At the urging of Gov. Rick Perry, Texas A&M University-Commerce developed an online degree program that can be completed for less than $10,000. So why doesn’t it want its freshmen to sign up?
Matthew Watkins
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. He is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended Texas A&M University and has spent his entire professional career in Texas journalism, including stints at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined The Texas Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. He has helped guide the Tribune's award-winning journalism that has included coverage of six legislative sessions, multiple election cycles, natural disasters and political scandals. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Posted in
Higher Education
For former state Rep. Dunnam, Baylor is family — and now a legal foe
Jim Dunnam counts 26 Baylor University degrees in his family — and he worked for years on its behalf in the Texas Legislature. Now, he’s suing the school on behalf of 14 women who were sexually assaulted while students.
Posted in
Higher Education
As longtime UNT chancellor departs, inaction on student debt is his lingering worry
Lee Jackson, the retiring University of North Texas System chancellor, had a lot to say during a Tuesday interview about how he plans to stay engaged until the end — and beyond.
Posted inState Government
Texas A&M to host all five living former U.S. presidents for hurricane relief event
Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter will all attend a concert at Texas A&M University’s Reed Arena on Oct. 21.
Posted in
Higher Education
Hey, Texans: What has been your experience with college student housing?
The Texas Tribune wants to explore housing costs and learn how they are affecting college affordability in the state. We need your help.
Posted in
Now on the Books
Major Texas overhaul aims to improve the odds for students who begin college unprepared
In Texas, college students sent to remedial education usually don’t make it far. A new state law that revamps how that education is provided hopes to change that.
Posted in
Higher Education
How Tech’s president juggles free speech and political polarization
Like many of his colleagues across the state, Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec has felt pressure from both sides of the political spectrum. His response is to call for open dialogue between both sides.
Posted in
Politics
Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice: Pulling out of Iran deal would be the “height of folly”
Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice said leaving the Iran nuclear deal would isolate the United States and do nothing to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT fell short of its lofty graduation goal but lifted up its minority students in the process
The University of Texas at Austin set a goal to have 70 percent of its students graduate in four years by 2017. It fell short — but managed to lift up the prospects of its poor and minority students in the process.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT-Austin changes automatic admissions threshold from 7 to 6 percent
Texas students who graduate in the top 6 percent of their high school class will earn automatic admission to the University of Texas at Austin in 2019. Currently, the threshold is 7 percent.
