East Texas A&M University (ETAMU) has appointed Sri Beldona, Ph.D., as chief academic officer (CAO) and special assistant to the president, a newly created leadership position aimed at advancing the university’s academic mission and strengthening industry partnerships in the Dallas metropolitan area.
Beldona will report directly to the provost with a secondary reporting line to the president. His role will focus on building connections with local industry partners to enhance academic offerings, philanthropy, and student career development. He will serve as a senior representative for ETAMU-Dallas, collaborating with university leadership, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to align programs with market needs.
Bringing extensive experience in higher education leadership, Beldona has a proven track record of developing market-driven curricula, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and securing major philanthropic contributions. His career includes positions as vice president of strategic planning at Marketing Management, Inc., professor and associate dean at the University of Dallas, and most recently, dean of Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University.
Beldona has raised over $10 million in scholarship funding and STEM initiatives and played a key role in securing a $12 million gift for the University of Dallas. His expertise in enrollment growth, external partnerships, and academic development is expected to support ETAMU’s expanding presence in Dallas.
“I am thrilled to bring my experience and passion for higher education leadership to this dynamic institution,” Beldona said. “East Texas A&M University is poised for an exciting future, and I am eager to be part of the journey to achieve bold aspirations.”
ETAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tammi Vacha-Haase highlighted Beldona’s strategic leadership as essential to the university’s growth.
“As ETAMU continues to expand throughout the Dallas metropolitan area, Dr. Beldona brings a deep appreciation for our institution's history while maintaining a forward-focused vision for expansion,” she said.
Beldona holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration and an M.S. in International Business from Temple University, an MBA in Marketing from Pune University, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Gulbarga University.
He will assume his new role and tenured professorship in ETAMU’s College of Business on March 15, 2025.
