February 2026

Dean's Message:

As we move deeper into the spring semester, I continue to be inspired by the energy, dedication, and excellence that define the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences. February offers a welcome moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the outstanding work happening across our departments, centers, and programs.

This month’s newsletter highlights remarkable accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni — from innovative teaching practices and impactful research to meaningful community partnerships and student success. Each story reflects our shared commitment to preparing future educators, counselors, social scientists, and leaders who will make a difference across the Texas Panhandle and beyond.

February also reminds us of the importance of connection, resilience, and purpose. As we continue navigating a demanding academic year, I encourage faculty, staff, and students to take pride in the work you do and the lives you influence every day. Your passion and professionalism are foundational to our college’s success.

Thank you for all you do to advance the mission of the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences. We endeavor to advance society by preparing professionals to lead, serve, and educate.

Dr. Gary Bigham

TBRCOESS College Growth

College Growth

Following a 4-year decline in student headcount from 2021 to 2025, the following goal was established last spring semester:

TBRCOESS Goal: Increase enrollment in the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences to 2000 (headcount) by AY 2030-31.

Over a 5-year period, this mathematically equates to 80 increased student headcount per year. We are pleased to report that our growth mindset focused on headcount via recruitment and retention efforts has indeed paid dividends. Our spring 2025 to spring 2026 growth exceeded the annual goal two-fold!

Congratulations and many thanks to all who contributed to this initial success on our 5-year goal.

Honoring a Teacher's Legacy

A West Texas A&M University campus landmark dedication was celebrated Jan. 22 with a ribbon-cutting event at the Geneva Schaeffer Education Building (GSEB). The newly renovated, state-of-the-art instructional design facility now stands as a legacy of educational learning that honors an educator.

Geneva Schaeffer (public-school teacher for 17 years) attended the demonstration school through fifth grade in this building and believed the derelict building deserved new life. Dr. Stanley Schaeffer and their three children honored Geneva Schaeffer's educational legacy by donating the $2.5 million naming gift toward the $40 million project. With additional support and leadership from Representative John Smithee and the Texas A&M System, the beautifully renovated, high-tech facility has been reborn into the Geneva Schaeffer Education Building.

With excitement and appreciation, the opening of the updated facility brings a showcase of technological tools that will empower faculty to develop challenging, engaging learning experiences that will motivate students, both on campus and through distance learning. One teacher's legacy now inspires learning to future generations.

Photo: Participants in the ribbon cutting included, from left, Mary Vivian Ivey, student body president; State Rep. John Smithee; WT President Walter V. Wendler; Jerry Schaeffer; Stanley Schaeffer; Jackie Schaeffer Byrnes; and David Schaeffer.

Read the complete WT article here.

TBRCOESS Programs Receive Recognition

Congratulations

The Master in Criminal Justice and Master in Education programs are recognized and ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

Click here to access the U.S. News and World Report University details.

The Master of Public Administration is recognized and ranked #2 by Public Administration and Policy.

Click here to read more on Public Administration and Policy Ranking

MPA Student Spotlight

Meet Master of Public Administration student, Stefanie Rodarte-Suto. After starting her job with the City of Amarillo, she wanted to learn more about public administration and how, as a public servant, she could better serve the citizens of the community. Stefanie sat down with us to talk about her experiences and about our online MPA program.

Recognizing Student's Hard Work

and Dedication to Excellence

Congratulations to Fall 2025 undergraduate students who made the President's and Dean's Lists. The Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences is proud to recognize 104 students on the President's List and 199 students on the Dean's List.

Congratulations to each of these students for their hard work and dedication to excellence. We are proud to recognize your accomplishment.

Read the complete WT story here

See the complete list of students here

Celebrating Ed.D. Graduates and

Their Research

The following students earned the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) in 2025.

Congratulations!

2025 May: Dr. Reena Gonzales; The Perceived Impact of Name, Image, and Likeness on Student-Athletes. (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 May: Dr. Stephanie Jones; The Politicization of Higher Education Philanthropy in the United States: A Modified Delphi Study (Dr. Hindman, Chair)

2025 August: Dr. Kristy Bartlett; Exploring the Impact of Poverty Simulations on Student Empathy Through Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 August: Dr. Tanya Pearson; Transformational Leadership and Higher Education Staff Job Satisfaction (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025.August: Dr. Amy Stewart; Leading Rural School Improvement: Professional Development Challenges, Needs, and Technology-Enhanced Access for Rural School Principals (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 August: Dr. Bobbi Supak; Effective Factors of Onboarding (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Ray Blanco; The Use of Student Interest-Based Choice to Improve School Culture (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Ruth DeAnda; From Awareness to Understanding: Mental Health Knowledge Among First-Generation College Students (Dr. Peeples, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Courtney Holland; Exploring the Influence of Core Beliefs, Experiences, and Motivation on Math Faculty's Engagement with Professional Development Opportunities (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Daniel Keith; Principal Turnover Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Texas Panhandle: A Quasi-Experimental Multi-Method Study (Dr. Hooper, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Lori Mangum; Bridges of Prosperity: A Study on Comprehensive Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Jordon McNutt; Enrollment Trends and Discipline Patterns: A Comparative Student of Texas Public School Districts Experiencing Growth and Decline (Dr. Peeples, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Tana Miller; Using Clifton Strengths for Students Assessment Results to Predict Retention at a Rural 4-Year Public University (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Victoria Salas; A Comparative Analysis of the Degree Attainment of the Title V Recipient and Non-recipient Regional Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Dr. Peeples, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. La'tandra Semiens; Enhancing Student Success: The Impact of Institutional Support Services on Retention and Graduation Rates at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (The Peeples, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Michele Skinner; Do Principal and Self-Reported Evaluations of First Year Teachers Vary by Educational Preparation Pathway? A Retrospective Predictive Study in Texas (Dr. Bigham, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Alison Soeder; Emerging Perspectives and Belonging: A Multimethod Study of First-Generation Student Belonging (Dr. Hooper, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Foluke Sylvester; Factors Influencing Higher Education Institution Employees' Cybersecurity Behavior (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Della Watson; Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Rural-Remote Schools in West Texas (Dr. Harper, Chair)

2025 December: Dr. Amanda Workman-Vickers; The Essence of Identity Limbo: A Phenomenological Investigation of College Athletes' Transition to Non-Athletic Identities (Dr. Spaulding, Chair)

Read the complete list of FA25 graduates here

Two Special WT Faculty

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Kristy Bartlett, Ed.D., LMSW, completed her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in August 2025, marking a significant milestone in her academic and professional journey. A proud alumna of West Texas A&M University, she earned both her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) degrees from WTAMU and currently serves as the MSSW Program Director.

Dr. Bartlett, a Licensed Master Social Worker, is committed to enhancing social work education, fostering student success, and equipping future social workers for meaningful practice.

Ruth DeAnda, Ed.D., MSSW, LBSW, completed her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in December 2025, a testament to her dedication to education and service. A proud alumna of West Texas A&M University, she earned all three of her degrees from WTAMU and currently serves as the Program Director for the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program.

Dr. DeAnda is deeply committed to student success, ethical social work practice, and advancing education through leadership, mentorship, and service to the community.

Our deepest congratulations to both of you!

Thank you for being a part of the WT TBRCOESS faculty. So proud of you.

Social Work - One Degree - 1001 Careers

Social Work remains a growing field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 13% employment growth for social workers between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the 4% projected growth rate for the economy as a whole.

Click here to read more about WT's Social Work program and career options.

TBRCOESS 2025FA Graduation

TBRCOESS.20265FA.Graduation.Inforgraphic

TBRCOESS Celebrates 2025FA Graduation Statistics pdf here

Faculty Research Making a Difference Across the Nation

Dr. Brigette Whaley’s Cell-Phone Research has gained National Attention.

Dr. Whaley's year-long study of a rural Texas high school found that teachers overwhelmingly supported a phone-free classroom policy, reporting fewer distractions, stronger student focus, and a more equitable learning environment.

Dr. Whaley's conducted three recent interviews this month that have been published. The first interview was for Mississippi as lawmakers consider legislation.

https://www.wkyc.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/mississippi-lawmakers-push-bills-to-ban-cellphone-use-in-schools/616-ce6cc8e5-3756-4e53-9faa-1b4cfcceee63

That interview got picked up by 5 more media outlets.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas/articles/2026-01-29/mississippi-lawmakers-push-bills-to-ban-cellphone-use-in-schools

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/mississippi-lawmakers-push-bills-to-ban-cellphone-21322727.php

https://ground.news/article/mississippi-lawmakers-push-bills-to-ban-cellphone-use-in-schools

https://www.weatherforddemocrat.com/ap/state/mississippi-lawmakers-push-bills-to-ban-cellphone-use-in-schools/article_9e3a47bc-eec3-51c6-8543-c30f1e09f2f8.html

https://www.corsicanadailysun.com/national/mississippi-lawmakers-push-bills-to-ban-cellphone-use-in-schools/article_bc5b37a7-3948-5798-99a1-85c6419e8b39.html

Congratulations, Dr. Whaley. Thank you for research that is positively supporting student learning in communities across the nation.

Shanna Peeples, faculty in the Department of Education, presented her research from the Killgore Faculty Research Grant-funded: Writing Our Communities: How Place-Based Stories Transform Student Engagement, at the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA) Annual Conference in Round Rock in January.

This presentation is grounded in a research study that brought together WTAMU teacher candidates and high school students from Palo Duro High School for a five-workshop series exploring local Panhandle history and heritage through place-based writing. Guided by the Hidden Histories Framework, participants created multimodal compositions rooted in local stories, family narratives, and community landmarks. Pre/post surveys showed statistically significant increases in student place attachment, particularly in place identity measures, along with sustained high engagement (4.88–5.0/5.0 across workshops).

This work demonstrated how universities can partner with schools to strengthen both student literacy engagement and teacher preparation pipelines, addressing critical teacher shortages in the Texas Panhandle. The replicable model has already generated interest for multi-site expansion and external grant funding pursuits.

Thank you, and congratulations, Dr. Peeples.

We proudly recognize Dr. Elizabeth Rogers, Assistant Professor of Counseling, who has been honored by the Texas School Counselor Association with the 2025 Rhosine Fleming Award – 2025 Jan Friese Counselor Advocate of the Year Award.

This award recognizes her outstanding advocacy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the counseling profession and the individuals and communities it serves. Dr. Rogers exemplifies what it means to be an advocate, educator, and change-maker, and this recognition is well deserved.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Rogers on this incredible achievement!

Published research by Dr. Dave Rausch and Mrs. Mary Scanlon Rausch

Congratulations to Dr. & Mrs. Rausch on the publication of their research in the November issue of the Oklahoma Politics Journal.

Rausch, John David, and Mary Scanlon Rausch. 2025. “Constitutional Right to Farm Amendments and Oklahoma SQ 777.” Oklahoma Politics 35:1-18.

Congratulations.

The Faculty and Student Research Poster Session and Research Fair will be held on March 5, 2026, at the Cornette Library. Welcome and opening remarks beginning at 11:00 am with posters and presentations until 2:00 p.m.

This event is open to all, and students are strongly encouraged to attend to gain firsthand insight into higher education research and explore the wide range of scholarly work being conducted at WT.

For more information about this event, please visit our Faculty and Student Research Poster Session and Research Fair LibGuide.

Dr. Dave Rausch Attends NCAA Lone Star Conference

The 2026 NCAA Athletic Conference at Washington, DC January 13-16 included information and update sessions for Faculty Athletic Representatives.

Thank you, Dr. Rausch, for your service and support to WT's student athletes.

Center for Learning Disabilities

Upcoming Training

Center for Learning Disabilities Presentation

The WT Center for Learning Disabilities is pleased to have our very own Dr. Shanna Peeples present for our community workshop this coming Monday, February 9, 6:00-7:00pm by Zoom.

Here is the registration link: https://apps.wtamu.edu/forms/cld-workshop.php

WT Alumni Making a Difference in

Our Community

Thank you to these college alumni for their service to our community.

Click here for more information on Career Services

WT Making Career Connections

The Office of Career and Professional Development is hosting the SP26 Career and Internship EXPO. February 19, at First United Bank Center. 10:00am - 2:00 pm.

The Office of Career and Professional Development is the hosting the Educators Expo in Legacy Hall on March 25, 2026 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm to connect students with hiring employers.

There is also a Morning MeetUp Networking Breakfast that same day from 8:00 am - 9:30 am for clinical teachers and school representatives to connect.

Scan the QR code and/or visit the website for more information and to sign up.

Hey Students ...

Free Lunch - Lunch and Learn Information Session for Education Majors on applying for the Charles Butt Scholars Program.

February 19, 2026 in Old Main Room 213. Please sign up.

Awardees of the scholarship can receive between $8,000 and $10,000 annually.

Current Charles Butt scholars will be on hand to offer advice and support and to answer questions about the scholarship application.

Click here for Qualtrics sign up Form

WTAMU EPP/Region 16 SP26 Pilot Tutoring Program

This program offers WT teacher candidates the opportunity to gain valuable field-based experience while supporting academic growth in nearby school districts.

Benefits include a small stipend to assist with transportation and time on site.

For more details and eligibility requirements, please click the QR code.

Priority Deadline for Scholarship Applications has been Extended!

Apply NOW through Feb. 28, 2026 for scholarships.

Click here to access the Scholarship website and apply for scholarships today!

Rogers LEAD WT Accepting Applications

The LEAD WT (Leadership Education and Development) program was created to challenge high achieving students to further develop their leadership potential. Final deadline is February 22, 2026.

Apply Now