PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (December 3, 2019) – Dr. Michael L. McFrazier has been appointed professor and dean of the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education (WRGCOE) at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), following approval by the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, John Sharp. McFrazier’s appointment comes with the enthusiasm of the faculty, students, and staff who have had an opportunity to interact with him over the last year while he served in an interim capacity.
As dean, part of McFrazier’s duties will include planning, advancing, and accessing the college’s programs and services. As chief academic officer, he will also be instrumental in overseeing PVAMU’s participation in We Teach Texas, a system-wide campaign affirming the critical role of teachers and highlighting the success of educational preparation programs across the eleven Texas A&M University System universities.
“I look forward to our continued work together as Dr. McFrazier leads the College of Education at Prairie View A&M University through a new period of growth, educational excellence, and collaborative partnerships,” said Dr. Shonda Gibson, associate vice chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. “Prairie View A&M and the local educational community will greatly benefit from McFrazier’s passion and commitment to excellence in educator preparation.”
Charles Butt, chairman and CEO of H-E-B, recently donated $250,000 for the creation of the Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Scholarship to support the WRGCOE in preparing students entering the teaching profession. Butt’s gift was matched by the Texas A&M System to create an initial endowment corpus of $500,000. Holdsworth Scholarships will be awarded to selected upper-level students who desire to teach in public schools.
Within the past year, McFrazier also partnered with officials in the PVAMU student employment office and Waller Independent School District to implement a Federal Work Study Tutoring program. This community engagement service program provides eligible PVAMU students with the opportunity to impact the academic success of local elementary students by tutoring them in critical subject areas like reading and math.
McFrazier began his professional career as a public-school teacher and administrator in the Waco Independent School District. He joined faculty in the WRGCOE in 1998. He holds tenure and has served in several leadership roles at the college and university levels, including coordinator of the Educational Administration Degree Program, faculty consultant for the Texas Education Agency regarding principal and superintendent certification exams, coordinator of the doctoral program in Educational Leadership, associate provost and associate vice president for Academic Affairs; vice provost for Academic Affairs and dean of the Northwest Houston Campus; vice president for Administration; and chair of the PVAMU Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Reaffirmation of Accreditation decennial review.
McFrazier is an alumnus of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Baylor University, and Paris Junior College. He has written a number of articles and book chapters and made scholarly presentations. His professional research interests include First Generation College Student Academic Self-Efficacy, Minority Male Academic Achievement and Mentorship, and Personality Assessment of Effective Educational Leaders.
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