As University of Houston Rises, Black Student Enrollment Declines
At the University of Houston, enrollment is up 18 percent since 2009-10. But black enrollment is down 17 percent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/08/04/UniversityOfHoustonCampus.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Matthew-Watkins-2024.png)
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.
Latest Contributions
-
![Inside the student center at the University of Houston campus.]()
Credit: University of Houston -
UT Regent Hall Appeals to Texas Supreme Court in Fight With Chancellor
University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall has filed an appeal to the Texas Supreme Court to get access to confidential student records that UT System Chancellor Bill McRaven has denied him. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/05/19/BDA_3552.jpg)
![Regent Wallace Hall, Jr. at a regular meeting of the University of Texas Board of Regents in Ashbell Smith Hall in Austin.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
One Day After Endorsement, Cruz Refuses to Say Trump is Fit for the Presidency
One day after endorsing Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz refused Saturday to say whether he thinks the Republican nominee for president is fit to lead the country. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/24/TTF16-Cruz-Saturday-ES_TT.jpg)
![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is interviewed by Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.]()
Credit: Erich Schlegel for The Texas Tribune -
On Abbott's Watch, the Fight for the Soul of Texas Universities Has Cooled
Since Gov. Greg Abbott took office, the fight over former Gov. Rick Perry's "seven solutions" for higher education in Texas has faded. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/19/EduWorkForce157TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott acknowledges the crowd of business leaders and educators following his speech Sept. 19, 2016 to the Texas Education & Workforce Summit luncheon on campus.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Amarillo Chips In $15 Million for Texas Tech's Veterinary School Plans
Officials in Amarillo on Tuesday agreed to chip in $15 million to help Texas Tech University open a new veterinary school in the city. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/23/Tech-1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Allison Ralston -
Abbott: Texas Shouldn't Emulate "No Longer Relevant" Companies
Unveiling the results of a six-month review by a task force devoted to addressing Texas' evolving workforce needs, Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday that the state needs to establish itself as a worldwide research leader. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/19/Abbott-Event-Speaking.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaking on Sept. 19 at a conference hosted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Workforce Commission.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Weeks After Campus Carry Went Into Effect, an Accidental Misfire at Tarleton State
No one was hurt and there was minimal property damage at Tarleton State after someone accidentally shot off a gun in a dormitory. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/01/11/CampusCarry-PencilBullets.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Fenves Announces $15 Million in Aid for UT-Austin Students
During his annual state of the university speech, University of Texas at Austin President Greg Fenves announced plans to increase financial aid for middle-class students and cultivate diversity among faculty and students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/13/TXTfenves-Richmond002.jpg)
![University of Texas at Austin President Greg Fenves talks with attendees after his state of the university address on Sept. 13, 2016.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Lawmakers Explore Paring Back Free Tuition for Veterans' Kids
State lawmakers on Tuesday explored what should be done about the spiraling costs of a veterans tuition program known as Hazlewood. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/13/2.jpg)
![Among those testifying during a joint committee of the Senate Defense & Veterans' Affairs and Higher Education committees on Sept. 13, 2016.: Michael Cline (left) of the Hobby Center for the Study of Texas at Rice University, Lt. Col. Jim Carney and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Raymund Paredes.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas A&M Won the Game. But Prairie View Won a $450,000 Payout
Prairie View lost 67-0 to Texas A&M University on Saturday, but the defeat helped pay for the school's athletic programs. What will those schools do if those payouts go away? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/12/AM-1.jpg)
![A football match between Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. Texas A&M won 67-0. Prairie View got $450,000 for showing up.]()
Credit: Courtesy, Texas A&M Athletics