Biography

John SharpJohn Sharp was appointed Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System by the Board of Regents in 2011.

As chancellor, Sharp leads one of the largest systems in the country with an annual budget of $7.8 billion and an enrollment of more than 153,000 students at 11 System universities. Additionally, under the System umbrella, there are eight state agencies.

Sharp earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M University in 1972, where he was a member of the Corps staff of the Corps of Cadets, a member of the 1972 rugby team, and he was elected student body president. Upon graduation, Sharp was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve.

In 2018, Sharp was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus, an honor given to Aggies who have achieved excellence in their professions and made meaningful contributions to Texas A&M and the communities. It is the college’s highest honor awarded to former students.

In 1976, Sharp received a master’s degree in public administration from Southwest Texas State University while working full-time with the Legislative Budget Board in Austin. In 1978, he opened a one-man real estate firm in Victoria.

Chancellor Sharp brings with him more than three decades of public service. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1978, and in 1982, he won a seat in the Texas Senate. Four years later, he was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission, and he was elected state comptroller in 1990 and re-elected in 1994.

Sharp is married to Diana (Atchison) Sharp. They exchanged vows on May 5, 2023. Between them, they have five adult children and six grandchildren.

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