Proud Products of Texas Public Schools
Felipe T. Alanis
Texas Commissioner of Education
Graduate of Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School
Felipe T. Alanis, a former teacher, administrator and state-level education leader, became the Texas Commissioner of Education April 1, 2002.
Alanis was the ninth commissioner of education since the position was created by the Gilmer-Aikin Act of 1949 and the first Hispanic Texan to serve in that role. Governor Rick Perry appointed Alanis to fill an unexpired term of office, which ended in January 2003.
In his role as the state's education commissioner, Alanis oversaw a public education system that included 4 million students, 1,040 school districts and about 200 charter schools and led the Texas Education Agency.
Prior to this appointment, Alanis served as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Texas System. In that job, he worked to foster programs that benefited both higher education and the public schools.
During this time, Alanis also served on the senior staff of Commissioner of Education Jim Nelson. That service, along with a four-year stint as deputy commissioner for programs and instruction at the Texas Education Agency from 1995-99, made Alanis well grounded in the issues that come before a commissioner.
Prior to joining the Texas Education Agency staff, Alanis served as superintendent of the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District in the Rio Grande Valley. As superintendent, Alanis restructured the district, providing an early model for consolidated funding, clarifying district goals and achieving substantial improvement on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills.
From 1989 to 1994, Alanis worked in OdessaÃs Ector County Independent School District, serving first as executive director for secondary education and later as deputy superintendent.
Alanis began his career in education in his hometown of Pharr - San Juan Alamo in the Rio Grande Valley in 1970. During his 17 years in the district, he served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.
Alanis, who was born October 6, 1948, holds a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Texas and a master's degree and Bachelor of Science degree from Pan American University, now the University of Texas - Pan American.