Dr. Frank B. Ashley III recently served as the Interim Dean at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University from 2023-2024. He was Executive Associate Dean, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Senior Professor at the Bush School from 2016 to 2023. He came to the Bush School from the College Board, where he was Senior Vice President of Membership and Higher Education Engagement. As Executive Associate Dean, Dr. Ashley supervised graduate education and research activities as well as strategic planning, faculty affairs, student affairs, program development, diversity, assessment, communications and external relations, student services, and extended education programs in the Bush School. He also taught the Managing Diversity in Public and Nonprofit Organizations course. Dr. Ashley earned his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana College and a master’s and doctorate from the University of Alabama. He began his academic career as a science teacher and coach. His previous appointments also include faculty positions and service as Dean of the College of Education and Interim Provost-Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University-Commerce as well as Director of Admissions and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Teacher Education in Texas A&M University’s College of Education. From 2007 to 2010, Dr. Ashley served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Texas A&M University System, where he served as Chief Academic Officer for the System and represented the System at the state level on all academic issues. In 2010, he was named Vice Chancellor for Recruitment and Diversity and Chief of Staff. In this position, he collected and analyzed System data on diversity and assisted System universities and agencies in recruiting and retaining diverse students, faculty, and staff. A former College Board trustee, Dr. Ashley also has served on boards and committees for numerous other organizations, including the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, CHI St. Joseph Health, the North American Society for Sport Management, and the Commerce Independent School District. He currently serves as the Chair of the Clinical Operations Board of St. Luke’s Health. He was also a member of the editorial board of both the Journal of Applied and Athletics Research in Coaching and the International Journal of Sports Management.
