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BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System on Thursday appointed Tracy Foster as Executive Vice Chancellor, selecting a longtime Texas A&M System leader to help oversee one of the nation’s largest systems of higher education.

Foster currently serves as Deputy Agency Director and Chief Administrative Officer for Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), where she has helped guide the agency through a period of rapid growth, organizational change and expanding national impact. She succeeds Susan Ballabina, who was recently named president of Texas A&M University.

“People paying attention may notice a pattern in the appointments of both Dr. Ballabina and now Tracy Foster,” said Jay Graham, Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents. “In both cases, we found strong, proven leaders from within the Texas A&M University System itself. That says a lot about the people we have across this organization. Tracy understands our mission and our responsibility to serve Texas because she has spent her career doing exactly that. She is respected across the System for her leadership, her work ethic and her ability to bring people together and get things done.”

As executive vice chancellor, Foster will help oversee strategic initiatives and System-level operations supporting the A&M System’s 12 universities, comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies and statewide service mission.

Chancellor Glenn Hegar said Foster’s broad operational experience and long history within the System made her a natural fit for the role.

“Tracy has spent her career helping institutions manage growth, navigate complexity and stay focused on mission,” Hegar said. “She understands higher education, state government and the operational side of serving Texas at a large scale. More importantly, she understands people. She leads with humility, listens carefully and approaches leadership as service. I’m excited to have her on our team.”

Foster has worked within the Texas A&M System for nearly 21 years, including leadership roles at both TEEX and Texas A&M University. Her experience spans budgeting, legislative strategy, capital planning, finance, contract management and organizational operations.

At TEEX, she oversees administrative departments including finance, communications, contract services, facilities, strategic services and information technology while serving as a key member of the agency’s executive leadership team.

She also currently serves as chair of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, a federally supported organization focused on emergency preparedness and response training nationwide. Colleagues credit her calm and steady leadership with helping guide the consortium through two federal government shutdowns while maintaining strong relationships with national partners.

A graduate of the Texas A&M University Mays School of Business, Foster began her career in the private sector before joining Texas A&M University in 2005. Over the years, she became heavily involved in legislative appropriations, strategic planning and statewide financial modeling efforts supporting both the flagship university and the broader Texas A&M System.

In addition to her operational work, Foster is known across the System for mentoring employees and championing leadership development initiatives. She is a graduate of Leadership Texas and the Governor’s Executive Development Program.

“The Texas A&M System changes lives every day through education, research, training and service,” Foster said. “I care deeply about this organization and the people who make it work. It is an honor to serve in this role, and I’m grateful to the Board and Chancellor Hegar for their confidence and support.”

Foster and her husband, Mark, have been married for 29 years and have two children.