Texas State University System (TSUS) Chancellor Brian McCall has appointed Dr. Wendy Elmore as the next president of Lamar State College Orange (LSCO), pending approval of the Board of Regents. Dr. Elmore, currently executive vice president and provost of LSCO, would succeed President Tom Johnson, who announced he will retire at the end of the current academic year. With the board’s consent at its May 2025 meeting, and after the state-required waiting period, Elmore would begin her new role as president on June 1.
Dr. Elmore has served as LSCO’s chief academic officer since April 2020, where she has played a key role in efforts to expand degree and credential offerings, enhance the quality of instructional programs, and open new academic centers in Lumberton and Livingston.
“Dr. Elmore has played an integral role in virtually every major college initiative since 2020,” said Chancellor McCall. “As we look to build upon the successes achieved during President Johnson’s tenure, we are fortunate to have a strong leader in place with an intimate understanding of LSCO and the communities it serves, ensuring the college maintains forward momentum.”
Before arriving at LSCO, Dr. Elmore served as vice president of instruction and chief academic officer, associate vice president of academic affairs, director of distance learning, and director of testing at Trinity Valley Community College. She previously worked as a counselor, district assessment coordinator, and math teacher at Elkhart Independent School District.
Elmore earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Stephen F. Austin State University, a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.
She has served on a number of boards and committees, including the Orange County Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, American Technical Educator Association Board, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Dual Credit and Academic Institutions Formula Advisory Committee.
Dr. Elmore will succeed Dr. Tom Johnson, who has served as president of LSCO since 2018. During Johnson’s tenure the college has experienced unprecedented growth, as enrollment increased more than 50% between 2018 and 2024. Johnson’s major accomplishments include initiating a 10-year Campus Master Plan; guiding the college through a 10-year reaccreditation process; adding new facilities and enhancing existing buildings; and opening new academic centers in Lumberton and Livingston.
About LSCO
Lamar State College Orange offers fully transferable first- and second-year courses that fulfill the core curriculum for most four-year degrees. Students experience a first-class education that prepares them to complete a bachelor’s degree or directly enter the workforce. By offering small class sizes, a diverse atmosphere, and affordable tuition, LSCO is dedicated to transforming the lives of its students.
About TSUS
The Texas State University System is the state’s first university system, with seven institutions serving more than 95,000 students from far West Texas to the Gulf Coast. Established in 1911, the mission of TSUS is to provide high-quality, affordable degree and credential programs to meet the needs of Texas’ diverse and fast-growing economy.
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