A&M-Texarkana President Introduces Inaugural Dean of New College of Engineering and Computing

TEXARKANA, Texas – Texas A&M University-Texarkana president gave the opening remarks at this year’s Forest Products Decarbonization Forum on April 9th, where he introduced Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu as the University’s inaugural Dean of the new College of Engineering and Computing. Dr. Maillacheruvu was most recently the Interim Dean of the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology and Foster College of Business at Bradley University in Peoria, IL.

Dr. Maillacheruvu holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, Chennai, India, as well as a master’s and doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Iowa. Slated to begin his work at A&M-Texarkana June 1, 2026, Dr. Maillacheruvu said there were a number of factors that drew him to the University.

“I was very impressed with the vision of President Alexander, and enjoyed meeting with faculty, staff, and students,” said Maillacheruvu. The new dean also commented that the University’s mission statement of creating “transformative experiences that foster personal and professional growth for lifelong learning through student-centered teaching, innovative research, and selfless service,” fits well with his own philosophy. “It really is all about the students, and I never lose sight of that,” he said. As for what excites him the most about the opportunity at A&M-Texarkana, Maillacheruvu says it’s the chance to build the new college from

the ground up. “We have the chance to build something special,” he said. “Something that can have a tremendous impact on the future.”

“We are pleased to introduce Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu as the inaugural dean of the new College of Engineering and Computing,” said A&M-Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander. “With more than 30 years of experience as a professor and administrator, we know he is the right person to lead our rapidly expanding engineering, computer science, and technology programs.”

Prior to the establishment of the new college, computer science, engineering, and technology-related degrees were combined with the University’s business program under the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology. The rapid development of additional academic programming across all fields led to the decision to split the existing college into the new College of Engineering and Computing and the new Anita and Truman Arnold College of Business. A search for the inaugural dean of the new business college is currently underway.