The Spotlight section focuses on a broad topic of interest to A&M System employees and retirees.
Flavius
C. Killebrew
Flavius C. Killebrew, long-time provost and vice president for academic affairs at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, was named president of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in January 2005. Here, he reflects on his first year as the university’s top administrator.
Spotlight: Former President Robert Furgason stepped down after 14 years to become director of the university’s new Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. What advice, if any, did he give you?
Killebrew: It wasn’t advice per se, but Dr. Furgason did share with me his love for the people of Corpus Christi and his admiration for how the community stands behind the University.
Patrick O’Brien has been named the president at West Texas A&M. What advice, if any, would you give him?
Congratulations! I would remind him that he is taking the helm of a university that is dynamic and caring. He will find the people of the Panhandle, Canyon, Amarillo and, of course, the folks at WTAMU to be a caring and energetic group of people.
What are your top three tips for success as a university president (or other key leadership role)?
1). Listen more than you talk, especially at first; 2). Be decisive; 3). Be honest and transparent in dealings.
Corpus
Christi Bay
You grew up in the Texas Panhandle and had been at West Texas A&M for nearly 38 years, as a student and faculty member, and finally, as provost and vice president for academic affairs. What was the biggest “culture shock” you found upon moving to the Gulf Coast?
You can say I’ve experienced more of a “weather shock” than a culture shock. I’ve left the dry air and snow of West Texas for hurricanes and humidity. But I have a beautiful view of Corpus Christi Bay. The people from the Coastal Bend are as warm and welcoming as the folks from the Panhandle. I guess you can say people are the same wherever you go.
What’s the main difference between being a provost and a president?
As provost of WTAMU I was fortunate to experience such duties as dealing with the state and federal legislative community. However, now that I’m president, the one major difference is that all accountability now rests at my desk.
What has been your biggest “lesson learned” during your first year as president?
I’ve been fortunate to avoid any big lessons or surprises, but one thing that was reinforced during our many storm contingency meetings is to be prepared.
The university’s strategic planning process, “Momentum 2015,” was announced early in your administration, as was the athletic program’s entrance into the Southland Conference. What are some of the other major initiatives under way at the university?
Our strategic plan is threefold: excellence, engagement and expansion. Among our goals is to continue to offer a high-quality educational experience, foster community support and build our reputation as a research-based university.
What has been the university’s most significant impact on the Corpus Christi community over the past year?
As we’ve grown, we’ve had increases in resources that have allowed us to enter into more partnerships with area programs—giving back to the community while raising the level of awareness for the university.
In a recent newsletter, you said that “successful partnerships bring mutually beneficial outcomes.” What are some examples of successful partnerships at A&M-Corpus Christi?
Like many campuses, A&M-Corpus Christi is always buzzing with some kind of activity and partnership, but there are a few examples of our activity. The COAST pilot program works with high school students from two independent school districts and is designed to promote higher education and college readiness at the high school level through student-led workshops. The University’s Early Childhood Development Center, a collaborative effort with the Corpus Christi Independent School District, teaches children 3 years of age to fifth grade and provides a venue for education students to study "how children learn best." The Lichtenstein String Quartet scholarship program is unique to the university because it is the first to establish a scholarship string quartet ensemble program. As recipients of the scholarship, four music students perform together as the Lichtenstein String Quartet and assist in teaching violin to children who attend the Joe Garza Recreation Center
Your training is in zoology and you are an expert on Cagle’s Map Turtle. In what ways, if any, has this background helped you as an administrator?
It taught me the value research brings to the campus and the community. Due to my experience as a researcher I feel it is important to move toward becoming a research university.