STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Three Tarleton State vice presidents have been added to committees of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Dr. Sherri Benn, Dr. Rupa Iyer and Dr. Diana Ortega-Feerick were appointed during the association’s annual meeting in Seattle, Nov. 12-14.

Dr. Benn, Vice President for Global, Community and First-Gen Initiatives, was elected to a three-year term on the Commission on International Initiatives (CII) Executive Committee to help advance APLU’s internationalization efforts in support of the mission of public universities.

“I’m honored that my APLU peers elected me,” she said. “And thanks to President Hurley, Tarleton is going into its second year as an APLU member institution, making contributions on multiple fronts.

“With so many amazing things also happening at Tarleton, this is an exciting time to serve in this capacity. My role with the CII helps further progress toward Goal III of Tarleton’s strategic plan, which includes preparing our students to work, serve and lead in a global economy and transnational workforce.”

Dr. Iyer, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development, was reappointed to the Executive Committee of APLU’s Council on Research (COR). She was first appointed in 2022 when Tarleton became an APLU member and will serve two more years. COR is one of APLU’s nine core boards and convenes vice presidents and chancellors of research from major public universities across the U.S. to coordinate ways to improve their institutions’ shared research mission.

“I see the appointment as validation of Tarleton’s accomplishments in public impact research,” she said. “This is an opportunity to strengthen our research enterprise through collaboration with my APLU colleagues during this critical time as we pursue our R1 status.” The designation R1 is given by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education to universities with the highest research activity.

Dr. Ortega-Feerick, Vice President for the Division of Student Engagement and Success, was elected to a three-year term on the Council on Student Affairs Executive Committee. The CSA addresses issues related to the student experience: co-curricular opportunities; personal and professional growth; learning, progress and completion; mental and physical health and wellness; and fundamental needs such as housing, financial aid, transportation and food. On the executive committee she will help organize sessions and activities at the APLU Annual Meeting and CSA Summer Forum and assist the APLU CSA liaison with outreach to new members.

“This appointment is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the collective dedication to advancing student success,” she said. “I look forward to collaborating with esteemed colleagues to shape the future of higher education, foster student development and contribute to the vibrant learning community we aspire to create.”

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities is a research, policy and advocacy organization of public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems and higher education organizations. It counts member campuses in all of the United States as well as the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico.

Learn more at https://www.aplu.org/.

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 approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 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.