With a storied career marked by accomplishments, Dr. James L. Hurley’s expertise has brought transformative change to universities. As a seasoned university executive, Dr. Hurley boasts a proven track record of successful leadership in the higher education industry. His talents extend to overseeing comprehensive universities, where his focus areas include fostering Research and Innovation, driving Advancement and Fundraising, promoting Diversity and Inclusion, crafting Academic Program Development, managing Enrollment, ensuring Student Success, shaping Athletics, and orchestrating Strategic Planning.
Beyond titles, Dr. Hurley is an education professional driven by a noble cause: to create pathways for access, opportunity, and affordability, thereby elevating social mobility for every student. His dedication is underpinned by academic rigor, having earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and Finance.
Dr. Hurley’s Journey of Educational Empowerment
Upon the recognition that obtaining a university degree was within his reach, Dr. Hurley found numerous doors swinging open. A proud graduate representing the first generation in his family to attain a college degree, he stands as the grandson of coal miners and the son of parents who instilled in him the understanding that education is the key to unlocking the future. With this perspective deeply ingrained, he is devoted to guaranteeing that the most brilliant intellect in Texas is provided with utmost quality education.
“I envision an institution that will become the premier comprehensive university in the nation.”
The University
The spirit that inspired a rancher to start college in 1899 is the same spirit that propels Tarleton State University today. It has a 124-year commitment to provide a high-quality transformational education to anyone who wants a university degree.
The founder, John Tarleton, dreamed of a school that prioritized education over all else. He envisioned an institution responsive to regional, national and even global challenges. “Educational opportunity, accessibility and affordability command everything we do,” says Dr. Hurley.
One-of-a-kind partnerships with Texas school districts and two-year colleges — Distinguished High School Partners (close to 350) and Distinguished College Partners (some 40 campuses) — provide guaranteed scholarships for students meeting qualifications. The Tarleton Promise provides tuition, fees, books, and room and board to students who exhaust federal and state financial aid. More than 85 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid, and almost 40 percent are Pell Grant eligible. Many are the first in their family to attend college.
Joining The Texas, A&M University System as a founding member in 1917, we have evolved from a small private college to a thriving four-year NCAA Division I public institution offering 123 programs of study from associate to doctoral levels and 28 certificates. Thirteen Tarleton research centers and institutes are cultivating connections to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Expert faculty and student researchers are moving life-changing breakthroughs from the lab to the marketplace. Their efforts earned Tarleton State the elevated designation of Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity (R2) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in 2021, putting it among only 132, or 4 percent, of schools across the country so recognized. And an invitation to join the impactful Association of Public and Land-grant Universities in 2022 places Tarleton State among the top schools in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Tarleton State’s main campus is in Stephenville, southwest of Fort Worth. It opened an 80-acre campus in Fort Worth in 2019. A second structure (Interprofessional Education Building), funded by the A&M System, is set to open in 2024, expanding offerings in healthcare and education.
Tarleton State’s time in Fort Worth began with just eight students in 1978, when Fort Worth was the 33rd largest city in the country. Fort Worth now ranks 12th in the nation in size, and Tarleton State finds itself among the country’s top 10 fastest growing public universities. It currently has 2,500-plus students in the city — and it could serve 10,000 or more by 2030.
Tarleton State also enjoys long-standing partnerships with McLennan Community College in Waco and Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, offering programs at both locations and at Texas A&M-RELLIS in Bryan, as well as reaching all corners of the globe through online programs.
Pioneering Excellence
Dr. Hurley shares that Every challenge invite Tarleton State’s dedicated faculty and staff to do better, to be better. He adds, “We’re not just entering the future, we’re creating it. That’s why we are a first-choice, full-experience university destination.”
Tarleton State’s transition to NCAA Division I in the Western Athletic Conference came at precisely the right time (November 2019) and for the right reasons. It extends the university’s geographic reach, supports enrollment growth, elevates the value of a Tarleton State degree and expands partnership opportunities. Dr. Hurley asserts, “Our reputation for academic excellence, discovery, athletic accomplishment and entrepreneurship is reaching beyond the state and into the nation. Our university mark means something all over this country. The nation is starting to know the name: Tarleton State University.”
Within the confines of the classroom and out on the playing field, the university has evolved into a magnet for talent, drawing in students who are not only academically well-prepared but also student-athletes of exceptional caliber. This is to say nothing of the accomplished faculty and staff members, as well as the highly renowned coaches who contribute to the institution’s reputation. Undoubtedly, the world is aware of our presence and influence.
Expanding Horizons
In the 2022-23 academic year, Tarleton State University introduced 10 new majors including legal studies, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and communication sciences. A PhD program in animal and natural resource sciences is pending approval. Plans for research-focused doctorate programs in applied mathematics, experimental psychology, and integrative biology are set for fall 2025.
The fall 2023 semester brings a Master of Science program in data science, with more master’s programs in 2024 and nine more in fall 2025.
Tarleton State’s business programs achieved the top 5% worldwide AACSB accreditation. The College of Health Sciences is rebranding, adding a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, Doctorate of Physical Therapy, and Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies by 2026. Enrollment is projected to surge in the fall, surpassing 17,000 students for the first time, with a record freshman class of nearly 2,700.
Local Engagement and Educational Innovations
Tarleton State has taken significant steps to engage closely with local communities, collaborating with regional businesses, educational organizations, and research centers to foster the exchange of ideas and amplify positive outcomes. The primary aim is to elevate the standard of living, equip the future workforce with essential skills, and contribute to economic advancement.
The institution has established pathways to facilitate learning for students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and agricultural disciplines. High school students across Texas now have the opportunity to accumulate credits in these fields, which count towards both their high school graduation requirements and their subsequent studies at Tarleton or other state universities. This initiative, launched this past summer and commencing this fall, has already attracted a substantial enrollment of nearly 2,000 students.
Tarleton State has introduced a comprehensive one-year residency program designed to ensure aspiring educators are fully prepared for their careers the moment they step into a classroom. Additionally, through practical internships that tackle real-world challenges, a considerable number of students receive employment offers prior to their official graduation.
To further streamline academic progression, the university has initiated a simplified process for students to transition from undergraduate to select master’s programs. Graduates of Tarleton State can seamlessly enter advanced degree options aligned with their field of study.
Faculty pioneers and student researchers are actively engaged in impactful endeavors. These include investigating the application of plant-based materials to eliminate microplastics from water sources, enhancing sustainability practices within dairy farming, and improving communication and healthcare accessibility in rural contexts. Their contributions extend to informing strategic decisions in intricate areas such as crime prevention and the refinement of the criminal justice system.
“There is something special about this place. It’s a place where we rise to challenges and seize opportunities. A place that propels us to excellence.”
Endeavors for Positive Impact
Tarleton State takes a collaborative approach rather than engaging in competition, forming strong connections with its educational and community partners to foster innovative initiatives that benefit everyone involved. For instance, an innovative co-enrollment pathway enables students to pursue major-specific courses at Tarleton State while simultaneously completing their general education coursework at Ranger College. This Ranger to Tarleton Pathway grants students’ full access to both institutions, including the option for on-campus residency in Stephenville. Similar agreements have been established with Tarrant County College and McLennan Community College.
In partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and other significant entities within Texas’ agricultural sector, Tarleton State is actively expanding strategies to shift the state’s substantial agricultural industry toward climate-smart practices and the development of new markets. This vital work is a component of the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative, a $65 million, five-year endeavor funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that spans multiple commodities.
Notably, the university has secured its inaugural National Science Foundation grant for a collaborative, interdisciplinary project involving the University of Colorado Springs and the University of North Texas at Dallas. This endeavor delves into the exploration of how virtual-meeting platforms impact social and cognitive well-being.
Through a remarkable and historic partnership with Nobel nominee Opal Lee, Tarleton State is making significant strides in addressing food insecurity and empowering individuals who were formerly incarcerated. This partnership extends to Opal’s Farm, reflecting a broad and impactful effort.
Moreover, in collaboration with Stephenville and the Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council, the university is playing an active role in preserving the historic Mount Olive Cemetery, situated in close proximity to the university’s Agriculture Center. This endeavor also encompasses the documentation of the site’s history and that of a nearby church.
Upholding Core Values
Tarleton State walks out three core values — respect, excellence and integrity — every day.
- Respect: Tarleton Texans create an inclusive community by embracing diverse perspectives with civility, honoring tradition and promoting teamwork so everyone thrives.
- Excellence: Tarleton Texans pursue greatness in all efforts, promoting a spirit of leadership, adaptability and innovation for exceptional outcomes and a better world.
- Integrity: Tarleton Texans hold to the highest ethical standards and commit to serving others through transparency and accountability in everything it does.
Fostering Excellence and Transformation
Dr. Hurley highlights that Tarleton State’s commitment to student social mobility has earned the university notable recognition. College Net has ranked Tarleton State among the top 50 institutions in the nation in this regard, alongside schools like CUNY York College, San Francisco State, and George Mason University. Numerous programs are in place to foster success among Texan students. These encompass various forms of support, such as supplemental instruction, mentoring, tutoring, integrated intercultural experiences, student advocacy, counseling, health services, resources for individuals with disabilities, and initiatives tailored to enhancing STEM education.
Distinctive in its composition, the Texan Corps of Cadets is a unique amalgamation of a military organization and leadership training. Remarkably, this corps is the sole entity of its kind not affiliated with a senior military college in the nation. However, a transformation is on the horizon. Efforts are currently underway to establish a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences program in leadership and strategic studies. This strategic move aims to secure the designation as a senior military college and provide the highest level of training for future members of the armed services. Founded in 1917 and subsequently reinstated in 2016, the Texan Corps of Cadets has achieved remarkable growth, more than doubling its enrollment over the past six years.
“Our faculty, staff and administration are deeply involved in the success of all Tarleton Texans, and all means all. Our students know we value them. We stay connected with our graduates throughout their careers. Family and a great sense of belonging — we do that better than any other university,” says Dr. Hurley.
Exemplary Leadership
In the role of Tarleton State’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Hurley oversees a team of approximately 1,400 employees (excluding student workers). He is responsible for managing an annual budget and providing strategic direction for a comprehensive curriculum that spans multiple locations, including Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan, and online platforms. Under his leadership, Tarleton State has achieved significant advancements in various areas, marking higher levels of academic excellence, research output, retention rates, graduation rates, diversity, fundraising, and athletic performance.
Dr. Hurley’s leadership has led to notable accomplishments, including the designation of High Research status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and an invitation to join the prestigious Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In 2019, Tarleton State also attained NCAA Division I status within the Western Athletic Conference, reflecting the institution’s commitment to offering exceptional academic and athletic opportunities that resonate with employers.
A significant milestone was achieved in the spring of 2023, as Tarleton State surpassed its comprehensive capital campaign goal for the second time. This accomplishment was accomplished 18 months ahead of schedule. Initially launched three years ago, the $100 million campaign marked the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history. The initial goal was exceeded two years earlier than projected, leading to the establishment of a new target of $125 million, planned to coincide with Tarleton’s upcoming 125th anniversary in 2024.
Trailblazing Path to Excellence
Tarleton State is embarking on an impressive journey toward unparalleled achievement. Whether it’s setting new records, uncovering groundbreaking discoveries, or laying the foundation for cutting-edge facilities, our distinct purple spirit remains unwavering.
A transformative project is on the horizon: the construction of a state-of-the-art Event Center, a venture with a budget of $110 million that is scheduled to commence next spring, with a move-in anticipated in 2025. With a seating capacity close to 8,000, this two-story multipurpose arena will not only house facilities for NCAA Division I basketball but also offer space for academic symposiums, conferences, conventions, and concerts. The positive impact of this venture extends to the Stephenville community, with increased revenue anticipated from hosting various local and regional events.
Meanwhile, a $7 million Research Administration Building is set to establish an innovation ecosystem aimed at accelerating sponsored research and fostering collaborations. This facility will be shared with Texas A&M AgriLife, and it will also serve as the new location for our Small Business Development Center. This strategic move enhances access to training and support for rural entrepreneurs.
Another exciting initiative is the creation of the Institute for Rural Economic Development and Research. This institute will effectively combine discovery and innovation to stimulate industries and generate job opportunities. Through collaboration with fellow A&M System institutions, regional universities, start-ups, business incubators, and chambers of commerce, the institute will play a pivotal role in driving regional prosperity.
The visionary leadership of Texas Governor Greg Abbott has translated into record-breaking support for The Texas A&M System, with a historic $1.19 billion in new spending approved. This translates to an unprecedented 30 percent surge in general revenue for Tarleton State over the next biennium. Additionally, a $5 million exceptional allocation will be instrumental in addressing critical healthcare concerns.
Dr. Hurley is confident that the university’s results-driven approach across all disciplines will effectively address challenges within Texas and beyond. Its vibrant research and teaching environment is uniquely poised to prepare students for careers that haven’t even been envisioned yet, positioning Tarleton State on a trajectory toward achieving the Carnegie R1 (Very High Research) status. This journey is one that many aspire to embark upon, but only a select few are able to join.
