2026 Provost Office Email Communications

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   Invitation to documentary premiere - Dante's Story: The Fight for Deaf Rights in Peru

Please come to the Texas State University Premiere of Dr. Holly Wissler’s new documentary, “Dante's Story: The Fight for Deaf Rights in Peru.”

Logline: When music researcher Holly Wissler becomes godmother to Dante—a Deaf boy unsocialized and without language access in the Q'eros community high in the Peruvian Andes—a humble field study blossoms into a 20-year story of adoption, love, and belonging.

This documentary is a culmination of decades of Dr. Wissler’s life and work in Peru, which started as trek leader in the Andes and deepened through her work as an ethnomusicologist in the indigenous Quechua community of Q’eros. The film offers many windows into Peru: indigenous and deaf cultures and education, the heartfelt challenges of families, and the profound lack of services and access for deaf people. While it is an activist film, at its heart it is a story about our common humanity and the need for language, communication, and connection, and what becomes possible when we truly reach across differences to understand one another.

Completion of the documentary’s post-production was partially funded by a Research Accelerator Grant from the Division of Research at TXST.

The event is open to the public and no ticket is required. The documentary will be screened with English subtitles and ASL interpretation. A Q&A session will follow the showing.

September 10

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Performing Arts Center Recital Hall

open to the public

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                   Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                 Fall Performing Arts Events

Here is a sampling of fall performing arts events, performed both by Texas State University students and guest artists; start times and ticket prices as well as more events and other venues are available via txstatepresents.com.

** For the fall semester, for most events, students can download a free ticket courtesy of President Damphousse’s office!!

Fall 2026 events in the Performing Arts Center

September 3                                    Reeds of the Austin Opera Orchestra

September 4-6                                New American Play Festival

September 8                                    Faculty Recital "From the Dark Tower"

September 28                                 TXST Jazz Ensemble

September 29-October 4             All My Sons (play by Arthur Miller)          

October 5                                         TXST Jazz Orchestra

October 12                                       TXST Jazz Lab Band & Jazz Repertory Band

October 22-24                                Opening Door Dance Theatre

November 11                                  TXST Jazz Ensemble

November 13                                  TXST Graduate String Trio

November 16                                  TXST Jazz Orchestra

November 17-22                            Mean Girls (Musical)

November 21                                  TXST Treble &Tenor/Bass Choir

November 21                                  TXST Aurora Voce

November 22                                  TXST University Singers

November 23                                  TXST Jazz Lab Band & Jazz Repertory Band

December 1                                     TXST Chorale: Messiah and Holiday Spectacular

December 2                                     TXST Camerata Orchestra

December 5                                     TXST VocaLibre Holiday Concert

December 6                                     TXST Mariachi presents Fiestas Navideñas

Fall 2026 events in Evans Auditorium

September 17                                 Mehro (University Arts and NEH TXST Night of Ideas)

September 19                                 TXST ViolaFest

September 27                                 TXST Choral Collage

October 1                                         TXST Concert Band/Symphonic Winds Concert

October 2                                         TXST Wind Symphony Concert

October 4                                         TXST Symphony Orchestra Concert

October 7                                         TXST LMS presents Salsa Del Rio/TXST Latin Ensemble

October 15-18                                TXST Opera Theatre: Witches, Waltzes, Fairies & Tales

October 20                                       TXST LMS presents Conjunto Grans 

October 21                                       Javier Jara “Our Rhythm, Our Voices” (University Arts)

October 28                                       TXST LMS presents Noche de Mariachi

November 12-14                            B.F.A. Dance Performance and Choreography Senior Showcase

November 18                                  TXST Concert Band

November 19                                  TXST Symphonic Winds

November 20                                  TXST Wind Symphony

November 22                                  TXST Symphony Orchestra

December 3                                     TXST Jazz Ensemble presents Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

December 5-6                                 Strutters Christmas Spectacular

For a full list of events or to download tickets please visit the Texas State Presents website.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge F. Figueroa Flores

          Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:           Communicating Progress, Developing Outcomes and Methods to Assess Student Improvement (Educational Programs and General Education)

It is that time of the year! I invite you to take a moment to revisit our assessment outcomes and methods to ensure we are all set for a successful year ahead.

To assist in this process, Dr. Lon Olson, Assistant Vice Provost for Program Accreditation and Assessment, and his team will be offering an assessment workshop for educational programs and general education outcomes on September 8, 10:00-11:30 a.m. The workshop will focus on developing assessment outcomes and methods for the upcoming year.

Join us for the workshop through the Faculty Focus series on Zoom; please use this sign-up link to register. I warmly invite everyone involved in outcomes assessment to participate, as it is a great opportunity to enhance our institution's assessment reporting.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                   Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                 Spaces Available – TXST String Project

The TXST String Project is an outreach program of the Texas State University School of Music providing affordable string instruction in the orchestral instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass) to the TXST campus and greater San Marcos community. Our youth program welcomes new students in grades 1+ each fall semester, and adult beginners from the String Project and campus community each spring semester. Classes are taught by TXST String Education majors under direct supervision of TXST String faculty members, providing invaluable pre-service teaching and mentorship experiences and strengthening Texas State's reputation as a state and national leader in String Music Education.

Our 2026-27 youth program currently has spaces available for primary and secondary students. Classes begin September 2, but registration will remain open until spaces are filled. We are also beginning a waiting list for adults in our campus community interested in joining in January 2027. Please visit our website to learn more, register a student, or join our program waiting list!

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Our program includes twelve (12) weekly group classes (75 minutes in length) and ten (10) weekly private lessons (30 minutes, one-on-one instruction) during each of the university's long semesters. Students also give public ensemble performances each semester, as well as solo performances in the spring semester. Program tuition is $250 per semester (fall or spring) or $450 for the full year if paid in September. 

Our program also offers discounted instrument rental by the semester on a limited basis for participating students.

LOCATION AND SCHEDULING 

Group classes take place each Wednesday evening at 5:30-6:45 p.m., and private lessons are scheduled individually with the student's instructor at a mutually beneficial time. All classes take place in the Texas State School of Music Building (101 Pleasant Street). 

If you have additional questions about the program, please email our Director, Ames Asbell (stringproject@txstate.edu).

We look forward to working with members of our TXST community and their families!

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                   Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                 Chair, Department of Respiratory Care

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Chris Russian as Chair of the Department of Respiratory Care, effective September 1, 2026, after a national search.

Dr. Russian earned a B.S. in Kinesiology from Sam Houston State University and a B.S. in Respiratory Care, an M.Ed. in Physical Education, and a Ph.D. in Adult, Professional, and Community Education from Texas State University. He joined Texas State in 1999 as a clinical instructor, moved to a tenure-track appointment in 2002, earned tenure in 2008, and was promoted to Professor in 2016. He served as Director of Clinical Education for 14 years, led the development of the M.S. in Respiratory Care program, and served as its coordinator from 2017 to 2025. He has served as Interim Program Chair since September 2025.

A licensed respiratory therapist with more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Russian holds national credentials as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Registered Polysomnographic Technologist, Sleep Disorders Specialist, and Neonatal-Pediatric Specialist. During his tenure as interim chair, the department admitted the largest entering class in program history, welcoming 48 students to the B.S. in Respiratory Care program for Fall 2026. In 2019, he was named a Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care, the profession's highest distinction.

Dr. Russian has demonstrated exceptional leadership in teaching, research, and service. His research focuses on respiratory muscle testing and training, airway maintenance, polysomnography, and adult learning in professional education. He has authored 36 peer-reviewed journal articles, two textbook chapters, and 25 refereed abstracts and has served in numerous leadership roles at the university, college, state, and national levels, including his current role as Vice President for Research for the American College of Respiratory Therapy Education. His contributions have been recognized through multiple awards for excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Russian on his appointment as Chair of the Department of Respiratory Care.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                   Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                 Interim Chair, Department of Finance and Economics

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Andrew Ojede as Interim Chair of the Department of Finance and Economics, effective August 17, 2026.

Dr. Ojede brings to this role an outstanding record of scholarship, teaching, service, and leadership. Born and raised in Uganda, he earned a B.A. in Economics from Makerere University, an M.S. in Economics from the University of North Texas, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Kansas State University.

Dr. Ojede began his academic career at California State University, Long Beach, in 2009 before joining Texas State University in 2013. He earned tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018. His research interests include applied macroeconomics, international economics, regional economic growth, productivity analysis, and economic development. He has published in leading journals such as Energy Economics, The World Economy, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Economics Letters, Contemporary Economic Policy, Growth and Change, and Journal of International Development. His scholarship addresses critical issues such as exchange rates, productivity, foreign direct investment, remittances, public finance, and economic development, with a strong emphasis on policy relevance.

His scholarly and teaching excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Gary V. Woods Research Award, the Robert J. Olney Early Career Research Award, the McCoy College Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities, the McCoy College Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award in the MSQFE Program, and the 2025 Paul R. Gowens Excellent Professor in Business Professorship Endowment.

Dr. Ojede also brings significant leadership experience. He has served as Chair of the McCoy College Governance Committee, Faculty Senate Representative, and a contributor to numerous departmental and college initiatives. His leadership has strengthened faculty governance, enhanced student support, and advanced academic programming. Most recently, he helped establish a tutoring center for economics students and supported undergraduate and graduate research symposia that expand opportunities for mentorship, scholarly engagement, and professional development.

Beyond academia, Dr. Ojede has consulted for the World Bank, the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. These experiences further inform his commitment to rigorous, impactful, and policy-relevant scholarship.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Ojede on his appointment as Interim Chair of the Department of Finance and Economics.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge F. Figueroa Flores

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                   TXST & Instructure Micro-Credential Summit

Texas State University, in partnership with Instructure, invites you to participate in the TXST & Instructure Micro-Credential Summit on September 30!

As TXST continues to advance our micro-credential initiative, this summit will bring our community together to explore how skill-focused, stackable learning experiences can complement our academic programs, respond to workforce needs, and provide students with new ways to demonstrate in-demand competencies.

Whether you are already developing micro-credentials or simply interested in learning more, we encourage you to join us, exchange ideas, and explore possibilities for your programs and students.

Space is limited—RSVP by August 28!

RSVP for the TXST Draft Email Invitation& Instructure Micro-Credential Summit

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Academic Innovation via acadinnovation@txstate.edu. 

We look forward to seeing you there and continuing to build the future of learning at TXST together!

Dear Colleagues,

As we launch into the fall semester, I want to highlight some of the ways we'll be working toward our shared goals in Academic Affairs this year. Helping our students reach their goals and improving our retention and graduation rates remains our top priority. I am grateful to you for the progress we have made so far and for your partnership moving forward. 

Curriculum Review and Improvements

With the publication of our 2026-2027 catalog, we have officially completed the full curriculum review that we undertook during the previous academic year. This was a major undertaking that required significant effort from departments, colleges, and the faculty members who steward our curriculum processes. I am grateful to everyone who supported this work, especially the team in Academic Innovation who led the process: Vice Provost Jorge Figueroa Flores, Associate Vice Provost Jeff Housman, and Assistant Director Judy Spurlock. 

Academic Innovation also spent the year implementing process and technology improvements that will help us keep our curriculum up to date. As many of you are aware, the new CourseLeaf SYL, a syllabus management tool, is currently being piloted and will roll out for everyone in January. In the future, faculty members will no longer need to add the required sections of syllabi or upload them separately for HB 2504 compliance. Best of all, the approved learning objectives will prepopulate, making it easier to ensure consistency across sections and alignment with the approved curricular requirements. Please keep your eyes out for instructions as we roll out this new tool. 

COACHE and Gallup Surveys

To support our efforts toward becoming an employer of choice, Texas State is embarking on two employee satisfaction surveys this year. The first is the Gallop Employee Engagement Survey, which will run from September 21 through October 2 and is open to both staff and faculty members. The Gallup survey has twelve questions and takes 5-10 minutes to complete. You can learn more about it on the Employee Engagement Survey website. 

In February 2027, we will launch the COACHE survey in partnership with the Faculty Senate, an in-depth, faculty job satisfaction survey that has been used at more than 200 universities to understand faculty needs and improve faculty support. This survey takes approximately thirty minutes to complete and covers a range of issues from the faculty perspective about the nature of academic work, resources and support, tenure and promotions, mentorship, the department, institutional leadership and more. 

The results of both surveys are anonymous, and your data is protected in both processes. I encourage you to complete both because they serve different functions, and the results are only as good as the inputs. We will be best positioned to make changes based on the surveys if we know we have a high response rate from our community. 

College and Topic-Based Town Halls

I’m looking forward to the opportunity to engage with each academic college through a town hall visit this year. Last week, I announced that instead of departmental visits, we are launching college town halls so that I can visit faculty and staff from every college every year. Our departmental visit cycle required multi-year gaps between visiting the same department. We’ve announced the schedule for the fall and hope you will save the dates for the college town halls. 

• September 21, 3:30-5:00 PM, LBJ Student Center Ballroom, College of Education 
• October 5, 3:30-5:00 PM, LBJ Student Center Ballroom, McCoy College of Business 
• October 27, 3:30-5:00 PM, LBJ Student Center Ballroom, College of Fine Arts and Communication

Last year, we hosted town halls dedicated to each of the five areas of research strength where we will be hiring established researchers to support and elevate the work ongoing on our campus. This year, we are planning to host more topic-based town halls around our goals. In the fall, we’ll host a town hall on student academic success and one on research. In the spring, we will host a town hall on faculty success and our AI Teaching and Learning Symposium on March 4 and 5. 

Coming together around our shared goals is an important way to ensure we are aligned and to drive momentum, and I look forward to seeing you there. We'll send more information about confirmed dates and locations soon. 

Launching the College of Science and the Ingram College of Engineering

As you saw earlier this month, the Texas State University Board of Regents approved our plan to divide the College of Science and Engineering into two separate colleges: the College of Science and the inaugural Ingram College of Engineering. The incredible growth of these colleges, the strength of our faculty, and our commitment to ensuring future-focused organizational structures to support these areas has made this transition possible. I am so grateful to everyone who has worked on this project so far and to all those who will help us meet our goal of launching both colleges in Fall 2027. Very few universities are in a position to launch new colleges, and I am so proud to be part of a community that never passes up an opportunity to be better tomorrow than we were today. 

Supporting Our Students

Last year, our faculty stepped up and improved the Early Academic Progress reporting from the 50-60th percentile to 95%. Knowing which students were struggling early allowed us to intervene and support students and their academic progress. We’re keeping the momentum up for this academic year, and I would like to thank the more than eighty faculty members who have attended EAP support sessions held by Vice Provost Andrew Hamilton and his team over the last couple of weeks. 

While we continue to identify and act on early signs that students might need support, we’re broadening the data sources to make our efforts more effective. Soon, we will have access to predictive analytics that help us understand what combinations of courses, when taken together, cause problems for students, and what important markers of progress on a student’s degree path indicate that they are likely to finish on time or that they may need additional support. As our incoming classes have grown, our retention numbers have remained flat, and this year we are pulling out all the stops to retain our students and keep them on the path to graduation.

Cost of attendance is always a major area of focus for improving student success. One way faculty have their hands directly on the lever of cost of attendance is in the cost of the course materials they select. This year, the cost of BookSmart went up from $285.50 to $295. What people may not realize is that the cost of course material adoptions directly impacts the cost of the program and assigning more expensive texts increases the fee for everyone. 

Faculty can lower the cost of course materials by using low cost or Open Educational Resources (OER) whenever possible. It makes a difference, even when you combine OER with paid materials. BookSmart has an OER library embedded within it, and faculty members can also work directly with the Open Educational Resources Librarian. There are great open resources that already exist for almost all lower division and core curriculum courses. I hope to see OER uptake moving the needle for affordability next year as well. 

Workforce readiness is also a major focus for Academic Affairs moving forward. We are currently supporting pilots for Work Integrated Learning projects to promote real world experience with coursework and better prepare our students for the changing landscape of employment. Academic Innovation has spent the summer supporting faculty members as they explore embedding Coursera Career Certificates and micro-credentials into the curriculum. You can learn more at the Texas State University & Instructure Microcredential Summit taking place on September 30 on campus. 

Conclusion

I'm excited to kick off this semester and to keep working with all of the amazing faculty and staff that are propelling Texas State forward. Thank you for the work you do and for the way you are impacting the future through your teaching, research, service, and work. 

Sincerely,

Pranesh

Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues, 

As we prepare for the new academic year, I would like to share an update on our schedule for college visits. In the past, I visited a set number of individual departments each year for a brief presentation and an opportunity for conversation and questions. I appreciated these opportunities to gather in smaller groups, but our growing number of departments means that on our current schedule, I cannot see each department more than once every three to four years.  

This year, we will hold a town hall for each college, so that a year does not go by without a chance for me to meet with all of Academic Affairs. I am really looking forward to this opportunity to engage more regularly. Please save the date for your college. 

• September 21, 3:30-5:00 PM, LBJ Student Center Ballroom, College of Education 
• October 5, 3:30-5:00 PM, LBJ Student Center Ballroom, McCoy College of Business 
• October 27, 3:30-5:00 PM, LBJ Student Center Ballroom, College of Fine Arts and Communication 

We will announce spring dates for the College of Applied Arts, the College of Health Professions, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Science and Engineering.  

Thank you for making the time to come together as a community.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Interim Program Chair, Medical Laboratory Science Program

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Cristian Lieneck as the Interim Program Chair of the Medical Laboratory Science Program, effective September 1, 2026. This is in addition to his role as the Director of the School of Healthcare Administration.

Dr. Lieneck holds a bachelor’s degree in Natural Science from Xavier University as well as a Master of Health Administration and a PhD in Adult, Professional, and Community Education, both from Texas State University. He joined Texas State as an Assistant Professor in the School of Health Administration in 2010 and has been serving as an Associate Professor since 2016. Before his academic career, Dr. Lieneck held several physician practice leadership roles in healthcare management, including those with the U.S. Army, Austin Radiological Association, and a large physiatry/pain management physician group operating across Central Texas.

His research focuses on the outpatient and ambulatory care sector within the healthcare industry, with an emphasis on leadership, professional education, and financial management. In 2022, Dr. Lieneck published a healthcare financial accounting textbook, now utilized by numerous undergraduate and graduate programs nationwide. His most recent initiative involves developing a follow-up healthcare financial management textbook (as Part 2) to his original work in support of healthcare administration education.  He has over 50 peer-reviewed publications and has delivered more than 150 conference presentations and workshops, primarily focusing on healthcare financial management and related industry trends. His most recent initiative is drafting a new healthcare financial management textbook to meet healthcare administration education industry demand.

Dr. Lieneck received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Medical Group Management Association in 2021, the Teaching Excellence Award in Practice Management and Ambulatory Care from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration in 2023, and the Presidential Distinction Award for Teaching at Texas State in 2023. He actively engages in professional service, continuing to educate mid- to senior-level healthcare professionals as an instructor for the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). 

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Lieneck on his appointment as the Interim Chair of Medical Laboratory Science.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Fall 2026 Commencement Schedule

The Fall 2026 Commencement schedule has been finalized and can be found on the commencement website. The spring and summer 2027 schedules will be finalized later this semester.

If you have any commencement related questions or concerns, or would like additional information about commencement, please submit a ticket through the commencement service portal. 

TO:                   Faculty

Staff

Graduate Teaching Assistants/Doctoral Teaching Assistants

Graduate Instructional Assistants/Doctoral Instructional Assistants

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Policies Related to Teaching and Instruction

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and information related to teaching and instructional responsibilities, student records, students with disabilities, and classroom materials. All employees serving in instructional roles, including teaching assistants and instructional assistants, are asked to visit the websites linked below and to talk with their department chairs/school directors about specific questions regarding these policies and practices. Please forward this message to new instructors, as hiring processes occur daily.   

Faculty-Authored Teaching Material

Approval is required before a faculty member may require any textbook, notebook, manual, or other materials written or prepared by a member of the Texas State University faculty for which a charge is required. The policy AA/PPS 02.03.30, Faculty-Authored Teaching and Instructional Material describes the procedure for faculty to obtain approval for the use of materials authored or prepared by Texas State University faculty, even if the materials are used in classes taught by other instructors. Instructors may only require materials that meet instructional goals and student learning outcomes of the course.

Authorizations are valid for one fiscal year (September 1–August 31). Subsequent use of the materials must be approved. The faculty member must submit a request form to the department chair/school director, dean, and provost. The deadlines to submit a request to use faculty-authored teaching materials are July 1 (fall semester), November 1 (spring semester), and April 1 (summer sessions). Please complete the Request for Authorization to Prescribe Materials Form via the Dynamic Forms platform. Please visit our Dynamic Forms web page for more information.

Inadvertent Release of Student Education Records: Updated with Secure Communication Instructions

This is a reminder of your obligation to guard against the inadvertent release of student education records as stipulated in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). UPPS 01.04.31, Access to Student Records Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, addresses this law and faculty and staff obligations. 

Examples of inadvertent releases of student education records include emailing student grades, grade point averages, test scores or posting grades by student ID numbers, social security numbers, or other numbers that make student identities easily traceable. These actions violate federal law and university policy. A list of frequently asked questions is available for additional information.

Please review File and Data Sending and Receiving information standards as well as best practices for Data Classification (confidential, sensitive, or public) from the division of Information Technology. To securely send and receive confidential student education records per FERPA regulations, use the TXST (secure) File Transfer system.

Faculty and staff must log in to the Bobcat Family Portal to confirm that a student has granted access before sharing any student information. More information is available on the FERPA for Faculty and Staff website, including information about directory information and privacy holds.

Attendance Roster Certification

AA/PPS No. 02.03.01, Conduct and Planning of Courses, Section 07.01 – Faculty will certify attendance rosters. Students must attend or be academically engaged by the census date, to avoid being marked as Not Attending their classes and being administratively dropped.

Reminders:

1. Importance of Attendance: Regular class attendance is essential for learning and performance. Absence policies are usually set by academic departments or individual instructors, but the university recognizes valid excuses such as medical issues, immediate family bereavement, university-sponsored activities, required field trips, military service, and official religious holy days.
2. Roster Certification: Faculty members will be required to certify their census rosters (4th class day for summer semesters and 12th class day for fall and spring semesters). These records will be permanently retained by the Office of the University Registrar. Special care should be taken to certify rosters for courses where faculty and students have not yet had face-to-face interaction by the census date. These may include courses taught via online or hybrid instruction. In these cases, certification of the roster will require documentation of active academic engagement by the student in the course by the census date.
3. Attendance Announcements: Instructors are encouraged to share their attendance policies on the first day and include them in the syllabus.
4. Exceptions and Changes: Classes should not deviate from the schedule around holidays, and any faculty absence must be communicated to the department for appropriate arrangements.

Regular and Substantive Interaction in Distance Learning

Texas State University affirms its longstanding commitment to quality teaching and learning by ensuring that distance education courses include frequent instructor-initiated, meaningful, and documented engagement that is integral to course design and learning outcomes.

To maintain compliance with federal financial aid regulations, distance education courses must demonstrate regular and substantive interaction as defined by applicable U.S. Department of Education guidelines. Such interaction must be initiated by the instructor, occur on a predictable and timely basis, and be focused on the course content and student academic progress. Examples include, but are not limited to, providing substantive feedback on assignments, facilitating instructor-led discussions, conducting direct instruction, and monitoring and responding to student engagement and performance.

Instructors are expected to design courses in which regular and substantive interaction is planned, ongoing, and embedded in the instructional strategy, and to maintain appropriate documentation of instructor-student interaction and student participation in academically related activities. Records of student engagement that occur on or before the semester census date should be retained to support institutional reporting and federal financial aid eligibility.

Additional guidance and institutional requirements related to distance education courses and programs are outlined in G/PPS 02.03, Distance Education Courses and Programs.

Students with Disabilities

Texas State University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. If a student experiences barriers to education due to a disability or believes they may have a disability, they are encouraged to contact Disability Services (DS) at (512) 245-3451, by email at disability@txstate.edu, or by visiting the DS web page. Disabilities may include, but are not limited to, attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, communication, or chronic medical conditions. DS will provide both the student and the instructor with an accommodation letter identifying the requested accommodations. Instructors who encounter difficulties in providing accommodations or believe they may result in a fundamental alteration or undue burden should consult with DS as soon as possible to discuss concerns and explore alternative accommodations.

Honor Code Procedures: Faculty Member Responsibilities 

This is a best practices list of basic steps to assist faculty members who suspect that a student has violated the Honor Code Policy. The faculty member may consult with their department chair or school director to determine an appropriate academic penalty.

Honor Code violations are not reported on transcripts or to outside entities. Reports are for internal tracking purposes to identify repeat offenders, who will be referred to the Dean of Students. 

In compliance with the Honor Code policy (UPPS 07.10.01), the faculty member will:

1. Contact the student verbally or in writing (i.e., in person, virtually, via phone, or email) to discuss the alleged violation, supporting evidence, and academic penalty to be imposed as defined in Section 02.02 of the Honor Code policy.
2. Clearly communicate your observations and the prescribed penalty to the student and consider their evidence/explanation. If the student fails to respond regarding the violation within three business days, move forward with the Honor Code Review Form. A hold will be placed on the student's academic record until the matter is resolved.  
3. After conferring with the student, if it is still suspected the student violated the Honor Code, advise the student that a report will be filed, and they will be contacted by the Honor Code Chair, Vice Chair, or office and given the option to accept or not accept the decision. 
4. Complete the Honor Code Review Form, attaching supporting documentation and/or evidence. Texas State NetID and login credentials will be required. 
5. The student will be sent an email and asked to 1) accept the faculty member's determination and waive their right to a hearing, or 2) not accept the determination and request a hearing with the Honor Code Council to review the case. If a student does not respond to the email within three business days, a hold will be placed on their academic record until the matter is resolved. 
6. If the student accepts, the case is closed. If a hearing is requested, a Hearing Officer will be in touch with the next steps.

Reference UPPS 07.10.01 for descriptions and details of violations and other honor code policy information.

Dear Colleagues, 

As you read in President Damphousse’s message, Texas State has received approval from the Board of Regents to reorganize our current College of Science and Engineering into two separate colleges: the College of Science and Ingram College of Engineering. With the approval of the Board of Regents, our proposal now moves to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for approval. This is a momentous step for our university and reflects the growth and quality of our science and engineering programs, the expertise and excellence of our faculty and staff, and the interest and caliber of our growing student body.  

Last April, I held a town hall meeting for the College of Science and Engineering to review the proposed organizational structure that we planned to submit to the Board of Regents. That meeting built on two different taskforce reports, one from 2023 and one from 2025, and months of engagement with departments, programs, and industry advisory boards to ensure the structure of our new colleges supports the types of collaboration needed now and in the future for research and workforce preparation.  

This summer, I charged a reorganization taskforce with multiple workstreams to dig into the complexities of dividing a college and launching two new ones. You can learn more about the process and the task force on our website. The task force and workstreams will grow and change with each phase of implementation. 

Consultation has been crucial throughout this process, and we need your input as we turn from planning to implementation. You are invited to share feedback about this process and potential impacts with the task force through a survey.  

We plan to launch national searches for a Dean of the College of Science and Dean of the Ingram School of Engineering this fall and look forward to broad engagement from the community in both of those processes as well.  

I am very grateful to everyone who has been a part of developing and implementing this plan. This process has been and will be a total university lift, and I want to extend my appreciation to the many groups who are already hard at work: faculty, college staff, administrative leadership, Human Resources, Information Technology, TXST Admissions, The Graduate College, Enrollment Management, Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Office of the University Registrar, Budget and Financial Analysis, Research, Communications and Marketing, Curriculum and Academic Programs and more. Thank you for the work you’ve done and what is to come.  

Texas State is rapidly becoming a known name in fields where we only just launched programs in the last ten or twenty years. Launching two new colleges will provide us with the infrastructure to continue that growth with specialized and strategic leadership for both science and engineering. It is rare these days to hear about a university launching new colleges. Texas State has this opportunity because of years of preparation, an outstanding science and engineering community, and a commitment to the future. Let’s make the most of it.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

Dear University Community, 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. William L. Kelemen as the Interim Dean and University Librarian, effective August 16, 2026. 

Dr. Kelemen is Professor of Psychology and the Assistant Dean for Budgetary Matters for the College of Liberal Arts. Before joining Texas State in 2011, he held faculty appointments at the University of Missouri and California State University, Long Beach, where he was promoted to Professor and served as Assistant Chair. Dr. Kelemen was recruited to Texas State to serve as Chair of the Department of Psychology, a role he held for more than a decade. During his tenure as chair, the Department of Psychology saw significant growth in faculty, research activity, enrollment, and markers of student success. Since January 2025, he has focused on budgetary matters and college-wide operations and strategic initiatives.  

Dr. Kelemen has actively served the academic community at Texas State as a Faculty Senator and as Chair of the Faculty Senate Budget Committee. He has chaired the Council of Chairs, representing academic departments across the university and advancing cross-college coordination. Dr. Kelemen is also a Charter Member and the Secretary of Phi Beta Kappa, Nu of Texas Chapter. His university service also includes membership on the Run to R1 Presidential Commission, the Academic Affairs Workgroup of the Budget Model Redesign Task Force, the Distinguished Professor Selection Committee, the Distance and Extended Learning Steering Committee, the General Education Council, and the Library Partners Committee. A strong proponent of Open Educational Resources, Dr. Kelemen continues to advocate for expanding options for affordable student learning materials. 

A nationally recognized scholar in memory, metacognition, and cognitive psychology, Dr. Kelemen has published 25 peer-reviewed articles and chapters. His recent work includes studies of exercise and memory, campus safety perceptions, and digital access to learning materials, with publications appearing in journals such as Memory & Cognition, Journal of School Violence, and Journal of Higher Education Management. He has also received major federal research grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In addition, Dr. Kelemen has mentored more than 40 graduate students, publishing papers with them and co-authoring numerous conference presentations that have supported their professional development and scholarly visibility. 

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Kelemen on his appointment as Interim Dean and University Librarian. 

Sincerely,  

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

Dear Colleagues, 

Graduate College Dean Andrea Golato has announced her decision to retire from Texas State University at the end of September to spend time with her mother in Germany, who faces significant health-related issues.  

Dean Golato joined Texas State in 2013 and has led The Graduate College for more than a decade. Before coming to Texas State, she served on the faculty of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for 14 years, including four years as an associate dean in its Graduate College. 

An accomplished scholar of German linguistics and conversation analysis, Dean Golato’s research is focused on grammar and social action in natural interaction. Her published work includes books, chapters, and articles in leading peer-reviewed journals on compliments, reported speech, conversational particles, reference and repair, and displays of emotion. 

Under Dean Golato’s leadership, The Graduate College evolved from a primarily administrative unit to an active partner advancing graduate student achievement, research, professional development, and academic excellence. She modernized the college’s operations, expanded communications and recruitment, strengthened graduate student funding, and developed an outstanding team all while ensuring students were at the center of decision-making. 

Dean Golato also played a central role in expanding graduate offerings and supporting Texas State’s goal of becoming an R1 institution. Since her arrival, the university has developed many new master’s and doctoral programs responding to workforce and societal needs. She helped establish dissertation completion fellowships, doctoral retention scholarships, assistantships, and improved systems for monitoring doctoral student progress. 

She also fostered a culture of research and grantsmanship among graduate students. Her leadership helped expand the Graduate College Research Conference, establish Texas State’s Three-Minute Thesis competition, and create services supporting external fellowship and grant applications. These efforts have helped graduate students secure awards while strengthening Texas State’s reputation for graduate education and research. 

Beyond Texas State, Dean Golato is a respected leader in graduate education at the state, regional, and national levels. Her service has included leadership roles with the Association of Texas Graduate Schools, the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools, and the Council of Graduate Schools. 

Dean Golato’s leadership philosophy has always focused on collaboration and teamwork. She consistently credits the achievements of The Graduate College to the dedication of its associate deans and staff and to the partnerships she developed with academic deans, graduate advisors, faculty and administrators across the university. The culture she has helped develop around supporting graduate success will help ensure her legacy. 

I am very grateful to Dean Golato’s commitment to graduate students, her collaborative leadership, and her dedication to continuous improvement, which have enriched Texas State in lasting and meaningful ways.  

To maintain leadership and support for The Graduate College, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. M. Clay Green as the Interim Dean for The Graduate College, effective October 1, 2026.  

Dr. Green joined Texas State University in 2005 as an Assistant Professor of Biology after earning a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Science from Sul Ross State University, and a Ph.D. in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2011 and to Professor in 2016. 

Dr. Green is a well-regarded scholar whose research spans avian ecology, wildlife management, and conservation biology, with a specialization in coastal waterbirds. Even while holding administrative positions, he has maintained an active research program, published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, secured external funding, and mentored master's and doctoral students, postdoctoral scholars, and early-career faculty. 

Beyond his scholarly contributions, Dr. Green has served in a variety of leadership roles, supporting graduate education, faculty success, research, and institutional effectiveness. He directed the Ph.D. Program in Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology for ten years, chaired the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and served as a Presidential Fellow in the Division of Research. 

Since 2023, Dr. Green has served as Associate Dean in The Graduate College, where he has provided leadership for university-wide initiatives that strengthen graduate education, faculty mentoring, doctoral student success, and institutional effectiveness. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and academic leaders across the university, he has helped advance strategic priorities that support Texas State's continued growth in graduate education and research. 

Dr. Green also retired as a Captain in the United States Navy Reserve following a distinguished 30-year career of military service and executive leadership. 

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Green into this interim role and thanking Dean Golato for her outstanding service to Texas State and to The Graduate College and wishing her and her family the best. 

Sincerely,   

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provostand Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                   Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Information to Include in Fall 2026 Course Syllabi

As we quickly approach the fall 2026 semester and prepare for an exciting array of classes, activities, and events, the following message provides guidance on course syllabi and implementation. This message also provides information about emergency management and the reporting responsibility of faculty and staff who learn of sexual misconduct. Extensive information on course syllabi and classroom procedures is found in AA/PPS 02.03.01, Conduct and Planning of Courses. Please pass this message along to new faculty and teaching assistants, as new hire transactions occur daily.

Need help and not sure where to start? Just Raise your hand.

If you’re an undergraduate student and unsure where to start or need help with something specific – like tutoring, financial aid, or personal support – use the Hand Raise feature in NavigateTXST. It’s a quick way to let someone know you need assistance; a staff member will follow up to connect you with the right resources.

If you’re a graduate student and unsure where to start or need help with something specific, you can reach out to your program department or the Graduate College for assistance. 

Health and Well-being Support

Feeling overwhelmed? Worried about a friend? Just need someone to talk to? We’ve got options:

• CARE Team: Submit a Here to Help form, and someone will reach out with 1-on-1 support and get you connected to the right campus resources.
• Counseling Center: In-person and virtual mental health services including short-term individual, group, and crisis counseling, as well as outreach and workshops.
• Student Health Center: Offers accessible, affordable care including medical, mental health, and wellness support. 
• TimelyCare: FREE 24/7 virtual mental health support including immediate TalkNow chats and scheduled counseling sessions.

Missing Class? Here’s What to Know about Absence Notifications

Life happens—and sometimes that means missing class. Every professor has their own rules when it comes to absences, so it’s important to reach out to them directly as soon as possible. If your absence is for a university-sponsored event or a religious holy day, check out UPPS 02.06.03 and 02.06.01 to see what you need to do.

If your professor asks for documentation, fill out the form on the Absence Notifications page. 

Want to learn more about what additional support is available to you? Visit the Student Success website. 

Instant Access to Your Course Materials

Undergraduate and graduate students are automatically enrolled in BookSmart @ TXST. BookSmart provides you with all your required course materials before your first day of class. Please visit our BookSmart FAQ page for more information.  

Students will have access to the course materials until census (the 12th day of class). If you choose to opt out of the program, you will lose access after that date. This includes access to eBooks, courseware, homework and testing platforms, print materials, etc. You will be responsible for sourcing the required course materials on your own directly from the publisher or ordering individually at The Bobcat Store in the LBJ Student Center at regular retail price.

If you have any questions about BookSmart @ TXST or the charge to your student account, please contact The Bobcat Store via email at txstate@bkstr.com or call 512-245-2273. 

Syllabus Content Reminders (see section 5 of AA/PPS 02.03.01 for all syllabus requirements) 

1. Required class materials, access to materials, use of Canvas, and/or instructional strategies
2. Technology or software needed for the class, including getting support from ITAC
3. Exams, assignments, grading rubrics, assessment and testing, and due dates
4. Office hours
5. Attendance policy and record-keeping procedures
6. Assessment and testing strategies to enhance academic integrity
7. Disability Statement (text included below)

Class Instruction Modes and Substantive Interaction

Classes will be fully implemented in the instruction mode that appears on the fall 2026 Schedule of Classes in Catsweb. In all courses, faculty members provide regular and substantive interaction with students. This interaction is instructor-driven, content-oriented, frequent, and consistent throughout the semester.

Statement on Civility in the Classroom and Instructional Settings

Civility in instructional settings is fundamental to an effective educational process and is everyone’s responsibility. The university’s shared values, sense of community, and collective commitment to respect, civil dialogue, and the free exchange of ideas are the cornerstones of successful teaching and learning. If students have questions about appropriate behavior in a particular class, they should address them with their instructor first. Although rare, disciplinary procedures may be implemented for refusing to follow an instructor’s directive, disrupting classroom activities, or disregarding university policies. For more information regarding conduct in the classroom, please review policies at AA/PPS 02.03.01, Section 03: Courteous and Civil Learning Environment, and Code of Student Conduct, number II, Responsibilities of Students, Section 2.02: Conduct Prohibited.   

Academic Integrity and Student Conduct

Information regarding academic integrity and student code of conduct may be found at the links indicated below.

Code of Student Conduct

The Honor Code

Instructor Absences

Faculty who are absent from class coordinate with their department chairs/school directors to ensure continuity of instruction. In some cases, a faculty member teaching face-to-face may transition to remote learning for a brief period by using Zoom, Teams, Canvas, or other tools. For extended absences, another faculty member may be asked to assume responsibility for the class. Deans and department chairs/school directors may contact the Office of the Provost for support or guidance. Provisions for faculty sick leave are found in UPPS 04.04.30, Section 03, Sick Leave Procedures.

Emergency Management

In the event of an emergency, students, faculty, and staff should monitor the Safety and Emergency Communications web page. This page will be updated with the latest information available to the university, in addition to providing links to information concerning safety resources and emergency procedures. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to sign up for the TXState Alert system.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (SB17)

During the 88th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 17 was passed and signed into law, effective January 1, 2024. SB 17 addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public higher education institutions. For an explanation of SB17's provisions along with questions and answers, please visit the Texas State University System’s General Counsel Guidance on Implementation of Senate Bill 17.

Sexual Misconduct Reporting (SB 212)

Effective January 2, 2020, state law (SB 212) requires all university employees, acting in the course and scope of employment, who witness or receive information concerning an incident of sexual misconduct involving an enrolled student or employee to report all relevant information known about the incident to the university's Title IX office. According to SB 212, employees who knowingly fail to report or knowingly file a false report shall be terminated in accordance with university and system policy. Please access the webpage of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX for more information.

Need Accommodations? 

If you’re managing ADHD, a learning difference, a health condition, or any disability, Disability Services (DS) can work with you to set up accommodations that support your learning. Reach out early—both staff and your instructors are here to support your success. You can contact DS at 512-245-3451 or via email at ods@txstate.edu.

AI in Teaching and Learning

As an AI-forward university, we recognize the increasing role that Artificial Intelligence is playing in teaching and learning. Generative AI tools have become a part of our everyday lives. AI fluency is now an essential competency for the workforce, and it is our responsibility to guide and educate students on its ethical use.   

The level of integration of this technology by faculty will not be universal, but it is imperative that faculty effectively communicate expectations about AI usage with students as it is critical to their success. To prevent any miscommunication, faculty are strongly encouraged to include an AI-usage statement in their syllabi beginning this fall and have conversations with students regarding how AI can be leveraged.  

 At a minimum, syllabus statements should have the following:  

• Definition of AI   
• Level of AI usage  
• Functionality of the tools with specific examples  
• If appropriate, specific names of tools allowed or prohibited (ChatGPT, Gemini, Co-Pilot, etc.)  

When allowing students to use AI, faculty should consider whether the proper documentation of tool usage is necessary and provide citation guidance for students. Missing or improper citations can be considered academic misconduct, subject to the same penalties as any other violation of the Academic Honor Code and should be reported to the Honor Code Council. Any documentation should list the prompts used, the name of the tool, and when the tool was used.   

Sample AI Syllabus Statements

The following examples delineate three different types of usage: prohibited, limited, and allowed. Faculty should either adopt or adapt these statements in their syllabi, write their own, or consult sample syllabi provided through the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship’s Statements on AI Use. 

AI use prohibited:  For this class, “AI” has a broad definition and refers to any program or browser extension that can edit your writing or create new content, including text, images, and code. The use of AI or Generative AI tools, including those provided by Texas State University, such as Co-Pilot, Grammarly, ChatGPT, or similar programs, is strictly prohibited for all assignments. Relying on AI undermines certain learning objectives of this course and could be considered academic dishonesty. This includes using AI for brainstorming, proofreading, changing the tone and style, editing, summarizing, or drafting any part of your work. Violations will be treated as any other violation of the Honor Code as listed in this syllabus and will be reported to the Honor Code Council.    

If you are unsure whether a tool is permitted, assume it is not, and consult with me first. You are responsible for your own original work and academic integrity. For writing assistance, please visit the University Writing Center.  

Limited AI use allowed:  For this class, “AI” has a broad definition and refers to any program or browser extension that can edit your writing or create new content, including text, images, and code. The use of most AI or Generative AI tools, including those provided by Texas State University, is limited in this course. Only the following are approved: [list specific tools, e.g., Grammarly for proofreading, Zotero for citation management]. For similar tools not listed, ask the professor before you use them. Using other AI tools, (especially for creating or suggesting content beyond grammar or spelling) is not allowed and will be considered plagiarism and will be treated as any other violation of the Academic Honor Code as listed in this syllabus and will be reported to the Honor Code Council. If you’re unsure about a tool, consult the instructor first.  

[If appropriate, the faculty member should include citation instructions here.]   

AI use allowed:  For this class, “AI” has a broad definition and refers to any program or browser extension that can edit your writing or create new content, including text, images, and code. You may use AI tools for brainstorming, exploring responses, and creative work as permitted by each assignment. AI can provide feedback and assistance, but instructor guidance and your input are essential.   

[If appropriate, the faculty member should include citation instructions here.]   

Thank you. I greatly appreciate your ongoing dedication to student success and excellence in all teaching and learning activities.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Kathy J. Cooke

                                   Dean, Honors College

SUBJECT:                   July 29: Summer 2026 Research, Inquiry, and Creative Expression Poster Showcase

The Honors College and the IDEA Center are pleased to announce the 4^th annual Research, Inquiry, and Creative Expression (RICE) Showcase—an event to celebrate undergraduate research and creative activity at Texas State University. This year, the showcase will be held on Wednesday, July 29, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the 3^rd floor lobby of Ingram Hall. 

Undergraduates from Texas State and visiting REU students will present their research posters in recognition of all their hard work this summer. 

All are invited to attend; no RSVP required. 

If you have questions, please email ideacenter@txstate.edu or call (512) 245-1515.   

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Chair, Department of Sociology

I am pleased to announce that Dr. William R. Donner joined Texas State University on July 13, 2026, as Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology.

Dr. Donner earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Millersville University and both a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining Texas State, he served as Chair of the Department of Sociology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley from 2019 to 2025 and, beginning in 2025, as Interim Director of the School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement. He has served on more than 30 master's thesis and doctoral dissertation committees and has received several college- and university-level awards recognizing his contributions to research, service, and graduate program development.

Dr. Donner's research spans both academic and applied settings, with a focus on natural and technological hazards, social vulnerability, and demography. He has published extensively in leading journals, including Demography, Social Forces, and the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. His recent book, Severe Weather Warnings: An Interdisciplinary Approach, received the award for Top Interdisciplinary Contribution at the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society. In addition, he has served as principal investigator and co-investigator on externally funded projects supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the AXA Research Fund.

A strong advocate for interdisciplinary education, Dr. Donner specializes in developing academic programs that connect the social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. At his previous institution, he co-developed a Master of Arts program in Disaster Studies and Emergency Management that integrated coursework from sociology, geography, geology, meteorology, and public administration.

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Dr. William R. Donner on his appointment as Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge Figueroa

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                 Enhancing Coursework with Career Skills: Coursera Integration Now in Canvas

Dear Faculty and Staff,

The Divisions of Academic Affairs and Information Technology have partnered to integrate the Coursera LTI tool into Canvas. This integration allows flexible, job-relevant training and resources to be embedded directly in your existing Canvas course resources. Augment your lectures and course materials with specialized industry content and help students build job-ready skills alongside their coursework.

The tool allows seamless integration of Coursera courses and content into your Canvas course. Additionally, the tool allows you to:

• Browse, select, and assign specific Coursera modules directly within your Canvas modules
• Sync student completion and grade data automatically to your gradebook in Canvas
• Use external, industry-specific certifications as optional extra credit or as supplemental course material

Learn how to enable the Coursera and Canvas integration on ITAC’s page or start browsing Coursera content and see what resources you want to bring into your course.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Parking and Traffic Plan for Summer 2026 Commencement

Texas State University is pleased to honor over 1,200 candidates in 3 commencement ceremonies to be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The ceremonies will be held in Strahan Arena at the University Events Center (UEC) on our San Marcos Campus. As graduates, families, and the university community prepare to celebrate, please note the following announcements and recommendations.

Parking at Commencement

Parking is available for all attendees as indicated on the Commencement Parking Map.

Recommended parking for faculty and staff, with shuttle services, include:

• Lots A and B, located by UFCU Stadium, will have shuttle bus service.
• Lot C, located adjacent to the UEC, is restricted to those with Limited Mobility. Golf cart shuttles will be available to assist individuals in this lot. This lot should be accessed from Charles Austin Drive via Hopkins Street.

Recommended park and walk lots for faculty and staff include:

• Lot D, across the street from the UEC.
• Garage F, at the corner of Edward Gary Street and University Drive.
• Garage H, at the corner of Pleasant Street and LBJ Drive.

All lots and garages listed above are free to those attending commencement.

Please be aware that if you are traveling southbound on IH35 and exit Aquarena Springs Drive you are advised to turn left on to Thorpe Lane and right on to Robbie Lane in order to access Lots A and B. Traffic inbound to campus on Aquarena Springs Drive will not be able to make a left turn into Commencement Parking Lot D.

Information on faculty parking, parking maps, the faculty processional, and other details can be found on the commencement website. 

Special Instructions

Faculty and staff who attend commencement should adhere to the Clear Bag Policy and also see the prohibited and allowable items list for more information. 

It is highly recommended that drivers avoid the Sessom Street, Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82, and University Drive roadways between the ceremonies on Saturday.  Every effort should be made to exit the campus and San Marcos using Edward Gary Street, Guadalupe Street, Hopkins Street/Hunter Road, and other routes heading away from the UEC.

Thank you for your cooperation during this momentous time in our graduates’ lives.

Faculty or staff requiring accommodations due to a disability should contact the Commencement team by submitting a ticket through our “Contact Us” link found on the Commencement website.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Director, School of Social Work

I am pleased to announce that Dr. James C. Petrovich joined Texas State University on July 1, 2026, as Professor and Director of the School of Social Work.

Dr. Petrovich brings more than a decade of academic leadership experience in social work education, with a strong record of program development, faculty leadership, and community-engaged scholarship. Prior to joining Texas State, he served as Professor, Chair, and Founding Director of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, where he led the development and successful accreditation of a fully online, clinically focused MSW program designed to serve rural and frontier communities.

Prior to joining Carroll College, Dr. Petrovich served as Chair of the Department of Social Work at Texas Christian University, where he led undergraduate and graduate programs through a period of significant transition and growth. Across his leadership roles, he has demonstrated a consistent commitment to building collaborative academic environments, strengthening community partnerships, and supporting student success.

Dr. Petrovich earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) from New York University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington. He completed a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs predoctoral fellowship focused on examining the use of support services by veterans experiencing homelessness. His research and teaching focus on trauma-informed practice, homelessness, behavioral health, and community-based program evaluation, with an emphasis on translating research into real-world impact.

His leadership has included securing external funding to support workforce development and community initiatives, expanding access to graduate education, and developing academic programs that respond to evolving workforce needs. He has also been recognized for his commitment to community-engaged education, including building partnerships with Tribal communities and integrating responsive, context-informed practices into academic programs.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. James C. Petrovich on his appointment as Director of the School of Social Work.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge Figueroa

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                   Action Required: Review of Departmental Websites & Materials for Compliance (OBBBA)

As we prepare for the 2026–2027 academic year, our institution is adapting to several new federal regulations. Most notably, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) which introduces sweeping structural changes to Federal Student Aid programs that take effect on July 1, 2026. Under these new guidelines, federal financial aid eligibility, loan caps, and annual proration models are heavily tied to structural academic terms and specific degree-applicable unit tracking. To ensure compliance and prevent misaligned expectations for students navigating these new aid structures, all departments must audit their public-facing information.

Required Action

We ask that every department, program, and administrative unit review their websites, downloadable program sheets, brochures, and promotional materials to remove specific references to the length of time required to complete a degree (e.g., phrasing such as "Finish this degree in 2 years" or "Our 4-year track" or courses listed implying a timeline for completion).

Because the OBBBA reshapes how "expected time to credential" is explicitly calculated for federal aid limits, publishing timelines can directly impact a student’s borrowing capacity. Broad or static time-to-completion marketing claims carry regulatory risks and may inadvertently impact students aid eligibility.

Implementation Details

• What to Remove: Any marketing guarantees, headlines, or infographics stating a fixed number of months or years to graduate.
• What to Keep/Emphasize: Focus on the total number of credit hours required to graduate, structural sequencing (e.g., "A 120-credit hour curriculum"), and standard course maps.
• Deadline: Please ensure all digital updates are completed and outdated print materials are pulled by Thursday, August 13, 2026.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. By standardizing how we communicate program requirements, we protect our students' financial aid standing and keep our campus fully compliant with the evolving federal framework.

If you have questions regarding specific curriculum phrasing, please submit a ticket with the Office of Curriculum and Academic Programs.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Interim Chair, School of Music

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Joey M. Martin as Interim Chair of the School of Music, effective July 1, 2026.

Dr. Martin brings a distinguished record of scholarship and leadership in the field of choral music. A native of southwest Oklahoma, he earned the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and he completed the Doctor of Music Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Texas at Austin.

He began his academic appointment at Texas State University in 1999, then known as Southwest Texas State University. His academic rank progressed through successive promotions, including appointment as Associate Professor in 2004 and as Professor in 2010. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Martin has provided substantial institutional leadership at Texas State, serving for over ten years as Associate Dean for the College of Fine Arts and Communication and for two years as Interim Director for the School of Music.

Dr. Martin’s scholarly and creative work encompasses both choral performance and collaborative arts. He has conducted honor choirs and has presented master classes in 31 states and 17 countries, with invited performances for major professional organizations and conferences, including the Texas Music Educators Association, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and the International Kodály Festival. He served for seven years as National ACDA Repertoire and Resources Chair for College/University Choirs and currently serves on the board of directors for Conspirare, the Grammy Award–winning choral ensemble.

Dr. Martin has received multiple Presidential Distinction Awards for teaching and service, was featured for the Dean’s Seminar in 2026, and was recognized for his fierce commitment to the choral arts with the 2022 TCDA Choral Advocacy Award.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Martin on his appointment as Interim Director for the School of Music.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Interim Chair, Department of Agricultural Sciences

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Dana Michelle García as Interim Chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences, effective July 15, 2026. 

Dr. García brings a strong record of scholarship and leadership in undergraduate biology education. Born in Waco and raised in Kingsville, Texas, she earned Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Texas A&M University and Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology from the University of California at Berkeley. She began her academic career at Texas State University in 1993 when it was known as Southwest Texas State University. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 1999. She was promoted to Professor in 2004 and has served as Associate Chair since 2011.

Dr. García’s research has focused on vision, especially how animals adjust to changing light conditions on the short term and evolutionarily. Throughout her career, she has mentored students and supported them in their interests, and this approach has resulted in her research expanding to other sensory systems, most recently hearing and balance. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation. Current research continues to explore how the cells of the eye “know” how to respond to changing light conditions and extends as well into using computational methods to predict molecular interactions.

Dr. García has received several awards for research and teaching, including a Hope for Vision award (2007) and a Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching (2021).

Please join me in congratulating Dr. García on her appointment as Interim Chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences.

Dear Colleagues, 

I am writing to share that Dr. Kelly Visnak has transitioned out of her role as the University Librarian. I am grateful for Dr. Visnak’s leadership and vision for the University Libraries since her appointment in the summer of 2021.  

We plan to launch a national search this fall to identify a permanent leader for the University Libraries. We will soon announce an interim leader to maintain services while we conduct the search. In the meantime, Senior Vice Provost Vedaraman Sriraman will serve as the key point of contact for all University Libraries' leadership needs.  

The University Libraries are central to the intellectual life of our community, and there should not be service disruptions during this transition. Please continue engaging with your colleagues in the University Libraries and utilizing the excellent resources and services provided. 

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge Figueroa

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                   Online Catalogs

The 2026-2027 undergraduate and graduate catalogs are available online.  

The 2025-2026 catalogs will be archived in an online and PDF format and can be accessed on the Office of Curriculum and Academic Programs website. The emergency edits period has begun and will remain open until August 3. During this period, colleges and departments may submit critical catalog corrections via our catalog errors form.

If you have any questions or comments about the catalogs, please submit a ticket with the Office of Curriculum and Academic Programs.

Dear University Community, 

I am writing to follow-up with additional details on the exciting news shared by President Damphousse about the university’s new initiative to provide tuition scholarships for research doctoral students (non-AOP) holding funded, 50% doctoral assistantships (DRA, DTA, DIA, DA). This change will support student success by improving the ability of doctoral students to complete their degrees within normative time and reducing the need for external employment during doctoral programs. 

As President Damphousse shared, this investment in tuition scholarships represents an important milestone on our path to R1 status and will strengthen our ability to recruit and retain outstanding doctoral candidates. At a time when opportunities in doctoral education are retracting across the country, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to step up and provide more resources to our students. I have outlined the details of the initiative below.  

• Eligibility Criteria: 

Effective Fall 2026, current and new research doctoral students who are not in AOP programs and who hold eligible positions: 

• DRA (Doctoral Research Assistant) 
• DIA (Doctoral Instructional Assistant) 
• DTA (Doctoral Teaching Assistant) 
• DA (Doctoral Assistant) 
• Doctoral students must be employed at least 50% time in an active appointment.  
• Doctoral students holding master's level assistantships will NOT be eligible for the tuition scholarship 
• Tuition Scholarship Coverage Applicability: 
• Covers up to 21 credit hours per academic year 
• Applies only to courses counted toward the doctoral degree 
• Covers only tuition (fees are not included) 
• Academic Standing:  
• Student must be in good standing  
• Duration Limits: 
• Maximum of 3 years of total support  
• This limit does not reset if the student:  
• Changes assistantship type 
• Changes doctoral program 
• Loss of Eligibility: 
• Students will lose eligibility if they: 
• Resign from their assistantship 
• Are removed from their assistantship position 
• Fall out of good academic standing 

Changes to a division or college’s allotment of funded assistantships must be approved by the Senior Vice Provost and the Dean of The Graduate College. These tuition scholarships will be automatically awarded, i.e., students will not have to apply for them. Programs will receive outreach in the coming weeks from The Graduate College confirming eligible positions. 

This is an incredible step forward for doctoral education at Texas State University made possible by receiving a full share of the Texas University Fund. Our students are extremely talented and deserving of this support, and I know it will be put to good use as our doctoral students continue to push the research frontiers of their fields while also supporting undergraduate education at Texas State.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs  

Eligible Programs 

• Ph.D. Major in Criminal Justice 
• Ph.D. Major in Adult, Professional, and Community Education 
• Ph.D. Major in Educational and Community Leadership 
• Ph.D. Major in School Improvement  
• Ph.D. Major in Postsecondary Student Success in Learning, Literacy, and Mathematics 
• Ph.D. Major in Developmental Education  
• Ed.D. Major in Postsecondary Student Success in Learning, Literacy, and Mathematics 
• Ed.D. Major in Developmental Education  
• Ph.D. Major in Kinesiology (Exercise Science Concentration) 
• Ph.D. Major in Applied Anthropology 
• Ph.D. Major in Geographic Education 
• Ph.D. Major in Geographic Information Science 
• Ph.D. Major in Geography 
• Ph.D. Major in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization 
• Ph.D. Major in Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology  
• Ph. D. Major in Integrative and Applied Biology 
• Ph.D. Major in Integrated Molecular and Biophysical Chemistry 
• Ph.D. Major in Computer Science  
• Ph.D. Major in Civil Engineering 
• Ph.D. Major in Electrical Engineering 
• Ph.D. Major in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering 
• Ph.D. Major in Mathematics 
• Ph.D. Major in Mathematics Education 

Ineligible Programs 

• Ph.D. Major in Kinesiology (Sports Management Concentration) 
• Ph.D. Major in Construction Management 
• Ph.D. Major in Engineering Management  
• D.B.A. Major in Business Administration 
• D.N.P. Major in Nursing Practice   
• D.P.T. Major in Physical Therapy 

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the following promotions and elections to tenure. Please join me in celebrating the accomplishments of these individuals.

PROMOTIONS:

From: Associate Professor to Professor  

Dr. Carlos Abreu Mendoza, Department of World Languages and Literatures

Dr. Glenna M. Billingsley, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Ms. Kaysie S. Brown, School of Theatre, Dance, and Film

Dr. Catherine A. Cherrstrom, Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies

Dr. Kiyomi S. Colegrove, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Clay M. Craig, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Dr. Joshua J. Daspit, Department of Management

Ms. Jennifer J. duBois, Department of English

Dr. Jacob G. Harrison, School of Music

Dr. Paul B. Jantz, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Hong Gu Kang, Department of Biology

Dr. Lindsay E. Kipp, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Joseph P. Laycock, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Cristian H. Lieneck, School of Health Administration

Dr. Joni A. Mettler, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Suho Oh, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Cecily G. Parks, Department of English

Dr. Zo H. Ramamonjiarivelo, School of Health Administration

Dr. David Rodriguez, Department of Biology

Dr. Stephanie T. Solansky, Department of Management

Dr. Kimberly G. Talley, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Nicole Taylor, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Graeme A. Wend-Walker, Department of English

Dr. Yihong Yuan, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

From: Associate Professor of Instruction to Professor of Instruction

Dr. Beth A. Bernstein, Department of World Languages and Literatures

Dr. Matthew E. Bower, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Joanna K. Collins, Department of English

Dr. Deborah L. Cunningham, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Craig A. Damin, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. H. Jaymi M. Elsass, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Dr. Daphne J. Everman, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Guntulu Selen Hatipkarasulu, Department of Engineering Technology

Mr. Esteban G. Hinojosa, School of Art and Design

Mr. Matthew J. Holzner, School of Music

Ms. Jessica L. James, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Ms. Laritza D. Janiga, School of Art and Design

Ms. Katrina M. Jansky, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Elizabeth P. Kanon, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Anica D. Lee, Department of Biology

Ms. Blanca T. Loya, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Brandon R. Lunk, Department of Physics

Dr. William R. McKelvain, Department of Psychology

Dr. Bikai Nie, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Joshua A. Paddison, Department of History

Dr. Donald E. Patterson, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Mr. Colin R. Pierson, Department of Sociology

Dr. Amy M. Pommerening, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Nevitt D. Reesor, Department of Philosophy

Ms. Soomin J. Remmler, School of Art and Design

Dr. Jonathan R. Surovell, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Peter L. Tschirhart, Honors College

Dr. Micaela Vargas, Department of Biology

Ms. Tina Villarreal, Department of Sociology

Ms. Amanda N. Walker, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Isaac T. Wiegman, Department of Philosophy

Mr. Jason S. Woolery, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Kelly J. Woytek, Department of Biology

From: Associate Professor of Practice to Professor of Practice

Ms. Jennifer L. Buschhorn, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Mr. Eraldo E. G. Chiecchi, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Dr. Feng Hong, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Todd Sherron, Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies

From: Research Associate Professor to Research Professor

Dr. Carolyn E. Boyd, Department of Anthropology

From: Assistant Professor to Associate Professor

Dr. Jasmine T. Austin, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Rhonda N. Balzarini, Department of Psychology

Dr. Carrie J. Bucklin, Department of Biology

Dr. Nicholas P. Carter, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Subasish Das, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Christopher Dayley, Department of English

Dr. Anahita Emami, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. John W. Farrell III, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Lauren E. Fuess, Department of Biology

Dr. Leslie E. Green, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Hamilton L. Hardison, Department of Mathematics

Ms. Abbey M. Hudgins, Department of Respiratory Care

Dr. Hyunhwan Kim, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Samantha M. Krause, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Dr. Yuli Liang, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Judith E. Lindsay, St. David’s School of Nursing

Dr. Natasha L. Mikles, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Cindy F. Miller, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Stephanie M. Muller, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Casey D. Nichols, Department of History

Dr. Cody L. Patterson, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Jessica K. Perrotte, Department of Psychology

Dr. Louis H. Porter, Department of History

Dr. Sara A. Ramirez, Department of English

Dr. Kathleen M. Randolph, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Thomas B. Robinson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Alec D. Scherer, School of Music

Dr. Keya Sen, School of Health Administration

Dr. Xijun Shi, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Virginia E. Tufano, St. David’s School of Nursing

From: Assistant Professor of Instruction to Associate Professor of Instruction

Dr. Michael G. Abel, Department of Biology

Dr. Jeffrey C. Allison, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Maedeh Amiri, Department of Engineering Technology

Mr. Juan R. Angulo, Department of Psychology

Dr. Lindsay E. Ayres, Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. Vince A. Bagnulo, Department of Political Science

Ms. Amber D. Branham, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Sheri L. Burson, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Pritha Chakraborty, Department of Mathematics

Ms. Taylor D. Cortesi, Department of English

Ms. Amy L. M. Esmiol, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. William J. Gessas, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Claire A. Hendren, School of Art and Design

Ms. Macy M. L. Hicks, Department of Psychology

Ms. Sarah B. Hirneisen, School of Art and Design

Dr. Maria L. Illescas Glascock, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Jaroslaw S. Jaracz, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Devanda R. Lek, Department of Engineering Technology

Mr. Krushi R. Lokhande, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Mithil Mazumder, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Amanda J. Mixon, Department of English

Dr. Omneya M. Nassar, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Megan E. Newhouse-Bailey, Department of Health and Human Performance

Ms. Devi G. Norton, School of Art and Design

Ms. Cassie A. Polasek, Department of English

Dr. Jackson D. Rebrovich, Department of Mathematics

Mr. Rand A. Renfrow, School of Art and Design

Ms. Jessica G. Robinson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. Vatsalya Sharma, Department of Engineering Technology

Ms. Sara M. Shields, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Mr. Mark J. Stern, Department of Psychology

Dr. Sunni J. Taylor, Department of Biology

Dr. Seth A. Thompson, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Aditya G. Togi, Department of Physics

Mr. Michael S. Villarreal, School of Art and Design

Dr. Justin W. Williams, Department of Philosophy

Mr. Duke W. Willoughby, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Bin Xiao, Department of Engineering Technology

From: Assistant Professor of Practice to Associate Professor of Practice

Dr. Ruby G. Oram, Department of History

Dr. Felix O. Quayson, Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies

Mr. Daniel F. Seed, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

From: Clinical Assistant Professor to Clinical Associate Professor 

Dr. Damian C. Rodriguez, Department of Physical Therapy

TENURE:

Dr. Jasmine T. Austin, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Rhonda N. Balzarini, Department of Psychology

Dr. Carrie J. Bucklin, Department of Biology

Dr. Nicholas P. Carter, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Subasish Das, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Christopher Dayley, Department of English

Dr. Anahita Emami, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. John W. Farrell III, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Lauren E. Fuess, Department of Biology

Dr. Leslie E. Green, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Hamilton L. Hardison, Department of Mathematics

Ms. Abbey M. Hudgins, Department of Respiratory Care

Dr. Hyunhwan Kim, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Samantha M. Krause, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Dr. Yuli Liang, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Judith E. Lindsay, St. David’s School of Nursing

Dr. Natasha L. Mikles, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Cindy F. Miller, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Stephanie M. Muller, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Casey D. Nichols, Department of History

Dr. Cody L. Patterson, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Jessica K. Perrotte, Department of Psychology

Dr. Louis H. Porter, Department of History

Dr. Sara A. Ramirez, Department of English

Dr. Kathleen M. Randolph, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Thomas B. Robinson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Alec D. Scherer, School of Music

Dr. Keya Sen, School of Health Administration

Dr. Xijun Shi, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Virginia E. Tufano, St. David’s School of Nursing

Dear Members of the Texas State Community,  

I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Kathy J. Cooke has been appointed as the next Dean of the Honors College, effective July 15, 2026, following a national search. 

Dr. Cooke has held leadership positions in honors education for more than two decades and throughout her career has worked to break down barriers to honors participation and create new pathways for entry and engagement with special attention to transfer student success. She currently serves as Director of the Honors College at California State University, Los Angeles, with a faculty appointment in the Department of History. At Cal State LA, Dr. Cooke has led the Honors College during a period of significant institutional change and during that time has focused on maintaining and building support for students, faculty and staff, while developing new relationships and grant-funded opportunities to support interdisciplinary and cross-institutional work.   

Prior to her role at Cal State LA, Dr. Cooke was the Founding Dean of the Honors College at the University of South Alabama, where she built the honors program into a fully realized Honors College. In that role, she oversaw all aspects of operations and strategy and more than tripled student enrollment in the Honors College. During budget constraints, she led successful fundraising efforts to support student participation in co-curricular opportunities and identified funding to help support faculty and student research and conference travel. Dr. Cooke’s first administrative role was as the founding director of the University Honors Program at Quinnipiac University, which she led for over a decade.  

Not only does Dr. Cooke have significant experience leading honors programs and colleges, she has also provided significant service to the field of honors as a past president of the Southern Regional Honors Council where she championed access to honors regardless of economic status or background and focused on budget stewardship. Dr. Cooke received her PhD in History from the University of Chicago and has maintained an active research profile alongside her administrative work in history and topics in undergraduate education and student success.  

As Texas State continues to grow and seeks to provide high impact experiences for more students, I am confident that Dr. Cooke’s experience and vision for the Honors College will help us build on our already strong foundation. Please help me welcome Dr. Kathy J. Cooke to Texas State and to the Honors College.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Interim Chair, School of Music

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Joey M. Martin as Interim Chair of the School of Music, effective July 1, 2026.

Dr. Martin brings a distinguished record of scholarship and leadership in the field of choral music. A native of southwest Oklahoma, he earned the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and he completed the Doctor of Music Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Texas at Austin.

He began his academic appointment at Texas State University in 1999, then known as Southwest Texas State University. His academic rank progressed through successive promotions, including appointment as Associate Professor in 2004 and as Professor in 2010. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Martin has provided substantial institutional leadership at Texas State, serving for over ten years as Associate Dean for the College of Fine Arts and Communication and for two years as Interim Director for the School of Music.

Dr. Martin’s scholarly and creative work encompasses both choral performance and collaborative arts. He has conducted honor choirs and has presented master classes in 31 states and 17 countries, with invited performances for major professional organizations and conferences, including the Texas Music Educators Association, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and the International Kodály Festival. He served for seven years as National ACDA Repertoire and Resources Chair for College/University Choirs and currently serves on the board of directors for Conspirare, the Grammy Award–winning choral ensemble.

Dr. Martin has received multiple Presidential Distinction Awards for teaching and service, was featured for the Dean’s Seminar in 2026, and was recognized for his fierce commitment to the choral arts with the 2022 TCDA Choral Advocacy Award.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Martin on his appointment as Interim Director for the School of Music.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Interim Chair, Department of Agricultural Sciences

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Dana Michelle García as Interim Chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences, effective July 15, 2026. 

Dr. García brings a strong record of scholarship and leadership in undergraduate biology education. Born in Waco and raised in Kingsville, Texas, she earned Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Texas A&M University and Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology from the University of California at Berkeley. She began her academic career at Texas State University in 1993 when it was known as Southwest Texas State University. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 1999. She was promoted to Professor in 2004 and has served as Associate Chair since 2011.

Dr. García’s research has focused on vision, especially how animals adjust to changing light conditions on the short term and evolutionarily. Throughout her career, she has mentored students and supported them in their interests, and this approach has resulted in her research expanding to other sensory systems, most recently hearing and balance. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation. Current research continues to explore how the cells of the eye “know” how to respond to changing light conditions and extends as well into using computational methods to predict molecular interactions.

Dr. García has received several awards for research and teaching, including a Hope for Vision award (2007) and a Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching (2021).

Please join me in congratulating Dr. García on her appointment as Interim Chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences.

Dear Colleagues, 

I am writing to share that Dr. Kelly Visnak has transitioned out of her role as the University Librarian. I am grateful for Dr. Visnak’s leadership and vision for the University Libraries since her appointment in the summer of 2021.  

We plan to launch a national search this fall to identify a permanent leader for the University Libraries. We will soon announce an interim leader to maintain services while we conduct the search. In the meantime, Senior Vice Provost Vedaraman Sriraman will serve as the key point of contact for all University Libraries' leadership needs.  

The University Libraries are central to the intellectual life of our community, and there should not be service disruptions during this transition. Please continue engaging with your colleagues in the University Libraries and utilizing the excellent resources and services provided. 

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge Figueroa

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                   Online Catalogs

The 2026-2027 undergraduate and graduate catalogs are available online.  

The 2025-2026 catalogs will be archived in an online and PDF format and can be accessed on the Office of Curriculum and Academic Programs website. The emergency edits period has begun and will remain open until August 3. During this period, colleges and departments may submit critical catalog corrections via our catalog errors form.

If you have any questions or comments about the catalogs, please submit a ticket with the Office of Curriculum and Academic Programs.

Dear University Community, 

I am writing to follow-up with additional details on the exciting news shared by President Damphousse about the university’s new initiative to provide tuition scholarships for research doctoral students (non-AOP) holding funded, 50% doctoral assistantships (DRA, DTA, DIA, DA). This change will support student success by improving the ability of doctoral students to complete their degrees within normative time and reducing the need for external employment during doctoral programs. 

As President Damphousse shared, this investment in tuition scholarships represents an important milestone on our path to R1 status and will strengthen our ability to recruit and retain outstanding doctoral candidates. At a time when opportunities in doctoral education are retracting across the country, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to step up and provide more resources to our students. I have outlined the details of the initiative below.  

• Eligibility Criteria: 

Effective Fall 2026, current and new research doctoral students who are not in AOP programs and who hold eligible positions: 

• DRA (Doctoral Research Assistant) 
• DIA (Doctoral Instructional Assistant) 
• DTA (Doctoral Teaching Assistant) 
• DA (Doctoral Assistant) 
• Doctoral students must be employed at least 50% time in an active appointment.  
• Doctoral students holding master's level assistantships will NOT be eligible for the tuition scholarship 
• Tuition Scholarship Coverage Applicability: 
• Covers up to 21 credit hours per academic year 
• Applies only to courses counted toward the doctoral degree 
• Covers only tuition (fees are not included) 
• Academic Standing:  
• Student must be in good standing  
• Duration Limits: 
• Maximum of 3 years of total support  
• This limit does not reset if the student:  
• Changes assistantship type 
• Changes doctoral program 
• Loss of Eligibility: 
• Students will lose eligibility if they: 
• Resign from their assistantship 
• Are removed from their assistantship position 
• Fall out of good academic standing 

Changes to a division or college’s allotment of funded assistantships must be approved by the Senior Vice Provost and the Dean of The Graduate College. These tuition scholarships will be automatically awarded, i.e., students will not have to apply for them. Programs will receive outreach in the coming weeks from The Graduate College confirming eligible positions. 

This is an incredible step forward for doctoral education at Texas State University made possible by receiving a full share of the Texas University Fund. Our students are extremely talented and deserving of this support, and I know it will be put to good use as our doctoral students continue to push the research frontiers of their fields while also supporting undergraduate education at Texas State.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs  

Eligible Programs 

• Ph.D. Major in Criminal Justice 
• Ph.D. Major in Adult, Professional, and Community Education 
• Ph.D. Major in Educational and Community Leadership 
• Ph.D. Major in School Improvement  
• Ph.D. Major in Postsecondary Student Success in Learning, Literacy, and Mathematics 
• Ph.D. Major in Developmental Education  
• Ed.D. Major in Postsecondary Student Success in Learning, Literacy, and Mathematics 
• Ed.D. Major in Developmental Education  
• Ph.D. Major in Kinesiology (Exercise Science Concentration) 
• Ph.D. Major in Applied Anthropology 
• Ph.D. Major in Geographic Education 
• Ph.D. Major in Geographic Information Science 
• Ph.D. Major in Geography 
• Ph.D. Major in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization 
• Ph.D. Major in Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology  
• Ph. D. Major in Integrative and Applied Biology 
• Ph.D. Major in Integrated Molecular and Biophysical Chemistry 
• Ph.D. Major in Computer Science  
• Ph.D. Major in Civil Engineering 
• Ph.D. Major in Electrical Engineering 
• Ph.D. Major in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering 
• Ph.D. Major in Mathematics 
• Ph.D. Major in Mathematics Education 

Ineligible Programs 

• Ph.D. Major in Kinesiology (Sports Management Concentration) 
• Ph.D. Major in Construction Management 
• Ph.D. Major in Engineering Management  
• D.B.A. Major in Business Administration 
• D.N.P. Major in Nursing Practice   
• D.P.T. Major in Physical Therapy 

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the following promotions and elections to tenure. Please join me in celebrating the accomplishments of these individuals.

PROMOTIONS:

From: Associate Professor to Professor  

Dr. Carlos Abreu Mendoza, Department of World Languages and Literatures

Dr. Glenna M. Billingsley, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Ms. Kaysie S. Brown, School of Theatre, Dance, and Film

Dr. Catherine A. Cherrstrom, Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies

Dr. Kiyomi S. Colegrove, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Clay M. Craig, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Dr. Joshua J. Daspit, Department of Management

Ms. Jennifer J. duBois, Department of English

Dr. Jacob G. Harrison, School of Music

Dr. Paul B. Jantz, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Hong Gu Kang, Department of Biology

Dr. Lindsay E. Kipp, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Joseph P. Laycock, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Cristian H. Lieneck, School of Health Administration

Dr. Joni A. Mettler, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Suho Oh, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Cecily G. Parks, Department of English

Dr. Zo H. Ramamonjiarivelo, School of Health Administration

Dr. David Rodriguez, Department of Biology

Dr. Stephanie T. Solansky, Department of Management

Dr. Kimberly G. Talley, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Nicole Taylor, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Graeme A. Wend-Walker, Department of English

Dr. Yihong Yuan, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

From: Associate Professor of Instruction to Professor of Instruction

Dr. Beth A. Bernstein, Department of World Languages and Literatures

Dr. Matthew E. Bower, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Joanna K. Collins, Department of English

Dr. Deborah L. Cunningham, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Craig A. Damin, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. H. Jaymi M. Elsass, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Dr. Daphne J. Everman, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Guntulu Selen Hatipkarasulu, Department of Engineering Technology

Mr. Esteban G. Hinojosa, School of Art and Design

Mr. Matthew J. Holzner, School of Music

Ms. Jessica L. James, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Ms. Laritza D. Janiga, School of Art and Design

Ms. Katrina M. Jansky, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Elizabeth P. Kanon, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Anica D. Lee, Department of Biology

Ms. Blanca T. Loya, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Brandon R. Lunk, Department of Physics

Dr. William R. McKelvain, Department of Psychology

Dr. Bikai Nie, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Joshua A. Paddison, Department of History

Dr. Donald E. Patterson, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Mr. Colin R. Pierson, Department of Sociology

Dr. Amy M. Pommerening, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Nevitt D. Reesor, Department of Philosophy

Ms. Soomin J. Remmler, School of Art and Design

Dr. Jonathan R. Surovell, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Peter L. Tschirhart, Honors College

Dr. Micaela Vargas, Department of Biology

Ms. Tina Villarreal, Department of Sociology

Ms. Amanda N. Walker, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Isaac T. Wiegman, Department of Philosophy

Mr. Jason S. Woolery, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Kelly J. Woytek, Department of Biology

From: Associate Professor of Practice to Professor of Practice

Ms. Jennifer L. Buschhorn, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Mr. Eraldo E. G. Chiecchi, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Dr. Feng Hong, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Todd Sherron, Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies

From: Research Associate Professor to Research Professor

Dr. Carolyn E. Boyd, Department of Anthropology

From: Assistant Professor to Associate Professor

Dr. Jasmine T. Austin, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Rhonda N. Balzarini, Department of Psychology

Dr. Carrie J. Bucklin, Department of Biology

Dr. Nicholas P. Carter, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Subasish Das, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Christopher Dayley, Department of English

Dr. Anahita Emami, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. John W. Farrell III, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Lauren E. Fuess, Department of Biology

Dr. Leslie E. Green, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Hamilton L. Hardison, Department of Mathematics

Ms. Abbey M. Hudgins, Department of Respiratory Care

Dr. Hyunhwan Kim, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Samantha M. Krause, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Dr. Yuli Liang, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Judith E. Lindsay, St. David’s School of Nursing

Dr. Natasha L. Mikles, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Cindy F. Miller, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Stephanie M. Muller, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Casey D. Nichols, Department of History

Dr. Cody L. Patterson, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Jessica K. Perrotte, Department of Psychology

Dr. Louis H. Porter, Department of History

Dr. Sara A. Ramirez, Department of English

Dr. Kathleen M. Randolph, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Thomas B. Robinson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Alec D. Scherer, School of Music

Dr. Keya Sen, School of Health Administration

Dr. Xijun Shi, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Virginia E. Tufano, St. David’s School of Nursing

From: Assistant Professor of Instruction to Associate Professor of Instruction

Dr. Michael G. Abel, Department of Biology

Dr. Jeffrey C. Allison, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Maedeh Amiri, Department of Engineering Technology

Mr. Juan R. Angulo, Department of Psychology

Dr. Lindsay E. Ayres, Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. Vince A. Bagnulo, Department of Political Science

Ms. Amber D. Branham, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Sheri L. Burson, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Pritha Chakraborty, Department of Mathematics

Ms. Taylor D. Cortesi, Department of English

Ms. Amy L. M. Esmiol, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. William J. Gessas, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Claire A. Hendren, School of Art and Design

Ms. Macy M. L. Hicks, Department of Psychology

Ms. Sarah B. Hirneisen, School of Art and Design

Dr. Maria L. Illescas Glascock, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Jaroslaw S. Jaracz, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Devanda R. Lek, Department of Engineering Technology

Mr. Krushi R. Lokhande, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Mithil Mazumder, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Amanda J. Mixon, Department of English

Dr. Omneya M. Nassar, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Megan E. Newhouse-Bailey, Department of Health and Human Performance

Ms. Devi G. Norton, School of Art and Design

Ms. Cassie A. Polasek, Department of English

Dr. Jackson D. Rebrovich, Department of Mathematics

Mr. Rand A. Renfrow, School of Art and Design

Ms. Jessica G. Robinson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. Vatsalya Sharma, Department of Engineering Technology

Ms. Sara M. Shields, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Mr. Mark J. Stern, Department of Psychology

Dr. Sunni J. Taylor, Department of Biology

Dr. Seth A. Thompson, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Aditya G. Togi, Department of Physics

Mr. Michael S. Villarreal, School of Art and Design

Dr. Justin W. Williams, Department of Philosophy

Mr. Duke W. Willoughby, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Bin Xiao, Department of Engineering Technology

From: Assistant Professor of Practice to Associate Professor of Practice

Dr. Ruby G. Oram, Department of History

Dr. Felix O. Quayson, Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies

Mr. Daniel F. Seed, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

From: Clinical Assistant Professor to Clinical Associate Professor 

Dr. Damian C. Rodriguez, Department of Physical Therapy

TENURE:

Dr. Jasmine T. Austin, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Rhonda N. Balzarini, Department of Psychology

Dr. Carrie J. Bucklin, Department of Biology

Dr. Nicholas P. Carter, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Subasish Das, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Christopher Dayley, Department of English

Dr. Anahita Emami, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. John W. Farrell III, Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Lauren E. Fuess, Department of Biology

Dr. Leslie E. Green, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Hamilton L. Hardison, Department of Mathematics

Ms. Abbey M. Hudgins, Department of Respiratory Care

Dr. Hyunhwan Kim, Department of Engineering Technology

Dr. Samantha M. Krause, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Dr. Yuli Liang, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Judith E. Lindsay, St. David’s School of Nursing

Dr. Natasha L. Mikles, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Cindy F. Miller, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Stephanie M. Muller, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Casey D. Nichols, Department of History

Dr. Cody L. Patterson, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Jessica K. Perrotte, Department of Psychology

Dr. Louis H. Porter, Department of History

Dr. Sara A. Ramirez, Department of English

Dr. Kathleen M. Randolph, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Thomas B. Robinson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Alec D. Scherer, School of Music

Dr. Keya Sen, School of Health Administration

Dr. Xijun Shi, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Virginia E. Tufano, St. David’s School of Nursing

Dear Members of the Texas State Community,  

I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Kathy J. Cooke has been appointed as the next Dean of the Honors College, effective July 15, 2026, following a national search. 

Dr. Cooke has held leadership positions in honors education for more than two decades and throughout her career has worked to break down barriers to honors participation and create new pathways for entry and engagement with special attention to transfer student success. She currently serves as Director of the Honors College at California State University, Los Angeles, with a faculty appointment in the Department of History. At Cal State LA, Dr. Cooke has led the Honors College during a period of significant institutional change and during that time has focused on maintaining and building support for students, faculty and staff, while developing new relationships and grant-funded opportunities to support interdisciplinary and cross-institutional work.   

Prior to her role at Cal State LA, Dr. Cooke was the Founding Dean of the Honors College at the University of South Alabama, where she built the honors program into a fully realized Honors College. In that role, she oversaw all aspects of operations and strategy and more than tripled student enrollment in the Honors College. During budget constraints, she led successful fundraising efforts to support student participation in co-curricular opportunities and identified funding to help support faculty and student research and conference travel. Dr. Cooke’s first administrative role was as the founding director of the University Honors Program at Quinnipiac University, which she led for over a decade.  

Not only does Dr. Cooke have significant experience leading honors programs and colleges, she has also provided significant service to the field of honors as a past president of the Southern Regional Honors Council where she championed access to honors regardless of economic status or background and focused on budget stewardship. Dr. Cooke received her PhD in History from the University of Chicago and has maintained an active research profile alongside her administrative work in history and topics in undergraduate education and student success.  

As Texas State continues to grow and seeks to provide high impact experiences for more students, I am confident that Dr. Cooke’s experience and vision for the Honors College will help us build on our already strong foundation. Please help me welcome Dr. Kathy J. Cooke to Texas State and to the Honors College.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge F. Figueroa

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                   2026-2027 Catalog Publication Update

We would like to provide an important update regarding the publication timeline for the 2026–2027 Texas State University Catalog.

Due to extensive course bridging resulting from the curriculum review from CourseLeaf to Banner, as well as the significant volume of program updates from recent curriculum cycles, the catalog publication has been delayed and is now scheduled for June 18.

Our colleagues in the Office of Curriculum and Academic Programs (OCAP) are working diligently—including extended hours and weekends—to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and successful integration of all curricular information into the final published catalog.

Following publication, the emergency edits period will begin on June 19 and remain open through August 3. During this period, colleges and departments may submit critical catalog corrections by emailing curriculum@txstate.edu.

We recognize the importance of the catalog to our academic community and appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this critical work. This additional time will help ensure that course, program, and curriculum information is properly reflected and aligned across institutional systems.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership throughout this process.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Interim Director, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Scott W. Bowman as Professor and Interim Director of the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, effective May 17, 2026.

Dr. Bowman earned a B.A. in Psychology from Arizona State University, along with a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Justice Studies from Arizona State University. His scholarly work has been widely published in leading journals, including Critical Criminology, Criminal Justice Policy Review, Race and Social Problems, and Policing: An International Journal. He is also the editor of the two-volume book Color Behind Bars: Racism in the U.S. Prison System.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Bowman served as Special Assistant to the Provost and as a representative in the Faculty Senate. He currently serves on the Texas Crime and Justice Center Advisory Board, the McNair Scholars Committee, and as a member of editorial review boards for Race and Justice and the Journal of Qualitative Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Dr. Bowman is well known for his research on juvenile justice and inequalities in the criminal justice system.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Bowman on his appointment.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff 

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Chair, Department of Communication Studies

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kristen Farris as Chair of the Department of Communication Studies, effective June 1, 2026. 

Dr. Farris earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University, her M.A. in Communication Studies from Texas State University, and her Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Texas. She joined Texas State as a Lecturer in 2010 and was subsequently hired as an Assistant Professor in 2019. She earned tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2024. Throughout her career, she has served as Director of Graduate Studies, course director for the foundational communication course, and a leadership team member for TEDx Texas State University and WellCats. 

Her scholarship centers on communication processes that facilitate and/or hinder relational outcomes in health and instructional contexts. Specifically, she explores family interactions as they relate to coping with chronic illnesses and other health challenges, and she investigates the influence of teacher-student interactions on academic outcomes via relational connections. Dr. Farris earned the Abbi Prestin Dissertation of the Year Award in 2018 from the Health Communication Divisions of the International and National Communication Associations and has received 11 additional awards from regional, national, and international communication associations. 

Dr. Farris is also a passionate and award-winning educator. She received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching at the rank of Assistant Professor in 2020 and was recognized as a “Favorite Professor” by students in the Alpha Chi Honor Society at Texas State in 2016, 2017, and 2020. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses focused on communication and coping, health communication, instructional communication, the dark side of communication, and empirical research methods.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Kristen Farris on her appointment as Chair of the Department of Communication Studies.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Interim Chair, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Maria Haiyasoso as Interim Chair, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology, effective July 1, 2026. 

Dr. Maria Haiyasoso, PhD, LPC-S, RPT™, NCC holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Texas State University and earned both her master’s degree in Counseling and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She joined Texas State University as an Assistant Professor in the Professional Counseling Program in 2016. She earned promotion to Associate Professor in 2022. Prior to joining Texas State, she worked at the Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center, a non-profit agency that assists in investigations of child abuse and neglect and provides services to child survivors and their families.     

Dr. Haiyasoso has served as Program Coordinator for the Professional Counseling Program since 2024. She co-created the trauma and crisis counseling class and regularly taught play therapy and clinical courses. She specializes in relational-cultural therapy and trauma-informed and resilience-centered counseling with child and adult survivors of relational violence. Dr. Haiyasoso has produced 17 peer-reviewed articles and 3 book chapters in addition to numerous national and international presentations related to her clinical and research foci. She and her colleague earned funding from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for a Grant to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus (2021-2024) in addition to a Research Enhancement Program grant and the Texas State University Health Scholar Accelerator grant.   

She was selected by the American Counseling Association (ACA) to contribute to the premiere child and adolescent counseling certification. She currently serves on awards committees for the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC) and is a Past Secretary of the Texas Association for Play Therapy (TxAPT). Dr. Haiyasoso received the College of Education Presidential Distinction in Scholarly/Creative Activity in 2023 and is a proud National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program (NBCC-MFP) Fellow alum.   

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Haiyasoso on her appointment as Interim Chair of the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology. 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

Dear Colleagues, 

This has been an academic year like no other at Texas State, and I want to thank each of you for your hard work and the creativity and commitment you bring to the job every day to support our students, advance your fields through research and creative activity, and provide the service that truly supports the university and our community. I want to give updates and express my gratitude for three major projects this year, although a full list of all that our faculty and staff have accomplished this year would be much longer.  

Supporting our Students 

In the past, Texas State grew its enrollment only incrementally. The last few years of strong growth has been needed to serve the State of Texas, make good on our mission of access to a university education, and ensure the financial sustainability of our campus. This growth is an ultimate good, but I recognize that it has come with growing pains because our past ways of hiring, planning the course schedule, and monitoring our students’ progress weren’t built for rapid growth.  

This year, we’ve been working hard to develop our infrastructure to better plan for and manage future growth and support our current student population size. This has come through changes that have impacted every part of the campus, like our US 1100 redesign, the reorganization of advising, the push for early academic performance reports, the standardization of classroom schedules, and so much more. I want to say thank you and recognize the incredible effort that the colleges and faculty members have made to help move us forward, address our current challenges, and build a more sustainable future.  

As I look to the coming academic year, I see more of these good changes on the horizon, including the implementation of a new syllabus module SYL, adoption of a more responsive student scheduling tool, and continued work on supporting course availability to ensure our students have appropriate pathways to graduation. We are truly building the infrastructure that will help us navigate future growth and adapt to changes in higher education. I am so grateful to each of you for being a part of this crucial transformation.   

Curriculum Review  

While we did not know at the beginning of the year that we would be conducting a full review of the curriculum this year, everyone in the academic community rose to the challenge. Our colleges have submitted 100% of Phase II courses, and we are now in the process of final review in preparation for the publication of the catalog. This process could not have been successful without the hard work of our faculty members, the faculty champions, chairs and directors, and deans, who played significant roles in ensuring each course was appropriately reviewed, and necessary changes were made. That we accomplished this review without significant disruption to the course schedule is a testament to the collaboration and diligence of our faculty and academic leadership.   

I want to particularly thank the staff members and leadership of Academic Innovation and Curriculum and Academic Programs who I know have been working early, working late, and working weekends to guide this process and meet our catalog deadline. I hope you will join me in thanking this team for their leadership and incredible work.   

Academic and Administrative Program Review  

Last week, chairs, directors, associate deans, deans and members of the Faculty Senate and Staff Council all took time during the busiest part of the semester to participate in a two-day workshop using the Gray DI Program Evaluation System (PES) to explore market data for possible future and current programs. The PES allows us to assess student and employer demand for academic programs and how competitive the market already is for each program. This is a significant amount of data that requires analysis and context, which is why we are working so closely with our academic leaders who know their programs best.   

As I’ve shared before, program review often comes too late at most colleges when a university is in a budget crisis and must make urgent decisions for financial sustainability. By providing access to this data now and using it as part of deliberate decision-making, we are investing in the long-term sustainability of Texas State University. I am looking forward to continuing these conversations as we balance our academic portfolio of programs, strike out in new directions, and course-correct responsibly in areas where change is needed.  

Conclusion  

Whenever I’m asked what I like best about Texas State, the answer is always easy: it’s the people. It’s the people who make this a wonderful place to work and learn, who take on challenge after challenge, and who care deeply about the quality and longevity of our shared academic home. Just last week, our faculty members stepped up once again and supported students through the Canvas outage. Our work to improve our infrastructure and systems, to ensure a robust curriculum, and to have practical data tools to inform decisions is all in the service of the success of the outstanding people who have chosen to earn their degrees or build their careers at Texas State.   

Thank you for all you have done in the normal course of work and the above and beyond effort to accomplish our goals, support our students, advance toward R1 status, and so much more. These accomplishments are yours, and I’m proud and grateful to be part of this academic community.    

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

Dear Campus Community,

We are working to mitigate the impacts of the Canvas outage that affected our campuses and thousands of institutions across the country. Canvas is currently back online, and exams and assessments are continuing as scheduled. I know this disruption has caused significant anxiety and inconvenience, particularly given the timing. The guidance below is provided to support our community and the success of our students and faculty members as we finish the semester.

Guidance for Students

• Follow Faculty Instructions: Exams, assessments, assignments and alternative assessments will continue as planned or as directed by your instructor. 
• Alternative Communication: Please monitor your university email for direct communication from your instructors regarding assignments, exams, or alternative submissions in case of additional Canvas outages.
• Deadlines: Faculty members are working to make reasonable accommodations for deadlines that fall during this disruption and are impacted by Canvas access.
• Security: While initial reports indicate no evidence of compromised passwords, please remain vigilant regarding potential phishing attempts. If you are suspicious about any possible phishing attempts, please contact ITAC.

Guidance for Faculty

• Prioritize Student Success: Please recognize that students may not have had access to course texts, study materials, and other important documents housed in Canvas during the disruption. This will impact their ability to prepare for exams and complete some assessments. 
• Remain Flexible: It is possible that Canvas will be disrupted again. Please remain flexible and in communication with students if additional outages occur. 
• Contact Lists: Student rosters for classes are available online and can be used with your Outlook email to stay in contact with students in case of future outages.
• Keep Students Informed: If you need to make changes to any aspect of your final exam or assessments, please notify students as soon as possible.
• Maintaining and Uploading Grades: Please download your current gradebooks from Canvas to avoid losing access should additional disruptions occur. Grades can be uploaded directly to TXST Self-Service and instructions can be found online.

We are continuing to monitor this situation closely and will share additional information if the situation changes. Thank you for your patience and resilience.

Sincerely,

Pranesh Aswath 
Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Andrew Hamilton

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Success

SUBJECT:                   Celebrating National Academic Advising Week

This week, we proudly celebrate National Academic Advising Week, led by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising—a global recognition of the vital role academic advisors plays in academic success.

At Texas State University, academic advising is led by professional academic advisors who are dedicated to supporting students through every stage of their journey. Academic advising is more than course selection—it’s an ongoing conversation with students that results in building meaningful relationships, helping students navigate complex decisions, and empowering them to move forward with clarity and confidence.

We invite our campus community to take a moment this week to recognize and appreciate the impact of our professional academic advisors. Here are a few simple ways to show your gratitude:

• Send a quick thank-you email or message to an academic advisor who has supported you or your students.
• Share a note of appreciation on your department’s social media using #TXSTAcademicAdvising.
• Write a short note or message recognizing an academic advisor’s impact.
• Stop by an advising office and say thank you in person (snacks are always welcome!).

Even small gestures can go a long way in recognizing the important work our advisors do each day.

And to our professional academic advisors: thank you for the care, expertise, and intentionality you bring to your work. You guide students through important decisions, support their goals, and help them stay on a path toward graduation and beyond. Your work makes a lasting difference in the lives of our students and our institution.

I invite you to take a few moments this week to celebrate the academic advisors who help our students succeed every day.

Dear Colleagues, 

Please join me in congratulating the membership of the Faculty Senate for the coming year. The slate was approved by President Kelly Damphousse and seated on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.  

Please also join me in thanking the officers of our Faculty Senate who have each agreed to serve another term. Dr. Lynn Ledbetter will serve as Chair of the Faculty Senate; Dr. David Donnelly will serve as Vice Chair, and Dr. Kevin Jetton will serve as Secretary. 

This year, the Faculty Senate held elections to fill three seats created by an update to the bylaws that introduced ratio rules allowing the Colleges of Fine Arts and Communication, Liberal Arts, and Science and Engineering to elect three senators each due to the size of their faculty populations. 

I want to thank the Faculty Senate for their service this year. In addition to the traditional work of a Faculty Senate, and their participation in a full review of the curriculum, I want to particularly recognize the complex work they undertook to ensure our local bylaws follow SB-37. I am grateful to serve alongside such committed faculty leaders and am confident their efforts will continue to strengthen our institution. 

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

Appointed Members 

Elected Members 

For questions, please contact Cheri Hatcher via email at chatcher@txstate.edu.

Join us as we honor two of our successful and respected faculty members, Dr. Greg Passty and Dr. Xingde Jia, whose dedication has been transformative for the Department of Mathematics and Texas State University.  

Tuesday, May 5

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Trauth-Huffman Hall, Room 306

Retiring after 44 years, Dr. Greg Passty leaves a lasting legacy of commitment to the College of Science and Engineering, the Department of Mathematics, and our students. 

Dr. Passty earned his BA, MA, and PhD in Mathematics from the University of Southern California. His dissertation was on Asymptotic Behavior of an Implicit Differencing Scheme Associated with Accretive Operators in Banach Spaces. Following a visiting position at Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. Passty began teaching in the Department of Mathematics in fall of 1982 at what was then Southwest Texas State University. He has taught a wide variety of graduate and undergraduate courses, with a focus on courses in the areas of differential equations, Fourier series, real and complex analysis, and has published book chapters and refereed journal articles in operator theory related to Banach and Hilbert spaces. He was one of the founders of the Electronic Journal of Differential Equations in 1993 and later served as co-managing editor for several years. He has been instrumental in organizing the Texas Differential Equations Conference, which has been hosted at Texas State regularly since 1984. Dr. Passty has served on many departmental and college level committees and has served as a master's advisor for many years. Dr. Passty has been a supporter of the H-LSAMP program since its creation, including participating in the NSF grant that helped establish the Texas State H-LSAMP chapter. In addition, Dr. Passty was the recipient of the 2003 Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics given by the Texas Section of the Mathematical Association of America as well as the 2003 Texas State Alumni Association Teaching Award of Honor.  

Dr. Passty has served in the Dean's office of the College of Science and Engineering since 1994 in a variety of roles, including Assistant and Associate Dean, and twice served as Acting Dean for the college. In those roles, he has consistently worked to support student success and curriculum development. He has also served as Acting Chair of the Department of Mathematics. Dr. Passty has won multiple awards at the departmental level for his excellence in service and in teaching and is greatly appreciated by his students and colleagues.

Dr. Xingde Jia also retires this year, marking 36 years of service to the institution and our students.  

Dr. Jia received his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York before joining what was then Southwest Texas State University in 1990.  His dissertation was on Some Results in Additive Number Theory and his research interests include Additive Number Theory and Optimization Problems in Network Theory.  He was an Editor of the JP Journal of Algebra, Number Theory, and Applications for many years, as well as a current Editor for the Journal of Interconnection Networks and the International Journal of Mathematics and Statistics, and a Session Chair at ISPAN 2008 in Sydney, Australia.  Throughout his time at Texas State, he was committee chair overseeing the proposal of two doctoral programs in the department, including Mathematics Education.  He was also the main author of the proposal for the Master’s Degree Program in Applied Mathematics. In 1993, he was awarded the Presidential Award for Creative and Scholarship Activities in Research.  

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Presidential Seminar Invitation - Dr. Rhonda Balzarini

Presidential Seminar (2025)

Dr. Rhonda Balzarini, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

Monday, May 4, 2026

Flowers Hall 230

Presentation and Reception: 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Title: Love That Lasts: What Sustains Desire and Intimacy in Times of Stress.

This talk examines how partner responsiveness, stress, and self-expansion shape relationship and sexual well-being. Using longitudinal and dyadic data, Dr. Balzarini will show that responsive partners can buffer the effects of external stressors, while internal distress, such as depressive symptoms, may more strongly undermine sexual desire. Building on this, Dr. Balzarini will demonstrate that engaging in novel, self-expanding experiences helps reduce relational boredom and promote satisfaction and desire over time. Dr. Balzarini then considers how these processes operate in high-risk populations and how broader societal shifts may influence relationships, particularly in times of stress. Overall, this work highlights that relationships thrive not simply through time together but through ongoing engagement, responsiveness, and shared growth.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Angela Ausbrooks

                                    Dean, College of Applied Arts

SUBJECT:                   Kirsta Melton - prosecutor, national human trafficking expert, and School of Criminal Justice & Criminology instructor - presents: “The Hard Truth About Trafficking"

Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sean Combs, Andrew Tate. Their stories fill our feeds and the queues on our streaming services. It’s fascinating but safe, because we don’t think it happens here or has anything to do with us. It’s time to pull back the curtain and take an honest look at the factors driving sex and labor trafficking in Hays County and nation-wide. Explore how traffickers have surreptitiously woven themselves into every aspect of our lives...our purchases, entertainment, work, even our identity, self-worth and how we value one another. Bring your questions and your lived experience. It’s time for a candid conversation about human trafficking, the danger it presents, how to recognize and do something about it where you live, work and learn.  
 

Kirsta Leeburg Melton is the Founder and CEO of Institute to Combat Trafficking, an organization dedicated to seeking justice for victims of trafficking and holding traffickers accountable. From 2015-2019, Melton served as the Chief of the Human Trafficking Section of the Office of the Texas Attorney General, and from 2000-2014, prosecuted traffickers, child abusers, rapists, and perpetrators of family violence. Melton is responsible for several of the State’s first life sentences for trafficking and served as the lead prosecutor for the State of Texas in the takedown of Backpage.com. She has trained more than 30,000 people in person on human trafficking and been featured in multiple training films utilized nationwide. Over the past decade Melton played a critical role in the restructuring of Texas trafficking law and procedure and has been privileged to craft and lead incredible teams committed to seeking and demanding justice for victims and promoting cultural change. Her book, Human Trafficking Investigation: A Practitioner’s Guide to Making the Case, is available on Amazon and Routledge.com.

Wednesday | April 22^nd | 7:00 p.m.

Alkek Library Teaching Theater, Room 250

Please contact the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at (512) 245-2174 if you have any questions or have a disability and need an accommodation to attend.

This event is sponsored by the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology. 

Dear Campus Community, 

I am pleased to share that Alkek Library will be open 24 hours a day from April 29 through May 13, 2026, to support students during finals prep and final exams. This two-week period of continuous access will serve as a pilot to help us better understand student library use during the final weeks of the semester and provide responsive services.   

The Student Government advocated for a pilot program based on feedback from a recent student survey. I am grateful for their partnership and for their attention to student needs. I am also grateful to the University Library for developing and implementing the plan to support this pilot.   

I want to emphasize that 24-hour library access is not an endorsement for students to study around the clock or stay awake for 24-hour periods. The goal of this pilot is to provide access to students who might not be able to visit the library during the day or who need a few hours of studying or group work outside of normal library hours.  

Students, remember that sleep is crucial for your ability to learn, study, and transfer what you’ve learned into long-term memory. Please know that the entire campus is cheering you on as you prepare for final exams. We know you can do it, and we’re here to support you.  

Sincerely,  

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

Dear Colleagues, 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Elizabeth Hartwig as the Interim Dean of the College of Education, effective July 1, 2026.  

Dr. Elizabeth Kjellstrand (“Chell-strand”) Hartwig, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S™, holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Texas, a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University, and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from St. Mary’s University. She joined Texas State as an Assistant Professor in the Professional Counseling program in 2012. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and Professor in 2024. Prior to coming to Texas State University, she worked at Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA), a school-based dropout prevention program, for 13 years. At CIS-SA she secured a $1.9 million 21^st Century Community Learning Center Grant through the Texas Education Agency.   

Dr. Hartwig has served as Department Chair of the Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology (CLAS) Department since 2024. In the Professional Counseling Program she taught play therapy, animal-assisted counseling, and clinical courses. She specializes in strength-based approaches for working with children and families. Dr. Hartwig is the sole author of the book Solution-Focused Play Therapy: A Strengths-Based Clinical Approach to Play Therapy (2021), co-author of the book Canine-Assisted Interventions: A Comprehensive Guide to Credentialing Therapy Dog Teams (2020), and editor of the book Animal-Assisted School Counseling (2024). In addition to books, she has produced 22 peer-reviewed articles and 7 book chapters. She is also the founder and director of the Texas State University Animal-Assisted Counseling Academy, a professional training program that promotes the human-animal bond through the study and practice of AAC. She currently serves on the Association for Play Therapy Board of Directors and is a Past President of the Texas Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Hartwig is a recipient of the Nancy Guillory Award for Outstanding Service in Play Therapy by the Texas Association for Play Therapy and has received several Presidential Distinction and College Achievement awards from the College of Education. 

I appreciate the continued leadership of Dean O’Malley who will be transitioning to his next role as the dean of the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University after eighteen years of service at Texas State University. The College of Education is the leading producer of Texas teachers and a critical thought leader on education in the state. This success is due in no small part to the hard work, collaboration and vision of Dean O’Malley and his team.  

Please join me in thanking Dean O’Malley for his service and congratulating Dr. Hartwig on her appointment as Interim Dean of the College of Education.  

Sincerely,  

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

TO:                             Faculty and Staff in the Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge F. Figueroa Flores

Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                   Outcomes Assessment Workshops

As the spring semester draws to a close, it's a great opportunity to reflect on the outcomes of our assessment activities. Our assessment reports will be shared with SACSCOC as part of Texas State University's 5^th Year Interim report to our accrediting body. Because of this, it’s important that we accurately record our assessment findings and show how we've used this information to make positive improvements to our curriculum and teaching approaches.  

To assist with this process, Dr. Lon Olson, Assistant Vice Provost for Program Accreditation and Assessment, will offer assessment reporting workshops for educational programs and general education outcomes on April 14th, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., and for academic and student services outcomes on April 15th, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The workshops will focus on documenting the results of the past year’s assessment activities, highlighting evidence of improvement, and detailing action plans to improve student learning outcomes for the upcoming academic year.  

The workshops will be offered through the Faculty Focus series via Zoom and in collaboration with the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship: a sign-up link is provided below. I encourage everyone involved in outcomes assessment to attend these workshops to enhance the quality of our institutions’ assessment reporting.  

Educational Programs and General Education on April 14 at 10 AM: Sign Up Here!

Academic and Student Services on April 15 at 10 AM: Sign Up Here!

Dear Colleagues, 

As we near the end of Dr. Heather Galloway’s final semester as Honors College Dean, I ask that you join me in congratulating her for 20 years of exceptional leadership and service to the Honors College. Dr. Galloway has elected to step down from her role and return to her faculty position in the Department of Physics once the incoming Honors College Dean is on board.  

Her service to the Honors College began with appointments as associate director in 2005 and interim director in 2006 before being appointed director of the University Honors Program in 2007. In 2012, Texas State established an Honors College, and Dr. Galloway was named the inaugural dean. Under her leadership, the number of participating students grew significantly, alongside major expansions in course offerings, programming, and engagement. One of her first initiatives in the newly founded Honors College was overseeing the move to Lampasas Hall where the Honors College Coffee Forum helps support experimental programming and informal gatherings as well as housing an art gallery.  

One of Dr. Galloway’s enduring contributions is her commitment to undergraduate research. She established the university’s first campus-wide Undergraduate Research Conference and helped launch the Undergraduate Research Fund, providing a single, accessible application for student research support. She also supported the creation of the undergraduate research journal now known as TXSTUR, which recently expanded to include a journal of humanistic inquiry. The Honors College now includes the IDEA Center, which broadens undergraduate research involvement as part of Texas State’s Quality Enhancement Plan. These initiatives are open to all undergraduates.  

Dr. Galloway has also championed the development of national partnerships for the Honors College which have resulted in public recognition for innovation and rigor. She has supported the academic programming for Terry Scholars on our campus. Dr. Galloway also oversaw the creation of the Stelos Scholars program, a cohort-based initiative combining academic, professional, and community-focused experiences. Her leadership helped the college earn recognition for sustainability practices and innovative student engagement during the COVID19 pandemic. This year, the Stelos Scholars work was recognized statewide with a Best Downtown Partner award.   

Dr. Galloway has worked hard to ensure that Texas State students receive appropriate recognition for their outstanding academic achievements. Alongside co-chair Dr. Catherine Jaffe, Dr. Galloway established Texas State’s first chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in 2013. Together, they also led the successful effort to secure a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, the Nu Chapter, awarded in 2025. As only about 10% of universities nationwide host a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, this recognition is an important academic milestone for Texas State and an important legacy of Dr. Galloway's leadership. 

Dr. Galloway continued teaching throughout her deanship, contributing to US 1100, the honors capstone, honors sections of mechanics, and a core-curriculum course she created on energy, science, and society. From 2011 to 2018, she collaborated on World Bank–funded curriculum projects and led education abroad experiences for Texas State students in Cambodia. She also provided extensive service to the American Physical Society, including multiple terms in leadership roles at both state and national levels. In 2017, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Section of the American Physical Society. 

From 2019–2025, she also served as Principal Investigator for a $2.5 million NSF IUSE HSI grant, which established the STEM Communities Learning Assistant program. This initiative expanded learning assistants from physics into biology and chemistry, and its support team now reaches more than 10% of all Texas State undergraduates enrolled in introductory STEM courses.  

Before serving as the Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Galloway joined the Department of Physics in January 1996 as an Assistant Professor and became the first woman in the department to earn tenure and promotion to full professor. As a physics professor, she was PI or co-PI with $1.3 million in external funding towards research in solid-state physics and career-focused opportunities for STEM students.  

I am deeply grateful for Dr. Galloway’s energetic and principled service to Texas State University. Her leadership has shaped the Honors College into a thriving academic community that nurtures the growth of our faculty and students. Please help me congratulate Dr. Galloway on these achievements and welcome her continued contributions as a faculty member in the Department of Physics. 

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Parking and Traffic Plan for Spring 2026 Commencement

Texas State University is pleased to honor over 4,800 candidates in 8 commencement ceremonies to be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 14, 15, and 16, 2026. The ceremonies will be held in Strahan Arena at the University Events Center (UEC) on our San Marcos Campus. As graduates, families, and the university community prepare to celebrate, please note the following announcements and recommendations.

Parking at Commencement

Parking is available for all attendees as indicated on the Commencement Parking Map.

Recommended parking for faculty and staff, with shuttle services, include:

• Lots A and B, located by UFCU Stadium, will have shuttle bus service.
• Lot C, located adjacent to the UEC, is restricted to those with Limited Mobility. Golf cart shuttles will be available to assist individuals in this lot. This lot should be accessed from Charles Austin Drive via Hopkins Street.

Recommended park and walk lots for faculty and staff include:

• Lot D, across the street from the UEC.
• Garage F, at the corner of Edward Gary Street and University Drive.
• Garage H, at the corner of Pleasant Street and LBJ Drive.

All lots and garages listed above are free to those attending commencement.

Please be aware that if you are traveling southbound on IH35 and exit Aquarena Springs Drive you are advised to turn left on to Thorpe Lane and right on to Robbie Lane in order to access Lots A and B. Traffic inbound to campus on Aquarena Springs Drive will not be able to make a left turn into Commencement Parking Lot D.

Information on faculty parking, parking maps, the faculty processional, and other details can be found on the commencement website. 

Special Instructions

Faculty and staff who attend commencement should adhere to the Clear Bag Policy and also see the prohibited and allowable items list for more information. 

To alleviate the traffic, wait time, and congestion that is anticipated between the conclusion of the 2:00 p.m. ceremony and the start of the 6:00 p.m. ceremony, the following procedures are in place for employees:

Early Release – Thursday and Friday, May 14 and 15, 2026

To ease traffic congestion, supervisors may elect to release selected staff at 3:00 p.m.  However, all university offices must remain open until 5:00 p.m. or the normal closing time.  Staff members who leave early are expected to use vacation, compensatory, or flex time arrangements approved by supervisors.

Vehicles in the JCK Area

The rear gate at the back of the JCK parking lot will be barricaded from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Vehicles that normally exit on to Sessom Drive will be directed back to the one-way service drive and should exit the back parking lot going the wrong way towards Woods Street or Moon Street.  No vehicles will be allowed to access the back parking area starting at 3:00 p.m.  A parking guard will be stationed at the service drive at the front parking lot to restrict vehicles from entering the back parking lot.
Vehicles in Other Campus Areas

It is highly recommended that vehicles avoid the Sessom Street, Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82, and University Drive roadways between the ceremonies.  Every effort should be made to exit the campus and San Marcos using Edward Gary Street, Guadalupe Street, Hopkins Street/Hunter Road, and other routes heading away from the UEC.

Thank you for your cooperation during this momentous time in our graduates’ lives.

Faculty or staff requiring accommodations due to a disability should contact commencement@txstate.edu at least one week prior to the event.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   “What’s Your Postdigital Positionality?” Interactive Lecture, Documentary Screening, and Art Contest Launch – April 14, 2026

The College of Fine Arts and Communication invites you to What’s Your Postdigital Positionality?, an interactive lecture, documentary screening, and community conversation featuring internationally recognized scholar Dr. Sarah Hayes from Bath Spa University (UK). The event will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom.

As artificial intelligence and digital technologies rapidly reshape how we learn, work, and communicate, many people are asking a fundamental question: what is our stance toward this new digital reality? This event invites the Texas State University community to explore that question together through dialogue, media, and creative expression.

Dr. Hayes is a leading scholar in postdigital research whose work examines how human identity, ethics, and culture are evolving in a world increasingly shaped by data and AI. During her visit to Texas State, she will join faculty and students in a conversation about how individuals and communities can reflect critically on their relationship with digital technologies.

The program includes a short documentary filmed between Italy and Central Texas, featuring artists, entrepreneurs, and scholars reflecting on how digital systems are influencing creativity, learning, and everyday life. The screening will be followed by small-group discussions and interactive activities designed to help participants consider their own “postdigital positionality.” The event will also mark the launch of an international student art contest organized in collaboration with the University of Padova (Italy) and the ETH-TECH research project, led by Dr. Juliana Raffaghelli. Students are invited to submit works that explore their relationship with digital technology using either traditional artistic methods or digital/AI-assisted approaches, encouraging reflection on how creativity itself is changing in the age of artificial intelligence.

Event Highlights:

• Documentary screening featuring voices from Texas and Italy
• Interactive lecture and discussion with Dr. Sarah Hayes
• Launch of an international student art contest in collaboration with the University of Padova and the ETH-TECH project
• Small-group dialogue exploring AI, digital identity, and postdigital life

This event is presented as part of the Education Is Boring series, a transnational Europe–US initiative that highlights creative approaches to learning and public dialogue. It is sponsored by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, with support from the College of Fine Arts and Communication, the Graduate Student Organization of the Ph.D. program in Adult, Professional, and Community Education, and the Office of Education Abroad, along with partners at the University of Padova.

Event Details

Date:                          Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time:                          12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Location:                  LBJ Student Center Ballroom
Registration:            Free and open to the public; no RSVP required

For questions, please contact Cheri Hatcher via email at chatcher@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Andrea Golato

                                    Dean, The Graduate College

SUBJECT:                   2026 Graduate Student Research Conference

The Graduate College at Texas State University is hosting the 17^th Annual Graduate Student Research Conference (GSRC) at the San Marcos Campus on April 9, 2026, from 4 – 6 p.m. in the LBJ Grand Ballroom in the LBJ Student Center. 

Over 100 graduate students from various disciplines at Texas State and other institutions in Texas will be presenting their research or projects in the form of a poster session.

The conference is free and open for all Texas State faculty, staff, and students, including undergraduate students. Visit the conference webpage to see details on how to register for both conferences. 

Conference Details

Attendees are encouraged to engage with presenters. Bring your phones: Attendees can provide feedback via a QR code. Join us for networking and enjoy some snacks while learning about innovative graduate student research.

Please visit the Graduate Student Research Conference for further details about the GSRC.

If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact (512) 245-3451 or ods@txstate.edu at least 72 hours in advance of the event. 

The Graduate College thanks the following sponsors: Office of the Provost, Division of Research, all college deans, and the IDEA Center. For questions about the event, please contact Associate Dean Patti Giuffre at pg07@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff 

FROM:                       Dr. Sanjay Ramchander

                                   Dean, McCoy College of Business

                                   Chair, Dean of the Honors College Search Committee

SUBJECT:                  Upcoming Finalist Presentations – Dean of the Honors College

Texas State University is pleased to announce that four finalists have been selected for on-campus interviews for the position of Dean of the Honors College. Faculty, staff and students are warmly invited to attend the public presentations, which will also be available via Zoom. We especially encourage in-person attendance, as it provides the richest opportunity for engagement with each finalist. 

Each finalist will deliver a presentation followed by an open question-and-answer session. Finalists have been asked to share their vision for leading the Honors College and IDEA Center as an integrated driver of Texas State’s academic mission — with a focus on advancing academic excellence and expanding access as mutually reinforcing goals. We welcome questions that engage with these themes and encourage broad participation from across the university community. 

All Finalist Public Presentations will be held in the JCK 11^th Floor Ballroom as follows:

1. Dr. Chris Kukk | Wednesday, April 1 | 3:00–4:00 p.m., or join via Zoom
2. Dr. Diana Polley | Thursday, April 2 | 3:00–4:00 p.m., or join via Zoom
3. Dr. Kathy Cooke | Monday, April 6 | 2:30–3:30 p.m., or join via Zoom
4. Dr. Jessica Hower | Wednesday, April 8 | 3:00–4:00 p.m., or join via Zoom 

Candidate application material can be located on the candidates’ secure website.

Following each presentation, feedback will be requested via an online survey. Your input is valued and will be an important consideration as the search committee prepares its final recommendation to Provost Aswath. 

The search committee and I look forward to your participation in this important process.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Mary Brennan

                                    Dean, College of Liberal Arts

SUBJECT:                   Night of Ideas: Enlightenment Now! — Ideas and Stories to Make Impact

Join us on Friday, March 27, 2026, for Night of Ideas: Enlightenment Now! — Ideas and Stories to Make Impact, co-organized with the Embassy of France. It's a night of stories, music, film screenings, art, big ideas, dialogues, and interactive workshops.

Beginning at 6:00 PM in Taylor-Murphy Hall at Texas State University, the evening brings together more than 100 speakers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and students from Texas and around the world for opera and rock performances, photography workshops, the history of the Enlightenment, horror and genre films, the war in Ukraine, how to use digital tools in humanities research, and so much more.

Featured guests include Emmy-winning filmmaker Karen Gaytán (TXST alum), Grammy-winning vocalist Mela Dailey (TXST alum), Guggenheim Fellow and photographer George Krause, as well as musical performances by actor and singer-songwriter Tristan Lake Leabu and Elle Bramhall (Warner Music). 

Italian group Segni Mossi will perform and also invite TXST participants to an extended workshop exploring the relationship between drawing and movement through playful, hands-on activities that demonstrate how art and movement can foster creativity, collaboration, and social-emotional learning.

Free and open to the public, but space is limited.

Check out the full line-up and RSVP

Contact Dr. Louie Dean Valencia (LValencia@txstate.edu) with any questions.

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff in the Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Jorge Figueroa

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

SUBJECT:                   Course Review

The course calendar for the Course Information Management (CIM) system provides an opportunity for faculty across campus to review the course proposals from all academic units.  The faculty review period for this cycle ends on March 30, 2026. 

At this time, all faculty and Academic Affairs staff are invited to review the proposed course additions, changes, and deletions that are located in the CIM system.  For the current cycle, there are 144 additions and 11 deletions.  Faculty and staff who are interested in more details about the course proposals can visit the CIM system. 

Per Academic Affairs PPS 02.01.01, “faculty who have comments or concerns regarding any course addition, change, or deletion should submit those comments or concerns in writing to their department chair or school director who will be responsible to confer with the originating department chair or school director.” 

Should you need additional information, please contact the Office of Curriculum and Academic Programs at curriculum@txstate.edu.

Dear Colleagues, 

International travel is necessary for many roles at the university and is fundamental to research in a variety of fields. However, as a public institution, travel to foreign countries must comply with university policy and state and federal law.  

Travel CANNOT be reimbursed when: 

• Travelers fail to submit travel request approvals 10 business days (two calendar weeks) prior to departure.  
• Travelers fail to complete all required forms.  

Requests that arrive during or after travel are increasingly common and will no longer be approved for reimbursement.  

Up to date information about requirements for foreign travel is available on Texas State’s Travel Office website. For foreign travel, all university employees must: 

1. Complete a travel request in Concur; non-employees must complete a travel application. 

2. Complete and attach the applicable Release of Liability and Assumption of complete and attach the applicable Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk for Foreign Travel form (T-4, T-4G, or T-4M) for university-sanctioned foreign trips, located on the Forms webpage. 

3. Review the information listed under the International Travel tab on the Office of Research & Sponsored Program's Export Control webpage. 

4. Submit the travel request or application for approvals ten (10) business days (two calendar weeks) prior to departure. Approvals include the account manager, academic chair (if applicable), academic dean (if applicable), division Cabinet Officer, the President (if applicable), and the Office of Risk and Compliance. 

1. The ten business days/two calendar weeks requirement is the minimum time needed for approval. It is likely that travelers plan international travel much earlier. Fill out your required forms and begin seeking approval as soon as you begin to plan your travel and do not wait until after you have booked your travel or until the ten-day minimum to seek approval.  

5. Foreign travel has some additional restrictions and requirements in certain situations based on the DoS travel advisory level for the country: 

1. The travel advisory level is determined by the DoS, as listed on U.S. Travel Advisories, and should be determined before proceeding with the travel request.
2. Student travel is not allowed to a country with a travel advisory of Level 3 or Level 4.
3. Travel to a country with a Level 3 travel advisory requires Form T-4E to be attached to the travel request, in addition to the required T4.
4. No travel is allowed to any country designated as a Level 4 travel advisory by the US State Department.   

In accordance with Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order 48, Texas State employees are prohibited from traveling to countries on university business designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as “foreign adversaries” including China (including Hong Kong), North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Russia. Such travel is a violation of state law.  

To reiterate, travel requests that do not meet these criteria will not be approved, and any expenses incurred will not be reimbursed.   

The purpose of these policies and laws is to ensure the safety of everyone who travels on behalf of the university, which requires meaningful engagement and sufficient notice from the traveler.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Coffee with the EVPs

The executive vice presidents (EVPs), Provost Dr. Pranesh Aswath and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Eric Algoe are pleased to invite you to Coffee with the EVPs.

This event offers faculty and staff the opportunity to share questions, comments, and concerns with the EVPs in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Join the conversation and learn more about what’s happening at Texas State. 

Coffee with the EVPs will be held at the San Marcos Campus on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., in the Staff Meeting Room in Jones Dining Center. 

You must register to attend this event by using the Coffee with the EVPs RSVP Form and are encouraged to submit your questions. 

Space is limited, so RSVP online, and do not forget to add “What’s on your mind.”

Kind Regards, 

The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

provost@txstate.edu 

512.245.2205

The Office of the Executive Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer

fss@txstate.edu

512.245.2244

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Andrew Hamilton

                                    Vice Provost for Academic Success

SUBJECT:                   Invitation to Teach US 1100 and Connect with the Class of 2030

We are currently recruiting faculty and staff to teach US 1100 and invite you to be part of an exciting new direction for the course.

US 1100 is evolving into a more intentional first-year experience designed to help students build a strong foundation for academic success at Texas State. The course emphasizes academic citizenship, proactive engagement with academic advising, thoughtful use of university resources, and early planning for life after graduation. Just as importantly, the course helps students transition into their academic home - building early connections to their major, college, and the broader intellectual community of the university.

Teaching US 1100 offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with our incoming class of 2030 and play an early role in shaping their academic mindset, sense of belonging, and commitment to their goals. We especially welcome faculty from across all colleges and disciplines, as bringing a range of faculty voices helps students see the many academic pathways available to them and strengthens their connections to the campus community.

Teaching US 1100 is a rewarding experience - engaging with students at the very beginning of their college journey and helping them see how their interests, values, and academic choices connect to future possibilities.

If you are interested in teaching US 1100, please complete the application. The priority deadline is March 25. Additional compensation is available for those who teach the course in addition to their normal duties.  

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support and inspire our newest Bobcats. Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Gabriel Bermea, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Advising and Transitions, at umv24@txstate.edu if you have any questions about the course or the teaching experience.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Sanjay Ramchander

                                    Dean, McCoy College of Business

                                    Chair, Dean of the Honors College Search Committee

SUBJECT:                   Upcoming Finalist Presentations – Dean of the Honors College

Following a national search, we are excited to announce that the Dean of the Honors College search has advanced to the finalist stage. Four outstanding candidates have been selected for campus visits, and each will deliver a public presentation open to the full university community. 

This is a significant hire for Texas State University. The next Dean will provide integrated leadership for both the Honors College and the IDEA Center — two units that are central to our university's commitment to academic excellence, student achievement, and our continued progress toward R1 research classification. The finalists bring deep experience in honors education, research leadership, and student success, and we are proud to introduce them to our campus community.

The four presentations are scheduled as follows: 

• Wednesday, April 1 | 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, April 2 | 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Monday, April 6 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 8 | 3:00-4:00 p.m. 

We encourage you to hold these times on your calendar now. All presentations will be held in-person in the JCK 11^th floor Ballroom with an option to participate online. Prior to the presentations, you will receive an announcement with a link to the candidate's name, CV, application materials, and presentation prompt, along with the on-campus location and Zoom link. After the presentations conclude, a brief feedback survey will be sent to participants.

We strongly encourage in-person attendance. This is an important moment for our university, and broad participation from across the campus community makes a difference.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Barrett Bryant

                                    Dean, College of Science and Engineering

SUBJECT:                    Join Us for Community Day, 60th Anniversary Celebration

As part of the College of Science and Engineering’s 60th Anniversary Celebration week, we invite you and your families to join us for Community Day on Saturday, March 28, 2026. 

The STEM Quad, located on the western side of the Texas State San Marcos Campus, has emerged as a nexus of scientific and engineering education and research. In honor of this 60-year milestone, the college will host a full day of STEM exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for community members of all ages across the San Marcos and surrounding Central Texas region. 

Programming throughout the day will include live physics demonstrations, robotics showcases, research spotlight talks, laboratory tours, engineering design activities, wildlife exhibits, chemistry demonstrations, and an evening observatory experience hosted by physics faculty and students. All events are free and open to the public. 

Saturday, March 28, 2026

STEM Quad, Texas State University San Marcos Campus

Free and open to the public

We encourage you to bring your families, friends, and guests to experience the remarkable work taking place across our seven departments and the Ingram School of Engineering. 

Parking and Check In 

Faculty and staff can park in designated lots specific to their parking passes. Guests may park in the LBJ Parking Garage. Parking will be validated at event check-in. Check-in will be available on the first and third floors of Ingram Hall from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Full schedule of activities

We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and the broader community.

Dear Colleagues, 

Our fifth strategic hiring and research town hall area is “Aging and Dementia” in the fullest sense. We hope that Texas State community members whose work addresses any aspect of aging and dementia in any field using any methods will join us for this conversation. 

Topic: Aging and Dementia

Date: April 9, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location: JCK Ballroom, 11^th Floor

At each town hall, we will discuss our current core strengths and opportunity areas for recruiting nationally known scholars. We will also facilitate opportunities for collaboration on cross-disciplinary research proposals for funding from the Office of Research in each strategic area. 

To attend, please register by April 6th and save the event to your calendar on the registration page. We will not send a separate calendar invitation, and we will only be able to accommodate those who have registered. Because our conversation may include strategies around future research initiatives and hiring, we will not be able to record the town hall or provide remote access. 

We are already an R1 university in all but name due to the outstanding work of our faculty. As we embark on this strategic hiring initiative, the active engagement of faculty members is crucial. I look forward to discussing implementation with you at our upcoming town hall on aging and dementia and over the course of the coming year.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

Timing of Future Town Halls 

• April: Round Rock Campus, multi-topic 

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Angela Ausbrooks

                                    Dean, College of Applied Arts

SUBJECT:                   The School of Criminal Justice & Criminology Presents: “The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders: A Cold Case Investigation”

The School of Criminal Justice and Criminology is proud to present: "The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders: A Cold Case Investigation" on Wednesday, March 11^th at 7:00 p.m., in the Alkek Library Teaching Theater, Room 250.  

In December 1991, four teenage girls working at a strip-mall yogurt shop were shot and killed. The murders became Austin’s most infamous cold case, involving multiple suspects, wrongful convictions, and conspiracy theories. The case remained unsolved for over a third of a century; then, in 2025, an APD cold case detective identified the offender – a serial killer responsible for eight murders across the Southeast. 

This presentation will discuss the crimes, the police investigation, false confessions, investigative failures, and forensic advancements. The main speaker will be Detective Dan Jackson (Austin Police Department Cold Case Unit, Texas State University alumnus).  Professors Pete Blair (School of Criminal Justice, ALERRT) and Kim Rossmo (School of Criminal Justice, Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation) were involved in aspects of the case and will co-present.

Dear Colleagues,

Texas State University is seeking to hire two new faculty members to teach in the area of Digital Humanities. We define Digital Humanities broadly as both the use of digital technologies to complement, intersect with, and expand the understanding of, the Humanities as well as focusing a humanistic lens on the methods and results of emerging sciences and technologies.

Four finalists have been scheduled for on-campus interviews.  You are invited to attend the public presentation of each candidate.  The topic will be “The Value of Digital Humanities for the Texas State University Community”. 

The four public presentations will be:

1. Dr. Dipto Das on Friday, March 6 from 11:00-12:00 in Flowers Hall room 230 or join via Teams
2. Dr. Claudia Carroll on Monday, March 9 from 11:00-12:00 in Flowers Hall room 230 or join via Teams
3. Dr. Emma Wilson on Tuesday, March 10 from 11:00-12:00 in Flowers Hall room 230 or join via Teams
4. Dr. Matthew Jockers on Thursday, March 12 from 11:00-12:00 in LBJSC room 316 or join via Teams

The search committee and I hope that you will be able to attend these presentations in person.  

Feedback will be requested via an online form from those who are able to attend and will be an important consideration for the search committee when preparing its final assessment. 

Sincerely,

Mary Brennan and Barrett Bryant

Search committee co-chairs

Dear Colleagues, 

I am proud to welcome Marise McDermott as the new Executive Director of The Wittliff Collections. She began her role on Monday, March 2^nd and brings an extraordinary record of cultural leadership, strategic vision, and deep devotion to the literary, photographic, musical, and cinematic heritage of Texas, the Southwest, and Mexico.  

McDermott joins The Wittliff Collections following a celebrated twenty‑year tenure as President & CEO of the Witte Museum, where she led a remarkable $120 million transformation that expanded galleries, archives, and research centers and helped spark a thriving cultural renaissance along San Antonio’s Broadway Cultural Corridor. Under her leadership, millions of visitors engaged with state-of-the-art exhibitions, multidisciplinary programming, and immersive experiences rooted in the stories of land, sky, water, and the deep history of Texas. Beyond the Witte, she has shaped national museum standards as Chair of the Accreditation Commission of the American Alliance of Museums.  

Her experience includes a blend of scholarship, storytelling, fundraising excellence, and community building. McDermott has directed major capital campaigns, raised transformative philanthropic support, published and overseen numerous award-winning books, and advanced public humanities through decades of exhibitions, symposia, and cultural collaborations. She has also secured competitive federal grants through the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, demonstrating her longstanding effectiveness in expanding access to collections and cultural knowledge.  

McDermott also has a profound personal connection to the mission of The Wittliff Collections. As a writer, editor, and humanities leader, she has spent her career championing the very voices housed within our archives. Her own graduate study at Texas State University, where she earned an MFA in Writing, deepened her passion for the cultural narratives of the Southwest and Mexico. McDermott’s connection to Texas State has remained strong throughout her career, and in 2016, McDermott was chosen as Texas State University’s Liberal Arts Alumni of the year.  

As Executive Director, McDermott will guide The Wittliff Collections into an exciting era of growth by expanding access to the archives, elevating the collection’s national profile, and leading the capital campaign and public programming that will shape its future. Please join me in welcoming Marise McDermott back to Texas State and this exciting chapter for The Wittliff Collections.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs 

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Ms. Quinn Valentine

            Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

McCoy College of Business

SUBJECT:                   Bobcat Innovation Challenge – Entry-Level Tech Pitch Competition

Have a tech idea? That’s all you need.

The Bobcat Innovation Challenge is a beginner-friendly, tech-focused pitch competition designed for students, faculty, staff, and the community at the very start of their entrepreneurial journey. Whether your idea involves software, apps, AI, engineering solutions, digital platforms, or emerging technologies, we are here to help you move it forward. This challenge runs from March 10 to April 11, with structured mentorship, hands-on workshops, and practical coaching throughout the month, working with your schedule. Participants transform early concepts into clearer opportunities with defined customers, viable revenue models, and a strong, confident pitch. You do not need a prototype, revenue, or a team to apply. You only need a tech-driven idea. 

No prior startup experience required. We teach you everything you need to compete.

Sign up here: Bobcat Innovation Challenge Application 2026

Event Highlights: 

Kickoff Dinner (Meet fellow founders, mentors, faculty, and community partners. Gain a clear roadmap for the competition and hear from a distinguished leader in technology and entrepreneurship.)

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

6 – 8 p.m.

Minifie Atrium | McCoy Hall 434

Attendance is required to compete.

What You’ll Learn

Participants receive step-by-step guidance in:

• Refining a tech idea into a real opportunity
• Customer validation for tech products
• Simple and scalable revenue models
• Intellectual property fundamentals
• Funding basics for early-stage tech ventures
• Startup banking essentials
• Using AI tools effectively
• Tech market positioning
• Pitch structure and Q&A strategy

Final Pitch Day (finalists present their tech ventures to judges, industry leaders, alumni, and community partners)

Saturday, April 11, 2026

1 – 3 p.m.

McCoy Hall 119 

Prize Awards

1^st – $2,000

2^nd – $1,500

3^rd – $1,000

4^th – $500

5^th – $250 

For questions, please contact Ms. Quinn Valentine, ctj62@txstate.edu, or 512.408.2246.

TO:                             Current Undergraduate Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Heather Galloway

                                    Dean, Honors College

SUBJECT:                   Spring 2026 Undergraduate Research Conference

The Honors College and the IDEA Center are pleased to announce the 20th annual Undergraduate Research Conference—a showcase event for undergraduate research and creative activity at Texas State University. This year, the conference will be held on Wednesday, April 22 and Friday, April 24, 2026, and will include a poster session on Wednesday in the LBJSC Ballroom and Honors Capstone panel sessions on Friday in LBJSC and Alkek Library.

Undergraduate students from all academic areas are encouraged to submit poster proposals by Monday, March 9, 2026. 

Applications to present your poster at the URC are now available. 

If you have questions, please email ugresearch@txstate.edu or call us (512) 245-2266.   

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   TEDx Tickets on Sale

Tickets to TEDxTexasStateUniversity are going fast! Get yours while you still can! We are only a couple weeks away and we would love to see you there! 

The TEDxTexasStateUniversity leadership team and the Department of Communication Studies invite you to our in-person TEDx event on Saturday, February 28 in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. The event runs from 12:30–4:30 p.m. Mark your calendars and join us for an inspiring afternoon of conversations and performances. Tickets are available through the Texas State Presents website.

This year, our event will feature six speakers exploring wide-ranging topics through the lens of our theme, Unlearn. It is an invitation to pause, question the familiar, and imagine what becomes possible when we let go of old assumptions. Join us for a day of fresh ideas, new perspectives, and rethinking what we thought we knew.

Speaker Lineup

Brian Johnson – A former Major League catcher, scout, and now consultant, Mr. Johnson explores how today’s evolving workplace calls us to rethink old assumptions about work and success. Drawing from years spent helping organizations strengthen culture and opportunity, he emphasizes adaptability, purpose, and supporting those who face limited pathways forward.

Dr. Maureen Keeley – A leading scholar in family communication for nearly 30 years, Dr. Keeley asks us to reconsider how we communicate at the end of life. Inspired by research shaped through the loss of her mother, her talk highlights the meaningful conversations that help families navigate dying with honesty, connection, and care.

Melanie Koroluk – Ms. Koroluk challenges the notion that mental health is solely an individual pursuit. A bilingual immigrant, graduate student at Texas State University and future professional counselor, she draws on neuroscience, social justice work, and experiences across three countries to show why healing is most powerful when it happens in community.

Benjamin Elias – Mr. Elias shares how unlearning limiting beliefs opened the door to growth and possibility in his own life. Reflecting on his journey through incarceration and into nonprofit leadership, he discusses how education and self-reflection empowered him to rebuild—and how others can challenge the narratives that hold them back.

Elli Overton – A three-time Olympian, youth-sports consultant, and professional counseling graduate student at Texas State University, Ms. Overton challenges the belief that “winning is everything.” She shows how healthier definitions of success—rooted in resilience, self-compassion, and learning through failure—help young people thrive.

Charlene “Char” Holmes – Ms. Holmes, a Texas State University psychology student, trauma-informed life coach, and host of the award-winning podcast Talk Bari To Me, examines how survival-mode thinking can persist long after hardship ends. Her talk encourages us to unlearn old patterns so we can experience genuine peace, joy, and self-worth.

You’ll get these six powerful talks PLUS electrifying performances from Texas State students and alumni in music, dance, and musical theatre—along with a live DJ and a youth competitive dance team that will turn the energy all the way up. 

• Infusion Dance – a premier youth performance and competitive dance studio known for high-energy, versatile routines that blend Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Latin styles while promoting confidence, creativity, and community through movement
• Young, Gifted, and Black Showcase – a powerful collective of Musical Theatre students at Texas State University presenting a dynamic showcase of songs, scenes, dance, and devised pieces celebrating Black artistry and expression
• DJ Ladybug – an emerging open-format DJ with a love for shimmering electropop and femme pop divas, serving up bold, eclectic mixes that will keep us entertained before the show and during intermission
• Chronos Quartet – a dynamic student-led saxophone quartet from the Texas State School of Music, recognized for their community performances, premieres of new works, and upcoming appearance at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention
• VocaLibre – an auditioned choral ensemble at Texas State University dedicated to honest storytelling through song, performing a wide range of genres from traditional choral works to pop, R&B, and global music traditions
• Sade’ May – a director, theatre educator, and storyteller whose work explores Black performance traditions through embodied storytelling, using theatre, ritual, and oral history to center voice, memory, and collective imagination

Big ideas. Bold creativity. One unforgettable day.

Ticket Information

Children and Texas State students: $10

Faculty and Staff: $15

General admission: $20

VIP: $100 (includes preferential seating, a TEDx t-shirt, and access to the after-party with food and entertainment)

What is TEDx?
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. For more information or any questions, email us at TEDxTXST@txstate.edu or visit the TEDxTexasStateUniversity webpage.

TEDx Leadership Team
Dr. Alan Grant, Department of Communication Studies
Mr. Mark Paz, Department of Communication Studies
Ms. Hannah Collazo, Department of Communication Studies

Ms. Rita Gomez, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Prisca Ngondo, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Dear Colleagues, 

Our fourth strategic hiring and research town hall area is “Digital Humanities” in the fullest sense. We hope that Texas State community members whose work addresses any aspect of digital humanities in any field using any methods will join us for this conversation.  

Topic: Digital Humanities

Date: March 3, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: JCK Ballroom, 11^th Floor

At each town hall, we will discuss our current core strengths and opportunity areas for recruiting nationally known scholars. We will also facilitate opportunities for collaboration on cross-disciplinary research proposals for funding from the Office of Research in each strategic area. 

To attend, please register by February 26th and save the event to your calendar on the registration page. We will not send a separate calendar invitation, and we will only be able to accommodate those who have registered. Because our conversation may include strategies around future research initiatives and hiring, we will not be able to record the town hall or provide remote access. 

We are already an R1 university in all but name due to the outstanding work of our faculty. As we embark on this strategic hiring initiative, the active engagement of faculty members is crucial. I look forward to discussing implementation with you at our upcoming town hall on digital humanities and over the course of the coming year.  

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath 

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Timing of Future Town Halls 

• April: Aging/Dementia 

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Chair, Department of Anthropology 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Nicole Taylor as Chair of the Department of Anthropology, effective January 1, 2026.

Dr. Taylor earned her bachelor's degree in English from Texas State University, her master's degree in English from Texas A&M University, and her doctoral degree in Anthropology from The University of Arizona. She joined Texas State as an Associate Professor in 2016 and was tenured in 2019. During her time at Texas State, she has served in various service and leadership roles, including Ph.D. Program Coordinator, Associate Chair, and Faculty Senate Liaison. Prior to joining to Texas State, she worked in nonprofit and corporate settings conducting research and evaluation in the areas of substance abuse, education and poverty, childhood obesity, school climate, and institutional culture. She then served for five years as the Director of Scholar Programs at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Dr. Taylor is a cultural anthropologist whose research explores contemporary social issues among youth in the United States, including social media engagement, body image concerns, childhood obesity, and the experiences of college students in higher education. Her recent work focuses on the development of digital methods for social media research. Her work has been funded by two National Science Foundation grants and resulted in two ethnographic monographs, a co-edited special journal issue, a co-edited methods volume, and 12 peer-reviewed articles and chapters. 

Dr. Taylor has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate classes, including Qualitative Methods, Medical Anthropology, Applied Cultural Anthropology, Anthropology of Youth, and Language and the Body. She has chaired five doctoral student committees, six master's student committees, and supervised eight undergraduate Honors students, in addition to serving on 19 graduate committees in Anthropology. 

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Nicole Taylor on her appointment as Chair of the Department of Anthropology.

Welcome to Spring 2026! The University Writing Center is open, and we're excited to share how we can help you and support your students this semester.

HOW WE HELP STUDENTS  

We offer services to develop writers from all disciplines at any stage in their writing process—even before they have anything written down. 

• 1-1 consultations for 25- or 50-minute consultations on any type of writing, including help with Vireo formatting and pre-law writing
• Two weekly writing groups, including Write  Time and Creative Writers’ Circle 
• Coffee & Commas, a monthly workshop series open to all students. Our next workshop will be "Getting Started with APA Style" on February 11 from 11 am-12 pm in ASBN 100. 
• Support for writing beyond the classroom, including personal statements, scholarship essays, conference proposals, and more 
• Dissertations and theses, including Vireo formatting support and writing consultations at any stage of the dissertation process
• Spring Writing Retreat offers dedicated writing time hosted at the Writing Center (ASBN 100) from 12-5 pm on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11. Snacks and drinks will be provided. All writers welcome.

HOW WE SUPPORT FACULTY 

We are here to support your teaching and scholarship with a range of resources: 

• Statement for Canvas: Tell students about our services by including this syllabus statement.
• Class tours: Book an in-person or virtual tour to introduce students to our space and services.
• Proof-of-visit forms: Verify a student attended their consultation by asking them to request a proof-of-visit at the end of their appointment.  
• Workshops Series: Send your students to our ongoing workshop series, Coffee & Commas, to help them improve their writing, editing, and research skills. 
• Consultations for faculty: Make an appointment with a faculty consultant to work on your own writing, too.
• Spring Writing Retreat: Join us for dedicated writing time hosted at the Writing Center (ASBN 100) on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 from 12-5 pm. Snacks and drinks will be provided. All writers welcome. 

HOURS, LOCATIONS, AND SCHEDULING 

Here are our hours this semester:

Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To book an appointment, request a service, or learn more, visit our website, contact us by email (writingctr@txstate.edu) or phone (512-245-3018). We have a new booking system, Trac Coud, so please don't hesitate to reach out for support in booking an appointment. You can find us in person in ASBN 100 (San Marcos) and Avery 206 (Round Rock), or virtually on Zoom. 

As always, thank you for all you do to support students' writing development. Best wishes for a smooth start to the semester!

Best,

University Writing Center team

Dear Colleagues, 

Welcome back from what I hope was a restful break! I’m looking forward to another busy semester and the progress we’ll make on our shared goals to improve student and faculty success and steward our resources efficiently to ensure long-term sustainability.  

Academic and Administrative Program Review  

If I’ve had the opportunity to connect with you last semester at a meeting, an event or in your department, you have probably heard me talk about the upcoming academic and administrative program review process that Texas State is undertaking. This review is in partnership with the Division of Finance and Support Services, and we selected Gray DI and Credo through a competitive RFP process to conduct the review.    

Universities typically don’t embark on program review until they’re forced to by enrollment loss, budget constraints, or other issues. By conducting this review from a position of strength, when we are growing and in a stable budget position, we will have many more opportunities to implement what we learn, to further enhance what is already excellent, and to strategically align our resources for continued success. The broad goal of the review is to ensure efficient use of our resources in the service of our highest campus priorities.  

We’re currently starting the Data Request & Collection phase of the review and there will be both a functional data team and a representative team working directly with Gray DI and Credo to provide accurate information about our campus. As we move into the Stakeholder Engagement phase of the process, we will continue to update the campus.  

Supporting Our Students  

I was so impressed and grateful that our faculty stepped up and improved the Early Academic Progress reporting from the 50-60^th percentile to 95%. This information allowed advisors, RAs and other student-facing staff members to provide students with more specialized support and help them make good decisions to support their long-term academic progress. Acting on information like this is how we will move the needle on retention and completion to ensure that our students succeed, and it’s crucial that we continue these strong partnerships. 

This semester, we’re continuing to focus on the issues that have the most impact on our students’ progress. The Academic Success team secured a Student-Centered Scheduling grant from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to more accurately predict student demand and ensure that our course schedule and availability support student degree progress. We’re working on the course availability issue from many directions, from standardizing classroom scheduling to make the most of our space, to releasing instructional budget allocations earlier to allow colleges to hire instructors earlier.  

Curriculum Review  

I want to thank everyone involved in the ongoing curriculum review process for their diligence and hard work. We have completed phase one of the review process which includes all our general education and special topics courses. This wouldn’t have been possible without the diligence of faculty members in the departments, our faculty champions, chairs, deans, and the staff and leadership in Academic Innovation and Curriculum and Academic Programs who have come together to support this review.   

The quality of our curriculum depends on regular review, and this year’s work will provide an excellent baseline as we move forward. Most colleges have already begun reviewing their phase two courses, and we plan to complete the review of the entire curriculum prior to the publications of the next catalog this summer.  

Research Town Halls and Strategic Hiring  

In collaboration with the Division of Research, we are continuing our town halls focused on five areas of research strength and will host sessions on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Humanities, and Aging/Dementia this spring. Our fall sessions on Water and Semiconductors were well-attended, and the robust conversations showed all the great internal collaboration opportunities we have on campus.  

We plan to hire senior faculty members with excellent research records in these areas whose work will enhance the strengths we already have on campus. It has been wonderful to have the input of so many faculty voices as we work toward these hires. We have just launched the advertisements for the water and semiconductor roles and will launch ads for the other positions after each town hall. 

Conclusion 

I’m looking forward to a great semester and hope I have the chance to see and speak with many of you at departmental visits, Faculty Senate meetings, Coffee with the EVPs or other campus and community events. I am so grateful for the hard work and commitment of the faculty and staff. Your work is transforming the lives of so many.  

We’ll continue to keep you updated on these and other initiatives as we work to support the success of our community. 

Sincerely, 

Pranesh B. Aswath, Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Barrett Bryant

                                    Dean, College of Science and Engineering

SUBJECT:                   Registration Now Open & Call for Poster Presentations 2026 TXST STEM Conference

Texas State University is proud to host the 4^th Annual TXST STEM Conference on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the TXST LBJ Student Center.

The TXST STEM Conference brings together researchers, students, educators, and industry leaders to explore how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics drive innovation and contribute to a resilient and prosperous Texas.

The 2026 conference theme, “From Lab to Landscape: Building a Bigger, Better Texas,” highlights how interdisciplinary research and partnerships at Texas State are advancing solutions across fields such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, water management, sustainable agriculture, and health resiliency. In alignment with the State of Texas’ Bigger. Better. Texas. Economic Development Plan, the conference emphasizes how university-driven discovery supports innovation, workforce development, and economic strength across the state.

Registration for the conference is now open. Additionally, students (undergraduate and graduate) and postdoctoral scholars are invited to submit poster abstracts. Abstract submissions must be received by February 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

For details regarding registration, abstract guidelines, and submission instructions, visit the conference website.

Your participation in this institutional event contributes to collaboration and continued excellence within the STEM community at Texas State University. We look forward to your involvement.

Dear Colleagues,

Our third strategic hiring and research town hall area is “Artificial Intelligence” in the fullest sense. We hope that Texas State community members whose work addresses any aspect of artificial intelligence in any field using any methods will join us for this conversation. 

Topic: Artificial Intelligence

Date: January 29, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Location: JCK Ballroom, 11^th Floor

At each town hall, we will discuss our current core strengths and opportunity areas for recruiting nationally known scholars. We will also facilitate opportunities for collaboration on cross-disciplinary research proposals for funding from the Office of Research in each strategic area.

To attend, please register by January 22nd and save the event to your calendar on the registration page. We will not send a separate calendar invitation, and we will only be able to accommodate those who have registered. Because our conversation may include strategies around future research initiatives and hiring, we will not be able to record the town hall or provide remote access.

We are already an R1 university in all but name due to the outstanding work of our faculty. As we embark on this strategic hiring initiative, the active engagement of faculty members is crucial. I look forward to discussing implementation with you at our upcoming town hall on AI and over the course of the coming year. 

Sincerely,

Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Timing of Future Town Halls

• March: Digital Humanities
• April: Aging/Dementia

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   The COMM Lab is ready for your students – Spring 2026

The COMM Lab is now open to help you and support your students this semester. 

Our peer coaches are ready to meet with your undergraduate and graduate students to assist in the effective delivery of presentations for classes, 3MT and academic conferences. These can be individual or group-based presentations, and we offer both in-person and virtual appointments. 

Each 30-minute appointment begins with students delivering their completed presentation, followed by personalized feedback and expert guidance from a trained presentation coach.

The lab also offers personalized instruction to students experiencing communication apprehension or "stage fright".   

FOR FACULTY

We provide the following resources to support your teaching:

• Feedback form: Students are given a feedback form with specific recommendations for improvement. You can verify a student attended their appointment by asking them to forward it to you.
• Video recording: Presentations are video recorded and a link to the video is sent to the student after the appointment. You can ask your students to forward to link to you.
• Statement for your syllabus: Tell students about our services by including this syllabus statement:

                        “I encourage you to use the COMM Lab this semester as you prepare to give presentations. The COMM Lab provides trained peer coaches to help with effective delivery of your presentation by giving 

customized feedback on your performance. You will deliver your completed presentation, a coach will record and review the presentation with you, and then identify strengths, suggest improvements, 

and answer your questions.” 

LOCATION AND SCHEDULING 

The COMM Lab is located in the Alkek Learning Commons on the 3rd floor, room 304. We offer both in-person and virtual sessions. To book an appointment, visit our website. The calendar will list available appointment times. 

If you have additional questions about the Lab, please email our Director, Casey Chilton (cc60@txstate.edu).

 We look forward to working with you and your students this semester!

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff

                                    Graduate Teaching Assistants/Doctoral Teaching Assistants

                                    Graduate Instructional Assistants/Doctoral Instructional Assistants

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Policies Related to Teaching and Instruction

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and information related to teaching and instructional responsibilities, student records, students with disabilities, and classroom materials. All employees serving in instructional roles, including teaching assistants and instructional assistants, are asked to visit the websites linked below and to talk with their department chairs/school directors about specific questions regarding these policies and practices. Please forward this message to new instructors, as hiring processes occur daily.   

Faculty-Authored Teaching Material

Approval is required before a faculty member may require any textbook, notebook, manual, or other materials written or prepared by a member of the Texas State University faculty for which a charge is required. The policy AA/PPS 02.03.30, Faculty-Authored Teaching and Instructional Material describes the procedure for faculty to obtain approval for the use of materials authored or prepared by Texas State University faculty, even if the materials are used in classes taught by other instructors. Instructors may only require materials that meet instructional goals and student learning outcomes of the course.

Authorizations are valid for one fiscal year (September 1–August 31). Subsequent use of the materials must be approved. The faculty member must submit a request form to the department chair/school director, dean, and provost. The deadlines to submit a request to use faculty-authored teaching materials are July 1 (fall semester), November 1 (spring semester), and April 1 (summer sessions). Please complete the Request for Authorization to Prescribe Materials Form via the Dynamic Forms platform. Please visit our Dynamic Forms web page for more information.

Inadvertent Release of Student Education Records: Updated with Secure Communication Instructions 

This is a reminder of your obligation to guard against the inadvertent release of student education records as stipulated in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). UPPS 01.04.31, Access to Student Records Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, addresses this law and faculty and staff obligations.  

Examples of inadvertent releases of student education records include emailing student grades, grade point averages, test scores or posting grades by student ID numbers, social security numbers, or other numbers that make student identities easily traceable. These actions violate federal law and university policy. A list of frequently asked questions is available for additional information. 

Please review File and Data Sending and Receiving information standards as well as best practices for Data Classification (confidential, sensitive, or public) from the division of Information Technology. To securely send and receive confidential student education records per FERPA regulations, use the TXST (secure) File Transfer system.

Faculty and staff must log in to the Bobcat Family Portal to confirm that a student has granted access before sharing any student information. More information is available on the FERPA for Faculty and Staff website, including information about directory information and privacy holds.

Attendance Roster Certification

AA/PPS No. 02.03.01, Conduct and Planning of Courses, Section 06.01 – Faculty will certify attendance rosters. Students must attend or be academically engaged by the census date, to avoid being marked as Not Attending their classes and being administratively dropped.

Reminders:

1. Importance of Attendance: Regular class attendance is essential for learning and performance. Absence policies are usually set by academic departments or individual instructors, but the university recognizes valid excuses such as medical issues, immediate family bereavement, university-sponsored activities, required field trips, military service, and official religious holy days.
2. Roster Certification: Faculty members will be required to certify their census rosters (4th class day for summer semesters and 12th class day for fall and spring semesters). These records will be permanently retained by the Office of the University Registrar. Special care should be taken to certify rosters for courses where faculty and students have not yet had face-to-face interaction by the census date. These may include courses taught via online or hybrid instruction. In these cases, certification of the roster will require documentation of active academic engagement by the student in the course by the census date.
3. Attendance Announcements: Instructors are encouraged to share their attendance policies on the first day and include them in the syllabus.
4. Exceptions and Changes: Classes should not deviate from the schedule around holidays, and any faculty absence must be communicated to the department for appropriate arrangements.

Regular and Substantive Interaction in Distance Learning

Texas State University affirms its longstanding commitment to quality teaching and learning by ensuring that distance education courses include instructor-initiated, meaningful, and documented engagement that is integral to course design and learning outcomes.

To maintain compliance with federal financial aid regulations, distance education courses must demonstrate regular and substantive interaction as defined by applicable U.S. Department of Education guidelines. Such interaction must be initiated by the instructor, occur on a predictable and timely basis, and be focused on the course content and student academic progress. Examples include, but are not limited to, providing substantive feedback on assignments, facilitating instructor-led discussions, conducting direct instruction, and monitoring and responding to student engagement and performance.

Instructors are expected to design courses in which regular and substantive interaction is planned, ongoing, and embedded in the instructional strategy, and to maintain appropriate documentation of student participation in academically related activities. Records of student engagement that occur on or before the semester census date should be retained to support institutional reporting and federal financial aid eligibility.

Additional guidance and institutional requirements related to distance education courses and programs are outlined in G/PPS 02.03, Distance Education Courses and Programs.

Students with Disabilities

Texas State University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. If a student experiences barriers to education due to a disability or believes they may have a disability, they are encouraged to contact Disability Services (DS) at (512) 245-3451, by email at disability@txstate.edu, or by visiting the DS web page. Disabilities may include, but are not limited to, attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, communication, or chronic medical conditions. DS will provide both the student and the instructor with an accommodation letter identifying the requested accommodations. Instructors who encounter difficulties in providing accommodations or believe they may result in a fundamental alteration or undue burden should consult with DS as soon as possible to discuss concerns and explore alternative accommodations.

Honor Code Procedures: Faculty Member Responsibilities 

This is a best practices list of basic steps to assist faculty members who suspect that a student has violated the Honor Code Policy. The faculty member may consult with their department chair or school director to determine an appropriate academic penalty. 

Honor Code violations are not reported on transcripts or to outside entities. Reports are for internal tracking purposes to identify repeat offenders, who will be referred to the Dean of Students. 

In compliance with the Honor Code policy (UPPS 07.10.01), the faculty member will:

1. Contact the student verbally or in writing (i.e., in person, virtually, via phone, or email) to discuss the alleged violation, supporting evidence, and academic penalty to be imposed as defined in Section 02.02 of the Honor Code policy.
2. Clearly communicate your observations and the prescribed penalty to the student and consider their evidence/explanation. If the student fails to respond regarding the violation within three business days, move forward with the Honor Code Review Form. A hold will be placed on the student's academic record until the matter is resolved.  
3. After conferring with the student, if it is still suspected the student violated the Honor Code, advise the student that a report will be filed, and they will be contacted by the Honor Code Chair, Vice Chair, or office and given the option to accept or not accept the decision. 
4. Complete the Honor Code Review Form, attaching supporting documentation and/or evidence. Texas State NetID and login credentials will be required. 
5. The student will be sent an email and asked to 1) accept the faculty member's determination and waive their right to a hearing, or 2) not accept the determination and request a hearing with the Honor Code Council to review the case. If a student does not respond to the email within three business days, a hold will be placed on their academic record until the matter is resolved. 
6. If the student accepts, the case is closed. If a hearing is requested, a Hearing Officer will be in touch with the next steps. 

Reference UPPS 07.10.01 for descriptions and details of violations and other honor code policy information.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Sanjay Ramchander

                                    Dean, McCoy College of Business

SUBJECT:                   Business Leadership Week

February 2-6, 2026

The McCoy College of Business invites you to Business Leadership Week, February 2-6, 2026. Business Leadership Week is McCoy College's signature professional development event, connecting students, alumni, and the business community. The week’s events will include numerous sessions, workshops, panels, and activities that conclude with a day-long summit.

Visit our Business Leadership Week website to view the full schedule and to register for events.

For questions, contact the McCoy College Foundation via email at mccoyfoundation@txstate.edu or call 512.408.1497.

If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact 512.408.1497 at least 72 hours in advance of the event.

Dear Colleagues,

College of Education Dean Michael O’Malley will become the next dean of the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University. His last day at Texas State University will be June 30, 2026. I will share additional information about the transition plan later this semester.

Dean O’Malley joined Texas State in 2008 and prior to serving as dean, chaired the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology (CLAS) from 2014 to 2018. He has served as dean of the College of Education since 2018, collaborating with faculty and staff to increase degree offerings, grow enrollment and improve retention and graduation rates for the college that produces more Texas teachers than any other. 

Under Dean O’Malley’s leadership, the College of Education significantly expanded doctoral education in the college, supporting Texas State’s Run to R1 efforts and further developing the education pipeline for Texas. Dean O’Malley has ensured the appropriate planning and infrastructure to support scaling doctoral programs and has strategically hired and promoted excellent faculty members to support the vision of the college. 

Sponsored research has also increased by 69% in the college over the last five years due in no small part to Dean O’Malley’s leadership. This includes grants for which Dean O’Malley is the principal investigator, including a five-year, $2.74 million Augustus F. Hawkins Center of Excellence grant to support an innovative “grow-your-own" teacher certification pathway to address teacher shortages. Dean O’Malley also collaboratively secured $800,000 in external funding to develop Bobcat RISE, a four-year college experience for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

In addition to his service on campus, Dean O’Malley is a recognized leader in the education field and has strengthened partnerships between the college and school districts. He has served terms as the elected president of the Texas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, associate director of publications for the University Council for Educational Administration and chair of the Texas Association of School Administrators’ Higher Education Committee. In 2023, Dean O’Malley received the Council of Deans of Education Outstanding Leadership Award reflecting his career accomplishments and the esteem of his peers. 

Dean O’Malley is a collaborative leader in every sense of the word and always credits the success of the College of Education to the deep partnerships and hard work of the faculty and staff. Please join me in congratulating Dean O'Malley on this next step in his career and wishing him the best.

Sincerely,

Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff in the Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Policies Related to Ethics and Compliance

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and other information related to ethics and compliance following university, state, and federal regulations and policies. This message addresses required ethics and compliance training, dual/outside employment, reporting of relatives working at Texas State University, and mandatory notices to employees. Specific questions regarding these policies and practices may be addressed to supervisors.  

University Ethics and Compliance Program

Texas State is committed to ensuring that our institution maintains the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity throughout all aspects of operations. As public servants, university faculty and staff are guardians of the resources entrusted to it and have a responsibility to students, parents, alumni, donors, and the citizens of Texas to ensure those resources are used efficiently and for their intended purpose. Several reporting tools are available that provide a confidential avenue for reporting concerns about potential waste, fraud, and abuse of resources; the lack of compliance with laws, regulations, and/or University Policy and Procedure Statements; or violations of the Texas State University System’s Code of Ethics. We encourage you to report such issues through one of the following tools:

• reports can be made anonymously via this website: Texas State University System Hotline.
• Texas State University Office of Internal Audit Hotline at (512) 245-1707.
• you may also call the TXST Office of Internal Audit main line, (512) 245-2533, during business hours to report information directly to the audit staff. 

The University has implemented a fixed training schedule and compliance period. All Texas State University employees, with the exception of certain new hires, are required to complete assigned mandatory training by the end of the compliance period. The FY26 compliance training period runs from December 17, 2025, to February 15, 2026. 

Employees who do not complete the mandatory training within the defined period will be ineligible for merit increases and subject to disciplinary action within the discretion of the University. New hires who begin after a specific date will follow a separate training schedule during their onboarding process and will transition to the fixed schedule in the following annual cycle. 

Please review the following training requirements:

1. Cybersecurity Training: All employees must complete this training annually to meet the requirement mandated by Texas Government Code Section 2063.103.
2. Ethics and Compliance Training: All employees are required to complete this training every two years* to meet the requirement mandated by TSUS. 
3. EEO and Title IX Training: All employees are required to complete this training every two years* to meet the requirement mandated by the State of Texas.

*Faculty and staff who did not complete Ethics and Compliance Training and EEO and Title IX Training during the FY25 compliance period are required to complete them during the FY26 compliance period. 

TXST Cybersecurity Training, Tools for an Ethical Workplace (Ethics & Compliance), and Preventing Harassment and Discrimination (EEO & Title IX) are offered online via the employee learning management tool, Success Factors (SF) Learning. Employees will receive email reminder(s) when their training is due.

Clery Act and Campus Security Authorities: The Clery Act is a federal law that requires the institution to provide accurate and timely information about crime and campus safety to the university community as well as prospective students and employees. The act requires the identification of individuals that meet the definition of a campus security authority (CSA). While many faculty members are not designated as CSAs based on their position, those who serve as advisors to student organizations or program trip leaders will be CSAs. Employees designated as CSAs will be notified by the Clery Act Compliance Officer and are required to complete the CSA Clery Training Course available within Success Factors (SF) Learning annually. Employees will receive an email reminder when their training is due. 

Online Reporting of Dual/Outside Employment and Activities

UPPS 04.04.06, Outside Employment and Activities defines outside employment as any compensated employment, consulting, or service performed by the employee outside of the employee’s employment relationship with Texas State for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee or the organization serviced. Outside activities that involve non-compensated services are not always reported. However, there are special provisions for holding public office. Outside employment or activities must not interfere or create a conflict of interest or commitment with any employee’s duties and responsibilities at Texas State.  

Outside employment, financial conflict of interest (FCOI), conflict of commitment (COC), and inappropriate foreign influence may be related topics that potentially present challenges in managing overlapping dimensions. This is particularly important for faculty and staff involved in federal grant awards and sponsored programs. To encourage and support the research community, the division of Research will continue to develop and disseminate information and guidance regarding disclosures to internal and external entities, including funding agencies. Contact Sean Rubino, Director, Research Integrity and Compliance, via email at srubino@txstate.edu for questions or more information in this regard. 

Annual approval is required for 1) any outside employment or consulting prior to beginning such outside employment or consulting; 2) any employment with another state agency, community college, or school district (regardless of the faculty member’s FTE at Texas State); 3) any employee holding public office (elected or appointed to serve for a federal, state, or local government entity including school districts, cities, and towns); or 4) non-compensated activities where the employee or supervisor believes there may be a conflict of interest or interference with the employee’s university duties and responsibilities, or if the outside activities will take place during or interfere with the employee’s normally scheduled work hours. 

If the outside employment is with another State of Texas entity, Texas law requires that all state employees must inform their state agencies or institutions of higher education before accepting an additional employment with another agency or institution. See section 03.02 of UPPS 04.04.06.

Annual reporting is required. Thus, outside employment approved from a prior academic year must be reported for the current year if the employment is ongoing. The current reporting academic year is 9/1/25 – 8/31/26. Employees are also required to report any changes that may occur during the academic year (e.g., additional outside employment throughout the year or change in outside employment workload). Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Portal under the “Self-Report” tab. At least one supervisor in the approval workflow, such as a department chair/school director, director, assistant or associate vice provost, dean, or vice provost, must document there is no conflict of interest or commitment with outside employment before the request flows to the Office of the Provost.   

Note: Honorariums need not be reported.

Online Reporting of Relatives Working at Texas State University

An online form is available for employees to report certain relatives also working at Texas State University. With centralized records, Human Resources and Faculty and Academic Resources will be able to better manage potential conflicts and provide accurate reports as required by state law and The Texas State University System Regents’ Rules and Regulations. The governing policy is UPPS 04.04.07, Nepotism and Related Employment.  

Note: If you have already reported relatives working at Texas State and there are no changes, no action is required. After your initial certification, you must report any changes as they occur.

If needed, please take action now and provide complete information, including hours worked per week and other details that aid reviewers in decision-making. Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Portal under the “Self-Report” tab. Instructions for Self-Reporting of Relatives at Texas State are available. The records will be reviewed by Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources against the organizational structure in SAP. If there is a potential conflict, Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources staff will contact the department head for resolution. Faculty-related questions may be directed to Faculty and Academic Resources at (512) 245-2786.

Employee Notices

While a variety of policies and laws are provided to new employees at orientation sessions, employee notices are important reminders for all employees and supervisors. These notices include information on State of Texas employee policies, sexual misconduct in the workplace, workplace accommodations, campus security, and other matters.