Alberto Gonzales Brings Expertise, Experience to Texas Tech

Former United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will join the Texas Tech University System beginning Aug. 1.

Gonzales will assist both Texas Tech University and Angelo State University with recruiting and retaining first generation and underrepresented students. He will work with Texas Tech’s Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement in the planning of a first generation and minority student leadership training and development program.

He also will teach a junior-level seminar course, “Contemporary Issues in the Executive Branch” in the Department of Political Science at Texas Tech. As a visiting professor Gonzales will guest lecture to classes across the campus.

“I am excited that Alberto Gonzales is bringing his experience to Texas Tech,” said Kent Hance, Texas Tech University chancellor. “His own upbringing in Houston as part of a migrant family with eight children makes him qualified to tell underrepresented Texas students that college is possible. He will help Texas Tech and ASU prepare our students for success and to be future leaders in the State of Texas and beyond.”

Lawrence Schovanec, interim dean of Texas Tech’s College of Arts and Sciences, said, “Judge Gonzales brings a unique experience to our classroom. His career in law, government and public service will provide our political science students a rich perspective of the executive branch and issues and challenges facing our nation. ”

Gonzales joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. From there, he sought and received an appointment to the Air Force Academy. He transferred to Rice University and majored in political science. He graduated from Harvard Law School and joined the Houston law firm of Vinson & Elkins. Then Texas Gov. George Bush recruited him as a special advisor on border issues and relations with Mexico. Gonzales also served Bush as general counsel. He was appointed Texas Secretary of State and elected to the Texas Supreme Court. When Bush was elected president, he again called on Gonzales to serve as White House counsel and later was appointed Attorney General.