May 28, the Texas State University System Board of Regents confirmed the appointment of Dr. John Hayek as president of Lamar State College Port Arthur.
Hayek, who has served as interim president since January, was unanimously confirmed at the board’s quarterly meeting in Austin.
Hayek brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education, with a record of leadership at the campus, system, and state levels, including advancing student success, workforce development, K-16 pathways, and partnerships with business and industry. In addition to his role as interim president, he serves as vice chancellor for Academic and Health Affairs and chief academic officer for the Texas State University System, where he provides academic leadership across seven institutions.
Prior to joining TSUS in 2015, Dr. Hayek served as Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas System, where he led systemwide student success initiatives and academic strategy. He also served as senior vice president for Budget, Policy, and Planning at the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, directing statewide efforts in higher education funding, policy, and workforce development.
Earlier in his career, Hayek was part of the leadership team at Indiana University’s Center for Postsecondary Research, where he helped launch the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), a nationally recognized tool for improving student success and institutional quality.
Hayek earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education from Indiana University Bloomington, a master’s degree in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago.