FALL 2025 New Adventure Begins
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From Dean Bigham:
As signs of a new season begin to fill the air with the arrival of fall and the excitement of new beginnings, I am delighted to welcome students, faculty, staff, and friends of the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences to another promising academic year. Fall is always a time of renewal on campus—whether it’s the energy of students returning to classrooms, the anticipation of football season, or the many academic and co-curricular activities that bring our community together.
This academic year holds great promise for growth, discovery, and achievement. Our faculty continue to inspire through teaching, research, and service, our students are eager to embrace new challenges, and our staff provide the steady support that ensures our success. Together, we look forward to building on traditions, creating new opportunities, and celebrating the many ways our college makes an impact.
Let’s step into this academic year with enthusiasm, collaboration, and purpose. The season is here—let’s make it one to remember.
| | Fun Ways to Start the New School Year | | 2025 New Student Buff Branding Fun Fair Lunch | | The New Student TBRCOESS lunch was a fantastic fair of fun! Corn dogs, cheese sticks, watermelon, and more were served to approximately 100 students. Fair games with faculty included Dr. Bang's popular mug-shot photos, a Take Dr. Farmer's Money challenge, and an Education progression hopscotch. Student Organizations also provided opportunities for connections. A warm welcome to all new students resulted in a fun time for everyone! | | 2025 TBRCOESS Faculty/Staff Annual Fall Meeting was a Full House | | |
This year's annual TBRCOESS Faculty/Staff meeting was a celebration of all the accomplishments of the past year. Good food, celebrating birthdays and faculty accomplishments, with a full agenda of updates. Introductions of new faculty and staff, and engaging fellowship created connections for the year ahead.
Special "thank you" to everyone for all you do to support student success! It was an amazing year, let's make the next one even better.
| | A&M New Chancellor Begins | |
Letter from New Chancellor Glenn Hegar
"Dear Friends,
Today is my first official day as Chancellor, and I want to start by saying how grateful I am for the work each of you do every day — not only to lead your organization but to serve the people of Texas.
You each represent a piece of a larger whole. This System is far more than 11 (soon to be 12) outstanding universities, a health science center, eight state agencies and countless students, faculty, staff and alumni all working together to solve problems, prepare leaders and serve the public good. Your leadership, dedication and commitment to excellence make that possible."
Read More About Chancellor Hegar
Chancellor Hegar's Introduction Video
| | 2025 TBRCOESS Ed.D. Candidate Immersion Experience a Huge Success | | Empowering Educational Leaders | | The 2025 Summer Ed.D. Candidate Immersion Experience is an educational highlight every year for the Ed.D. candidates. The event combines excellent WT faculty teaching and expertise with external professionals who brought innovative and practical education to the doctoral candidates. | | Emergency Management Program Earns R ecognition | | |
WTAMU was selected as one of the best schools for an online bachelor's in emergency management. Congratulations!
OnlineU considered the number of successful program graduates, online enrollment at WTAMU, and other data from your National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) profile to find the best online bachelor's in emergency management degrees. Earning a spot on this list highlights how WTAMU provides a trusted and successful online program for a degree in emergency management.
According to OnlineU, 94% of students would recommend WTAMU's EMA program!
Congratulations!
Link to OnlineU Top Emergency Management Program List
| | Bachelor in Social Work Program Celebrating 50th Anniversary | | |
1975-2025; Join Ruth DeAnda, Social Work Program Director, and the BSW Faculty as they celebrate their 50-year anniversary. A half century of investing in students and professionals to promote human well-being and assisting all people in meeting both their basic and complex needs in all stages of their life.
Honoring 50 years of service education!
Read more about WT's Social Work program here.
| | WT's School Psychology Graduate Program Earns FULL Accreditation! | | |
The WT Graduate program that teaches Specialist in School Psychology earned FULL accreditation from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). This program provides comprehensive training designed to meet the requirements for both state licensure as a School Psychologist and national certification (NCSP).
Congratulations!
Read more about the program here
| | Charles Butt Foundation Partner Story | | |
The first cohort of WTAMU Education students has been selected to receive this exciting opportunity specifically designed to support prospective Texas educators. The Scholar's received their exciting letter. "Congratulations on being awarded the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers."
There is an upcoming Charles Butt Scholar Fall Gathering on Monday, September 8, 2025. The purpose of this Fall Gathering is to give students an opportunity to meet and connect with other WTAMU CBF Scholars, get to know your Program Leads, and learn important information about the Charles Butt Scholarship. The scholar's extraordinary new opportunity begins.
Read more about the Charles F. Butt Foundation here
| | Faculty and Student Research | | Dr. Brigette Whaley's research on cellphones in the classroom has gained state and national attention | | |
Dr. Whaley has been asked to present and share to numerous groups recently regarding her cellphone research.
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) featured Dr. Whaley's Research in their newsletter!
Read the SmartBrief newsletter article here
| | | Center for Learning Disabilities | | 13th Annual Helen Piehl Distinguished Lecture | | Traylor Research Grant Supports Research for Journal Article | |
Dr. Ashley Campbell's Photo Published on the cover of The American Biology Teacher
Beautiful photo and congratulations, Dr. Campbell.
| | An Evening with Margaret Renkl | | Everyone is welcome to join us for An Evening with Margaret Renkl. | | |
The Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences is proud to present:
An Evening with Margaret Renkl.7:00pm Thursday, October 23, 2025. Legacy Hall in the JBK Student Center.
Renkl, an award-winning author and NY Times opinion writer, will discuss seasons of life, and she will inspire you to see the beauty in the world around you. Due to gracious donor sponsorship from Dr. Stanley Shaeffer, The Piehl Family, and Lanna & Bob Hatton, the event is free and open to the public, students and staff. Click the link below to find out more information and free registration.
Read more about the evening here and register your free attendance
| | Welcome New Faculty and Staff | |
Welcome Dr. Krista Favela
Assistant Professor of Education, Director of Instructional Design & Technology Program
Dr. Favela joined the Department of Education in 2025. She received a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from West Texas A&M University and a M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology from Texas Tech University. Dr. Favela has worked as an Instructional Designer in higher education for 17 years prior to being an Assistant Professor.
Welcome Dr. Favela.
Read Dr. Favela's Bio here
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Welcome Dr. Abbie Harriman
Dr Abbie Harriman joined the faculty in the Education Department at WT in 2025. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2025, an M.Ed. in School Counseling from Lamar University in 2013 and completed her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 2025 from Texas Tech University. She also holds a Certificate in Educational Measurement and Mixed Methods Research from Texas Tech University with a specialization in Structural Equation Modeling.
Before pursuing her doctorate, Dr. Harriman dedicated fourteen years to public education, serving in multiple roles, including interventionist, teacher, counselor, and district administrator. She is a Certified School Counselor in the state of Texas.
Welcome to WT, Dr. Harriman.
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Welcome Jose Martinez
Join us in welcoming the newest addition to the TBRCOESS office staff, Jose Martinez. He is the Academic Advisor and Graduation Coordinator for the TBRCOESS programs.
Welcome, Jose.
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Associate Degrees Awarded Spring 2025
61 embedded associate degrees were awarded to students in TBRCOESS programs for Spring 2025. Recognizing and celebrating that milestone accomplishment as students progress toward their bachelor's degrees is encouraging and motivating to continue their professional education.
Congratulations to each of them!
Read more on the Associate Degree program here.
| | WT Students Explore New Cultures on Study Abroad Trip to Peru | |
Two TBRCOESS students experience Peru learning opportunity
“It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Ubaldo Campa, a senior political science major and Spanish minor from Amarillo. “I’ve lived in Amarillo my whole life and every summer it’s been pretty much the same thing, so I wanted to do something different.”
“Faculty-led study abroad programs are important to a student's academic experience because it allows our students to grow into culturally competent leaders that are aware of the global society that exists outside of their day-to-day life,” said Itzel Anett, director of WT’s Study Abroad and Distinguished Scholars programs.
In addition to Campa, participating TBRCOESS student included Daphne Favela, a junior education major from Hereford.
Read full article about the Study Abroad Program here
| | Fall 2025 Starts with Excitement and Learning! | | Education Students are Earning Texas Reading Academies Credentials | | |
Dr. Judy Williams and Dr. Jennifer Denham are teaching EDRD 4320 this semester and in the spring. The photo is cohort three of the Texas reading academies (TRA) at WTAMU. Candidates who take this class will be day-one ready and not have to miss classroom time to attend Texas reading academies when they get out in the field to teach.
Teaching Education Excellence!
| | Highlighting Student Organizations | | Pi Gamma Mu - International Honor Society | | |
Pi Gamma Mu is an international honor society for students of the social sciences. According to the Pi Gamma Mu website, the society "serves the various social science disciplines which seek to understand and explain human behavior and social relationships as well as their related problems and issues. Currently, there are around 150 active chapters in the United States and overseas." Membership is by invitation, usually in the fall semester.
Contact the faculty advisor Dr. Dave Rausch for more information.
Read more about Pi Gamma Mu
Click here to see the full list of TBRCOESS Student Organizations
| | Celebrating Alumni Success! | | Alumni Kurt Ashmore selected as Texas Associate of School Boards (TASB) Finalist | | |
WTAMU Alumni Kurt Ashmore, superintendent at Wellington ISD in Region 16, is one of five finalists statewide selected for the prestigious Superintendent of the Year award by Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).
Mr. Ashmore completed his master's degree and program certification from WTAMU. Putting his excellent leadership skills to practical use, the committee highlighted his high expectations for students and staff, his transparent leadership style and his ability to encourage all students to get involved.
Congratulations, Mr. Ashmore.
Read TASB full story on finalists here
| | Faculty Community Engagement | | Dr. Nicole Kraus, Assistant Professor of Sociology joined an interdisciplinary panel of distinguished faculty for a lunchtime roundtable discussion titled "Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2: A Searing Emotional Journey." | | | |
Sept. 10: FACULTY & STUDENTS: 12th Class Day (Census Day)
Sept. 10: Graduate & Professional School Fair - Click here for schedule
11:30am-1:30pm - JBK Legacy Hall
Sept. 26-28: WT Family Weekend - Click here for schedule
Sept. 29-Oct. 4: ALL; Homecoming Week - Click here for schedule
Oct. 8: FACULTY & STAFF; TBRCOESS Faculty & Staff Annual Meeting with President Wendler
2:00pm-3:00pm Legacy Hall. Snacks available.
Oct. 20: FACULTY: Midterm Grades due for Developmental & Core Courses
Oct. 23: EVERYONE: An Evening with Margaret Renkl
7:00pm - Legacy Hall - Click here for more information and free registration
Oct. 30: FACULTY & STUDENTS; CLD 13th Annual Helen Piehl Distinguished Lecture webinar with special speaker Dr. Sarah Powell. Click here for details and free registration
Oct. 31: FACULTY & STUDENTS: Last Day to Drop or Withdraw w/ X
Nov. 11: ALL; WT & Canyon Veterans Day Celebration:
11:00am @ WT's Veterans Memorial
Nov. 27-28: WT Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 3: ALL; WT Festival of Lights
6:00pm-8:00pm @ Vaughn Pedestrian Mall
Dec. 3: FACULTY & STUDENTS; Last Class Day
Dec. 5: FACULTY & STUDENTS; Deadline for Grad Degree Candidates to Submit Final Copy of Thesis to Dean
Dec. 12-13: ALL; Graduation Ceremony(s) TBD
Dec. 15: FACULTY; Grades Due 9:00am
Dec. 15: FACULTY & STUDENTS: Jan Intersession begins
Dec. 24-Jan. 1: ALL; WT Closed for the Holidays
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