SKIP TO PAGE CONTENT

A Long Line of Dreamers and Doers: Original A&M-Central Texas Staffer Remembers When

Above left: In A&M-Central Texas's early years, the former Fairway Middle School gymnaisum served as the university's library, nicknamed "the gymbrary" Right: Stacy Ferrell, celebrating her nearly 25 years at a university that is "really" just 15 years old.


Stacy Ferrell has worked in and around libraries for most of her life, and while she cannot count herself among the ranks of librarians, her work has been and is a labor of love.

She can’t say when it was that her love for reading began, exactly. But she does have vivid memories that reaffirm those moments when she knew that both her love for books, libraries, and the work that happens there would always be an undeniable part of who she is.


Cybersecurity Programs Offer Pathways into Future Careers

Cybersecurity Programs Offer Pathways into Future Careers
At A&M-Central Texas, Center for Cybersecurity Innovation students become future business leaders, faculty, and security professionals needed to maintain the United States’ technological edge in cybersecurity. Learn more about CCI.

Begun in 2017, the Texas A&M University–Central Texas cybersecurity programs have had more than a few things going for them: program graduates remain in high demand locally, state-wide, and nationally thanks in part to faculty and administrative leadership devoted to creating the best possible program.


A&M–Central Texas Celebrates 15 Years in Killeen

A&–Central Texas Celebrates 15 Years in Killeen

Texas A&M University–Central Texas is marking its 15th anniversary through a series of special messages, publications, and social media programs designed to celebrate its first decade-and-a-half and look to future growth and expansion of the state’s only upper-division university.

Although its historical ties date back to the 1970s, A&M–Central Texas was officially chartered as the 11th member of the Texas A&M University System on May 27, 2009. Since then, the university has moved to its existing site off Clear Creek in south Killeen, issued more than 10,000 degrees, and developed a curriculum designed to build a well-educated workforce in Central Texas with degree knowledge and skills valuable to local industry employers. The university continues to grow, adding new degree programs and starting construction on a new building that will further enhance its plans for expansion.


A&M–Central Texas Texas Signs Transfer Compact

A&M–Central Texas Texas Signs Transfer Compact

Above: A&M–Central Texas Interim Provost Dr. Kellie Cude (left) stands with Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Relations Clifton Jones and Director of Recruitment and Enrollment Services Loida González Utley at Alamo College in San Antonio on Friday. The trio was on hand to sign the South & Central Texas Transfer Compact agreement with Alamo Colleges.

Representatives from Texas A&M University–Central Texas spent Friday morning in San Antonio at the Alamo Colleges District to sign the South & Central Texas Transfer Compact agreement.

The agreement signifies a relationship between Alamo Colleges and A&M–Central Texas to enhance the efficiency of transferring from community college to the university.

See degree pathways from Alamo Colleges to A&M-Central Texas.


Former U.S. Army Platoon Sergeant and A&M-Central Texas Alum Earns a Career in Cybersecurity

Former U.S. Army Platoon Sergeant and A&M-Central Texas Alum Earns a Career in Cybersecurity

To hear him tell it, before now-retired U.S. Army staff sergeant and Killeen resident Samuel “Sam” Schmidt, 35, joined the military, he was an average high school kid.

He played offensive tackle for Brentville District High School Tigers in Nokesville, Virginia, graduated, and even did a couple of years doing what a lot of teenage boys only wish they got to do: he was a roadie for a local metal band named Time Lord.

It wasn’t that he was musical, but he had friends who were. And he was built for heavy lifting. At almost six feet tall and muscular, he could do to any heavy equipment what he had lots of experience doing on the football field.


Visiting Scientists Offer a Glimpse into the Future of Data Compression

Visiting Scientists Offer a Glimpse into the Future of Data Compression
Dariusz Puchala, Ph.D. (left) and Kamil Stokfiszewski, Ph.D., from Lodz, Poland, talk about their research involving data compression and artificial intelligence during a presentation at Texas A&M University–Central Texas recently.

With the proliferation of artificial intelligence shaping the modern marketplace, finding models and uses for the technology has become an increasingly important endeavor for computer scientists. Students, faculty and staff at Texas A&M University–Central Texas were treated to a glimpse into research surrounding the field recently by a pair of visiting professors from Poland.

Dariusz Puchala, Ph.D., and Kamil Stokfiszewski, Ph.D., of Lodz University of Technology in Poland specialize in the field of data compression and are working with A&M–Central Texas Assistant Professor Khaldoon Dhou, Ph.D., to develop advanced models of data compression and determine a means by which artificial intelligence platforms can be compressed for use in smaller devices with less computational power.


A&M-Central Texas Counseling Student Awarded National Fellowship


A&M-Central Texas graduate student Leiah Ortiz

A&M-Central Texas graduate student and Nolanville resident Leiah Ortiz has been awarded a prestigious fellowship from The National Board of Certified Counselors – Minority Fellowship Program, a federally-funded program designed to increase the number of counselors working with underserved minority populations. Ortiz is one of 37 fellows selected across the United States for a $10,000 fellowship.

Assistant Professor of Counseling in the College of Education and Human Development, Samantha Airhart-Larraga, Ph.D., said she was overjoyed for her student, who is now almost halfway through the graduate program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.


A&M-Central Texas Business Program Ranked #59 in U.S. News & World Report of Best Online Programs

The Texas A&M University–Central Texas College of Business Administration was ranked 59th by the U.S. News & World Report for best online undergraduate business programs. The updated ranking showed the program moving up nearly 40 spots from its No. 98 ranking a year ago.

Mark White, vice president of marketing at U.S. News & World Report, in the process of confirming the ranking results, rightfully noted, “That’s quite a big jump in one year!”


Regents name Richard Rhodes as president of A&M-Central Texas

Dr. Richard Rhodes has been named president of Texas A&M University-Central Texas, following a formal vote of the Texas A&M University Board of Regents at the regularly scheduled meeting in College Station.

Rhodes has been serving as interim president since October 2023, following his retirement as chancellor of the Austin Community College District in September. As interim of A&M–Central Texas, Rhodes embraced the university’s unique purpose, often praising its undergraduate transfer mission and graduate programs while looking toward the future.


A&M-Central Texas Spring 2024 Enrollment Increases

A&M-Central Texas Spring 2024 Enrollment Increases


A&M-Central Texas is seeing significant increases in enrollment this spring.

The number of students currently enrolled boasts a near 6% increase over last spring, according to data from the Institutional Research office. The current number of students enrolled is 2,239, and the total number of credit hours students are taking has increased by more than 12% to a current total of 21,172 – indicating that more students are taking more classes compared to Spring 2023. University funding is generated by credit hours.


Hundreds receive free meals at downtown Killeen ministry

A&M-Central Texas Recognizes 12 Employees at Convocation

Claudia Rappaport, a social work professor at Texas A&M University-Central Texas grabs some fried chicken to put in a plate. Killeen Daily Herald photo.


With a spread of homestyle food from Cracker Barrel, a social work society from Texas A&M University-Central Texas, members of the Killeen PD’s Homeless Outreach Team and volunteers from Jesus Hope & Love Mission, made sure no one walked away hungry from the Winter Feast on Saturday.

“You just have to think about the fact that there’s a lot of people out there in need,” said Claudia Rappaport, a social work instructor at A&M-Central Texas and head of the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work. “And the appreciation they show for being able to come in and get hot meal and to get whatever they want.


Student Engagement Administrator Finishes his Doctorate

Dr. Paul York, Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Above: Dr. Paul York, Associate Dean of Student Affairs


A few weeks before the Christmas holidays, Paul York, associate dean of student engagement at A&M-Central Texas, was preparing to take one last road trip from Killeen to College Station.

Although he might have enjoyed it, he was not returning to Texas A&M University for a football game, a ring ceremony, or a graduation. What his day would reveal would be the culmination of nine long years of work.


A&M–Central Texas Focusing on ‘New Possible’

In his first convocation at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, Interim President Dr. Richard Rhodes flipped the script from previous years and used the time not to report on the state of the university, but to focus on future outcomes.
Above: Dr. Mark Milliron speaks to a gathering of faculty and staff at Texas A&M University–Central Texas’ spring convocation on Thursday. Milliron spoke on adopting a “new possible” mindset. Classes begin at A&M–Central Texas on Jan. 16.


In his first convocation at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, Interim President Dr. Richard Rhodes flipped the script from previous years and used the time not to report on the state of the university, but to focus on future outcomes.

Held Thursday morning in the Bill Yowell Conference Center on the A&M–Central Texas campus, Rhodes led a student panel discussion designed to impress upon faculty and staff the importance of what they do and who they serve, as well as challenge them to continue focusing on students and improving the student experience.


A&M–Central Texas Hosts 4th Annual Research Park Summit

A&M–Central Texas Hosts 4th Annual Research Park Summit
Above: Trideum Corporation CEO Van Sullivan (second from right) speaks to the audience as part of the afternoon discussion panel focused on technology growth during the 4th annual Forge University Research Park & Innovation Summit at Texas A&M University–Central Texas on Tuesday. Other panel members are: (from left) Centex Technologies President and CEO Abdul Subhani, Chairman of the Board of Tokyo Electron America, Inc., Larry Smith, and President and CEO of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Scott Connell.

City, industry and university leaders gathered to discuss turning opportunities into outcomes at the 4th annual Forge University Research Park & Innovation District Summit on Tuesday. Hosted by Texas A&M University–Central Texas the event focused on creating a collaborative relationship where education and industry come together to find innovative solutions to issues faced by employers in both the private and public sectors.


A&M-Central Texas Leader Named Austinite of the Year by Austin Chamber

A&M-Central Texas Leader Named  Austinite of the Year by Austin Chamber
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and A&M-Central Texas Interim President Richard Rhodes.

Richard Rhodes, interim president at Texas A&M University-Central Texas in Killeen, has been named Austinite of the Year by the Austin Chamber of Commerce for his work leading to the explosive growth of the Austin Community College District. Rhodes was ACC’s longest serving chancellor before retiring this summer and being named interim president of Texas A&M University-Central Texas.


Virtual Advisor