Austin's career has been primarily in the administration of institutions of higher learning, having spent over thirty years working at a variety of schools including
North Park College and Theological Seminary in
Chicago,
Seattle Pacific University in
Washington, and
Hardin-Simmons University in
Abilene, Texas. Austin has a
PhD in Higher Education Administration from
University of Mississippi and a master's degree from
California State University in Los Angeles. His early career was grounded in student affairs administration. He guided
LeTourneau University over two decades in its transition from a small regional technical college to one of the leading Christian universities in the USA. During his tenure, LeTourneau grew dramatically in enrollment, endowment, campus facilities, programs, and scope. Austin's career focused on providing a high quality and personal educational environment with an uncompromising dedication to committed Christian faith. He retired in 2007. He is the acting president of the American Southwest Conference Executive Committee: a conference of sixteen colleges and universities located in
Arkansas,
Louisiana,
Mississippi and
Texas which are members of the
NCAA Division III athletic conference. Austin is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT). He continues to provide consulting services for small and medium-sized colleges and universities. He travels widely and maintains his primary residence in the Longview area near his children and grandchildren. ==References==