STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley has been named a recipient of Insight Into Academia magazine’s 2026 Trailblazer in Higher Education Award.
The national honor recognizes senior leaders whose bold, strategic innovations have advanced institutional excellence, strengthened community and connectedness, and created meaningful, measurable impact for students, employees and the broader academic ecosystem.
Insight Into Academia selected Dr. Hurley for the award in recognition of his bold innovation and strategic, transformative leadership at Tarleton State University.
“This is an extraordinary honor, and I am deeply grateful to those who submitted and supported the nomination,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “While my name may be associated with this recognition, it truly belongs to the entire Tarleton State family. Our extraordinary faculty, staff, and students, together with the steadfast support of Chancellor Glenn Hegar and the Texas A&M System Board of Regents, are what make our progress possible and what continues to drive our mission of expanding access and opportunity for future generations.”
Dr. Hurley’s forward-thinking programs, expanded support services, and comprehensive approach to institutional growth has advanced institutional excellence while strengthening community across the university. His commitment to progress, resilience and measurable impact places him among a premier cohort of visionary leaders shaping the future of higher education.
“President Hurley represents the very best of higher education leadership. He is a first-generation trailblazer who never forgets where he came from, and he leads with an authentic commitment to students and their families,” said Dr. Sherri Benn, Vice President for Global, Community and First-Gen Initiatives. “As members of his cabinet, we nominated him because we believe his leadership is transforming lives and elevating our university. We are proud of him, proud of Tarleton State and proud to serve as Tarleton State Texans under his leadership.”
Dr. Hurley will be featured alongside 17 other distinguished honorees in the March 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine. For more information about the Trailblazer in Higher Education Award, visit insightintoacademia.com.
“We believe the future of higher education depends on leaders who are willing to challenge convention and embrace bold, impactful innovation,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Academia magazine. “The 2026 Trailblazer honorees represent the highest levels of strategic leadership in the field, and we are proud to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments.”
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 21,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For over 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.