2025 Warrior News
Texas A&M University-Central Texas will provide a venue for a workshop titled “Religion in Southeast Asia: Buddhism and Islam,” aimed at exploring the intersection of ancient religious traditions with contemporary societal challenges, on April 10 in the Bill Yowell Conference Room, starting at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The event is put on by the Asian Studies Development Program (ASDP) which is hosting events throughout the country. The ASDP exists to enhance undergraduate teaching and learning...”
Dr. Christine Jones, associate professor of anthropology at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, is getting noticed for her academic contributions to the field. Jones received word that one of her research articles was selected by the International Journal of Paleopathology (IJPP) for special recognition as a Volume 47 Highlight on Feb. 24.
The IJPP is the official journal of the Paleopathology Association and focuses on “the study and application of methods and techniques for investigating diseases and related conditions from skeletal and soft tissue remains.”
The first humans to paint on cave walls probably didn’t call themselves artists. They weren’t agonizing over brushstroke techniques or debating whether their handprint stencil was too derivative of last season’s Lascaux trend. They were just documenting life—their hunts, their rituals, their weirdly consistent obsession with bison. If anything, they were proto-anthropologists: studying human behavior in real time, trying to make sense of who they were.
Fast-forward to today, and anthropology has become a bit more… official. No longer the exclusive domain of wandering scholars and colonial-era museum hoarders, it’s now a discipline with PhDs, fieldwork grants, and an ever-growing list of ethical concerns. But at its core, anthropology is still about that same ancient impulse: trying to understand ourselves before someone else does it for us.
Texas A&M University-Central Texas will host the 2025 SUSTEX Conference on April 24, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., bringing together sustainability leaders from industry and academia. Expected to draw 100-150 participants—including students, executives, and scholars—the conference is intended to foster real-world sustainability strategies over theoretical discussions that drive progress in Texas and beyond.
Q: What was your experience like applying to the master’s program at A&M–Central Texas?
A: "Phenomenal! The graduate coordinator, Dr. Quiñones, counseled me and sent me on my way with my class schedule faster than I thought possible. I had to stop and ask myself more than once, 'Is this really happening? Am I really moving forward in life and beginning this journey?'"
The glow of his phone screen is the first light in the room. It’s 6:30 a.m., and before the sun has a chance to rise over Killeen, Dr. Abhijit Kumar Nag is already scrolling through his inbox.
Most professors start their day with research, coffee, maybe a morning lecture. Dr. Nag, an Associate Professor in the Subhani Department of Computer Information Systems at Texas A&M University–Central Texas,
starts his day with his student emails...
Before she was even out of high school, Killeen resident, Miranda Castro, 24, acquired the kind of wisdom that no one welcomes. Not the gentle kind that sprouts after seeds of age, experience, faith, and fate are watered with time and the sunlight of understanding. It is the kind of experience wrought from hardship and loss. Castro, a student at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, is entirely composed as she tells her story, abstractly folding and re-folding a Kleenex in her hands as she speaks... This May, she receives her undergraduate degree. No doubt, with her mother’s blessings.
Is Anthropology the Right Path for You?
At some point, everyone asks themselves a version of “What am I even doing?” Maybe it happened during an existential crisis in the cereal aisle, wondering if you actually like granola or if you’ve just been blindly loyal to a brand since childhood.
Maybe it hits when you’re knee-deep in a career you don’t love, questioning how you got there in the first place. What Exactly Would You Be Getting Into?
Q: Why did you choose to enroll in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program at A&M–Central Texas?
A: "What I liked about it was that it wasn’t strictly online. I got to be here to know my teachers and instructors more. My instructors were always available to me, which was really helpful because I got to get to know them a little more, understand what research they were doing, and connect with them. You can tell that all my instructors were very invested in their students and really care about them. I just love them. It’s the best faculty I’ve ever had at any school."
On his first day at Trideum Corporation, Isaias Nuno-Galindo, a software developer intern, walked into the company’s Central Texas office with the same expectations many interns have: sit through onboarding, shadow a few employees, and gradually ease into his role. Instead, he found himself in a team-wide Sprint Review, where his ideas would soon be tested in a real defense technology project. By his fifth month,
he was presenting his own solutions—not to fellow interns, but to full-time engineers...
She spent years in the military, then she had to figure out who she was.
Before she pursued technical writing, before she entered the world of program administration, before she even had the choice to decide what her future looked like, Rachel Pamela Wimbley belonged to the military.
Wimbley’s decision to enlist was a continuation of family legacy.
The rules, the expectations, the relentless structure shaped her before she had the chance to define herself.
he was presenting his own solutions—not to fellow interns, but to full-time engineers.
A&M-Central Texas has set new enrollment records this spring.
The total number of courses being taken is now the highest it has ever been at 23,427 semester credit hours – breaking the previous record set in Spring 2017.
According to the university’s institutional research and effectiveness office, the increase is a 10.6% increase in the one year between 2024 and 2025 and a whopping 24.5% increase in the two years between 2023 to 2025. University funding is generated by credit hours.
A&M-Central Texas faculty gathered last Friday, Feb. 7, to showcase their respective research in a faculty forum sponsored by the university’s faculty senate.
The half-day event included lunch and learn sessions and a series of panel presentations showcasing each of the faculty members’ most recent research in an interactive format designed to highlight their respective areas of expertise and making it accessible to their respective colleagues, staff, and students.
Valentine’s Day is here, and while some are celebrating their soulmate (or scrambling for last-minute gas station flowers), others are swiping left on love and ordering takeout for one. But let’s be honest—finding the one isn’t just about romance. It’s about discovering the thing that makes your heart race, the reason you get up in the morning (besides coffee), and the future that makes you say, “It’s a match.”
That’s right. We’re talking about your passion, your purpose, your academic soulmate. Because if you’re going to spend years pursuing a degree, it should be one you can actually see yourself committing to. So how do you fall in love with your future? Like any great relationship, it starts with curiosity, a little risk, and embracing the unexpected.
Let’s face it, managing time as a graduate student is less about penciling in a few study sessions and more about orchestrating a full-blown circus. Between juggling research, coursework, and the inevitable existential crises, who has time to actually manage time? The Opening Act: Getting Organized Before you can manage time, you need to know where it’s going. It’s like tracking wild animals in the wilderness — only the wild animals are your fleeting moments of productivity. Start by...
Texas A&M University–Central Texas has opened a new Finance Lab, integrating real-time market data, industry-standard software, and collaborative workspaces to prepare students for careers in finance, banking, and financial technology (fintech).
The Finance Lab features Telemet Finance Lab software, TekVok and Mersive technology, and a real-time financial ticker, allowing students to engage with live and historical market data in a hands-on learning environment.
Dr. Mienie Roberts, is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Texas A&M University-Central Texas.
She watches them hesitate. It happens every semester, in every class, with every group of students. The blank stares, the shifting glances, the reluctance to even pick up a pencil. The moment of paralysis before the attempt.
“Most students don’t fail because they’re bad at math,” says Professor Mienie Roberts. “They fail because they’re too scared to even try.”
And so, she waits...
Dr. Michael Dailey, Regents Professor and Chair for the Department of Social Work at Texas A&M University–Central Texas, has published a new book focusing on social work in rural areas.
Released earlier this month, Back Home: Opportunities and Challenges of Social Work with Rural Communities, was published by Oxford University Press and is a collection of readings by leading authors in the field of rural social work. Daley authored six of the chapters and served as co-editor of the book, along with Dr. Peggy Pittman-Munke of Murray State University.
Texas A&M University-Central Texas will continue its Volunteer Tax Assistance Initiative in 2025, offering free tax preparation services to eligible community members. The program will provide tax assistance on Fridays from Feb. 21 to Mar. 13 between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., and from 4-7 p.m. on April 4 and 11. Additional sessions will be held on Saturdays March 29 and April 5 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. All appointments will be held in Founders Hall, Room 313, on the A&M–Central Texas campus.
Under the leadership of Dr. Ran Li, Assistant Professor of Accounting, the program ensures high-quality service from IRS-certified student volunteers trained at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.
The College of Business Administration at Texas A&M University–Central Texas has been ranked No. 54 in the nation for online, undergraduate business programs by the U.S. News & World Report. This marks the second straight year A&M–Central Texas online programs have made a significant jump in the national rankings.
The jump in rankings vaults A&M–Central Texas into the top five schools in the state of Texas. The university is tied for fourth in the state.
From 2023 to 2024, the program vaulted upward in the rankings, moving from No. 98 to No. 59 — a nearly unprecedented jump according to Mark White, U.S. News & World Report vice president of marketing. The upward trajectory is continuing with the 2025 jump to No. 54, a 10% improvement in the rankings.
Dr. Angie Griffin, Assistant Professor of Aviation Science at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, will headline the university’s Faculty Spotlight Series with a presentation on Wednesday, Feb. 5. This free, public event will take place in Bernie Beck Lecture Hall at Founders Hall from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Griffin’s presentation, “Resilience and High-Performing Female Aviators,” delves into the journeys of women aviators, highlighting their perseverance, achievements, and rise in a traditionally male-dominated field. Complimentary refreshments will be available.
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
That saying has been passed around so much it’s practically a career mantra — and for good reason. In today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world, the value of a solid professional network can’t be overstated. Whether you’re looking to climb the ladder in your field or take a leap into something totally new, the people you meet along the way can be just as game changing as the skills you pick up. If you’re considering grad school, this is where it gets exciting...
Killeen resident, Vicki Lynn Cosper Wilson, 59, has always loved music. But she never could have predicted how that love would bless her in her time of need. She knows she leads a charmed life. Three sisters, all close. A harmonious and happy childhood. Three amazing sons. Career. Travel.
One glance at her, and it is obvious: large, piercing azure blue eyes, fiercely chiseled cheekbones, alabaster skin, and an unrelenting smile that suggests she might be somehow lit from within.
These days, she admits, she is more frail than she might normally be, perhaps a bit less muscular, but persistent and strong.
Master’s degree holders earn nearly 20% more annually than their counterparts with bachelor’s degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In response to the increasing demand for higher education, Texas A&M University–Central Texas is expanding its graduate programs to provide students with enhanced knowledge, personal growth opportunities, and accelerated career success.
Students now have access to a growing variety of graduate degrees designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce. Many of these programs feature fully online or hybrid courses to accommodate the demanding schedules of working professionals..
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
