Dear Friends:
Last week, I had the privilege of presenting my quarterly report to the Texas State University System Board of Regents. I’m pleased to share it with you as well, as it reflects the remarkable progress we are making together at Texas State University. The full report is available on my website.
TXST has entered a new era defined by distinction, innovation, regional impact, and access and excellence. We are on the cusp of achieving Carnegie R1 status and taking our place among the nation’s premier public research universities. We are advancing research in areas critical to Texas and the nation, including water and the environment, semiconductors, AI and robotics, aging and dementia, and digital humanities. We are building a 10,000-student Round Rock Campus and becoming the defining workforce campus for the Austin-San Antonio corridor. And we intend to become the national model for access and excellence, proving that expanding opportunity and pursuing excellence strengthen one another.
The highlights below offer a glimpse of that future already taking shape across TXST, from research and academics to student success, growth, and athletics. Each reflects the talent, ambition, and commitment of our Bobcat community.
TXST Takes the National Stage
On July 1, our move to the Pac-12 became official, representing a milestone for a university whose academic strength, enrollment growth, research momentum, and competitive excellence have combined to elevate the TXST brand on a national stage. To mark the occasion, TXST launched a coordinated statewide marketing campaign to showcase our academic excellence, research growth, student success, and economic impact.
Leading Texas in Enrollment Growth
In the last four years, TXST has been the fastest growing university in Texas, fueled by five strategic enrollment growth engines: graduate education, the Round Rock Campus, online education, international initiatives, and statewide partnerships.
Expanding TXST Aviation Nationwide
Our aviation program also continued its expansion. Beginning this fall, students will train at nine flight locations across Texas, Arizona, Georgia, and Kansas, with additional locations planned in Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Fort Worth. This growing network allows students to pursue a TXST degree closer to home while helping address the nation's growing demand for aviation professionals.
Accelerating our Research Ambitions
Beginning this fall, research doctoral students holding assistantships will receive tuition scholarships covering up to 21 credit hours annually through the Texas University Fund (TUF). TXST also secured a $3M congressional appropriation through the National Institute of Standards and Technology, with the support of Congressman John Carter, to establish a Gene Sequencing Facility at the Round Rock Campus.
Investing in Our People
At a time when many universities are reducing personnel and delaying investments, TXST is choosing a different path by investing in the people whose talent, ambition, and dedication continue to transform our university. TXST is planning to spend more than $26M in the upcoming fiscal year in new investments supporting faculty and staff members, which is approximately $5M more than last year.
Making History in Texas Gymnastics
TXST announced the first NCAA Division I women's gymnastics program in Texas, with competition scheduled to begin in Spring 2028. Texas produces approximately 25% of the nation's elite gymnastics talent, yet no Division I program has ever existed in the state. This investment creates new opportunities for scholar-athletes while strengthening the university brand. Building on that momentum, TXST named Sarah Brown as the inaugural head coach of the program.
Thank you for the vital role you play in moving TXST forward. I am truly grateful for your partnership and proud of all we are accomplishing together.
Best,
Kelly