McCuistion named chief of staff to Tarleton president

STEPHENVILLE (May 14, 2018) — Dr. Kim McCuistion has been named chief of staff to Tarleton State University by President F. Dominic Dottavio, effective Aug. 1. She succeeds Dr. Tod A. Farmer, who has been chosen as the new president of Weatherford College.

McCuistion was among the top finalists in Tarleton’s search for a chief of staff last summer.

She is director of animal nutrition for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, following 11 years with Texas A&M University-Kingsville. As a faculty member, she had a split appointment with the Department of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences and the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management. She served as interim dean of Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Honors College from 2014 to 2017.

“I am pleased to have Dr. McCuistion join Tarleton as chief of staff,” Dottavio said. “She has the right combination of experience, skills and personal qualities to support our goal of becoming the premier student-focused university in Texas and beyond.”

In addition to managing the operations of the president’s office and serving as an official representative of the university, McCuistion will coordinate legal and policy issues with The Texas A&M University System as well as state agencies and organizations.

“It is an honor to join Tarleton,” she said. “The university is a proven leader in higher education, and I believe strongly in its mission. I truly appreciate Dr. Dottavio’s confidence in me and look forward to serving the entire Tarleton family.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M University, a master’s in animal science from Kansas State University and a doctorate in agriculture from West Texas A&M University.

Her research has focused on overlaying business principles with animal, rangeland and human resource management. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on ruminant nutrition, cattle production systems and equine management. She has also worked with the USDA Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program to support Hispanic student education through experiential learning and research training.

McCuistion and husband Brian live in Aledo and have three children, Sam, William and Clair.