A&M University-Victoria News

As the new academic year approaches, and the University of Houston-Victoria prepares to shift into Texas A&M University-Victoria, the university has planned two weeks of activities to welcome its students to the new year and into the Texas A&M University System.

At a fish farming facility on the Texas coast, volunteer tour guide Ed Stiles led a group of students through a behind-the-scenes look at the efforts to restore local fish populations. The trip and several others made this past school year were made possible through a $79,000 grant from Alcoa Foundation awarded last year, which has been administered by the University of Houston-Victoria, to primarily fund field trips for local area students in an effort to increase interest in the environment and science.

Tamera “Tammy” Steele has been named the incoming president of the University of Houston-Victoria’s Staff Council for the 2025-2026 academic year with her term effective on Aug. 1.

On Sept. 1, Victoria’s university will officially become Texas A&M University-Victoria, and the university plans to kick off the new academic year with a community-wide celebration in downtown Victoria.

Jag Fest will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 4 in DeLeon Plaza. The open-air festival will be a celebration of the university’s new identity, the start of the new academic year and a way to connect with the community and region it serves. The event is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to wear red to show their support for the university.

Last week, Move-In Day marked the beginning for numerous students, their families and also the university, which recently transitioned from the University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M University-Victoria.

Victoria’s university has started a new chapter as Texas A&M University-Victoria, and the university is proud to announce that the rebranded, most recent issue of the university’s magazine is here.

Texas A&M University-Victoria Seventy-Three is the university’s official campus magazine. Previously known as UHV Magazine, the publication was renamed to recognize the university’s founding in 1973 while celebrating the new campus identity as part of The Texas A&M University System.

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill in 2020, John Pierre, an alumnus of Texas A&M University-Victoria, found himself at a pivotal crossroads, both professionally and personally.

When it comes to leadership, Jim Nelson believes in rolling up his sleeves and leading by example.

Nelson, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for The Texas A&M University System, was recently appointed the interim president for Texas A&M University-Victoria, formerly known as the University of Houston-Victoria. He will remain the interim president through the fall semester as the Texas A&M System searches for a permanent president for the university.

Dear Victoria Community,

On behalf of myself and the entirety of Texas A&M University-Victoria, I want to thank you for the phenomenal support you have provided us.

Dressed in his nightgown with matching red sneakers, jax the Jaguar was the center of attention with a children’s book in hand as he worked with his handler to read to a crowd full of students at the Victoria Public Library. Last Thursday, jaX attended the event as part of a series of “Stuffy Sleepover Storytime” events held by the Victoria Public Library to bring together children, parents and the community for a memorable morning of stories, fun and learning.

Texas A&M University-Victoria is set to welcome students and their families for its annual Family Weekend that brings together the campus community for a celebration of school spirit, family and local partnerships.

During the summer, as Texas A&M University-Victoria prepared for the transition into the Texas A&M University System, 20 faculty members received a personal welcome into the system during the second annual faculty retreat.

Texas A&M University-Victoria is inviting students, faculty, staff and the public to Professor Talks, a lecture series planned intermittently from September through mid-November.

Dissatisfied with public speaking textbooks on the market, Mark Ward Sr., a communication professor at Texas A&M University-Victoria, wrote his own. Now Ward’s book has been honored by the National Communication Association as the recipient of its 2025 Distinguished Textbook Award.

Texas A&M University-Victoria is participating in the statewide Free College Application Week, running from Oct. 13 to 19, in an effort to make higher education more accessible.

Community business and nonprofit leaders recently gathered at Texas A&M University-Victoria and made connections with university business students.

Texas A&M University-Victoria has been selected to join the Google AI for Education Accelerator Program, an initiative that looks to bring cutting-edge artificial intelligence resources and training to its students, faculty and staff at no cost.

This year’s Martín De León Symposium on the Humanities will showcase the important contributions that immigrants have made in the region’s history.

When Ariana Briones was preparing to start her junior year at Texas A&M University-Victoria, she was looking at the possibility of getting student loans to cover her housing costs. Then she received a surprise that changed everything.

Briones, of LaMarque, is the latest recipient of the College of Business Friends’ Residential Scholarship. The scholarship will cover her room and board expenses on campus during the academic year.

Wells Fargo Advisors has committed $25,000 to Texas A&M University-Victoria in an effort to create stronger financial literacy and to provide career opportunities for its students.

Texas A&M University-Victoria is set to soar to new heights as it prepares to host Aviation Day at the Airport, a community-centered event aimed at introducing the university’s new aviation degree program and showcasing career pathways in the aviation industry.

As Veterans Day approaches, Texas A&M University-Victoria is planning to host a celebration to honor veterans in the community’s education organizations and others across the region.

The third annual Patriot Palooza will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the lobby of University South, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St.

A partnership between Texas A&M University-Victoria, Spring Branch Independent School District and Houston City College is changing the landscape for teacher training in Texas.

The College of Business at Texas A&M University-Victoria is set to welcome local business leader Brian Billingsley as part of the Fall 2025 Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series.

Texas A&M University-Victoria will continue to expand opportunities for area youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics thanks to a new $50,000 commitment from Alcoa Foundation.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and Texas A&M University-Victoria is preparing for its first Giving Day as a member of The Texas A&M University System.

This year’s national Giving Day is Dec. 2, and the university is kicking off its 10^th annual campaign to raise funds to support scholarships and other funds that will promote higher education in the region. The 24-hour-long campaign will open at midnight and continue until 11:59 p.m.

Neesha Hosein knew at 11 years old that she wanted to be a novelist and storyteller, but her family persuaded her to follow a more “practical” career path. Now, she’s finally taking steps to fulfill her lifelong dream by pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Texas A&M University-Victoria.

Standing on the threshold of a major career milestone, Andy Kaeppeli is ready to turn years of international experience, collegiate athletics and academic excellence into the next big step of his journey.

Texas A&M University-Victoria is excited as faculty and staff prepare to welcome the next generation of Jaguars for the newly rebranded Preview Day, formerly known as Jaguar Day, this coming December.

More than 100 students from high schools across the Crossroads gathered at Texas A&M University-Victoria Thursday as part of a Region 3 initiative to encourage students to pursue careers in education.

Mark Ward Sr., a professor of communication at Texas A&M University-Victoria, has been honored by the Religious Communication Association for his theoretical contributions to speech communication research. 

Ashleigh Rosario knows the value of being a lifelong learner, so when she wanted to sharpen her skills in her career, she chose to pursue a master’s degree at Texas A&M University-Victoria.

Kaitlyn Sanchez and Christa Lara were named this semester's Outstanding students in the College of Education & Health Professions.

Brooke Spitzenberger and Mohini Gohel were named this semester's Outstanding students in the College of Natural & Applied Science. 

Giving Day was a day filled with generosity and support for higher education as supporters of Texas A&M University-Victoria raised more than $80,000 for the university’s initiatives, especially scholarships.

Texas A&M University-Victoria will host four commencement ceremonies to celebrate the fall 2025 graduation class over the course of two days.

Future generations of students at Texas A&M University-Victoria will soon benefit from the generosity and vision of two pillars of the Crossroads community, Dr. Robert E. “Buddy” Lee and Jerra Odum Lee.

Braxton Rokyta, a freshman at Texas A&M University-Victoria, recently took home the top prize at the 12^th Annual Tropical Memorial Shoot in Corpus Christi competing as part of the A&M-Victoria Trap & Skeet Shooting Club.

On the cusp of graduating from Texas A&M University-Victoria, Emily Hobbs was thrilled beyond words when she received news that her six-member team, after months of navigating the complexities of a group project, took home first place in this semester’s College of Business Bachelor of Business Administration Case Conference.

When Michaela Pate walks the stage this weekend during the commencement ceremonies for Texas A&M University-Victoria, it will be the culmination of a journey that was interrupted by the pandemic and her first step toward a career dedicated to caring for others.

Kicking off the new year, Texas A&M University-Victoria will be hosting its Super Saturday event in an effort to support student success and to get them ready for the Spring term.