University president meets with students, faculty and staff
Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks visited the Texas A&M School of Dentistry Dec. 5, meeting with small groups of student leaders, staff and faculty before giving a town hall presentation to the campus community.
President M. Katherine Banks
Banks shared ideas and initiatives about the future of Texas A&M, touching on everything from increased funding for research to weaving the Aggie Way into every campus, classroom and laboratory.
She reiterated Texas A&M’s commitment to making the higher education experience more relevant, creating more opportunities for those who are determined to succeed and influencing our society in new, meaningful ways.
Banks also expressed gratitude to the A&M School of Dentistry’s faculty, staff and students for their perseverance before closing it out with a question-and-answer session.
“I would like to thank each of you,” she said. “I know it’s been a challenging year, but you remained dedicated to your mission of education, research and patient care. I’m excited to watch the school continue to grow as a leader in dental education with Dr. Garcia at the helm.”
Dean Lily García, who returned to lead her alma mater in October, said she was pleased to host Banks and members of her leadership team.
“It was a great opportunity for her to meet with our students, staff and faculty,” García said. “We look forward to elevating the prominence of oral health care education, working with her administration and growing the Aggie impact in our communities in North Texas.”
Texas A&M University School of Dentistry Dean Lily T. Garcia (center) welcomes to campus Texas A&M President M. Katherine Banks (second from right) and members of her cabinet Susan Ballabina, Chief External Affairs Officer and Sr. VP for Academic and Strategic Collaborations; N.K. Anand, VP for Faculty Affairs; and Alan Sams, VP for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer.
Banks is the 26th president of Texas A&M, one of the largest universities in the U.S., with more than 74,000 students and 10,000-plus faculty and staff members. She also serves as Vice Chancellor of National Laboratories and National Security Strategic Initiatives for the Texas A&M University System through her involvement with Los Alamos National Laboratory and the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex at the RELLIS campus.
The town hall was one of two dozen held since Banks’ State of the University address Sept. 28.
