Faculty, advocacy groups fear Texas A&M firing threatens academic freedom
The firing happened over two years after Texas A&M stressed its support for academic freedom and amid a changing higher education landscape. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/001d7d7ed83e4759b31cd617906bbcc2/20250909%20TAMU%20Childrens%20Literature%20AE%2002.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/2024_Jessica_Priest_2x3_1.jpg)
Jessica Priest covers higher education, working in partnership with Open Campus. She joined the Tribune in 2022 as an engagement reporter in the ProPublica/Texas Tribune joint investigative unit, contributing to a series that was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in the explanatory reporting category. Prior to the Tribune, Jessica worked for the Fort Worth Report, USA Today, the Victoria Advocate and the Temple Daily Telegram, reporting on topics that included criminal justice, the environment and local government. Her work has often made an impact. The state’s highest criminal court granted a death row inmate a new trial after she detailed a prosecutor’s conflicts of interest. After she exposed questionable hirings and payments at a port and later a water district in another part of the state, both public entities underwent reforms. Jessica was born in Houston and graduated from Sam Houston State University.
Latest Contributions
-
![The College of Liberal Arts and Humanities building at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas on Tuesday, Sep. 9, 2025.]()
Credit: Adriano Espinosa for The Texas Tribune -
Texas A&M professor fired after viral video disputes termination
An attorney for Melissa McCoul, seen in a video clashing with a student over gender-identity content in her class, said the professor is weighing her legal options. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/427cfef51c6aa14a31b735e8a76db817/20250909%20TAMU%20Children%20Literature%20AE%2006.jpg)
![The Academic Building at Texas A&M University in College Station on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.]()
Credit: Adriano Espinosa for The Texas Tribune -
Video of clash over gender-identity content in Texas A&M children’s lit class leads to firing, removals
After the video fueled outrage, a professor was fired and two college leaders removed from their administrative roles for approving content inconsistent with the course’s description. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/60e9c12ead2aefa14387e17dcaebc6b6/0819%20FAFSA%20Delays%20IS%2025.jpg)
![The Texas A&M bell tower on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in College Station.]()
Credit: Ishika Samant for The Texas Tribune -
Sen. Brandon Creighton’s switch from lawmaking to Texas Tech leader signals a new era for higher ed
More Texas universities are turning to politicians to lead their systems, preferring political clout over academic credentials. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/784308d393747dd5fe6d20b1f5615bcc/Hegar%20Creighton%20Zerwas%2001.jpg)
![From left: Glen Hegar, chancellor of the Texas A&M System; Brandon Creighton, sole finalist for Texas Tech chancellor; and John Zerwas, chancellor of the UT System.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Former Texas Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, author of 2013 abortion restrictions, dies
Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, announced her passing Monday, calling her “one of the first and most effective fighters” for the anti-abortion movement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ea519decab3bc4e7ef261e2f819e66a7/01252017%20Jodie%20Laubenberg%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Then-state Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, speaks at a press conference at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
State Sen. Brandon Creighton named sole finalist for Texas Tech chancellor
The Conroe Republican has authored some of Texas’ major higher education legislation in recent years. U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington was also considered for the job. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8de6f34c19b7ee19244adb26d4706714/0601%20Senate%20Heads%20BD%2031.jpg)
![State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, on the Senate floor on the second-to-the-last day of the 89th legislative session on June 1, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Regents name sole finalist for Texas A&M International University president
Christopher Maynard is slated to be the next leader of the Laredo university. Regents on Thursday also approved construction projects and new limits on faculty senates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/94dfb8b3fd34fbf80b25dff1ab7b540f/TAMIU%20LW%2003.JPG)
![Texas A&M International University on Feb. 18, 2022.]()
Credit: Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribune -
Jodey Arrington, Brandon Creighton being considered for Texas Tech System’s top job
Arrington represents Lubbock in Congress. Creighton is a longtime state lawmaker. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c8f38a40a06b7de1cd2193cf6d6a81d7/Arrington-Creighton%20Split.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, left, and state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe.]()
Credit: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via REUTERS, Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Texas universities could see fewer international students amid immigration crackdown, reports say
An enrollment drop could cost the Texas economy hundreds of millions of dollars, the reports say. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/98e367ca2618ff96b90206efce0b5021/0224%20UNT%20Campus%20ST%2005.jpg)
![Students walk the University of North Texas campus in Denton, TX on February 24, 2022.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
UT System nixes faculty senates, approves restrictions on campus protests
The changes are in response to new state laws seeking to limit faculty’s influence and put guardrails on campus demonstrations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a6fe2b1c18064aa7144f86fa7ab1ae2f/0428%20UT%20File%20LW%2002.jpg)
![A view of the UT Tower from the business building on the UT Austin campus during finals week on April 28, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune