Tomikia LeGrande chosen as next Prairie View A&M University president
The announcement kicks off a required 21-day period before she can be formally appointed. If approved, LeGrande will take over at the end of the current academic year. Full Story
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Kate McGee is an Austin-based enterprise and investigative reporter. She joined the Tribune in October 2020 as a higher education reporter. She was a three-time finalist for the Education Writers Association's Beat Reporter of the Year award, winning the title in 2024. She was also a Livingston Award finalist for her coverage of the University of Texas at Austin. Before the Tribune, she spent nearly a decade as a reporter at public radio stations nationwide, including in Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Austin; Reno, Nevada; and New York. Kate was born in New York City and primarily raised in New Jersey. She earned her bachelor's degree from Fordham University.
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![Tomikia P. LeGrande is the sole finalist to become the ninth President of Prairie View A&M University.]()
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Collin College professor reinstated at school in free speech lawsuit settlement
Suzanne Jones is the second professor to settle with the North Texas college over accusations that the school fired her over protected speech in which administrators disagreed. Full Story
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![The Collin Higher Education Center in McKinney.]()
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How four Texas university systems are pitching themselves as the best new home for Stephen F. Austin State University
The SFA Board of Regents is expected to decide whether to join a system before the end of the semester. The Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech and University of Texas systems have all expressed interest in adding the Nacogdoches school to their folds. Full Story
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![Stephen F. Austin University on Oct. 3, 2022, in Nacogdoches.]()
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Texas commission recommends tying community colleges’ state funding to their performance
State higher education leaders are pushing for the changes as community colleges face greater workforce demands and financial pressures. The commission’s report now goes to lawmakers, who are expected to file legislation on the matter next session. Full Story
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![Houston Community College’s Northeast Campus on April 26, 2022, in Houston.]()
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Two-thirds of board members overseeing Texas public universities are Abbott donors. They’re not shy about wielding influence.
High-money donors are concentrated on larger boards, including those of the University of Texas System and Texas A&M University System. Full Story
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![Special called meeting of the UT Board of Regents where they named J.B Milliken as the new Chancellor on August 4, 2018]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
In Texas, where money has long dominated politics, Greg Abbott is in a league of his own
The two-term governor’s donors enjoy access, appointments to boards and commissions, and a chance to bend the ear of a politician who may harbor bigger ambitions. Full Story
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![In an illustration, Greg Abbott overlooks the Texas Capitol and reflected buildings representing Texas cities.]()
Credit: Rebecca Mock for The Texas Tribune -
Colleges would be required to be more transparent about transfer rules under new bill from U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro
The Transparency for Transfer Students Act would require all U.S. colleges and universities to post on their websites more details about their transfer policies to help more students complete degrees. Full Story
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![The open lab area at San Jacinto College's Central Campus in Pasadena on August 25, 2014.]()
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In lawsuit, UT-Austin professor accuses Texas A&M faculty program of discriminating against white and Asian men
UT-Austin professor Richard Lowery is represented by America First Legal — a group created by Stephen Miller, a policy adviser for former President Donald Trump, and Jonathan Mitchell, a former solicitor general for Texas and the legal architect of the state’s six-week abortion ban. Full Story
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![The water tower at Texas A&M University on Monday, June 15, 2020 in College Station.]()
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Texas could tie community college funding to student outcomes
A commission tasked by the Texas Legislature to recommend new ways to fund community colleges is suggesting the state fund schools based on how successful students are at completing programs in high-demand fields and transferring to universities to continue their education. Full Story
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![Edward Montoya and Serena Smith walk through Houston Community College – Central Campus on April 26, 2022, in Houston.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
College-bound Uvalde students grapple with leaving a hometown in mourning
The students worry how the tragedy will define them in their new environments and struggle with guilt about the people they’re leaving behind. Full Story
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![From left: Jaime Cruz and Ariana Diaz stand under a live oak tree growing in the middle of the street in Uvalde on Aug. 18, 2022.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribune