Texas A&M University, Texarkana Welcomes New President
By: Jade Cunningham
Updated: January 22, 2013
A new year brings a new president to Texas A&M University in Texarkana. Dr. Emily Fourmy Cutrer is the fourth president for the school and officially started her new role on January 15th.
On Tuesday, she took the time to formally introduce herself to the community.
While Cutrer was born and raised in Texas, she's spent the last six years working at California State University, San Marcos as a Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
She says for the next few days, she'll talk with faculty, community members and students to learn more about how she can help improve the school.
"Once they step foot on campus, we need to be doing everything we can to ensure they're learning and to ensure that they move along toward the degree that is their goal."
Now, students at Texas A&M University, Texarkana are welcoming Cutrer to campus. While she hopes to move the school's academics forward, her main focus right now is on the students.
Ebony Mason was concerned when she found out there'd be a new president. However after meeting Cutrer, her worries went away.
"I feel more confident in her ability to be able to take us to a new era," Mason said.
She says there's a lot of positive things about her school, but knows there's room to grow.
"I'm hoping she finds those little pieces of the puzzle that can bring more students and gradually make the school grow to the highest."
Cutrer says she's not looking to change the school, just improve it on some things like technology, tuition, and making the school a bit more worldly. She's going straight to the students to find out what's best for them.
"I want to hear what they enjoy about their experience here," Cutrer said. "What they like to see more of, what they like to see less of perhaps, where their concerns are."
Cutrer knows there'll be some challenges.
"Greatest challenge is finding ways to provide the kind of high quality education that students must have to move forward and be successful."
Mason is confident, Cutrer will get the job done.
"I'm really excited. I'm ready to see what she's going to do, and I feel like she'll be a good leader."
Doctor Cutrer has an annual salary of $210,000. After one year she'll have an annual performance review to make sure she's working at the highest level of excellence.
