A&M-Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander Receives Insight Into Academia Magazine’s 2026 Trailblazer in Higher Education Award

TEXARKANA, Texas – Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s President and CEO, Dr. Ross Alexander was named a recipient of Insight Into Academia Magazine’s 2026 Trailblazer in Higher Education Award. This prestigious national honor recognizes senior leaders whose bold, strategic innovations have advanced institutional excellence, strengthened community relationships, and created meaningful, measurable impact for students, employees, and the broader academic ecosystem.

Dr. Alexander will be featured alongside 17 other distinguished honorees in the March 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia Magazine.

Dr. Alexander was chosen for the award because of his visionary leadership and his remarkable record of progress in the short time he has been at A&M-Texarkana. In just over three years as President Dr. Alexander has transformed the culture and trajectory of the University, turning it into one of the fastest growing universities in the nation.

His skill in building relationships and trust has led to unprecedented community, System, and legislative support, as evidenced by the rapid ascendency of the University. Dozens of new, highly sought-after degree programs have been added or are in the process of being implemented. Innovative solutions for student housing and food service continue to improve the University experience for students.

The athletic program has rapidly expanded, adding football along with numerous other sports, and the University is breaking ground on a state-of-the-art campus athletic complex that will serve as a catalyst for an enhanced college experience and greatly increased community involvement. Everywhere you turn there is progress…the physical manifestation of Dr. Alexander’s mantra of “Think Big, Dream Big, Do Big.”

“It is an incredible honor to receive this distinction from such a prestigious publication, said Dr. Alexander. “More so than an individual award, it reflects the innovation and hard work of an entire team of dedicated professionals at A&M-Texarkana who together have achieved unprecedented success in a relatively short period of time.” 

“We believe the future of higher education depends on leaders who are willing to challenge convention and embrace bold, impactful innovation,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Academia magazine. “The 2026 Trailblazer honorees represent the highest levels of strategic leadership in the field, and we are proud to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments.”