The University of North Texas has named Dr. Albert Bimper as its interim provost and Vice President for academic affairs. Bimper, who served as the executive dean of the UNT’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences beforehand, will now oversee the university’s academic program, curriculum, and faculty affairs.
UNT President Harrison Keller announced the appointment in a Wednesday email to all faculty and staff. Bimper has been at the university since 2023 and also had a brief NFL career.
Before arriving at UNT, Bimper has worked for Colorado State University and Kansas State University. Having held leadership positions at Colorado State, including Director of the School of Education and interim chief of staff to the Office of the President, Bimper earned his Ph.D. from UT Austin and focuses his research on critical race theory, intercollegiate athletics, and related issues.
Texas Scorecard reported that during Bimper’s tenure as Dean for UNT’s College of Liberal Arts, the courses offered promoted witchcraft, demonology, “queer anti-capitalism,” and “sexual liberation politics.”
Bimper now serves as UNT’s top academic officer, a position meant to provide “leadership in the development and supervision of the university’s academic programs and curriculum.” Under SB 37 by Brandon Creighton, provost hires require approval from the governing board and the Board of Regents, and the university president retains final jurisdiction over day-to-day operations.
Bimper takes the provost office during a period of debate over curriculum priorities, university accountability, and the direction of public universities in Texas.