UTA announced today that Wayne Atchley will serve as the inaugural vice president for regional campuses, including UTA West and the Fort Worth Center. He has more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education, most recently as vice president for academic affairs at the Tarrant Community College Trinity River campus.

“Wayne is a highly respected educator with deep roots in west Fort Worth,” says UTA president Jennifer Cowley. "When I first met him, it was obvious to me that he has the connection and appreciation for that community, which is critical for building a solid foundation for the new UTA West and a vision for our UTA Fort Worth Center."

Dr. Atchley grew up in Tarrant County, and his wife of 29 years, Stephanie, is an educator who taught in Aledo ISD for seven years. Both are eager to move back to west Fort Worth and become fully engaged in the community.

“Spending my childhood in Tarrant County and seeing the astounding growth taking place there now is nothing short of phenomenal,” he says. "To be given this unique opportunity to join UTA and help shape the future of my hometown is truly exciting. I am looking forward to leveraging UTA’s prestigious R1 status and excellent academic reputation to expand educational and workforce opportunities in west Fort Worth and Parker County.”