STEPHENVILLE — Dr. Laurie Sharp has been named dean of Tarleton State’s new University College, effective immediately. A network of programs and services, the college works to coordinate meaningful first- and second-year experiences and support student success through degree completion.
University College comprises the departments of Academic Advising, Career Services, Student Retention, Student Development and Mentoring, and the Tutoring and Learning Center.
“Dr. Sharp has the administrative and leadership experience to support our goal of being the premier comprehensive regional university in the nation,” Tarleton President James Hurley said. “Her reputation is unparalleled as a respected educator with a passion for helping students create learning experiences that celebrate success.”
As dean, Sharp will advise university leadership on best practices for recruitment, retention and marketing. She will work to develop a comprehensive enrollment management plan and contribute to building internal relationships that support outreach.
She also will facilitate communication in the divisions of Student Affairs, Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs as well as other administrative academic units.
“It is a true honor to serve as the inaugural dean for University College. I have the pleasure of working alongside a team of extremely talented staff members who are deeply committed to the success of all students at Tarleton,” Sharp said. “Together we will coordinate campus-wide early intervention programs, retention initiatives and academic services and supports that facilitate educational, personal and social development.”
Prior to returning to Tarleton in 2019, Sharp served West Texas A&M University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education and as the Dr. John G. O’Brien Distinguished Chair in Education. During her previous Tarleton tenure, 2009-16, she served the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education, receiving the O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Award. She has taught at public schools in Florida and Texas as well as at Tarrant County College.
She secured external funding, including a recent grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to re-envision Tarleton’s developmental education program. She is the author of 109 publications and serves as an elected board member for the International Literacy Association.
She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from the University of Central Florida and earned her doctorate in educational leadership at Tarleton.
For more information on Tarleton’s University College, go to www.tarleton.edu/universitycollege.
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