(AUSTIN) – Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall, Ph.D., today named Thomas A. Johnson, Ed.D., sole finalist in the Lamar State College-Orange presidential search. Dr. Johnson, currently assistant vice president of student affairs at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, was chosen from a field of more than 30 candidates who applied during a national search.

The TSUS Board of Regents must confirm Dr. Johnson’s appointment after a 21-day waiting period required by state law. If confirmed, Johnson is expected to assume the presidency by Sep. 1. He would succeed LSCO President Mike Shahan, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Johnson began his tenure at Tyler Junior College in 2006 and has served in a variety of positions, including chair of the Public Safety Technology department and associate dean of the School of Applied Studies, before ascending to his current position in student affairs.

His academic career also includes teaching and administrative positions at Houston Community College and Sam Houston State University. At SHSU, Johnson managed the U.S. Border Intelligence Network Grant Program and taught undergraduate and graduate criminal justice courses.

Johnson began his career as an officer in the Houston Police Department, where he served in a variety of patrol and administrative positions before retiring from a 20-year law enforcement career.

He has earned five college degrees, including two associate degrees, a bachelor of science in Criminology and Corrections and a master of science in Criminal Justice Management from Sam Houston State University, and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Texas Southern University.

Wheless Partners, a globally recognized executive search firm, assisted TSUS in the process of identifying and vetting prospective candidates for this position.

Lamar State College-Orange is a member of the Texas State University System, which comprises seven institutions from the Big Bend Region to the Gulf Coast. The Texas State University System is the oldest university system in Texas with enrollment exceeding 84,000 students.