Celebrating Spring and Summer Success! | |
From Dean Bigham:
With summer winding down and fall rapidly approaching, I hope you have been able to rest, recharge, and regroup. There is an excitement that comes with a new academic year. It is an opportunity to reset and restart. Such is the case with our college newsletter. We have subscribed to Constant Contact for widespread distribution. Thus, it will serve the dual purpose of not only disseminating information but also recruiting. This edition is only going to you, our valued faculty and staff, and we are requesting feedback and critique. We want it to be the best it can be in service to the college (faculty, staff, and students), our constituents in the Texas panhandle area, and beyond.
Feedback and critique shared document
| | | Congratulations, Graduates! | | Congratulations, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorial Graduates! | |
It is with great pride and recognition that we celebrate our TBRCOESS graduates in earning their respective academic degrees. Through course learning, internships, practicums, clinical experiences, research, and service, they have proven their professional knowledge and abilities.
Appreciation to Faculty and Staff for your dedication and commitment to these students in developing their knowledge and success. Thank you!
473
The Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences awarded
473 degrees from August 2024 - May 2025.
Read WT Student Graduation and Dean's Lists
Read more on TBRCOESS Graduation at Amarillo.com
| | WTAMU Announces BIG Region 16 Initiative | | Empowering Educators Across the Panhandle | | |
West Texas A&M University is proud to offer the WT Educators Excellence Initiative, beginning second summer 2025 session or fall 2025 courses, providing a 50-percent tuition and mandatory fee reduction for eligible educators in the Texas Panhandle Region 16 Education Service Center area.
Read More on the Story Here
| | Outstanding Faculty and Staff | | Congratulations, Dr. Brandon Bang, on Tenure and Promotion Award | | |
Nine WT faculty members awarded tenure and promotion include Dr. Brandon Bang; Associate Professor of Criminal Justice.
Congratulations, Dr. Bang, on achieving Tenure and Promotion.
Read more on the story here
| | TBRCOESS Recognized Three Faculty for their Contributions in 2024.2025 | | The College honored three outstanding faculty for their contributions | | |
Thank you for your commitment and dedication.
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WTAMU Recognizes Dr. Leigh Green and
Gilbert Antunez with Faculty and Staff Awards
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WTAMU's 2025 Distinguished Innovation in Teaching Award recognized
Dr. Leigh Green, associate professor of school counseling and the counseling program director in the Department of Education. “Leigh’s dedication to students and leadership exemplify the highest standards of excellence in education,” Coneway said.
Gilbert Antunez, associate director of educator preparation and director of placement received the Academic Affairs Staff Excellence Award. “Gilbert works tirelessly to build WT’s education programs, increase student enrollment and enhance the student experience,” said Dr. Betty Coneway.
Read WT Faculty and Staff Award story
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Kassi Gregory, Ph.D., LSSP
Dr. Kassi Gregory was issued her Licensed Psychologist credential. She holds an LSSP, and LP in Texas.
Congratulations, Dr. Gregory.
| | | Hill Institute Unveiled Inaugural Board Members | | |
The Hill Institute was founded in October 2023 following a historic $20 million gift from Cheryl and Alex Fairly, currently the largest family gift for WT’s One West comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Inaugural board members include Dr. Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon and former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; Kriss Cloninger III, the former president of AFLAC Inc.; Lee Crisp, former president of Pepsi MidAmerica, one of the largest privately held Pepsi franchises in the nation; Alex Fairly, chairman of The OccuNet Company; Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition; Dr. Kevin D. Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action for America; and Dr. Walter V. Wendler, WT president.
Read more on the story here
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Currently, four TBRCOESS Professors have been appointed to positions under the aegis
of the Hill Institute
| | Faculty and Student Research | | Advancing Cybersecurity Skills Through Prompt Engineering with ChatGPT | | |
Dr. Brigette Whaley, Associate Professor of Education and Mary Nusrat hosted a virtual presentation titled, "Advancing Cybersecurity Skills Through Prompt Engineering with ChatGPT" for The Women in Cybersecurity Conference (WiCyS) to 248 attendees.
Excellent education spreading around the world.
| | $85,000 in Scholarships Awarded to Political Science and Criminal Justice Students | | |
WT Political Science, Criminal Justice Students Recognized
WT's Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice awarded more than $85,000 in scholarships in a recent year-end celebration, and the department recognized outstanding students for 2024-2025.
- Political Science: Casen Lucas, a senior from Wolfforth; and David Ortega, a senior from Sunray;
- Emergency Management Administration: Joel Chapa, a December graduate from McAllen; and Camden Allen, a senior from Lantana;
- Criminal Justice: Havana Todd, a senior from Lubbock; and
- Master of Public Administration: Andy Kraus, a graduate student from Amarillo.
Read more of the story here
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Social Work Student awarded Prestigious
Hogg Foundation Scholarship Awarded
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Sherika Scotland awarded the Hogg Foundation Scholarship.
Congratulations to master's in social work student Sherika Scotland in being awarded the Hogg Foundation Scholarship. This recognition is well-deserved, and we are confident that Sherika will go on to do incredible work in social work. Her dedication, compassion, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others are truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have on the communities she serves.
Read more of her story here
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Students from the William H. and Joyce Attebury Honors Program celebrated their accomplishments and saluted their advisers during the reception in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center on WT’s Canyon campus.
Congratulations to the following TBRCOESS Attebury Honors students:
- Tiffany Brunelle, a senior criminal justice major
- Brynna Burnett, a senior psychology major
- Isaac Doty, a senior sociology major
- Casen Lucas, a senior political science major
Read more of the story
| | 2025-2026 Rogers LEAD WT Cohort Announced | | |
Allison Sweeney, a junior political science major and David Ortega, a senior political science major will both be spending the spring semester in Washington, DC.
Read more of the story
| | Psychology Supporting Healthy Buffs! | | |
Psychology hosted its second Yoga on the Lawn event
Inviting students from all majors to take a break from their busy schedules and unwind. The event offered a refreshing opportunity to practice yoga, relieve stress, and connect with nature—all while trying something new. Developing Healthy Buffs!
| | Social Work Spring Internship Celebration! | | Alumni Stays Connected through Speaking | | Dr. Justin Richardson spoke to students | | |
Dr. Justin Richardson is an Educator, a WTAMU Alumni, and Founder of Waymaker Leadership Development. He spoke to students in the EPSY 3350 Special Needs course. Dr. Richardson shared about purpose and resiliency. Many students shared personal experiences and how they can keep their purpose as they move into their careers.
Welcome and thank you, Dr. Richardson.
| | Amarillo College Badgers to WTAMU Buffs | | |
Welcome New Buffs!
Badgers2Buffs was a day to celebrate Amarillo College Badgers committing to continue their educational journey as West Texas A&M Buffs.
BIG TBRCOESS welcome to all our incoming Amarillo College Buffs. We are looking forward to having them at WT.
| | "Choose Social Work" Presented to Palo Duro High School Students | |
Social Work Faculty Presented "Choose Social Work" to Palo Duro High School students
The Bachelor in Social Work faculty visited Palo Duro High School and presented "Choose Social Work" to High School students learning about career options offered at WTAMU. The faculty educated students on what Social Work is, where do Social Workers work, and why choose the social work program at WTAMU!
It was an exciting day, and the students were interested in learning about Social Work! We appreciate our community engagement and connections to reach future students!
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Supporting Community Engagement Welcome to WT ...
| | Annual School Board Workshop | | |
WTAMU & TBRCOESS hosted the annual 2025 Spring School Board Workshop. Dr. Barbosa and Dr. Bigham partnered with TASB to coordinate the learning event at WTAMU that brings community school board members and administrators together. Practical sessions to educate and inform school board members and principal administrators are helping to building strong communities.
Read more workshop details here
| | Area High School Counselors Visit WTAMU | | Area high school counselors made the same historic trip up Old Main's steps reminiscent of 1910 education students. TBRCOESS transformed the 2nd floor classrooms into a wonderland of activities that showcased the impactful programs we offer to high school counselors. Highlighting our programs and having fun was the A+ combination. | | |
Educational puzzles and activities created a play zone.
Education Student Honor Organization was also highlighted.
| | Criminal Justice set up their Wanted photo booth and took photos of the counselors. They were placed in custom frames and sent as a thank you gift. | | PSSW activities included students with their research posters, Social Work activities, a slide show, and grip strength testing. | |
BIG thank you to everyone who helped make the event a huge success!
| | WT TBRCOESS Welcomed Region 16 Curriculum Conference | | WTAMU welcomed hundreds of panhandle region 16 education employees for the Region 16 Curriculum Connect Conference. The Graduate School hosted and coordinated the curriculum event which brought school employees from all across Region 16 to educate and inform. They received a warm welcome from the amazing TBRCOESS team. | |
Thank you to everyone who promoted TBRCOESS to conference participants. Way to go Buffs!
Read more about the Region 16 Conference here
| | TBRCOESS Website providing Mental Health Resource Hub | | NSO TBRCOESS Student Meet & Greet | | TBRCOESS's Special Welcome to New Students | |
BIG "Thank you" to everyone who helped support the new special NSO Meet & Greet event. Dean Bigham's personal email encouraged new students to come and meet fellow new students and faculty before they started their NSO activities.
The adventure included a scavenger hunt that resulted in a treasure of swag bag, a super-soft college t-shirt, and a folder of useful information. Starting our new Buffs off strong!
Our appreciation to everyone who has helped with all the NSO activities in all areas, all summer long. We look forward to some extraordinary new students in the fall.
Thank you for extending a warm new student welcome.
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Aug. 8: FACULTY & STUDENTS: WT Deadline for Graduate Degree Candidates to submit final copy of thesis to Dean - 5:00 pm
Aug. 15: FACULTY & STUDENTS; WT 25SU2 Grades Due 9:00am
Aug. 18: WT FACULTY & STAFF; FA25 Convocation
2025 Aug. 18, Monday; 10:00am, Legacy Hall
Aug. 18: WT FACULTY & NEW STUDENTS; TBRCOESS NSO Event
2025 Aug. 18, 1:00pm COESS Welcome, OM 4th Floor
Aug. 20: WT FACULTY; WT Faculty Development
2025 Aug. 20, 9:00am Legacy
Aug. 20: TBRCOESS FACULTY & STAFF Update Lunch Meeting
2025 Aug. 20, 12:00pm-2:00pm, JBK Thunder
Aug. 22: NEW TBRCOESS STUDENTS; TBRCOESS NSO Student Buff Branding Lunch - FAIR DAY!
2025 Aug. 22, 12:00pm, Old Main
Aug. 25: WT FACULTY & STAFF & STUDENTS; FA25 First Class Day
2025 Aug. 25. The Adventure Begins
Sept. 3: WT STUDENTS; Best of the West Student Event
2025 Sept. 3, TBRCOESS Details TBD
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2501 4th Avenue, Old Main 410, Canyon, TX 79016
(806) 651-2600
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