Dean's Message:

As the first hints of spring arrive on our Canyon campus, there is a palpable sense of renewal throughout the college. This season of growth is reflected in the high level of student engagement we see daily, from our physical and virtual classrooms to the impactful work of our student organizations. Whether you are navigating mid-terms or preparing for professional practice, your dedication to your field is what makes this community thrive.

Our commitment to being "regionally responsive" is currently taking center stage through the WT Region 16 Excellence Initiative. This program offers a 50% discount on tuition and mandatory fees for Region 16 school employees and their dependents, providing an accessible path for those pursuing initial post-secondary degrees or advanced graduate studies. Our recruitment efforts are active throughout the Panhandle to ensure our partners and neighbors know that an affordable education is within their reach.

The month of March also serves as a showcase for the incredible accomplishments of our faculty and students. From the insights shared at the annual research poster sessions to the leadership of guest speakers in our classrooms and at upcoming events, we continue to lead vital conversations in our fields. I am continually impressed by the faculty milestones and student-led initiatives that keep the Terry B. Rogers College at the forefront of excellence.

Dr. Gary Bigham

Are you a full-time employee at a Texas Region 16 District School?

This is for you!

West Texas A&M University is proud to offer the WT Region 16 Excellence Initiative, providing a 50-percent tuition and mandatory fee reduction for ALL full-time employees, their spouses, and dependents at all schools within the Region 16 Education Service Center.

Yes, Amarillo ISD employees - this is for you.

Yes, Canyon ISD employees - this is for you.

Yes, White Deer ISD, Wheeler ISD, & Wildorado ISD - this is for you too.

Yes, ALL full-time employees of schools residing in the Region 16 Education Service Center area – this is for you!

WT and the Region 16 school districts have an extraordinary community relationship, and this initiative is for you. WT is providing this unique educational opportunity for all full-time employees, their spouses, and dependents of Region 16 school districts the opportunity to take their education to the next level. The Region 16 Excellence Initiative provides a 50-percent tuition and mandatory fee reduction in cost.

This unique initiative demonstrates WT’s commitment to serving the Panhandle first. By investing in our local school employees, we’re redefining and shaping educational excellence for the entire Panhandle region. Let's aspire to be a premier, highly-educated community.

This is for you, and for all of us.

Click here to read more about the WT Region 16 Excellence Initiative

Hance Albracht, SR., agriculture, Amarillo;

Kendra Arnold, PACE, education, Cameron;

Leidi Avalos, JR., education, Loop;

Gracie Back, JR., math education, Stinnett;

Bayleigh Baker, JR., agriculture education, Buffalo; (photo)

Leslie Bell, SR., early education, Childress;

Evan Blankenship, JR., education, Amarillo;

Lauren Blashill, PACE, general studies, Canyon;

Fisher Boone, SR., music education, Monahans;

Bethany Bradley, JR., agriculture education, Lazbuddie;

Alysia Brewer, PACE, applied arts and sciences, Tulia;

Keely Burkhalter, SR., music education, Hereford;

Hannah Burney, Soph., education, Petty;

Garren Bustamante, SR., education, Amarillo; (Photo)

Micah Cappo, SR., history education, Dalhart;

Emily Carlson, SR., agriculture education, Hereford;

Erica Chavez-Gassett, PACE, applied arts and sciences, Borger;

Conor Christensen, SR., agriculture education, Riverton, Wyoming;

Braxton Cooksey, JR., theater education, Dumas;

Valeria Corralez, JR., education, Friona;

Maddilynn Daniel, SR., agriculture education, Childress;

Macy Davis, JR., education, Dimmitt;

Ludim Diaz Rodriguez, PACE, Spanish, Dimmitt;

Annika Dumaoal, PACE, Amarillo;

Kortney England, JR., English/language arts and reading education, Amarillo;

Madison Flores-Salazar, SR., art education,

Lamesa; Taetem Fox, SR., education, Seguin;

Dustin Furlong, JR., education, Amarillo;

Ashley Garcia, JR., bilingual education, Perryton;

Lauren Garrison, Soph., education, Childress; (photo)

Michael Genera, SR., music education, El Paso;

Jillian Gentile, JR., agriculture education, Winnie;

Grace Gore, SR., education, Canyon;

Ava Haddock, JR., education, Canyon;

Avery Hill, Soph., art education, Odessa;

Jordan Johnson, JR., education, Amarillo;

Chesney Jones, SR., agriculture education, Gilmer;

Kaylie Kashuba, JR., education, Amarillo;

Kenna Klameth, JR., early childhood education, Lubbock;

Crystal Lara, JR., education, Amarillo; and

Lauren Lichtie, Soph., education, Amarillo.

Also, Estella Martinez, SR., education, Amarillo;

Kayla Metzger, Soph., early childhood education, Estancia, New Mexico;

Eleisha Miller, PACE, Amarillo;

Jacey Montgomery, SR., education, Pampa;

Annelise Mora, SR., music education, Burleson;

Alyssa Morales, JR., education, Tulia;

Alyssa Mosley, JR., education, Amarillo;

Arianna Mosqueda, SR., education, Amarillo;

Jazlyn Nava, JR., education, Dumas;

Crimsun Nunn, Soph., education, Amarillo;

Emma Parker, JR., agriculture education, Spearman;

Moriah Pearson, JR., education, Amarillo;

Valeria Perez, SR., bilingual education, Amarillo; (photo)

Adrian Perez, JR., music education, Laredo;

T’mika Powell, SR., education, Tulia;

Hannah Reed, JR., agriculture education, Vernon;

McKenzie Riddle, SR., agriculture education, Trinidad, Colorado;

Aaralyn Rodriguez, JR., early childhood education, Llano;

Noemi Ruiz, SR., education, Amarillo;

Leslie Ruvalcaba, JR., Spanish education, Amarillo;

Samarrae Salazar, JR., education, Plainview;

Arianna Sanchez, SR., sport and exercise science, Gruver;

Natalie Sisneros, JR., education, Amarillo;

Adrian Solis, SR., sports and exercise science, Big Spring;

Luke Southerington, JR., special education, Oldham, England;

Traycee Stewart, Soph., music education, Bowie;

Dalton Tallant, SR., sports and exercise science, Amarillo; (photo)

Camille Thomas, JR., early childhood education, Bridge City;

Diego Tino, Soph., early childhood education, Hereford;

Ashlyn Verner, SR., education, Amarillo;

Jeanelle Walden, SR., education, San Diego, California;

Lily Wambold, Soph., education, Canyon;

Brody White, JR., agriculture education, Farwell;

Brandy Williams, Soph., elementary education, Perryton; and

Corey Zimmerman, JR., agriculture education, Rocky Ford, Colorado.

Stetson Durling; BS. Criminal Justice, Policing

Academic Performance, Leadership, and Upstanding Character

Nomination …

Stetson Durling exemplifies strong academic performance, leadership among peers, and meaningful engagement within the Criminal Justice Program. He has maintained excellent grades in his coursework and major while remaining highly involved in the Criminal Justice Association (CJA), where he actively supports events and contributes to the organization’s positive culture. Known for his sense of humor and ability to connect with others, Stetson makes a conscious effort to build camaraderie among fellow students, particularly veterans at WTAMU, helping recreate the sense of connection many miss after military service. Before beginning his college career, he was a well-known and trusted mobile mechanic in Newport News, Virginia, reflecting the work ethic and dedication he continues to demonstrate today. He is currently pursuing his goal of becoming a police officer and hopes to serve with the Amarillo Police Department. His academic success, involvement in the CJA, and commitment to supporting those around him make him a very deserving recipient of this recognition and an important member of the Criminal Justice family. We are fortunate to have him.

Daniela Patino; BS. Social Work

Academic Performance, Leadership, and Upstanding Character

Nomination ...

Daniela has been dedicated to her studies and ensuring that she delivers quality work. She is attentive to her coursework and has been a top performing student in the classes she has taken with me. Daniela made it to the President's list for the 2025 fall term, and I am so proud of her. She is also one of my advisees and she has been wonderful to work with. 

Richard and Mary Traylor Grant Awardees

Center for Learning Disabilities is pleased to announce the following awardees of the 2025 Richard and Mary West Traylor Grant:

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Convention

The annual convention of The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) in Chicago provided an engaging opportunity for our faculty and students to stay updated on the newest best-practices, and to learn from the professional community and national leaders. An exciting bonus is the wonderful opportunity to reconnect with alumni colleagues. Coming together for the mutual benefit of continued learning and growing in our professional field is encouraging. (photo: Buff alumni, faculty, and students.)

Faculty are working hard to support our growing undergraduate and graduate psychology and specialist in school psychology programs.

Thank you for your attendance and representing WT.

The recent Faculty and Student Research Poster Session and Research Fair was a BIG event for TBRCOESS.

Every year our college faculty and students offer several presentations on their completed and active research projects.

Hours of research and writing drafts goes into every synthesized presentation including the Rausch and Rausch research poster in the photo.

Several WT faculty presented research including Dr. Meg Dejong-Shier, who presented collaborative research with faculty from University of Michigan. (photo)

Numerous TBRCOESS students presented research including two undergraduate psychology students Kyler Ochoa Hernandez and Luisa Martinez Reyes.

The two students are planning to present the poster at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Psychology Association in Frisco, TX at the end of the month. The WT Research Poster Session provides excellent experience prior to the bigger event. (photo)

“From Phonetic to Proficient: Advancing Refugee Parents’ Literacy to Foster Educational Involvement,” will be sent to production for the Spring 2026 issue of the Texas Journal of Literacy Education (TJLE).

This study investigates how Emergent Bilinguals shape refugee parents’ engagement in their children’s education.

Congratulations on the acceptance of your manuscript, Dr. Hwang! We are very proud of your work and wish you continued success in your scholarly work.

Click here to read Dr. Hwang's Article

Click here to read Dr. Hwang's biography

Dr. Hwang serves as the Lanna and Bob Hatton Professor of Education. Click here to read more about the professorship.

Social Work faculty connected with high school students about their future careers

Want to help people? Want to make a difference? Social Work could be a career for you.

Dr. Lydia Miller and instructor Anna Ibarra connected with students from area CISD high schools who are considering their future careers. BSW faculty shared the multiple career opportunities a degree in social work can provide.

Click here for more information on the Social Work Program

Recruitment Event – Canyon ISD

Dr. Bang recently attended a recruitment event hosted by Canyon ISD, which included junior and senior students from three Canyon ISD high schools.

During the event, he engaged with many prospective students, taking “mugshot” photos as part of the Criminal Justice Program’s interactive recruitment initiative and having meaningful conversations with potential future Criminal Justice majors.

EPIC: Exploring Pathways into Careers Fair with Area High School Students

Dr. Bang and the Social Work Faculty attended the EPIC: Exploring Pathways into Careers fair at the Amarillo Civic Center.

The EPIC Career Fair connects employers and universities with approximately 500 high school juniors and seniors from across the Texas Panhandle.

"I met students from Fritch, Palo Duro High School, Dumas, and several other surrounding areas, and had the opportunity to speak with hundreds of prospective Criminal Justice majors about WT and our program," said Dr. Bang.

The Criminal Justice recruitment experience continues to generate strong engagement with great interest from area students. The booth remained consistently busy, with students participating in the interactive mugshot activity, receiving printed stickers, and taking brochures highlighting the Criminal Justice Program.



Click here for more information about the Criminal justice Program

Department of Education's EPP District Discovery Showcase

A BIG thank you to all the education students who came out in professional style with resume's ready to talk to ISD representatives. The Residency Program is meeting a need in school districts and providing financial support and experiences for the student residents, creating a seamless college to career transition.

Lunch and Learn with Dr. Joe Barton

The Criminal Justice Program, in conjunction with the Office of Career and Professional Development, recently welcomed Dr. Joe Barton to campus. Dr. Barton serves as Chief of the Youth Center of the High Plains, a pre- and post-adjudication juvenile facility.

During the event, Chief Barton shared his insights with students about the power of education, seizing opportunities, and giving back to the community. Dr. Barton received his master's degree in psychology at WT in 2006 and worked closely with the late Dr. Tim Atchison.

Officer Brooke Wilson

of the Canyon Police Department spoke to the Criminal Justice Association (CJA) in February. Officer Wilson graduated from WTAMU with a Criminal Justice degree in 2023 and joined the Canyon Police Department shortly after graduation.

Officer Wilson spoke with CJA members about the upcoming CPD Citizens Academy, her experience navigating the hiring process, and her time in the police academy. She also reflected on her experience as a WT student and how her Criminal Justice education has supported her professional development.

SOCI 4351; Sociology of Religion course visited the Laotian Buddhist temple.

"The monks and congregants were very friendly and welcoming to our students and sat with us for over two hours talking.

We had a wonderful and extremely educational visit!" said Dr. Kraus.

Psychology faculty and students chatted, snacked, and played ping pong at the annual Department of Psychology Spring Meet and Greet!

Click here for more information on the Bachelors in Psychology program

Planning to apply to our graduate program? We’re accepting applications for Fall 2026 right now!

Master's in Psychology (MA)

Specialist in School Psychology (SSP)

The Student Social Work Association (SSWA)

is a student-led organization dedicated to empowering future social workers through leadership, service, advocacy, and community engagement.

Our mission is to support students in their academic journey while also preparing them to make meaningful connections and change in the communities they serve.

SSWA provides opportunities for networking and hands-on service. Members participate in outreach efforts, volunteer opportunities, and events that provide community resources while identifying community needs. We strive to embody the core values of the social work profession: service, the dignity and worth of the person, integrity, competence, and the importance of genuine human relationships.

We also create a space for connection and encouragement among social work students. Whether you are just beginning your degree or preparing for practicum, SSWA offers collaboration and a supportive community.

Students interested in advocacy, outreach and community are encouraged to join us as we grow together and serve with purpose and passion.

Dana Hernandez

President, Student Social Work Association

Faculty Advisor is Dr. Meg DeJong-Shier

Click here to read more information on SSWA

Congratulations

TBRCOESS' very own Cindy Grabbe was awarded WT Staff Council February Employee of the Month.

Cindy is a fabulous budget support staff member who works behind the scenes to support the entire college faculty and staff budget and administrative needs.

Congratulations, Cindy. Thank you for all you do!

HR Happenings Spotlight on TBRCOESS faculty Dr. Maxine De Butte

Dr. De Butte is a cherished member of the WTAMU faculty, having contributed to the university for 17 years. Currently, she serves as the Associate Department Head of the Department of Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work (PSSW) and is a Professor of Psychology.

Dr. De Butte finds joy in working at WT, particularly because of the dynamic and motivated student population. She takes pride in her students' dedication to not only excel in their studies but also engage actively in labs and research projects. The welcoming community and overall environment of Canyon have made her feel right at home.

Dr. De Butte's outstanding research on the long-term effects of psychiatric medication on juvenile brains earned her the prestigious Twanna M. Powell Research Award. Additionally, her studies on neuroprotectants like melatonin and estradiol in middle-aged female rats mark significant contributions to the field of biomedical research.

Outside of her academic endeavors, Dr. De Butte enjoys a fulfilling personal life. Her husband is a fellow WT history professor whom she met on campus. Their unique wedding took place in front of the iconic white buffalo statue. Described as friendly, polite, and curious, she lives by the motto, “Work hard and be kind.”

Dr. De Butte's contributions to WT and the broader academic community are invaluable. We are blessed to have her! (Condensed, edited version)

Dr. Maxine De Butte serves as The Dyke Rogers Professor of Psychology. Click here to read more about the professorship.