Top Ten Moments: June 2024

Paul Solman, business and economics correspondent for PBS NewsHour, visited the San Marcos Campus to talk about some of the things we’re doing to make a four-year degree possible for Texans, including remaining test optional. Click the image to watch the segment.

Do you feel the need for speed? We’re partnering with Coast Flight Training, Texas Aviation Partners and the City of San Marcos to offer an aviation science degree. This will address the national pilot shortage by creating a pathway for professional pilot licensure starting this fall.

The summer sun didn’t stop us from celebrating at Spring Lake for The Meadows Center receiving a $500,000 federal grant to help protect Texas water. With this funding, we will study how climate change affects contamination along Texas beaches. Thanks Congressman Greg Casar for learning about our research and for your advocacy.

I’m so proud of the strides we’ve taken to get our Musical Theatre Program to the next level. That work is paying off, and people are noticing. “The Hollywood Reporter" just named us as a top 25 drama school in the world. We’ve produced so many talented alumni, including the actors we recently saw perform on Broadway.

Cougars and Bobcats are working together in North Texas to create the new Collin College Academic Alliance. This new opportunity allows students to co-enroll and earn a bachelor’s degree while saving thousands of dollars in tuition. This is a win-win!

Not only did our 125th anniversary trip to D.C. include visiting with alumni who live along the beltway, but we also met with McCoy College of Business master’s of accountancy students enjoying an immersive learning experience and tours of local attractions.

Brooks Hull, Travis Comer, and I enjoyed spending the day with two successful alumni in El Paso— Don Flores and Richard Castro. These two men have accomplished so much after they graduated from TXST and it’s very inspiring.

Lots of fun was had gathering with the Sun Belt Conference CEOs before our meeting. I loved learning about their lives and the challenges they face. It’s nice knowing we all root for each other’s teams in non-conference competitions.

The June version of “Coffee with Kelly” was a great chance to hear from several of our staff members and their challenges, hopes, aspirations, and concerns. They are a major part of what makes TXST so special.

Inspired by the words in our alma mater, we began our Deeds of Valor monthly recognition program for faculty and staff members this year. Our June honoree is Amy Beck, director of the University Advising Center.