Faculty Profile for Dr. Thomas Vance McMahan Jr.

Biography Section

Biography and Education

Vance McMahan is a Professor of Practice at Texas State University in the Department of Political Science. He is also the founder and principal of TVM Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in public policy analysis, strategic planning and communications. The firm’s client base includes non-profit organizations, government agencies and corporations with a primary focus on issues involving global competitiveness, public and higher education and health care. He has contributed to, or authored, a number of publications on issues such as public and higher education, policy and management challenges facing governments, and social services reform.

Mr. McMahan previously served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the central U.N. forum for discussing international economic and social issues and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations system. He led the U.S. Mission’s delegation on development, humanitarian and human rights matters considered by the General Assembly and spoke on behalf of the United States in the General Assembly and the Security Council.

Accomplishments during his tenure included: drafting and helping pass the U.N.’s first resolution on legal empowerment of the poor; reaching agreement on the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development; passing General Assembly resolutions against countries violating basic human rights; negotiating protections for freedom of speech and religion in human rights resolutions; supporting initiatives to improve humanitarian aid delivery and coordination of global literacy efforts; and hosting U.N. events on prisoners of conscience and the global fight to eradicate malaria. He received a Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.

Before his service as ambassador to the U.N., Mr. McMahan was a senior policy adviser to the U.S. Secretary of Education’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education and helped draft the final report: “A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education.” He was retained by the U.S. Undersecretary of Education as special adviser to assist the Department in communicating and implementing the report’s recommendations.

Mr. McMahan began his career in public service as director of policy for George W. Bush during his term as Texas Governor.Under his direction, the policy office helped develop and pass major reform legislation in the areas of K-12 education, civil justice, welfare, juvenile justice, conservation, adoption, and faith-based institutions. The policy office also served as the primary point of contact for state agencies on significant policy issues.

After Governor Bush’s election to the Presidency, Mr. McMahan served as Deputy Assistant to the President and helped establish the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives. This office was responsible for planning, developing, and coordinating a long-range strategy for achieving the Administration’s international and domestic priorities.

Prior to serving in government, Mr. McMahan worked in the banking and corporate finance section of the Houston-based law firm, Andrews and Kurth, L.L.P.

Mr. McMahan is a member of the Council of American Ambassadors, the Future Forum, the World Affairs Council of Austin, the advisory board for the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers program and the State Bar of Texas.

Mr. McMahan is an honors graduate of The University of Texas School of Law and received his undergraduate degree in political science from Stanford University, graduating with honors and distinction.

Teaching Interests

International Organizations
Law and Public Policy
Public Policy and the Government, Business and Non-profit Sectors
State Politics and Policy

Research Interests

First Generation Student Success
International Organizations
Law and Public Policy
Public Policy and the Government, Business and Non-profit Sectors
State Politics and Policy
Free Speech in Digital Age