Ballabina to serve as vice president for academic/strategic partnerships at Texas A&M

Deputy vice chancellor’s new role at Texas A&M begins effective Sept. 1

Texas A&M AgriLife Deputy Vice Chancellor Susan Ballabina, Ph.D., has been appointed vice president for academic and strategic partnerships at Texas A&M University, to serve within the Office of the President. Ballabina will report directly to university President Katherine Banks effective Sept. 1.

“Susan is widely known and deeply respected throughout the university and the A&M System,” said Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D., vice chancellor for Texas A&M AgriLife, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. “She has been a tireless advocate for Texas A&M AgriLife and agriculture across the state of Texas. She is a force for positivity, always seeking solutions to create a stronger, more vibrant organization.”

In her new position, Ballabina will lead all aspects of community impact programs and initiatives, oversight of cultural assets and strategic planning, especially as they relate to community leadership for the university.

A history of service

At Texas A&M AgriLife, in addition to serving as deputy vice chancellor, Ballabina also recently held the position of chief operating officer and associate deputy dean for administration for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

In these roles, she led initiatives for improved organizational effectiveness within the College and provided oversight for Texas A&M AgriLife’s professional services divisions, including outreach and strategic initiatives, business and strategic management, communications, digital education and information technology.

Ballabina also worked to advance collaboration between Texas A&M AgriLife and The Texas A&M University System. She has guided programs like Healthy Texas, which engages communities across Texas in health education programming.

“It has truly been an honor to work with Susan. While we will miss her dearly, I am confident this is a wonderful opportunity for her and for Texas A&M AgriLife, as she will continue to advocate for agriculture and life sciences in her university role,” Stover said.

After starting her career in 1994 as a county agent with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Ballabina progressively advanced to regional program director, associate director for program development and executive associate director before finally assuming the role of deputy vice chancellor and chief operating officer for Texas A&M AgriLife.

She earned her bachelor’s in family and consumer sciences from Tarleton State University in 1994, a master’s in communications from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1998 and a doctorate in public affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2007.

Ballabina was named a Regents Fellow by The Texas A&M University System in 2014 and has received the Superior Service Award from AgriLife Extension four times. Tarleton State University has recognized her as a distinguished alumna.

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