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.
Jessica Priest
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.
Posted in
Higher Education
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.
Posted in
Higher Education
State Sen. Brandon Creighton will be Texas Tech’s next chancellor
The Conroe Republican has authored some of Texas’ major higher education legislation in recent years. He will take over as chancellor once he resigns from the Texas Senate.
Posted in
Health care
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.
Posted in
Higher Education
Jodey Arrington, Brandon Creighton being considered for Texas Tech System’s top job
Arrington represents Lubbock in Congress. Creighton is a longtime state lawmaker.
Posted in
Higher Education
What to know about Texas ending in-state tuition for undocumented students
College access experts urged affected students not to withdraw from school while they assess their options.
Posted in
Economy
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.
Posted in
Higher Education
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.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT System names John Zerwas as chancellor, Jim Davis as UT-Austin president
Both Zerwas and Davis had been serving as interim leaders of the university system and its flagship.
Posted in
Demographics
Fifth Circuit halts West Texas A&M drag show ban as free speech lawsuit continues
In a split decision, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the school’s prohibition on drag performances, finding students are likely to prove it violates the First Amendment.