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Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. Matthew is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended public schools and graduated from Texas A&M University. He’s spent nearly two decades in Texas journalism, and previously worked at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined the Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. As a managing editor, Matthew has guided the Tribune’s award-winning journalism and other reporting of statewide significance, including coverage of elections and legislative sessions to major breaking news and ambitious storytelling about the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Texas-Mexico border, the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, the impeachment of Texas attorney general and battles over public education. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Texas A&M University System regents are expected to consider a contract extension for Chancellor John Sharp next week. A majority of the board says it supports the idea. Full Story
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Some Texas lawmakers have complained that universities seem to be taking on ambitious projects that don't serve the needs of the state. Lawmakers gave them that power back in 2013. Full Story
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A proposal to substantially weaken the Top 10 Percent Rule took an important step forward Wednesday. Full Story
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Baylor University has named Linda Livingstone as its next president. Full Story
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Colleges are asking the state to pare back the state program that offers free tuition to veterans or their children. But key lawmakers in the Texas House don't want to mess with what's being offered to current veterans and their families. Full Story
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More than a dozen bills have been filed this session that would let more two-year colleges offer four-year degrees. Full Story
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The Senate Higher Education Committee on Wednesday reviewed the state's automatic college admissions rule, which is popular among minorities but loathed among many suburban students and parents. Full Story
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The Texas Senate voted 29-2 to freeze tuition for two years, and then cap tuition increases at 1 percent plus inflation after that. The idea will now go to the House, where leaders are skeptical of tuition freezes. Full Story
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Baylor University leaders faced strong criticism Wednesday from Texas senators who are pondering whether to require the private university to comply with state open records laws. Full Story
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Sandra Woodley, The UT System's former vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, will take over as president of the growing University of Texas of the Permian Basin at the end of August. Full Story
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