LUBBOCK, TX (TIP): Indian American educator Dr. Sukanth Misra has been appointed as the new Vice Provost for the Office of International Affairs at Texas Tech University.

Misra has replaced Ambassador Tibor Nagy, who was serving as the Vice Provost since 2003. Misra began his new role on January 1, 2018.

“I am humbled and deeply honored to be selected to serve as the Vice Provost for International Affairs and provide leadership of the international mission for this great university,” Misra said, Texas Tech University reported. “I have been with Texas Tech University for more than 23 years, and it has been thoroughly gratifying. One of the university’s goals is to comprehensively internationalize our campus, and great strides have been made over the last few years toward this vision.”

Misra said his priorities in the new position include the internationalization of the Texas Tech student body and the curricula to prepare productive citizens for the global community, the globalization of the university’s research enterprise to empower faculty to innovate and the universalization of outreach efforts to promote long-term, sustainable development locally as well as in other countries.

Lawrence Schovanac, the Texas Tech president said, “Sukant Misra has done an excellent job in enhancing the recruitment and support of international students, as well as in the global branding of the university,” he said. “Under Dr. Misra’s leadership, I am confident the Office of International Affairs will continue to advance the globalization of Texas Tech, and provide excellent service and support to our international community on campus and in Lubbock.”

Misra praised Nagy for his contributions to Texas Tech’s past internationalization accomplishments during his 14-year stint with the OIA.

“I have worked with Ambassador Nagy since he joined Texas Tech University, and over the years, we have developed a bond that is founded on both professional and personal levels,” Misra said. “He has been an invaluable mentor and friend to me and was instrumental in making internationalization a priority for the university.”

Prior to his current position, Misra has served as an Associate Vice Provost at Texas Tech University. He has also served as the Associate Dean for Research for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources from 2002 to 2014. Before joining the Texas Tech University, he was a researcher at the University of Georgia for three years. He has served in several local, state, regional, and national organizations involved in the advancement of higher education.

Misra completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Analytical and Applied Economics from Utkal University in India. He then completed his doctorate in Agricultural Economics from Mississippi State University.

A recipient of more than $2.2 million in external funding as a principal and co-principal investigator, Misra has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, technical and invited papers, and book chapters.