A Talk with Vice President and Provost Bernie Cantens

By Viviana Sanchez, Skyline Desk chief

ALPINE– Since accepting the position of Provost in November and recently, the position of Vice President, Bernie Canteñs has witnessed dramatic changes take place as Sul Ross and expects more changes to come.

After only being at Sul Ross for short amount of time Canteñs, citing the university’s “remote charm” and proximity to the Mexican border, Canteñs said Sul Ross is unlike any other University with which he has been associated. Prior to his assuming the new position at Sul Ross, Canteñs served for 14 yeas as associate provost and chair of the philosophy department at Moravian College in Bethlehem Penn.

The announcement of President Pete Gallego’s resignation in November coincidently resulted in Canteñs being the sole candidate for the position of Provost. Canteñs said that he would prefer to work with Gallego, but this has not stopped him from developing plans for the future of Sul Ross.

Since COVID has made online courses and learning a priority, Canteñs plans to make online courses better through quality technology and teacher certification. Canteñs has a broader vision for building more rapport between students on all three campuses of Sul Ross, and unity among the three institutions.

The vice president or provost customarily serves as the interim president until a new president is selected, a development that has not been announced. Even after Gallego steps down in three months, Canteñs said his presence will always be felt.

“Pete will always be here,” Canteñs told the Skyline.

Canteñs said he has no plans to depart from the direction Gallego has mapped out for the university, despite the controversy that some of his initiatives have caused.