2026 Provost Office Email Communications

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.