James M. Palmer serves as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at 91AV and provides leadership and direction for academic priorities, oversees the quality of academic programs, and ensures the recruitment, retention and support for faculty. He worked previously in the same role at Prairie View A&M University where he had also served as Associate Provost, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Director of Land Grant Programs (which included extension agents in counties across Texas), and Department Head, where he also oversaw the University Writing Center, which he founded. He is full professor of English.
As Provost, he has led institutions through their decennial reaffirmation of accreditation efforts, worked strategically with others to earn Carnegie R2 (“high research”) Classification, and overseen the process, development and financial commitment for new certificates and degree programs ranging from undergraduate to doctoral, including the establishment of a new School of Public and Allied Health. He has overseen as PI or Co-PI federal, state and foundation awards totaling over $60 million.
Palmer is a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin where he double majored, and he completed his M.A. and Ph.D. at Purdue University-West Lafayette. He and his wife Carrie, also a Purdue graduate, have five children.
