(ALPINE) - Sul Ross State University President Pete Gallego has announced he will resign at the end of the current academic year. Gallego, the 13th president of Sul Ross and a distinguished alumnus of the university, informed Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall about his decision today.
“After much reflection and discussion with family and friends, I have decided to step away from my responsibilities as president at the end of the academic year,” said Gallego. “This is not an easy decision, but it is the right decision for me and for Sul Ross, the university I dearly love.”
Gallego was appointed president of SRSU in June 2020, steering the university through the early months of the COVID pandemic. As a Sul Ross graduate and lifelong resident of Alpine, Gallego provided stability and a renewed energy at the university by working to enhance the student experience and strengthening ties between the university’s four campuses in Alpine, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Uvalde.
“We're building a new Sul Ross. I'm proud of what we have accomplished, ensuring the university's financial stability, laying the foundation for a more robust recruitment and retention program, enhancing the college experience for our students, and taking the necessary steps to ensure a smooth and successful SACS accreditation process in 2023," said Gallego. "I am grateful to Chancellor McCall and the TSUS Board of Regents for giving me the opportunity to serve Sul Ross as its 13th president."
“President Gallego’s commitment to Sul Ross long preceded his tenure as president, and I know he will continue to serve the university long after he leaves the president’s office,” said Chancellor McCall. “I’m particularly grateful for the way Pete has connected and cared for Sul Ross students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college.”
The Texas State University System will begin work on a transition plan to identify the next president of Sul Ross.
Sul Ross State University is a member of the Texas State University System, which consists of seven institutions serving more than 87,000 students from far West Texas to the Louisiana border.