College Update – April 2025

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Deadlines and dates | Congratulations! | Save the date

Dean’s Team Updates

Congratulations!

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science Family journals. Fellows of the AAAS are recognized for their academic and administrative achievements geared toward communicating science to the public. The 2024 class of AAAS Fellows includes Dr. Rudy Nayga, Department of Agricultural Economics. Read more at AgriLife Today.
  • Dr. David Anderson, Department of Agricultural Economics, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Agricultural Economics Association. Read more at AgriLife Today.
  • Students and faculty members were honored at the 69th Annual College Convocation on Saturday, April 5. Read more at AgriLife Today.

Dean’s Open Office Hours

  • Dr. Savell and Dr. Klein are holding Dean’s Open Office Hours. Please contact Jill Lee for scheduling or if you have any questions.

Upcoming Deadlines and Dates

Faculty Affairs

  • From the Texas A&M Center for Teaching Excellence:
    • Center for Teaching Excellence has a formal Faculty Mentoring Academy to promote a culture of mentoring within and across Texas A&M University. For more information, visit the center’s page for the faculty mentoring academy.
    • The Center for Teaching Excellence proudly offers resources to empower faculty instruction and to create a more enriching classroom learning environment. Explore diverse topics, including peer feedback and collaboration engagement during lectures and ethical behavior in mentoring. 
  • Texas A&M encourages faculty to elevate the impact of their work by joining colleagues in publishing articles in The Conversation. The format is opinion pieces and requires the expert to have recent, peer-reviewed published research. Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications is happy to work with you to get you connected with the right editors at the right times. Please reach out to AgriLife Marketing and Communications for an introductory and exploratory call to discuss ideas, opportunities and more! Email Laura Muntean if interested.
  • Texas A&M University Faculty Affairs provides ongoing professional development opportunities for faculty at every career stage. Faculty are encouraged to regularly seek new ways to enhance and advance their careers at Texas A&M.
  • Bites & Insights Faculty Development Series: The Bites & Insights Faculty Development Series will continue throughout the spring 2025 semester. Sessions will be held Thursday, April 10, and Wednesday, April 23. Calendar invitations have already been sent to faculty, with more details and a link to RSVP to be provided in advance of each event. Contact Dr. Craig Coates with any questions. 
  • Teaching Community of Practice: Spring 2025 meetings for the Teaching Community of Practice will be held on Thursday, March 27 and Wednesday, April 16. An RSVP will be requested in advance of each event, as lunch will be provided. Interested faculty who have not previously joined the community should complete the online survey and then contact Dr. Craig Coates for more information.

General Academic Affairs

  • LEAD AgriLife: Are you ready to expand your leadership skills or support someone else’s development? Apply or nominate for LEAD AgriLife, an executive leadership development program that focuses on enhancing leadership abilities, building networks, improving problem-solving and leading effective teams. With three in-person sessions, this program prepares participants to drive the future success of Texas A&M AgriLife. Apply or nominate an AgriLife employee today to be part of this impactful experience!
  • The Educational Development and Engagement Instructional Design Consultant team provides comprehensive support for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences courses. Services include full-service accessibility renovation to redesign courses for optimal accessibility, video captioning in partnership with the Disability Resources Office, Canvas troubleshooting assistance and Universal Design for Learning consultation. These efforts have made College courses, including the 12 largest in the University’s Core Curriculum, fully accessible, benefiting over 15,900 students. For more information and resources, please visit the team’s intranet site for the College! If you have a problem accessing the intranet site, please use online instructions to gain access.
  • International Travel Guidance: The Texas A&M System Research Security Office updated the list of countries of concern to mirror the countries in the Governor’s Executive Order GA-48 and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s adversaries list: China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Russia and the Venezuelan political regime of Nicolas Maduro. According to the latest guidance from the Office of General Counsel, Texas A&M AgriLife will not approve new travel requests for professional purposes to these adversarial countries. Personal travel is not impacted at this time.
  • Doctoral Education Program: The Texas A&M University System will sunset the Doctoral Education Program. The program will not accept new participants after Thursday, May 15. All participants accepted into the program by May 15 will continue to receive funding until May 31, 2028.
  • Advancing learning through Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching: The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning at Texas A&M University (CIRTL@TAMU) is facilitating a weekly, Zoom-Local Learning Community for the National-Level Massive Open Online Course. Visit the CIRTL site to learn more. 
  • Libraries Workshops: Various workshops supporting curriculum and research by the University Libraries.
  • Disability Resources Testing Center: Instructors should complete the testing agreement for a student needing testing accommodations as soon as possible and send exams to the testing center at least three days before the exam. Learn more at Texas A&M Disability Resources.
  • Subscribe to the Graduate Advisors Listserv if you are a staff or faculty member working with graduate and professional students, and stay informed.

Student Success and Development

  • Tuesday, April 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Dr. Chris Skaggs, associate vice chancellor for stakeholder relations and associate dean for student development, and Dr. Jenna Kurten, assistant dean for student success, will be co-hosting the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences virtual Industry Professionals Panel webinar. Several industry professionals will join us to discuss needs in the workplace, as well as strategies to land a great job or internship. Please encourage your students to join us. Students should RSVP online to receive the virtual link.
  • Due Wednesday, April 30: Undergraduate business plan competition submissions. The Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School, in collaboration with the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Architecture, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Texas A&M Innovation, has announced a new undergraduate business plan competition. The competition invites teams of undergraduate student founders from universities across the nation to submit business plans that leverage AI to address real-world challenges. Learn more and submit a business plan online by Wednesday, April 30.
  • A Pocket Pantry is available at Suite 109 in Kleberg. It is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays when the university is closed.
    • Ongoing support is provided by the Texas A&M Foundation and a generous donation from Lennox International Inc. The pantry is available for students, faculty and staff in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who are experiencing food insecurity.
    • Visitors interested in using this resource can scan the QR code posted on the entrance and check in with the reception desk. Those with questions, or those needing additional support, please email [email protected]. 
  • Algebra Video Series is a resource for students to ensure they are prepared for their math and statistics courses at Texas A&M. You can explore the Algebra Series online.
  • Mental health support for all students:
    • Texas A&M University Health Services is excited to announce the official launch of its new peer support program, Aggie Peer Connect. Learn more about Aggie Peer Connect and its offerings for Texas A&M students at tx.ag/peerconnect.
    • Around the clock and regardless of location, the TELUS Health Student Support app provides 24/7 access to professional counseling in multiple languages via app, telephone and web, in addition to mental health assessments, a mental health content library and access to virtual fitness sessions — all free and confidential. Also, University Health Services maintains a robust library of mental health-focused self-help content to help students navigate challenges related to anxiety, depression, relationships and more.
    • The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has an embedded licensed professional counselor. Ms. Molly McCann dedicates her time to the wellness of students in AGLS, with an office located at BCBP 103C. Contact her at [email protected] or 979.845.5032.
  • Prospective Student Information Sessions occur weekly on Fridays – students can register for a visit with a recruiter at https://recruiter.tamu.edu/.

Resources for Graduate Students

  • Thursday, April 24. Graduate students are cordially invited to attend the 2025 Graduate and Professional School Awards Ceremony and Reception. At this ceremony, we will honor the Distinguished Dissertation, Montgomery and Graduate Mentoring award winners, as well as GRAD Aggies Certificate earners. The ceremony will be followed by a reception in Rudder Exhibit Hall.
  • Tuesday, April 29: Last day to apply for graduation in May.
  • The Graduate and Professional Student Government, GPSG, is looking for graduate student representatives from your departments to serve in various capacities. Please visit the GPSG website for more information.
  • From the Center for Teaching Excellence:
    • Center for Teaching Excellence English Language Proficiency, CTE-ELP, programs provide training and testing for international students. Current teaching assistants who are not language-certified are required to participate in the CTE-ELP program.
    • Graduate Student Professional Development in Teaching, GSPDT: Take advantage of resources from the Center for Teaching Excellence in collaboration with the Graduate and Professional School. Visit GSPDT to learn more.
  • The University Writing Center hosts the Writing Cafe for graduate students on the first Friday of every month in the Evans Library Grad Lounge, Room 611.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council

Save the Date!

Hullabloom Fest

Saturday, April 26, 9-11 a.m.

Enjoy some refreshments as you stroll through The Gardens and visit educational demonstrations and activity tables. Visitors of all ages can make spring-inspired crafts, learn about all things pollinators and even participate in a butterfly release at 11 a.m.! Come on out for a bloomin’ time in The Gardens!

Visitors will have the opportunity to sign-up to release a butterfly throughout the event at the Butterfly Release sign-up table.

Professional Services Updates

AgriLife Administrative Services

Employee Wellness

  • Resin Jewelry Class
    • Creating art is beneficial for the mind as it fosters creativity and critical thinking, reduces stress, promotes mindfulness and enhances emotional expression. Additionally, the act of creating art can boost self-esteem.
    • In this class on two-part epoxy resin, each attendee will make a pair of earrings or a key chain. Dress appropriately, as draping sleeves or clothes may be ruined by spills.
    • Register online.
  • Mobile mammography event with The Rose.
    • You are eligible if you are a female 35 years or older, have a primary care physician, are due for a mammogram, do not have any breast health symptoms or problems, currently are not pregnant or nursing, and have not been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past two years.
      • Wednesday, May 7, 9 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
      • AGSV, 578 John Kimbrough Blvd., College Station
      • Register online with code TAMUASB.
      • The Rose accepts most insurance policies.
      • Sponsorship programs are available for patients without insurance who meet eligibility requirements. A discounted cash price is available for uninsured patients who do not meet sponsorship requirements.
  • Catapult Health clinics.
    • Catapult Health is offering free onsite preventive health checkups that can lower plan premiums for employees and spouses enrolled in the A&M Care Health Plan with Group ID #039993 (this does not concern retirees, A&M Care J Plan participants and graduate assistants, who receive a lower premium). Completing a Catapult exam and one WebMD One checklist activity by June 30 qualifies for a $30 monthly premium reduction for the next year. The WebMD One platform is accessible online. Covered spouses should register for their own account using the employee’s assigned UIN as the registration ID. Employees can access WebMD One on the Single Sign On (SSO) menu. Learn more at the linked pdf.
    • The following Catapult Health Checkups are by appointment only. Sign up by going to www.virtualcheckup.com/h/tamu. The TVMDL event is limited to AgriLife employees with building access.
      • Monday, April 21, AgriLife TVMDL.
      • Thursday, May 29, AGSV first floor.
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas Webinars
    • Thursday, April 10, 3 p.m. CDT, How Alcohol Affects Health. Register for this webinar to learn how moderate and excessive alcohol consumption affects the body, common myths about alcohol use, and recommended health guidelines for adults of legal drinking age.
    • Tuesday, April 15, 3 p.m. CDT, Stress Less; Live More. In small amounts, stress can help to motivate us, increase productivity and enhance problem solving skills. However, too much stress can be harmful and over time may develop into health problems. Register for this educational class to explore stress and its effects, how to identify triggers, and various strategies and techniques to help manage stress.
    • Thursday, April 17, 3 p.m. CDT, Weaving Wellbeing into Our Lives. Our wellbeing includes five interconnected elements: career, social, financial, physical and community wellbeing. Register for this webinar to learn more about each element and how to enhance overall well-being. 
    • Monday, April 21, 3 p.m. CDT, Well onTarget. Register for this webinar to explore your Blue Cross and Blue Shield everything wellness member portal, Well onTarget. Explore the tools and resources available to you and walk through a live demo highlighting how to create an engaging and motivating personal wellness journey. Finally, learn how to earn and redeem Blue Points for gift cards from over 70 different merchants.
  • Learn to Live April Webinars
    • Friday, April 11, 11 a.m. CDT, When Substance Use Becomes a Concern. Substance use problems impact 1 in 7 people in their lifetime, but only 1 in 10 will ask for help. In the webinar on April 11 at 11 a.m. CDT, explore your relationship with substances and learn how you can take helpful action if you or a loved one is wanting to cut back. Use the access code BETTERME.
    • Tuesday, April 15, 4 p.m. CDT, Managing Stress and Worry. Walk through concepts/exercises to help you manage increased emotional challenges and learn how to recognize signs of stress and take action to reduce negative emotions, restoring a feeling of calmness and improved well-being. Join online and use the access code BETTERME.
    • Wednesday, April 23, noon CDT, Why Do I Care So Much About What They Think? Do you worry about others’ judgement of you too much? Break through your social anxiety and fear of judgement by learning evidence-based strategies to help you live more fully at this webinar. Use the access code BETTERME.
  • TIAA webinars
    • Wednesday, April 16, at 11 a.m. CDT, Planning for Life Milestones.
      • Big events in life can impact your long-term financial well-being. Register for this webinar to look at what you can do to prepare for and manage key milestones if and when they happen to you. 
        • Understand how major life events like marriage, home buying, divorce and the loss of a loved one can impact your long-term financial goals.
        • Handle the financial implications of these milestones without derailing your retirement savings.
        • Manage your finances and your budget during times of transition and grief.
        • Navigate complex, emotional life changes. 
    • Thursday, April 24, 2 p.m. CDT. Navigating the Sandwich Generation: Financial Strategies for the Caregiving Squeeze.
      • Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults are in the “sandwich generation”, caring for aging parents while supporting adult children. Register for this webinar to explore ways to navigate this challenging time. Learn strategies to help you:
        • Prioritize your own financial needs and secure your retirement.
        • Manage the costs of elder care and support adult children.
        • Create a budget to navigate competing financial responsibilities.
        • Evolve your plan over time as life changes.

Professional Development

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AgriLife Information Technology

Windows 10 Support Ending: upgrade or replace devices by October 2025.

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After that date, any device still running Windows 10 will be blocked from Texas A&M University System networks.

Within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 1,272 Windows 10 computers are still in use.

For questions, contact your departmental IT support or email [email protected].

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  • Read the latest news of our faculty, staff and student accomplishments in research, teaching and service at AgriLife Today, the home for Texas A&M AgriLife news and feature stories.
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