COMMERCE, Texas - Dr. Deborrah A. Hebert, new assistant vice president and dean of student affairs at Texas A&M University-Commerce, brings 30 years of experience to the position.

Formerly dean of student life at Angelo State University, Hebert joined A&M-Commerce this summer.

Since arriving in mid June, she has been getting acquainted with faculty, staff, students, and the campus.

"The people I have met have been wonderful," she said of A&M-Commerce.

Hebert, who grew up in Alexandria, La., said she had been interested in the position at A&M-Commerce because it was a promotion for her and the university has a good reputation.

A&M-Commerce is a campus on the move with the construction of a new student center, scheduled to open in Fall 2008, and new programs, such as the Honors College, for high achieving high school graduates that will kick off this fall, Hebert said.

"After I came to interview for the position, I felt like it would be a good place to be and it is closer to home and family in Louisiana," she said.

In the upcoming fall semester, Hebert will work to increase visibility and awareness of student affairs, help students interested in this area as a career, and work with student groups, she said.

Dr. Mary Hendrix, interim provost and vice president for academic/student affairs, welcomed Hebert to the university.

"Dr. Hebert is a seasoned student affairs administrator, who understands the needs of today's students," Hendrix said.

"Although she has been with us only a month, I have been impressed that she understands the essential role student affairs plays in achieving our goal of 10,000 students in the next three years and that she has already begun developing strategies for recruiting and retaining students," Hendrix said.

Hebert earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from Northwestern State University and a Ph.D. from The University of Georgia.

She began her career working in residence life at colleges and universities in Louisiana, Virginia, Colorado, Illinois, and Tennessee.

In the 1980s, Hebert was director of residential life at Incarnate Word College in San Antonio for two years. She worked at Angelo State for nine years.

WARM WELCOME -- Dr. Deborrah Hebert (right), new assistant vice president and dean of student affairs at Texas A&M University-Commerce, meets Summer Spurlock, assistant athletic director for compliance and student services. A welcoming reception for Hebert, former dean of student life at Angelo State University, was held earlier this summer in the A&M-Commerce Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center. Hebert, who grew up in Louisiana, earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., and a doctorate from The University of Georgia.  (A&M-Commerce photo)