College Update – July 2025

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Congratulations! | General academic affairs | Save the date

Dean’s Team Updates

Congratulations!

  • Dr. Gabriel Hamer, Department of Entomology, and Dr. Gary Voelker, Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, received Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program awards.
  • The Beef Improvement Federation named Department of Animal Science professors emeriti Dr. Steve Hammack, Dr. Joe Paschal and Dr. Jim Sanders as 2025 recipients of the federation’s Pioneer Award. Dr. Clay Mathis, Department of Animal Science, received the federation’s Continuing Service Award.
  • The American Dairy Science Association, ADSA, has honored Dr. Michael Tomaszewski, visiting professor and AgriLife Extension specialist emeritus in the Department of Animal Science, with the Southern Section Honor Award. Among other ADSA awardees, Natalie Fagundo, Department of Animal Science, took first place for master’s student oral presentation.
  • Dr. Mian Riaz, Department of Food Science and Technology, was named a 2025 Fellow by the American Oil Chemists’ Society.
  • Dr. Timothy Murphy, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, has been inducted into the Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators of The Texas A&M University System.
  • The American Meat Science Association has named Dr. Wes Osburn a 2025 Signal Service Fellow; honored Dr. Rhonda Miller with a Mentor Recognition award; awarded Lauren Lee, a doctoral student, the Student Teaching “Cleaver” Award; and honored undergraduates Nathan Kerth and Madeline Unruh with Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Awards. All the awardees are in the Department of Animal Science.

Dean’s Open Office Hours

  • Dean’s Open Office Hours will resume in August. Please contact Jill Lee if you have any questions.

Upcoming Deadlines and Dates

Faculty Affairs

  • Registration is open for the 2025 Texas Conference on Student Success, Wednesday-Friday, Oct. 29-31, at the University of Texas at Austin campus. Learn more about the conference.
  • 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.

General Academic Affairs

  • From the University Staff Council:
    • Tuesday, July 15, 8:45-9:45 a.m.: Common Grounds Speaker Series: Generative AI and Its Implications for Higher Education, GSC 101A or Zoom.
    • Wednesday, July 16 or Wednesday, July 30: Living Well Treat Yo’ Self Summer Tour: Mark your calendars for employee appreciation events offering treats and swag! Join an event in The Gardens on Wednesday, July 16, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., or the General Services Complex, GSC, on Wednesday, July 30, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
    • Have a suggestion or comment for University Staff Council? Submit your inquiry here. 
    • Have a suggestion specifically for your University Staff Council representative? Email Jamie Norgaard.
  • Fall 2025 College Career Fair: The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council is excited to announce that the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Fall 2025 Career Fair will take place Thursday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., in the Ford Hall of Champions at Kyle Field.
    • This event welcomes more than 100 employers to recruit students from all 15 academic departments in the College. The Student Council encourages you to inform your students about the career fair, as it is a fantastic opportunity for career exploration.
    • Please also save the date for the Spring 2026 AGLS Career Fair, which will be held on Jan. 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bethancourt Ballroom at the Memorial Student Center.
    • If you have any questions, please visit the AGLS Career Fair website or contact the fair organizers at [email protected].
  • 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.
  • Advancing learning through Evidence-Based Undergraduate 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

  • 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 has a 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.
    • 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

  • The University Health Services is offering Mental Health Workshops for graduate students this summer. Learn more.
  • Registration for the Fall Teaching Assistant Institute, TAI, is now open. The fall 2025 TAI will be held in the John R. Blocker Building, Tuesday-Thursday, Aug. 19-21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A make-up session will be offered Saturday, Sept. 13 for those unable to attend an August session.
  • 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. The next cafe will be held Friday, Aug. 1.
  • 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.
  • Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional School resources:
    • Graduate Mentoring Academy: Learn, grow, connect and find support through the Texas A&M Graduate Mentoring Academy.
    • Graduate student travel: Need additional funding support for travel for conferences or research? Check out the available funding at Texas A&M.
    • Contacts at the Graduate and Professional School.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council

  • Fall 2025 College Career Fair: We are excited to announce that the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Fall 2025 Career Fair will take place Thursday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., in the Ford Hall of Champions at Kyle Field.
    • This event welcomes more than 100 employers to recruit students from all 15 academic departments in the College. The Student Council encourages you to inform your students about the career fair, as it is a fantastic opportunity for career exploration.
    • Please also save the date for the Spring 2026 AGLS Career Fair, which will be held on Jan. 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bethancourt Ballroom at the Memorial Student Center.
    • If you have any questions, please visit the AGLS Career Fair website or contact the fair organizers at [email protected].

Save the Date!

Rise and Shine with AGLS

Friday, Aug. 22, 8:30-11 a.m.

On the Friday before the first day of classes, visit the Gardens for specialty coffee, breakfast and networking with student organizations in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

If you are an advisor or affiliated with a student organization that would like to participate by hosting an informational table at Rise and Shine, please contact Tanner Owen or fill out the request form by Wednesday, Aug. 6.

For general information about the event, contact Texas A&M AgriLife Events at 979-314-8031 or at [email protected].

Professional Services Updates

AgriLife Administrative Services

Employee Wellness

  • Open Enrollment
    • The Texas A&M University System Open Enrollment period is July 10-31. Open Enrollment is the time of year when employees can enroll in or make changes to their employer-sponsored health, dental, vision and other benefit elections for the upcoming plan year (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31) without having a Qualifying Life Event. It is also the time to re-enroll in flexible spending accounts. Changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective Sept. 1.
    • Visit the Open Enrollment webpage for more information.  
    • View the Open Enrollment Meeting Schedule to join a virtual or in-person Open Enrollment meeting.
    • The Texas A&M University Open Enrollment Fair will take place Tuesday, July 22, Innovative Learning Classroom Bldg., ILCB, 215 Lamar St., College Station, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Learn to Live Webinars
    • Thursday, July 10, noon CT. Squirrels and Shiny Objects: Addressing Problems with Focus and ADHD. Do you find it hard to pay attention, stay organized, or avoid distractions? Whether or not you have ADHD, these problems can make daily life tough. But there is good news. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help. Join this conversation with the Learn to Live clinical team to explore how CBT can help those living with lack of focus and productivity challenges. The access code is BETTERME.
    • Tuesday, July 15, 11 a.m. CT. Overcoming Obstacles: CBT Strategies for Minority Mental Health. Have you ever felt singled out in a crowd or different from those around you? While we may sometimes feel isolated amid these differences, our variety can add richness to the world. In this webinar, explore how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies can help us reshape our thoughts and actions to build resilience and inner peace. The workshop is open to everyone. The access code is BETTERME.
    • Friday, July 25, noon CT. Everyone is Having Fun in the Sun, Why Don’t I?: Do you experience a pattern of low mood setting in when summertime comes rather than the fun in the sun that others seem to be enjoying? This is sometimes referred to as Reverse SAD. Time spent indoors avoiding heat and humidity, disrupted sleep schedules and late nights could lead to the struggles that those with Reverse SAD often experience. Our clinical team will share research-supported strategies to boost your mood. The access code is BETTERME.
    • Tuesday, July 29, 10 a.m. CT. Resisting the Pressure to be Perfect: Do you ever feel like you’re not quite good enough, no matter how hard you try? When we put high pressure on ourselves and always strive for perfection, it can leave us feeling anxious and stressed. Hear about the impact of perfectionism and gain practical tools to help you move forward with more self-compassion and freedom from the high pressure of perfectionism. The access code is BETTERME.
  • TIAA webinar
    • Wednesday, July 23, 11 a.m. CT: Steps to help secure your income in retirement: A mid-career check-in. Only 34% of nonretirees think their retirement savings plan is currently on track. A check-in at this stage of your career can help you take action now to set yourself up for greater financial security later. In this webinar, you’ll find out how to:
      • Know where you stand.
      • Set financial priorities.
      • Optimize your savings and investments.
      • Make a plan for lifetime income.

Professional Development

Visit AgriLife Administrative Services

AgriLife Educational Development and Engagement

  • Now Available: AgriLife Staff Onboarding. The AgriLife Staff Onboarding training provides a comprehensive overview of The Texas A&M University System, outlines the roles of AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and helps staff locate essential support resources. This is the third course in the AgriLife Onboarding Series. Please complete the AgriLife Orientation training, then the College, AgriLife Research or AgriLife Extension trainings before beginning. 
  • CATIE Summer Trainings. To help support accessibility initiatives across The Texas A&M University System, a Council for Academic Technology and Innovative Education, CATIE, work group is providing training sessions on accessibility tools for all system members. These trainings are free and led by digital instructional material accessibility experts within the Texas A&M University System. These trainings will be offered the third Friday of each month, 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom. Learn more at the attached pdf or click this CATIE Training Zoom link to attend. CATIE Summer Trainings Schedule:
    • Friday, July 18: Ally
    • Friday, Aug. 15: Echo 360/MS Stream

Need assistance regarding digital accessibility? Contact [email protected].

Visit AgriLife EDE

AgriLife Information Technology

  • Domain Retirement. Texas A&M AgriLife Information Technology is working with Texas A&M University to retire the legacy ADS and Customers domains as required by Texas A&M Information Technology. This change will impact many users across the College, particularly in the following departments:
    • Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, ALEC
    • Biochemistry and Biophysics, BCBP
    • Ecology and Conservation Biology, ECCB
    • Entomology, ENTO
    • Food Science and Technology, FSTC
    • Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism, HMGT
    • Nutrition, NUTR
  • Plans are already in place to support classroom and teaching lab computers, and employees in affected units will receive direct guidance. For questions, please contact your department’s IT manager or email [email protected].
  • Reminder: Automatic Windows 11 upgrades are now underway. To maintain a secure and supported computing environment, automatic upgrades to Windows 11 are in progress for eligible Texas A&M AgriLife devices. Beginning this month, upgrades are taking place during normal business hours, which may cause up to a one-hour work interruption.
Visit AgriLife IT

AgriLife Marketing and Communications

  • July Social Media Toolkits. In July’s Social Media Toolkit, you will find Adobe Express templates, messaging, sample alt-text and resources for Independence Day, Be Nice to Bugs Day and World Emoji Day. 
    • Check out the Social Media Toolkits intranet page to access and customize new and old templates for your social media accounts. If you need assistance, feel free to join us during our virtual office hours Friday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. 
  • Training and Development: Branding and Social Media. Our virtual office hours are come-and-go events. Feel free to ask questions about social media, branding or other marketing and communications-related inquiries.
    • For more information and to stay updated on upcoming office hours, training sessions, workshops and tools to effectively manage social media and uphold Texas A&M AgriLife brand standards, visit tx.ag/MarCommTraining. 
Visit AgriLife MarComm

News: Our Mission in Action

  • 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.
Visit AgriLife Today

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