McCuistion named chief of staff to Tarleton president

Kim McCuistion

Kim McCuistion has been named chief of staff to Tarleton State University President F. Dominic Dottavio, effective Aug. 1, a university news release announced.

McCuistion was among the top finalists in Tarleton’s search for someone to fill the role last summer and she succeeds Tod A. Farmer, who has been chosen president of Weatherford College.

“I am pleased to have Dr. McCuistion join Tarleton as chief of staff,” Dottavio said in the release. “She has the right combination of experience, skills and personal qualities to support our goal of becoming the premier student-focused university in Texas and beyond.”

McCuistion is director of animal nutrition for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and has 11 years of experience with Texas A&M University-Kingsville. As a faculty member, she had a split appointment with the Department of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences and the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, and she served as interim dean of the university’s Honors College from 2014 to 2017.

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In addition to managing the operations of the president’s office and serving as an official representative of the university, in her new role, McCuistion will coordinate legal and policy issues with The Texas A&M University System as well as state agencies and organizations, the release detailed.

“It is an honor to join Tarleton,” McCuistion said in the release. “The university is a proven leader in higher education, and I believe strongly in its mission. I truly appreciate Dr. Dottavio’s confidence in me and look forward to serving the entire Tarleton family.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M University, a master’s in animal science from Kansas State University and a doctorate in agriculture from West Texas A&M University.

Throughout her career, McCuistion’s research has focused on overlaying business principles with animal, rangeland and human resource management.

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When not researching, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses on ruminant nutrition, cattle production systems and equine management.

Additionally, McCuistion has worked with the USDA Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program to support Hispanic student education through experiential learning and research training.

McCuistion and her husband Brian live in Aledo with their three children, Sam, William and Clair.