Dr. Christopher P. Herrera, PhD, MBA, has been named the Association Dean of Online Learning and Distance Education at Sul Ross State University.
He is the first to hold the position, which reflects the university’s embrace of more online opportunities as higher education adapts to student preferences about how and where they learn.
“I’m very humbled to have been chosen to serve in this new role. My goal is to work collaboratively and diligently to build a large, robust online operation that supports growth in enrollment while maintaining the flexibility needed to adapt to emerging technologies,” said Dr. Herrera. “I believe expanding enrollment in our online programs will support growth across all areas of the institution, not just online and distance education.”
Dr. Herrera has been a professor of kinesiology at SRSU since moving to Alpine in 2016 and became the chair of the department in 2019. He received his PhD in Health Sciences in 2010 at the University of Sydney, Australia. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Ohio State University in 2003, followed in a Master of Arts in Behavioral Science from the University of Houston Clear Lake in 2006. In 2018, after arriving at Sul Ross, he earned his Master of Business Administration.
“We are delighted to have Dr. Herrera lead our new initiative to grow our online programs, online graduate enrollment and online faculty development,” said Dr. Bernie Canteñs, executive vice president and provost. “His entrepreneurial spirits, knowledge of online curriculum development and leadership skills are the perfect fit.”
Dr. Herrera is certified in online teaching through the Online Learning Consortium and Sam Houston State University. He chaired the Strategic Plan Leadership at SRSU, as well as the Campus Wellness Initiative, University Curriculum Committee and the Department Chairs Council.
He was elected as the 2018 class president of Leadership Big Bend, is a certified Master Naturalist and created the Trans-Pecos Ultra, a 165-mile race across the Big Bend Region.
“Our faculty at SRSU are known for their commitment and dedication to our students,” said Dr. Herrera. “They provide a very personalized educational and co-curricular experience. I look forward to supporting these efforts and expanding our reach through online programs and distance education.”
For more information, email christopher.herrera@sulross.edu or visit sulross.edu.