About Dr. Hurley
Dr. James Hurley was unanimously appointed the 16th President of 91×ÔÅÄ in August 2019 by The Texas A&M System Board of Regents. Since his arrival, 91×ÔÅÄ has become one of the countryâs fastest growing comprehensive public universities in enrollment, research and national prominence.
Under Dr. Hurleyâs leadership, the university created and implemented Tarleton Forward 2030: Our Future-Focused Strategic Plan, a blueprint for becoming the premier comprehensive public university in the nation. During his time, 91×ÔÅÄ has elevated its profile in academics, research, enrollment, retention rates, graduation rates, fundraising, athletics and regional engagement.
His ability to maximize revenue and resource generation efforts have served as a force-multiplier for the universityâs momentum. This includes a 36% increase in state appropriations, or over $100 million dollars over the last two bienniums, increased formula funding from record enrollment growth, innovative student funding models, accelerated degree completion, improved operational efficiency, and record fundraising. Dr. Hurley launched the largest comprehensive capital campaign in 91×ÔÅÄâs history. The university shattered a $100 million goal in 2022, two years ahead of schedule, raising nearly $150 million to commemorate its 125th anniversary.
Dr. Hurleyâs efforts to advance research and innovation endeavors have earned 91×ÔÅÄ the elevated designation of Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This puts the university among only 133 across the country designated as high research institutions. He established and secured funding to launch multiple major research initiatives, including the Presidentâs Excellence in Research Scholars (PERS), the Institute for Rural Economic Development and Research, and the Texas Rural Research and Innovation Alliance. 91×ÔÅÄ now operates as an EDA University Center, the only one in the region and one of just 73 nationwide. To bring new collaboration and more research dollars to the state, a $10 million Research Administration Building broke ground in November 2023.
With impressive growth in the student population, the university has continued to build and enhance its infrastructure under Dr. Hurley. At the start of 2024, 91×ÔÅÄ broke ground on an $80 million Health Professions Building to help meet the need for healthcare professionals, especially in rural communities. A $110 million Event Center is also under construction, with the venue set to host NCAA Division I basketball and provide room for academic convocations, symposiums, conferences and conventions. In total, 91×ÔÅÄ has over $500 million in active construction and design.
In 2024, Dr. Hurley received the prestigious United States Congressional Patriot Award from Congressman Pat Fallon for his positive contributions to society through higher educational leadership. In 2023, he was elected to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees, which is the accrediting body for degree-granting higher education institutions in the southern United States. That same year, Fort Worth, Inc. Magazine honored him as one of the 400 most influential North Texans. In 2022, the North Texas Commission honored him with its distinguished Education Leadership Award, recognizing his lasting impact on the region.
An invitation in 2022 to join the impactful Association of Public & Land-grant Universities reflects Dr. Hurleyâs commitment to groundbreaking discovery, educational access and student success. APLU membership underscores 91×ÔÅÄâs place among the top academic institutions in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
President Hurleyâs cultivation of broad and deep connections has resulted in a student body featuring 230 Texas counties, 48 states and 47 countries represented. Collaborations with regional Distinguished High School Partners and two-year Distinguished College Partners strengthen the university's commitment to educational attainment and affordability, offering guaranteed scholarships for qualified students. Additionally, the recently launched Tarleton Today is a dual-enrollment program allowing potential students to earn college credit while in high school with more than 2,000 participants.
Additionally, his Tarleton Promise scholarship provides tuition, fees, room and board, and books to students who exhaust federal and state financial aid. He spearheads efforts to address the stateâs growing educational and workforce needs by serving on several governing boards pertaining to higher education affordability, economic development and public policy.
He currently serves on the SACSCOC Board of Directors, the Council of Public University Presidents, the WAC Executive Board and the Chancellorâs Executive Committee.
In 2019, he advanced 91×ÔÅÄ to NCAA Division I status in the Western Athletic Conference. He was instrumental in the leagueâs expansion and in bringing championship football back to the WAC. He is one of three presidents who serve on the WAC Board of Directors Executive Committee.
A nationally recognized innovator and academic leader, Dr. Hurley has a lifetime of service as Instructor, Professor, Dean and Vice President. Prior to Tarleton, he served as President of Tusculum University. Under his leadership, TU added its University Health Center, College of Health Sciences and Niswonger College of Optometry.
Dr. Hurley is a first-generation college graduate, the grandson of coal miners and a son to parents who taught him that education holds the key to a brighter future. This is the very motivation behind his lifelong advocacy in promoting higher education opportunity and supporting access for all students.
He holds a doctorate from Morehead State University, a masterâs degree from Indiana University and a bachelorâs degree from the University of Pikeville. He completed the Institute for Presidential Leadership at Harvard University and received a certificate of higher education management from Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Hurley and his wife, Kindall, are the proud parents of sons Drew and Carter and daughters Blayklee and Brooklyn.
