The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents appointed the current Deputy Agency Director and Chief Administrative Officer for Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, or TEEX, Tracy Foster ‘96, as Executive Vice Chancellor on Thursday, May 21. Foster’s appointment replaces former Executive Vice Chancellor Susan Ballabina, Ph.D., who assumed the role of Texas A&M University President on May 11.
In 2005, Foster returned to her alma mater as a senior financial analyst. She held this position for 15 years before assuming her role at TEEX. Over the last five years, Foster’s main role included overseeing the financial operations of the agency while also overseeing administrative departments including communication, contract services facilities, strategic services and information technology, according to the press release.
“Tracy has spent her career helping institutions manage growth, navigate complexity and stay focused on mission,” Chancellor Glenn Hegar ‘93 said in a press release. “She understands higher education, state government and the operational side of serving Texas at a large scale. More importantly, she understands people. She leads with humility, listens carefully and approaches leadership as service. I’m excited to have her on our team.”
In addition to Foster’s prior roles, she also serves as the chair of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium — a federal organization that focuses on emergency preparedness and response training. Throughout her career, Foster has taken a large role in legislative appropriations, strategic planning and statewide financial modeling efforts that have supported the System, according to a press release
“People paying attention may notice a pattern in the appointments of both Dr. Ballabina and now Tracy Foster,” Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents Jay Graham said in the press release. “In both cases, we found strong, proven leaders from within the Texas A&M University System itself. That says a lot about the people we have across this organization. Tracy understands our mission and our responsibility to serve Texas because she has spent her career doing exactly that. She is respected across the System for her leadership, her work ethic and her ability to bring people together and get things done.”
According to the press release, Foster is recognized across the System as a mentor for employees while remaining dedicated to supporting leadership development initiatives.
“The Texas A&M System changes lives every day through education, research, training and service,” Foster said in the press release. “I care deeply about this organization and the people who make it work. It is an honor to serve in this role, and I’m grateful to the Board and Chancellor Hegar for their confidence and support.”
