Media Releases
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THECB Ombudsman Announces Ryan D. Walters as Deputy Director and General Counsel
Contact: communications@highered.texas.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN — The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman announced today that Ryan D. Walters, who previously served as Texas Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy, has joined the office as Deputy Director and General Counsel. “Ryan is a distinguished lawyer and policy…
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Governor Abbott Announces $5 Million In Grants For Psychiatry Fellowships To Advance Mental Healthcare Education Across Texas
(From the Office of Governor Greg Abbott) March 23, 2026, Austin, Texas Governor Greg Abbott today announced $5 million in state grants for the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program, expanding support for mental healthcare across Texas. “Texas remains steadfast in increasing access to mental healthcare across our state,” said Governor Abbott.…
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Texas Begins Work to Help Expand Federal Financial Aid for Short-Term Workforce Training
AUSTIN – Several state agencies will be assisting the U.S. Department of Education in implementing a new Workforce Pell Grant program, which could help Texans apply for federal grant funding to finance short-term workforce training programs. Established by the Trump Administration as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, the new program is a historic expansion of how Pell Grants can be used. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board…
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Texas Armed Services Scholarship Accepting Appointments for 2026–27 Academic Year
AUSTIN – The appointment process is now open for students to receive annual $30,000 scholarships while training to serve in the military. The Texas Armed Services Scholarship offers a unique opportunity for high school seniors headed to college, or students already enrolled in higher education to receive scholarships. To qualify,…
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THECB Ombudsman Launches Website
AUSTIN – The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman has launched a new website, giving the public easy access to file complaints and provide feedback regarding Texas higher education institutions: www.studentsfirst.texas.gov. Brandon L. Simmons, whom Governor Greg Abbott appointed to lead the Office, also began conducting introductory meetings with public university leaders across the state. The newly…
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Higher EDge Conference Boosts Partnerships for Workforce Readiness
Austin, Texas – More than 500 people attended the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s annual conference this week as Texas continues to foster partnerships for student success in every region of the state. The Higher EDge conference was a great opportunity for attendees to discuss programs and ideas on strengthening higher education pathways from workforce certificates to doctoral degrees. More than 60 panelists spoke in sessions on topics specific to this year’s…
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THECB Awards More Than $9 million in Grants for High-Demand Job Training
Austin, Texas – The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has awarded $9.9 million in grants to Texas higher education institutions across the state through the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Grant Program. The grants help public higher education institutions create, redesign, and expand short-term workforce education and training programs in high-demand occupations. “These career and technical education programs are…
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Texas Higher Ed Institutions Recognized for Strengthening Classroom to Workforce Pipeline
Austin, Texas – Six colleges and universities received the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) 2025 Star Awards for their forward-thinking approaches to help students transition from classroom to the workforce. The awards were given in three categories to South Plains College; the University of Texas at San Antonio; Lone Star College; the University…
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Fall Enrollment at Texas Colleges and Universities Sets Record
Austin, Texas – The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) released preliminary numbers today showing more than 1.6 million students enrolled this fall at Texas colleges and universities — an all-time high. The preliminary fall numbers cover undergraduate, graduate, and professional program students enrolled at two-year technical, state, and community…
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Governor Abbott, THECB Announce Free College Application Week
Aug. 29, 2025, Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) today announced Free College Application Week Oct. 13-19, 2025. “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” said Governor Abbott. “During free college…