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Robert D. Moulton to leave NMSU to lead two colleges within the United Arab Emirates
Robert D. Moulton, who has been interim executive vice president and provost and dean of the College of Education, will leave New Mexico State University in two months for a position in the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) system in the United Arab Emirates. HCT is a relatively new and rapidly growing part of the UAE national system of higher education.
"This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an exceptionally dynamic higher education system in a part of the world that is experiencing rapid change," Moulton said. "The UAE is a very young nation that is investing heavily in higher education and wants to do things right, right now. UAE universities, like the nation, are young and change is occurring rapidly. Higher education administrators in the UAE can actually ‘see the needle move' as they initiate new programs, degrees and policies. The emphasis there is on being nimble, on taking action, and on showing results."
Moulton became interim executive vice president and provost at New Mexico State University in August 2008, he had previously served in that same role in 2007. His primary administrative role has been as dean of NMSU's College of Education, a position he has held since July 2000.
"It was a productive, happy time for me, primarily because of the great College of Education team. With that team, we grew in numbers, increased our collaborations with New Mexico's schools, enlarged and remodeled O'Donnell Hall, improved our fiscal health, and most important, became friends and colleagues. I leave behind a great college with great people."
Before joining NMSU, Moulton spent 26 years at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
Since the early 1980s, he has been active in establishing and improving international special education programs. He completed projects in China, Mexico, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Israel. In his most recent international project, Moulton co-directed a program that trained professionals in deaf education, audiology, and speech-language pathology in the refugee camps of the Gaza Strip.
Beginning Aug. 1, Moulton will assume the role of director (chief administrative officer) for two HCT campuses, both in the city of Ras Al-Khaimah, which is a coastal city about an hour's drive north of Dubai.
"As director, I will participate in the building of a new campus in Ras Al-Khaimah and that should be great fun," Moulton said. "Beyond that, I will be expected to continue with the HCT model that expects a direct connection between the college and the community it serves."
Written by Minerva Baumann.