The search for Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost continued Monday afternoon with a presentation from Alberto Ruiz, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education and Human Performance at Texas A&M Kingsville.

The continued improvement of student learning should remain UNA’s purpose, Ruiz said.

“To provide Lions with the necessary skills to become productive citizens in this world — that’s what I want for our graduates here at UNA,” he said.

If hired, Ruiz said he envisions six key objectives for UNA, including a strategic plan, program development, external funding, enrollment increase and retention, research and community partnerships and shared governance.

Shared governance and the existing “great” relationships between the faculty senate and administration is crucial in moving UNA forward, Ruiz said.

Ruiz said he will work to help maintain UNA’s accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools through three concepts — peer review, UNA’s institutional integrity and a steady improvement with a focus on student education.

His work at UNA would not be a provost-only effort, but instead a team effort, Ruiz said.

Ruiz said he strives to be a team player and will work alongside the deans to meet their needs. He also said he will work to recruit students on a personal level to welcome them to UNA.

Ruiz said he strives to be active in supporting the university’s athletics teams, theatre and music programs if UNA hires him. 

“If there’s a function on campus, if I’m in town or I’m on campus, I’ll be there,” he said.

Two more candidates will interview two more candidates this month before making a decision.

Ross Alexander, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Indiana University East, presents Thursday, March 16 at 3:30 p.m.

Christopher Maynard, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UNA, presents Monday, March 20 at 3:30 p.m.