Faculty and Staff Connect at Convocation

Thursday marked the official start of the Spring 2025 long semester at Texas A&M University–Central Texas. Faculty and staff gathered for convocation in the Bill Yowell Conference Center on campus to celebrate excellence, learn about connections, and hear from students.

Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D., president of A&M–Central Texas, officially welcomed those in attendance and started things off with a celebration as staff excellence awards were announced, recognizing staff members who have gone above and beyond through the course of their daily duties.

Is a Graduate Degree Worth It? Breaking Down the ROI

When contemplating a graduate degree, many of us picture two things: the prestige of extra letters after our name (hello, Dr. or M.A.) and the student loans lurking like Voldemort in a Harry Potter sequel. But is the journey up this academic mountain worth it? Let’s crunch the numbers, sprinkle in some real talk, and figure out if the return on investment (ROI) of grad school is more “winning the lottery” or “broke and boujee.”

Air Force Academy Professor to Speak at A&M–Central Texas Convocation

Texas A&M University–Central Texas will officially kick off the Spring 2025 term with Convocation on Thursday, Jan. 16, with special guest speaker Kimberly S. Dickman, Ed.D. Faculty and staff will gather for the bi-annual start of term at 9 a.m. in the Bill Yowell Conference Center on campus.

Dr. Dickman is a legacy alum of A&M–Central Texas, graduating from the University of Central Texas in 1998. She currently serves as an assistant professor in the biology department at the United States Air Force Academy Center for Character and Leadership Development, where she leads the Healthy Relationship Education branch of the Development Division.

Jan. 21-23: Welcome Back Breakfast

Texas A&M University-Central Texas invites students to celebrate the start of the spring semester with a Welcome Back Breakfast at the University Library. This event will take place during the first week of classes, from Jan. 21-23 between 9 a.m.- 11 a.m.

Attendees can enjoy a variety of breakfast foods while reconnecting with the campus community or starting new connections for the semester ahead. Food will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

March 26: Spring 2025 Internship and Career Fair

Texas A&M University–Central Texas invites students, alumni, and community members to its Spring 2025 Internship and Career Fair, an event designed to connect attendees with potential employers and career opportunities. The fair will be held on Wednesday, Mar. 26 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Bill Yowell Conference Center.

A&M-Central Texas Hosts Group Fitness Classes

Texas A&M University-Central Texas invites students, faculty, and staff to participate in its group fitness classes, designed to promote health, wellness, and a sense of community. These classes, held in the Fitness Center Studio in Heritage Hall, encourage participants of all fitness levels to explore various workout styles under the guidance of experienced instructors closer to the event date.

Feb. 19: Spring 2025 Career Readiness Conference

Texas A&M University–Central Texas invites students to the Spring 2025 Career Readiness Conference, a half-day event designed to prepare attendees for professional success. Hosted by the Career and Professional Development Office, this event will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Bernie Beck Lecture Hall in Founders Hall. A virtual attendance option will also be available, with details to be announced closer to the event date.

Stepping In and Helping Out: A&M-Central Texas Counseling Psychology Groups Aid Hurricane Survivors

Above: Dr. Laura Greenlee, an A&M-Central Texas professor working remotely from North Carolina, and Ashley Haisler, a student in the counseling and psychology program, and donated materials for hurricane victoms.

In the last month of the Fall 2024 semester, when most students are focused on studying for final exams, completing assignments, or just wrapping up the last few tasks before their winter break, the last thing on their minds is taking on another project.

Maybe in some places. In fact, maybe in a lot of places. But, for the undergraduate and graduate students in A&M-Central Texas’ Counseling and Psychology department, neither the impending end of semester pileup nor the calendar mattered. What did matter, they say, is that a hurricane had wreaked havoc on communities in North Carolina, families were still in crisis, and they had made up their minds that they wanted to help.

Spearheading the effort was graduate student Ashley Haisler, who approached the student organizations in the department with her plan.

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Beloved people, exciting scholars, and community events were all part of our most-read news stories of 2024, focusing on A&M-Central Texas' past, its present, and its exciting transition to the future.