Dr. John C. Hayek Appointed Next President of Lamar State College Port Arthur

(AUSTIN) – Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall has appointed Dr. John C. Hayek as the next President of Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA), pending approval of the Board of Regents at its May 2026 meeting. Dr. Hayek has served as Interim President of LSCPA since January 2026, following the retirement of former President Betty Reynard.

“Dr. Hayek has provided strong, steady leadership during an important time for the college,” said Chancellor McCall. “He has built meaningful relationships across campus and throughout Southeast Texas, while maintaining a clear focus on student success, workforce alignment, and community impact. It is clear that Lamar State College Port Arthur has the right leader in place to guide the institution into its next chapter.”

Dr. Hayek brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education, with a record of service at the campus, system, and state levels. In addition to his role as Interim President, he serves as Vice Chancellor for Academic and Health Affairs and Chief Academic Officer for the Texas State University System, where he provides academic leadership across seven institutions.

Prior to joining TSUS in 2015, Dr. Hayek served as Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas System, where he led systemwide student success initiatives and academic strategy. He also served as Senior Vice President for Budget, Policy, and Planning at the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, directing statewide efforts in higher education funding, policy, and workforce development.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Hayek was part of the leadership team at Indiana University’s Center for Postsecondary Research, where he helped launch the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), a nationally recognized tool for improving student success and institutional quality.

“Lamar State College Port Arthur plays a vital role in expanding opportunity across Southeast Texas,” said Dr. Hayek. “I’m honored by the opportunity to serve and to continue working alongside our faculty, staff, students, and community partners to strengthen student success, expand workforce pathways, and support the region’s economic vitality.”

Dr. Hayek earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education from Indiana University Bloomington, a master’s degree in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago.

About LSCPA

Lamar State College Port Arthur, a member of the Texas State University System, is located in Port Arthur, Texas, in the heart of Southeast Texas’ energy and industrial corridor. The historic campus, which recently marked more than a century of service to the region, offers more than 50 academic, technical, and workforce programs spanning a wide range of fields — from music and the arts to industrial training and allied health — designed to prepare students for high-demand careers and successful transfer to four-year universities. Through strong faculty mentorship, industry partnerships, and robust continuing education and workforce training opportunities, the college plays a vital role in developing the skilled workforce that drives the regional and state economy while providing students with a clear pathway to educational and career success.

About TSUS

The Texas State University System is the state’s first university system, with seven institutions serving more than 102,000 students from far West Texas to the Gulf Coast. Established in 1911, the mission of TSUS is to provide high-quality, affordable degree and credential programs to meet the needs of Texas’ diverse and fast-growing economy.

Contact: Mike Wintemute, Vice Chancellor for Marketing & Communications, (512) 463-4862