. This includes Tarleton’s participation in the Re-Imagining the First Year Experience, an initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
“I am thrilled to take on my new role as executive director of the advising center and pledge to support Tarleton’s efforts to become the premier student-focused university in Texas and beyond,” Davidian said. “It will be a challenge, but I am fortunate to have a dedicated and enthusiastic staff.”
Davidian joined Tarleton in 1994 as assistant professor of music theory and history, advancing to head of the Department of Fine Arts in 2006. She is credited with developing several new degree programs in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, including fashion studies, interior design and digital media as well as music in performance and an online graduate degree in music education.
Collaborating with the university’s Office of International Programs, she created a study abroad program with the Escola Politecnica de Gandia, University of Valencia, for art majors as well as voice and piano competitions in Tuscania, Italy.
Davidian received the Student Recognition Award for Teaching Excellence in 2010 and 2011, and the O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Award in 2005. She was named Outstanding Faculty Adviser of the Year (Mu Phi Epsilon) in 2002.
She earned her Ph.D. in theory and musicology from the University of Chicago, a master’s degree in music theory from Columbia University and a bachelor’s in music, cum laude, from Barnard College.
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