A&M–Central Texas Signs MOU Agreement with Iqra University in Pakistan

A&M University–Central Texas President Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D., (left) and Iqra University President Nassar Ikram, Ph.D. sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), linking the two universities through an academic partnership. This is the first international MOU signed by A&M–Central Texas.

On May 12, Texas A&M University–Central Texas President Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D., and Iqra University President Nassar Ikram, Ph.D., gathered on the A&M–Central Texas campus to announce an historic partnership, signing the first international Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in A&M–Central Texas’ 15-year history.

What is History?

When most people hear the word “history,” they immediately flash back to stuffy classrooms, thick textbooks, and tedious memorization sessions. But history deserves better than that dull reputation. History is not just “what happened.” It’s how we make sense of who we are...

What is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is a uniquely American blend of solemn remembrance and sunny celebration. Most Americans associate it with grilling hot dogs, applying sunscreen for the first time in months, and binge-watching patriotic movie marathons (looking at you, “Saving Private Ryan” and “Band of Brothers”). But beneath the summer kickoff vibes and mattress sale commercials lie a commemoration of the ultimate sacrifice made by countless men and women in military service.

The American Army at 250

Throughout the year, we have federal, state, and unofficial holidays that are important dates to remember and to celebrate—from your child’s birthday to the Fourth of July. Every so often there are milestone years that deserve to be commemorated, and this year marks the 250th anniversary of the start of the American War for Independence and also the birth of the United States Army, which traces its creation to June 14, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Continental Army, which is technically before the official creation of the United States of America.

A&M University–Central Texas hosts Pfluger Student Leadership Conference

University President Dr. Richard Rhodes and Fort Cavazos III Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Kevin Admiral.

Texas A&M University–Central Texas hosted the Pfluger Student Leadership Conference on Friday, May 9. The event, sponsored by U.S. Congressman August Pfluger, is intended to inspire students to embrace leadership roles. Approximately 120 eighth graders from Killeen ISD were in attendance.

Family Members from Four Different Families Celebrate Earning Degrees at A&M-Central Texas Spring 2025 Commencement

On Saturday, May 17, at 3 p.m., Texas A&M University–Central Texas celebrates 375 undergraduate and graduate degree candidates at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton. And a first of its kind occurrence that, so far, university officials say, that hasn’t happened at any other university they’ve been able to find.

According to an exhaustive Google search, no college or university has ever reported four completely separate families each having closely related family members graduating at one time. Until now, that is.

A&M-Central Texas Professor Wins National Award for Groundbreaking Marketing Curriculum Integrating AI

Sunme Lee, a marketing professor at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, was named the first-place winner in the 2025 Association of Collegiate Marketing Educators Teaching Innovation Competition for her curriculum, “From Classroom to Boardroom: Empowering Students to Do Real Marketing Before Graduation,” which integrates artificial intelligence (AI) into each phase of learning to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice.

The competition, held annually by the Association of Collegiate Marketing Educators, evaluates teaching innovations on uniqueness, adaptability, and proven impact. Finalists present their work at the organization’s conference, where the winner is announced during the awards luncheon.

Lee’s curriculum moves beyond traditional lectures, requiring students to execute real marketing projects using AI tools, design AI-based websites, and deliver client-ready presentations before graduation.

From Late-Night Doubts to Early-Morning Hustles: The Life Caroline Munoz is Building

Caroline Munoz used to lie in bed at night, phone in hand, watching videos of the life she wasn’t living.

Dream homes. Graduation celebrations. Entrepreneurs ticking off milestones she hadn’t dared to chase.

“I was stuck in this loop of dreaming without acting, and that realization broke me,” she says.

Texas A&M University–Central Texas to Celebrate Legacy and Leadership at Distinguished Alumni Awards

Texas A&M University–Central Texas will host its annual Distinguished Alumni Awards celebration on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, honoring those exceptional individuals who embody the values, pride and perseverance of the A&M–Central Texas Warrior community. Distinguished Alumni Awards serve as the university’s highest recognition of alumni and community members! See the 2025 nomination form.

Why Summer Enrollment Might Just Be Your Best Academic Power Move

Summer: the season of beach trips, barbecues, and pretending you’re going to read for leisure but somehow ending up binge-watching entire TV shows instead. (We see you, Bridgerton.) But while the world is busy debating whether to book flights or nap in hammocks, there’s another summer strategy that deserves way more hype: enrolling in summer classes!

A&M–Central Texas Offers Scholarship to High Academic Performers

A recent graduate from Texas A&M University–Central Texas shows off her graduation gown and stole. A new academic scholarship at the university will help more students graduate on time with less debt.

Beginning in the Fall 2025 semester, Texas A&M University–Central Texas is rewarding high-performing academic transfer students with a guaranteed merit scholarship.

The new scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement by guaranteeing up to $2,000 per year for three years for students who enter A&M–Central Texas with a 3.75 or higher cumulative grade-point average (GPA), or $1,000 per year for three years for students with a 3.5 to 3.74 GPA. Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Clifton W. Jones said the university is offering the scholarship to support transfer and recognize students who have excelled in their academics

What is Liberal Studies?

We’ve all heard the jokes. Liberal Studies is for students who couldn’t commit. The indecisive ones. The “I’ll figure it out later” crowd. But those jokes miss the point—and honestly, the plot. Liberal Studies can be an academic free-for-all. It could be some kind of intellectual buffet where you toss a little poetry, some psych, and a dash of philosophy onto your plate and call it dinner. It’s actually one of the most strategic, forward-thinking degrees out there.

A&M–Central Texas Hosts Southeast Asia Religion Workshop with Scholars from Dartmouth and Wake Forest

Dr. M.K. Long from Dartmouth University giving her presentation, "Buddhism, Politics, and Belonging in Myanmar."

As part of this year’s Warrior Week activities Texas A&M University–Central Texas hosted a one-day academic workshop, featuring scholars from Dartmouth University, Wake Forest University, and the East-West Center. Part of a national series led by the Asian Studies Development Program, the event brought students and faculty together to discuss religion, politics, and culture in Southeast Asia.

The Valedictorian, The Cowboy Boots, and The Unfinished Impala

He thinks. About the store manager job he might accept—or not. About the bachelor’s degree he’s halfway through. About the 1967 Impala in the driveway, half-built like a paused memory. About what it means to be 21 and at a crossroads.

And then, he gets up.

Every morning begins like this: stillness, reflection, and the quiet reckoning of responsibility. For Christopher Michael Adkins, a human resources management major at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, the choices aren’t small. They never have been. Since the age of 12, when his father died unexpectedly, Adkins has been trying to grow into a world that demanded he move faster than most.

“I had to become the man of my household at a very young age,” he says. “So, I had to be more mature than most of my peers for a long time now.”

Self-Care Symposium Set for May 2

The event, co-sponsored by the Student Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (SAMFT) and Psy Squared, is a chance for students to address the stress they may be feeling as the spring semester comes to an end. It is meant to emphasize...

Texas A&M University–Central Texas Inducts 32 Students into Psi Chi Honor Society

Texas A&M University–Central Texas hosted its second annual Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society induction ceremony on Friday, April 11 at 4 p.m. in the Bernie Beck Lecture Hall, recognizing the academic excellence of 32 students who have demonstrated outstanding performance in the field of psychology.

Student Presents Research at Undergraduate Research Day at the Texas Capitol

Ariana Espinosa Grimaldo was selected by a committee of A&M–Central Texas faculty to represent the university at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Day at the Texas Capitol. Ariana’s research, “Bridging the Gap: The Relationship between Student-faculty Interactions, Motivation, Self-confidence, and Stress” highlighted that students’ positive interactions with faculty, such as when faculty express a caring attitude toward their students, is associated with students’ academic self-confidence.

Counseling & Psychology Students and Faculty Attend Research Conference

TAMUCT Students and Faculty: Department of Counseling & Psychology at A&M–Central Texas.

Nine students and faculty from Texas A&M University–Central Texas attended the 2025 Southwestern Psychological Association Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. Over the three-day event, the attendees engaged in a series of workshops, research presentations, and teaching demonstrations.

Students Shine at A&M–Central Texas Annual Research Symposium

Mechanical engineering and technology major Paulo Mateo (left) talks to someone about his research project that focused on designing wind powered light poles for university use.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas hosted its annual Student Research Symposium on April 8, where undergraduate and graduate students across multiple disciplines presented original research in an open-format poster session.

What is Criminal Justice?

At some point, we’ve all watched a courtroom scene unfold — on TV, in movies, or maybe even through a sliver of real-life experience. There’s the stern judge, the impassioned lawyer, the nervous witness, and the suspense of whether the defendant is guilty or not. It’s compelling stuff. But the criminal justice system is more than legal theatrics. It’s an endless web of institutions, policies, and professionals that shape how society responds to crime.

A&M-Central Texas Research Scientist Proves Persistence Pays Off

When A&M-Central Texas assistant research scientist, Shalini Saini, was a little girl, she often dreamed about her future and where it might take her. Little did she know that her dreams – combined with her extraordinary work ethic and years of experience – would eventually deliver her to Central Texas – more than 8,000 miles from her roots in India.

Students Learn About Human Resource Management from NASCAR Executive

Screenshot of John Ferguson

Students in Ruby Bowen’s human resource management class got a special treat Wednesday when guest speaker John Ferguson, the chief human resource officer with NASCAR, joined the class virtually. Bowen reached out to Ferguson who agreed to talk to the class about his journey from starting out as a concession stand manager at FedEx Field in Washington, D.C. to leading the human resource management team at a preeminent sporting organization.

Students From Temple College and A&M-Central Texas Perform in Upcoming Concerts

A&M-Central Texas and Temple College music students join a slate of musical talent in upcoming performances. 

The Chorale and Orchestra concert is Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., the Symphonic Band concert is on Thursday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m., both will perform in the Temple College Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center. The upcoming concerts will include...

A&M-Central Texas Summer and Fall 2025 Registration Opens Amid Record-Breaking Enrollment for Spring

Registration for the A&M-Central Texas Summer and Fall 2025 semesters officially opens for new and returning students on Monday, April 7 at 8 a.m. as enrollment from the Spring 2025 semester set new growth records for the university.

The University offers 30 undergraduate degrees and 20 graduate degrees, including a recently added master’s degree in public administration. Ranked the most affordable university in the U.S.

Overnight Custodian and Daytime Scholar: A&M-Central Texas Alum Shares 10-Year Journey to Become a Teacher

Killeen resident, Jessica Caldwell, 37, knows a thing or two about working literally around the clock. She knows about overnight shifts, 40-plus hour work weeks where the start of her day is at 8 p.m., lunch is at midnight, and her drive home at 6 a.m. is on the other side of the highway from people beginning their workday.

But it is worth it, she says. It is more than worth it. And that nocturnal work schedule from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. has only been the half of it. During that same time, the long nights and longer days, Caldwell decided to also become a college student with one goal: She wants to be a teacher...

A&M-Central Texas Graduate Student Teacher Named One of Three State Finalists for Presidential Award in Teaching

A&M-Central Texas graduate student and Georgetown High School math teacher, Carolyn Hise, has been named one of three state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Award (PAEMST), the nation’s highest honor for teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

According to a White House press release issued last year to honor 2025 winners, the PAEMST honors the vital role that America’s teachers and mentors play in shaping the next generation of technical leaders, including scientists, engineers, and innovators.

500+ Early College/Dual Credit Students Attend Warrior Preview Day

On Friday, A&M–Central Texas hosted more than 500 students from local and area high schools, giving them a glimpse of university life at the state’s only upper-division university. 

High school students attending the event were either from Early College High Schools or are taking dual-credit courses. Students graduating from high school with 30 college credits can apply to A&M–Central Texas. They will need to continue with community college courses until they reach the 60-hour threshold. Students who graduate high school with 60 hours of college credit will be eligible to enroll once their application has been processed.

Wide-Ranging Degree Provides Options for Students with Varied Interests

There are times when a name can be misleading, especially when dealing with higher education and its liberal studies degree programs. For Texas A&M University–Central Texas, the liberal studies degree reflects a degree path that offers a wide variety of choices when it comes to areas of focus. It is a degree designed to allow students an opportunity to build a program that caters to their specific needs or interests.

Students can choose a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies, or graduate students have the option to pursue a master’s degree. To avoid some confusion, however, the master’s degree recently changed its name from liberal studies to interdisciplinary studies, better reflecting the multi-discipline approach students can take to their education.

Krystal Mary Bonilla Negron Cleans Up After Chaos. One Day, She Hopes to Make Sense of It

The smell hits first.

Not the fresh tortillas from the bakery or the sharp citrus of just-cut produce, but the acrid sting of industrial cleaner—mingled with something worse. Something that lingers, no matter how many times she mops.

Krystal Mary Bonilla Negron, 23, moves through the aisles unnoticed, until she’s needed. A spill. A bathroom left in disarray. An overflowing trash can. By the time the afternoon rush hits, she’s already deep into her shift anticipating the daily cycle of order and disorder.

Dr. Timothy C. Hemmis Named Fellow at the George Washington Presidential Library at Mt. Vernon

Recently, Dr. Timothy C. Hemmis, Associate Professor of History at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, has been named a 2025-2026 fellow at the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon in Virginia. Research fellows get access to premiere eighteenth and nineteenth centuries primary sources and is an excellent opportunity for scholars such as Dr. Hemmis who are interested in studying the early American period, which helps Americans get a better understanding of our history. While at the George Washington Presidential Library, Dr. Hemmis will be researching for his latest book project...

A&M-Central Texas to Host “Religion in Southeast Asia: Buddhism and Islam” Workshop

Texas A&M University-Central Texas will provide a venue for a workshop titled “Religion in Southeast Asia: Buddhism and Islam,” aimed at exploring the intersection of ancient religious traditions with contemporary societal challenges, on April 10 in the Bill Yowell Conference Room, starting at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The event is put on by the Asian Studies Development Program (ASDP) which is hosting events throughout the country. The ASDP exists to enhance undergraduate teaching and learning...”

Dr. Christine Jones Academic Work Selected for Prestigious Highlight

Dr. Christine Jones, associate professor of anthropology at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, is getting noticed for her academic contributions to the field. Jones received word that one of her research articles was selected by the International Journal of Paleopathology (IJPP) for special recognition as a Volume 47 Highlight on Feb. 24.

The IJPP is the official journal of the Paleopathology Association and focuses on “the study and application of methods and techniques for investigating diseases and related conditions from skeletal and soft tissue remains.”

What is Anthropology?

The first humans to paint on cave walls probably didn’t call themselves artists. They weren’t agonizing over brushstroke techniques or debating whether their handprint stencil was too derivative of last season’s Lascaux trend. They were just documenting life—their hunts, their rituals, their weirdly consistent obsession with bison. If anything, they were proto-anthropologists: studying human behavior in real time, trying to make sense of who they were.

Fast-forward to today, and anthropology has become a bit more… official. No longer the exclusive domain of wandering scholars and colonial-era museum hoarders, it’s now a discipline with PhDs, fieldwork grants, and an ever-growing list of ethical concerns. But at its core, anthropology is still about that same ancient impulse: trying to understand ourselves before someone else does it for us.

Canceled: 2025 SUSTEX Conference

Student Spotlight: Charles Joseph Brashear Jr.

Q: What was your experience like applying to the master’s program at A&M–Central Texas?

A: "Phenomenal! The graduate coordinator, Dr. Quiñones, counseled me and sent me on my way with my class schedule faster than I thought possible. I had to stop and ask myself more than once, 'Is this really happening? Am I really moving forward in life and beginning this journey?'"

Programs in Cybersecurity Becoming Increasingly Important as Job Demand Continues to Grow

The glow of his phone screen is the first light in the room. It’s 6:30 a.m., and before the sun has a chance to rise over Killeen, Dr. Abhijit Kumar Nag is already scrolling through his inbox.

Most professors start their day with research, coffee, maybe a morning lecture. Dr. Nag, an Associate Professor in the Subhani Department of Computer Information Systems at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, starts his day with his student emails...

Grief, Grit, and Graduation: A&M-Central Texas Student Inspired to Complete Degree for Her Mom

Before she was even out of high school, Killeen resident, Miranda Castro, 24, acquired the kind of wisdom that no one welcomes. Not the gentle kind that sprouts after seeds of age, experience, faith, and fate are watered with time and the sunlight of understanding. It is the kind of experience wrought from hardship and loss. Castro, a student at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, is entirely composed as she tells her story, abstractly folding and re-folding a Kleenex in her hands as she speaks... This May, she receives her undergraduate degree. No doubt, with her mother’s blessings.

Is Anthropology the Right Path for You?

Is Anthropology the Right Path for You?

At some point, everyone asks themselves a version of “What am I even doing?” Maybe it happened during an existential crisis in the cereal aisle, wondering if you actually like granola or if you’ve just been blindly loyal to a brand since childhood.

Maybe it hits when you’re knee-deep in a career you don’t love, questioning how you got there in the first place. What Exactly Would You Be Getting Into?

Student Spotlight: Leiah Ortiz

Q: Why did you choose to enroll in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program at A&M–Central Texas?

A: "What I liked about it was that it wasn’t strictly online. I got to be here to know my teachers and instructors more. My instructors were always available to me, which was really helpful because I got to get to know them a little more, understand what research they were doing, and connect with them. You can tell that all my instructors were very invested in their students and really care about them. I just love them. It’s the best faculty I’ve ever had at any school."

Trideum Internships Pay Off at A&M–Central Texas

On his first day at Trideum Corporation, Isaias Nuno-Galindo, a software developer intern, walked into the company’s Central Texas office with the same expectations many interns have: sit through onboarding, shadow a few employees, and gradually ease into his role. Instead, he found himself in a team-wide Sprint Review, where his ideas would soon be tested in a real defense technology project. By his fifth month, he was presenting his own solutions—not to fellow interns, but to full-time engineers...

CIS Student Finds Purpose in Communications Role

She spent years in the military, then she had to figure out who she was.

Before she pursued technical writing, before she entered the world of program administration, before she even had the choice to decide what her future looked like, Rachel Pamela Wimbley belonged to the military.

Wimbley’s decision to enlist was a continuation of family legacy.

The rules, the expectations, the relentless structure shaped her before she had the chance to define herself.

he was presenting his own solutions—not to fellow interns, but to full-time engineers.

A&M-Central Texas Sets Multiple Enrollment Records for Spring 2025: Continuing Double-Digit Growth

A&M-Central Texas has set new enrollment records this spring.

The total number of courses being taken is now the highest it has ever been at 23,427 semester credit hours – breaking the previous record set in Spring 2017.

According to the university’s institutional research and effectiveness office, the increase is a 10.6% increase in the one year between 2024 and 2025 and a whopping 24.5% increase in the two years between 2023 to 2025. University funding is generated by credit hours.

A&M-Central Texas Showcases Faculty Research Summit

A&M-Central Texas faculty gathered last Friday, Feb. 7, to showcase their respective research in a faculty forum sponsored by the university’s faculty senate.

The half-day event included lunch and learn sessions and a series of panel presentations showcasing each of the faculty members’ most recent research in an interactive format designed to highlight their respective areas of expertise and making it accessible to their respective colleagues, staff, and students.

How to Fall in Love with Your Future: A Valentine’s Guide to Finding Your Career

Valentine’s Day is here, and while some are celebrating their soulmate (or scrambling for last-minute gas station flowers), others are swiping left on love and ordering takeout for one. But let’s be honest—finding the one isn’t just about romance. It’s about discovering the thing that makes your heart race, the reason you get up in the morning (besides coffee), and the future that makes you say, “It’s a match.”

That’s right. We’re talking about your passion, your purpose, your academic soulmate. Because if you’re going to spend years pursuing a degree, it should be one you can actually see yourself committing to. So how do you fall in love with your future? Like any great relationship, it starts with curiosity, a little risk, and embracing the unexpected.

Who needs sleep anyway? Graduate Student’s Guide to Not Completely Losing Your Mind

Let’s face it, managing time as a graduate student is less about penciling in a few study sessions and more about orchestrating a full-blown circus. Between juggling research, coursework, and the inevitable existential crises, who has time to actually manage time? The Opening Act: Getting Organized Before you can manage time, you need to know where it’s going. It’s like tracking wild animals in the wilderness — only the wild animals are your fleeting moments of productivity. Start by...

Texas A&M University-Central Texas Opens New Finance Lab

Texas A&M University–Central Texas has opened a new Finance Lab, integrating real-time market data, industry-standard software, and collaborative workspaces to prepare students for careers in finance, banking, and financial technology (fintech).

The Finance Lab features Telemet Finance Lab software, TekVok and Mersive technology, and a real-time financial ticker, allowing students to engage with live and historical market data in a hands-on learning environment.

Mienie Roberts Wants You to Fail—And That’s Why You’ll Succeed

Dr. Mienie Roberts, is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Texas A&M University-Central Texas.

She watches them hesitate. It happens every semester, in every class, with every group of students. The blank stares, the shifting glances, the reluctance to even pick up a pencil. The moment of paralysis before the attempt.

“Most students don’t fail because they’re bad at math,” says Professor Mienie Roberts. “They fail because they’re too scared to even try.” And so, she waits...

A&M–Central Texas Professor Publishes Book on Social Work

Dr. Michael Dailey, Regents Professor and Chair for the Department of Social Work at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, has published a new book focusing on social work in rural areas.

Released earlier this month, Back Home: Opportunities and Challenges of Social Work with Rural Communities, was published by Oxford University Press and is a collection of readings by leading authors in the field of rural social work. Daley authored six of the chapters and served as co-editor of the book, along with Dr. Peggy Pittman-Munke of Murray State University.

VITA Tax Assistance Program Hosted by A&M–Central Texas

Texas A&M University-Central Texas will continue its Volunteer Tax Assistance Initiative in 2025, offering free tax preparation services to eligible community members. The program will provide tax assistance on Fridays from Feb. 21 to Mar. 13 between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., and from 4-7 p.m. on April 4 and 11. Additional sessions will be held on Saturdays March 29 and April 5 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. All appointments will be held in Founders Hall, Room 313, on the A&M–Central Texas campus.

Under the leadership of Dr. Ran Li, Assistant Professor of Accounting, the program ensures high-quality service from IRS-certified student volunteers trained at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.

College of Business Administration Ranked No. 54 Nationally for Online Programs

The College of Business Administration at Texas A&M University–Central Texas has been ranked No. 54 in the nation for online, undergraduate business programs by the U.S. News & World Report. This marks the second straight year A&M–Central Texas online programs have made a significant jump in the national rankings.

The jump in rankings vaults A&M–Central Texas into the top five schools in the state of Texas. The university is tied for fourth in the state.

From 2023 to 2024, the program vaulted upward in the rankings, moving from No. 98 to No. 59 — a nearly unprecedented jump according to Mark White, U.S. News & World Report vice president of marketing. The upward trajectory is continuing with the 2025 jump to No. 54, a 10% improvement in the rankings.

Dr. Angie Griffin Explores "Resilience and High-Performing Female Aviators"

Dr. Angie Griffin, Assistant Professor of Aviation Science at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, will headline the university’s Faculty Spotlight Series with a presentation on Wednesday, Feb. 5. This free, public event will take place in Bernie Beck Lecture Hall at Founders Hall from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Dr. Griffin’s presentation, “Resilience and High-Performing Female Aviators,” delves into the journeys of women aviators, highlighting their perseverance, achievements, and rise in a traditionally male-dominated field. Complimentary refreshments will be available.

A Graduate Degree Can Transform Your Professional Network

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

That saying has been passed around so much it’s practically a career mantra — and for good reason. In today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world, the value of a solid professional network can’t be overstated. Whether you’re looking to climb the ladder in your field or take a leap into something totally new, the people you meet along the way can be just as game changing as the skills you pick up. If you’re considering grad school, this is where it gets exciting...

A&M–Central Texas Grad, Music Teacher and Breast Cancer Survivor Inspired by Music and Inspiring Others

Killeen resident, Vicki Lynn Cosper Wilson, 59, has always loved music. But she never could have predicted how that love would bless her in her time of need. She knows she leads a charmed life. Three sisters, all close. A harmonious and happy childhood. Three amazing sons. Career. Travel.

One glance at her, and it is obvious: large, piercing azure blue eyes, fiercely chiseled cheekbones, alabaster skin, and an unrelenting smile that suggests she might be somehow lit from within.
These days, she admits, she is more frail than she might normally be, perhaps a bit less muscular, but persistent and strong.

A&M–Central Texas Continues to Expand Master’s Offerings

Master’s degree holders earn nearly 20% more annually than their counterparts with bachelor’s degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In response to the increasing demand for higher education, Texas A&M University–Central Texas is expanding its graduate programs to provide students with enhanced knowledge, personal growth opportunities, and accelerated career success.

Students now have access to a growing variety of graduate degrees designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce. Many of these programs feature fully online or hybrid courses to accommodate the demanding schedules of working professionals..

Faculty and Staff Connect at Convocation

Thursday marked the official start of the Spring 2025 long semester at Texas A&M University–Central Texas. Faculty and staff gathered for convocation in the Bill Yowell Conference Center on campus to celebrate excellence, learn about connections, and hear from students.

Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D., president of A&M–Central Texas, officially welcomed those in attendance and started things off with a celebration as staff excellence awards were announced, recognizing staff members who have gone above and beyond through the course of their daily duties.

Is a Graduate Degree Worth It? Breaking Down the ROI

When contemplating a graduate degree, many of us picture two things: the prestige of extra letters after our name (hello, Dr. or M.A.) and the student loans lurking like Voldemort in a Harry Potter sequel. But is the journey up this academic mountain worth it? Let’s crunch the numbers, sprinkle in some real talk, and figure out if the return on investment (ROI) of grad school is more “winning the lottery” or “broke and boujee.”

Air Force Academy Professor to Speak at A&M–Central Texas Convocation

Texas A&M University–Central Texas will officially kick off the Spring 2025 term with Convocation on Thursday, Jan. 16, with special guest speaker Kimberly S. Dickman, Ed.D. Faculty and staff will gather for the bi-annual start of term at 9 a.m. in the Bill Yowell Conference Center on campus.

Dr. Dickman is a legacy alum of A&M–Central Texas, graduating from the University of Central Texas in 1998. She currently serves as an assistant professor in the biology department at the United States Air Force Academy Center for Character and Leadership Development, where she leads the Healthy Relationship Education branch of the Development Division.

Jan. 21-23: Welcome Back Breakfast

Texas A&M University-Central Texas invites students to celebrate the start of the spring semester with a Welcome Back Breakfast at the University Library. This event will take place during the first week of classes, from Jan. 21-23 between 9 a.m.- 11 a.m.

Attendees can enjoy a variety of breakfast foods while reconnecting with the campus community or starting new connections for the semester ahead. Food will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

March 26: Spring 2025 Internship and Career Fair

Texas A&M University–Central Texas invites students, alumni, and community members to its Spring 2025 Internship and Career Fair, an event designed to connect attendees with potential employers and career opportunities. The fair will be held on Wednesday, Mar. 26 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Bill Yowell Conference Center.

A&M-Central Texas Hosts Group Fitness Classes

Texas A&M University-Central Texas invites students, faculty, and staff to participate in its group fitness classes, designed to promote health, wellness, and a sense of community. These classes, held in the Fitness Center Studio in Heritage Hall, encourage participants of all fitness levels to explore various workout styles under the guidance of experienced instructors closer to the event date.

Feb. 19: Spring 2025 Career Readiness Conference

Texas A&M University–Central Texas invites students to the Spring 2025 Career Readiness Conference, a half-day event designed to prepare attendees for professional success. Hosted by the Career and Professional Development Office, this event will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Bernie Beck Lecture Hall in Founders Hall. A virtual attendance option will also be available, with details to be announced closer to the event date.

Stepping In and Helping Out: A&M-Central Texas Counseling Psychology Groups Aid Hurricane Survivors

Above: Dr. Laura Greenlee, an A&M-Central Texas professor working remotely from North Carolina, and Ashley Haisler, a student in the counseling and psychology program, and donated materials for hurricane victoms.

In the last month of the Fall 2024 semester, when most students are focused on studying for final exams, completing assignments, or just wrapping up the last few tasks before their winter break, the last thing on their minds is taking on another project.

Maybe in some places. In fact, maybe in a lot of places. But, for the undergraduate and graduate students in A&M-Central Texas’ Counseling and Psychology department, neither the impending end of semester pileup nor the calendar mattered. What did matter, they say, is that a hurricane had wreaked havoc on communities in North Carolina, families were still in crisis, and they had made up their minds that they wanted to help.

Spearheading the effort was graduate student Ashley Haisler, who approached the student organizations in the department with her plan.

Top 10 Stories of 2024

Beloved people, exciting scholars, and community events were all part of our most-read news stories of 2024, focusing on A&M-Central Texas' past, its present, and its exciting transition to the future.