Angelo State Names New Provost

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Dr. Sarah Coakley, previously provost and chief academic officer at Georgia Highlands College, has been appointed as Angelo State University's new provost and vice president for academic affairs, effective Nov. 30.

In that position, Coakley will provide executive leadership for the development, implementation and continuous assessment of the university's academic vision, ensuring alignment with student success goals, institutional strategy, workforce needs and emerging trends in higher education. More specifically, her duties will include:

• Overseeing ASU's six academic colleges and 25 academic departments
• Leading academic initiatives that support student success, retention, persistence, timely graduation and post-graduation outcomes
• Overseeing academic planning, assessment, accreditation and regulatory compliance
• Enhancing faculty success by fostering excellence in teaching, scholarship, creative activity and service
• Overseeing faculty recruitment, retention, development, evaluation, promotion and tenure
• Stewarding academic resources, including budgeting and financial planning
• Serving as a key ASU representative with Texas Tech University System leadership, community and industry partners, alumni and external stakeholders

ASU President Ronnie Hawkins announced Coakley's appointment.

"Dr. Coakley brings extensive experience in academic leadership, student success, and state and local government relations," Hawkins said. "Her journey - from first-generation college student to professor, to administrator, and now leader of Angelo State's academic enterprise - reflects the opportunities and pathways we are committed to creating for every ASU student."

"I thank the search committee for its dedication and thoughtful work throughout this process," Hawkins added. "I also recognize Dr. David Bixler for his service as interim provost of Angelo State."

At GHC since 2013, Coakley originally joined the faculty as an assistant professor of chemistry. She was later promoted to dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in 2018 and then to provost and chief academic officer in 2021. She also served as the SACSCOC accreditation liaison in 2023-24 and interim director of athletics in 2024. As such, she has a proven track record as a higher education and academic leader with progressive experience spanning faculty, academic administration and executive leadership.

As provost and chief academic officer, Coakley provided strategic oversight for academic affairs, student affairs, enrollment management and institutional effectiveness across five GHC instructional sites, serving approximately 6,000 students. She also expanded GHC's academic portfolio through the development of multiple workforce-aligned bachelor's degrees, strengthened academic partnerships, and championed innovative approaches to teaching and student success. Under her leadership, GHC was named a Top 10 finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

Under Coakley's direction, GHC also achieved an overall enrollment growth of about 23% from 2022-25 and increased bachelor's degree enrollment by 230%. She also spearheaded initiatives that generated over $7.6 million in external funding, built numerous industry and higher education partnerships, implemented innovative technology solutions and developed collaborative leadership programs.

Coakley holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Tulane University. She replaces Dr. Don Topliff, who served as ASU's provost and vice president for academic affairs from Jan. 1, 2015, until his retirement earlier this year.