New assistant provost named for Texas A&M McAllen

MCALLEN, Texas – Dr. Sandra Hansmann has been named the new assistant provost at Texas A&M University’s Higher Education Center at McAllen.

She begins her new role Aug. 1, 2024.

“Dr. Hansmann is an exceptional addition to our leadership team,” said Manny Vela, associate vice president and chief operating officer of Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen. 

“She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to her role. Our early conversations have consisted of many great ideas and overall excitement to work together to grow and enhance our academic programs and provide the best educational experience for students.”

Vela said Hansmann will support the McAllen education center’s programs through academic coordination, campus resources and student activities to ensure students have an excellent Aggie experience. 

He said she will also promote community relations to raise awareness of the HECM in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

Dr. Hansmann is a native of San Antonio and has lived and worked in the Rio Grande Valley since 2005, when she joined the faculty at The University of Texas Pan American. 

She most recently served as the associate dean of the Graduate College at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley since August 2018, and has held leadership roles in several departments and divisions there over the last 18 years, including roles in academic and student affairs, admissions and enrollment, research, program development and international programs.

“I’m very excited to join the Texas A&M community and to help the Higher Education Center at McAllen in its mission to provide a world-class education to students in South Texas,” Hansmann said. 

“Having served as a leader in higher education in the Rio Grande Valley for many years, I’ve developed a deep understanding and appreciation for the industry needs in our region. I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve Aggies and to help shape an exciting future in the Valley.”

Dr. Hansmann has served as a consulting, collaborating, or first author and director/principal investigator for over $6 million in state and federal funding. Her scholarly work has focused on individuals with disabilities and her research interests include applied and professional ethics and the intersectionality of disability and artificial intelligence.

She is a certified rehabilitation counselor and received her B.A. in behavioral sciences from Concordia University Texas in 1990. She earned an M.Ed. in special education with a focus in rehabilitation counseling in 1993 and her Ph.D. in special education with a focus in counselor education in 2000, both at The University of Texas at Austin.

The Higher Education Center at McAllen will host a meet and greet event on Aug. 1 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. to introduce Dr. Hansmann to Texas A&M students, faculty, and staff.

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