Dr. Joseph W. Alexander, DVM, (1947) is an American

educator A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. whe ...

from the U.S. state of

Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...

. He served as the

Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology The Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as ...

under Governor of Oklahoma

Brad Henry Charles Bradford Henry (born July 10, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician who was the 26th governor of Oklahoma from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002. Henry won re-election for a second term ...

, having been appointed by Henry in 2004 and leaving the post in 2011. In addition to his service to Governor Henry, Alexander is also the President of the Oklahoma State University's Center for Innovation and Economic Development.

Early life

Alexander earned by bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Arizona, a doctors degree in

veterinary science Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, management, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in animals. Along with this, it deals with animal rearing, husbandry, breeding, research on nutri ...

from

Colorado State University Colorado State University (Colorado State or CSU) is a public land-grant research university in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is the flagship university of the Colorado State University System. Colorado State University is classified among "R1: ...

, and a master's degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Tennessee. After finishing his education, Alexander moved to

where he became a professor of veterinary medicine at Oklahoma State University (OSU). In 1985, Alexander was promoted as the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine for OSU. He would remain in that position for the next sixteen years. In 2001, Alexander was selected as the Interim Vice-president for Research and External Relations for OSU. He served in that capacity until 2003 when he was appointed to the dual position of Director of External and Legislative Affairs and President of the Center for Innovation and Economic Development.

Secretary of Science

Following the election of

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

in the 2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election, Alexander served as a member of Henry's transition team. In 2004, Governor Henry appointed Alexander as his Secretary of Science and Technology. As the Secretary, Alexander oversees all efforts by the State government to use science and technology to improve government and to better serve the citizens of Oklahoma. In particular, Alexander works with the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism to promote economic development throughout the State. As Secretary, Alexander has primary supervision over the

Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that is responsible for technology-based economic development. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Inn ...

References

External links

Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet
1947 births Living people State cabinet secretaries of Oklahoma American veterinarians Oklahoma State University faculty {{Oklahoma-politician-stub