Howard Payne University Hired Eight New Faculty
The institution added new professors and staff across multiple departments for the 2026-27 academic year.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in People
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Howard Payne University has appointed eight new faculty members to its staff for the 2026-27 academic year. The incoming group brings professional experience from industry roles, clinical practice, and higher education leadership to the Brownwood campus.
Why it matters
The addition of new faculty members allows the university to expand its instructional expertise in areas ranging from business and management to nursing and the sciences.
The university recruited 8 new faculty members to fill various academic and clinical roles. This hiring cycle follows diverse professional backgrounds among the new staff members.
The players
Howard Payne University
This private university is located in Brownwood, Texas, and serves as a regional center for higher education.
Matthew Earnhardt
He serves as the dean of the School of Business and a professor of business administration at the university.
James Bode
He is the new artist-in-residence at the university who previously spent 24 years working as a band director.
The details
The newly appointed staff members include Matthew Earnhardt as dean of the School of Business, alongside new professors in biology, management, chemistry, English, nursing, and marketing. James Bode, who brings two decades of experience, joins the team as artist-in-residence.
Timeline
The eight new faculty members began their roles for the 2026-27 academic year.
Patrick Ketter served as a visiting assistant professor during the Spring 2026 term.
Market Landscape
This strategic hiring initiative mirrors broader trends where private institutions adjust their academic leadership to remain competitive in the higher education sector. By securing diverse talent, the university strengthens its capacity to attract students in specialized fields.
Students and prospective applicants can expect expanded course offerings and specialized mentorship as a result of these new faculty appointments. The influx of new expertise may also influence department-specific curriculum developments for the current academic year.
The takeaway
The addition of these faculty members marks a significant effort to bolster the university's academic resources for the 2026-27 term. Prospective students interested in business, nursing, or the sciences should review the updated faculty directory to align with potential mentors.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest staff updates at People.
More information
For more information on academic programs, visit the Howard Payne University application portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brownwood News.
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