Bill Adams, a longtime wildlife biologist and former associate director of operations at the Borderlands Research Institute, has been appointed assistant vice president of research administration and sponsored programs at Sul Ross State University.
Adams assumed the newly created position in October 2026, moving from a leadership role at the Borderlands Research Institute to a university-wide position supporting research administration, grant funding and compliance.
The appointment is part of Sul Ross State University’s efforts to strengthen its research infrastructure and expand opportunities for externally funded projects.
Dr. Louis Harveson, vice president of research and development at Sul Ross and the Dan Allen Hughes Jr. Endowed Director of the Borderlands Research Institute, announced the transition.
“Bill’s role change is bittersweet. While it’s hard to have Bill leave BRI with all that he’s accomplished in such a short time, we will be gaining a partner for a greater purpose here at Sul Ross,” Harveson said.
In his new position, Adams will provide operational and administrative leadership for externally funded research and special projects within the university’s newly established Division of Research and Development.
He will also serve as the university’s research security officer, overseeing efforts to ensure research activities comply with applicable security and regulatory requirements.
His responsibilities include improving administrative procedures, overseeing grant proposals and reporting, increasing transparency surrounding research compliance and supporting initiatives intended to attract additional research funding.
One of Adams’ initial priorities is completing a centralized website that will consolidate research resources for university faculty members serving as principal investigators.
The goal is to simplify administrative requirements so researchers can devote more time to their projects rather than navigating grant management and compliance procedures.
Adams brings decades of experience in wildlife biology and natural resource management to the position.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in natural resource management from Sul Ross State University.
Harveson served as Adams’ graduate adviser and mentor during his studies at Sul Ross.
Adams subsequently spent approximately 20 years working for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before returning to Sul Ross and joining the Borderlands Research Institute in 2023.
As the institute’s associate director of operations, Adams oversaw administrative processes and procedures supporting its research programs.
His responsibilities included coordinating operational activities and helping maintain the administrative systems necessary for the institute’s research projects.
The position also reunited Adams professionally with Harveson, who had previously guided his graduate studies.
“I always saw myself retiring with BRI, but this opportunity means more than just a new title to me,” Adams said. “It’s a chance to help grow research capacity at the University.”
The transition comes as Sul Ross seeks to develop stronger institutional support for research across its academic programs.
Adams will work with faculty members to improve access to external funding opportunities while establishing administrative systems capable of supporting increasingly complex research requirements.
For the Borderlands Research Institute, the move means losing a senior administrator involved in its daily operations while gaining a university-level research administrator familiar with the institute’s needs.
The institute, based at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, conducts research focused on wildlife conservation, natural resource management and the ecosystems of the Trans-Pecos region.
Adams’ new position will extend his administrative work beyond the institute to research initiatives throughout the university.
The university expects the expanded research administration structure to help faculty pursue additional grants, strengthen compliance procedures and support the continued development of research programs at Sul Ross State University.
