Dr. Palmer’s plans on enhancement of TAMUK
After being named the Provost, Dr. James Palmer began plans on creating a better educational experience for students. Even before he was given the position, it was Dr. Palmer’s mission to get to know those at Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK).
“During the interview process many months ago, I stood outside of the residence halls and met students as they came in and went, and it was my way of determining how students felt about the university and the type of environment I might come to if selected as Provost,” Provost Dr. James Palmer said. Palmer felt it was necessary to do right by the students and faculty of TAMUK.
“Faculty members are the heart of TAMUK’s institutional mission driven activities and increasing support for faculty benefits students and their success,” Dr. Palmer said. Because of this, starting in the fall of 2024 TAMUK will be enhancing their long-standing effort through the Center for Teaching Effectiveness (CTE) by transforming it into a Center for Faculty Development.
This will have a physical location on the third floor of the Jernigan library. “Over the spring and fall we will work to renovate or enhance 15 classrooms, laboratories, computer labs or innovation spaces across our colleges with nearly $1.7 million in committed funds,” Palmer said.
Those who work alongside Palmer have gotten a sense of what kind of person he is and how well he fits the role of Provost. “Dr. Palmer is an experienced leader who empowers the faculty and staff to do their best work, and he has brought a positive and supportive atmosphere to academic affairs and to the university,” Dr. Darin Hoskisson said.
Hoskisson relished in the plan Palmer has in play to help innovate education through technology and artificial intelligence. Students have also begun to feel grateful for the work Dr. Palmer has done so far and what he has in store. “Innovating education is great and it will help teachers and professors feel passionate about what they are teaching,” sophomore Angelo Reyes said.
“Having gone through some difficult courses already, it is easy to tell which professor is more passionate about what they are talking about like some will just read off the power points and some will actually get into what they are talking about and make it interesting.”
