The Blinn College Board of Trustees approved longtime Bryan campus natural sciences division chair Dr. Bob Brick as vice president of applied sciences, a newly created position intended to place more emphasis on technical and workforce education programs.

“Blinn College is already a leader in academic transfer. Elevating applied sciences to the vice presidential level and appointing a VP with outstanding credentials demonstrates the administration’s commitment to a more comprehensive college,” Blinn President Dr. Dan Holt said.

Dr. Brick will draw on his extensive experience in science education and research, as well as being an advisor to government and industry, to work with community leaders to determine what current Blinn programs should be expanded and what new areas should be explored.

"I look forward to the opportunity of continuing Blinn’s strong tradition through its health and technical education programs and to expanding its role in the new field of biotechnical training,” Brick said.

The new division will be headquartered in Bryan/College Station where the greatest opportunities appear in the areas of biotechnology and allied health. Discussions with city, county, hospital, and Texas A&M University System officials are underway to articulate the vision for this new initiative and building partnerships to further the college’s mission.

Dr. Brick’s experience spans the globe. Holding advanced degrees from the University of Hawaii and a bachelor’s from Texas Tech University, Dr. Brick has taught biology and zoology, and served as division chair at Blinn since 1995. He served as interim assistant director of the Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Hawaii and was principal investigator at the Oceanic Institute in Hawaii. From 1975-80, he taught fisheries and aquaculture at Texas A&M University.

His government and industry experience includes founding a private company consulting in shrimp farming in Texas and South America. Dr. Brick served as the chief operating officer responsible for management of a pre-commercial facility for research and shrimp production. He also served as an advisor to the governments of Pakistan and Indonesia regarding business development and university education related to marine science.

A native of Dallas, Dr. Brick’s first adventures overseas came as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer teaching science in Sri Lanka and the Philippines.