David Tan, Ph.D.

Professor

With 36 years of experience as a teacher, researcher, public service contributor, and administrator in the field and profession of higher education administration, David Tan, Ph.D., knows what it takes to produce quality graduates with bright futures.

He has 26 years of national leadership and field stewardship focused on matters of race and ethnicity in American society and higher education, as well as his role as a teacher of social justice courses.

Tan's students go on to become college presidents, athletic directors, student affairs practitioners, institutions researchers, administrators and educators. He has helped produce nearly 30 Ph.D. graduates and four former students are now serving as college presidents.

A Conversation with Dr. Tan

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending A&M-Commerce?

If you are interested in a two-way teaching and learning experience between faculty and students, this is the place for you. You will find strategic opportunities and challenges that will allow you to flourish as an adult learner.

What draws you to your discipline?

I am drawn to higher education as a fascinating and challenging multi-disciplinary field of study that addresses its significance as an important passport to societal, economic and personal progressions. Higher education as a field of study covers organizational theory, governance, leadership, strategic planning, assessment, finance, teaching, learning, research and service to its constituents and communities.

Tell us about a project you are currently working on or recently completed.

I am currently in the process of writing a textbook on research methodology, which addresses the quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches to research or the discovery of new forms of knowledge and ideas.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Higher Education Administration, University of Arizona, 1985
• M.Ed., Higher Education Administration, University of Arizona, 1982

Research Interests

• Organization, administration and leadership in higher education
• Regional accreditation, statewide coordination and institutional assessment
• Strategic planning and organizational change

Professional Organizations

• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association for Colleges and Schools
• Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies, the association that runs the nation's premiere conference on race and ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE)
• Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange

Selected Publications

• “Specially-Admitted Student-Athletes: Their Academic Performance, Persistence, and Graduation from an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision University.” International Journal of Sport Management, 11(3): 477-491.
• Instructor's Manual (with Test Bank) for Introduction to Research in Education, Eighth Edition. Wadsworth.
• “Participation in Co-Curricular Activities: Nontraditional Student Perspectives.” College and University, 83(1): 2-9.