Former SOU president appointed interim president of Texas A&M branch

Kevin Opsahl, Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.
·2 min read
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Dec. 27—Linda Schott, who stepped down as president from Southern Oregon University in January, was appointed earlier this month as interim president of a branch of Texas A&M University.

The SOU website recently linked to an article from The San Antonio Report, a nonprofit news agency, which stated Schott was unanimously approved Dec. 8 by the Texas A&M University System Regents to temporarily fill the shoes of President Cynthia Teniente-Matson, who resigned to take the helm at San Jose State University next month.

"Texas A&M San Antonio has a strong reputation for helping students transform their lives," Schott said in a news release. "I look forward to working with the faculty and staff there to continue that great work."

Schott, who served as SOU president from 2016 to 2022, had made it known while still serving in Ashland that she planned to retire to her family ranch in the Lone Star State. Rick Bailey, who served as president of Northern New Mexico College, succeeded Schott as SOU president Jan. 15.

Texas is where Schott hails from originally, growing up around Medina Lake, just outside San Antonio and graduating from a high school in the city's suburbs. Schott's academic credentials come from Baylor University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree, and Stanford University, where she earned her master's and Ph.D.

Schott will serve as the leader of the campus directly south of downtown San Antonio until the Texas A&M University System can find a new president to lead the institution, which in fall 2022 surpassed 7,000 students for the first time in its history.

John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, is confident with Schott at the helm while a national search is underway.

"Dr. Schott is an experienced and successful academic leader who will provide steady guidance at Texas A&M University-San Antonio during this transition," Sharp said.

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest higher education networks in the country, with 11 campuses serving 152,000 students, according to its website. The system is best known for its campus in College Station, home to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the burial place of the former president and first lady Barbara Bush.

Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.