Highlights from the August 2025 board meeting

Dear TWU Colleagues,

As summer draws to a close, I am pleased to share highlights from the August meeting of the Texas Woman’s University System Board of Regents. The Board’s discussions and decisions continue to reflect our shared commitment to advancing TWU’s mission.

Financial stewardship and legislative updates

The administration reported on outcomes from the 89th Texas Legislature and presented the FY26 operating budget. Key updates include:

State appropriations: TWU will see an annual net increase of about $1 million in state support, reflecting decreases in formula funding and at-risk allocations, but significant gains for special items like women’s health and a statewide resource hub and bridge program for those who have experienced foster care.
Higher Education Fund (HEF): TWU’s HEF allocation increased by about $5M annually, supporting deferred maintenance and capital renewal across campuses.
Budget overview: The FY26 operating budget totals $322M, with 40% from state appropriations, 33% from tuition, and 12% from auxiliaries. About 56% of the budget ($180.5M) is dedicated to compensation.
Strategic investments: Funding will support 23 new faculty lines and investments across critical programs and strategic divisional needs with projected growth.
Grants: The board accepted $2.0M in grants for the April–June quarter of 2025, compared with $3.5M in the same quarter of 2024. Highlights include restoration of an NIH award ($28K) and new grants in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, nursing, and foster care student success.

Enrollment

Summer 2025: TWU enrolled 8,274 students, up from 7,691 in 2024, with semester credit hours increasing 9% (51,039 → 55,863).
Fall 2025 (projected): 15,447 students, with growth concentrated in continuing and new graduate students.
Enrollment growth strategies include new nursing and physical therapy cohorts beginning this fall in Denton, the Dallas and Houston strategic plans for expanding academic offerings, and the provost’s data-informed retention efforts, which are expected to further strengthen continuing student numbers.

Philanthropy & alumni engagement

FY25 commitments: $42.7M from 3,662 gifts, representing 2,150 donors (including 678 new donors).
Campaign progress: The Dream Big campaign stands at $162.9M from nearly 18,000 donors, with more than a year remaining before its culmination at the end of 2026.
Alumni relations: The launch of the TWU Alumni Association has sparked renewed engagement, including a story shared about Dr. Diana Cunningham, a member of the first graduating class of TWU’s College of Nursing in 1958.

Artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives

Provost Bauer reported on TWU’s growing leadership in AI and introduced Dr. Jace Hargis, the new Chief AI Strategist, who will guide the university system’s strategy. TWU is already developing certificate pathways in AI literacy, healthcare, data science, and management, alongside communities of practice and faculty fellows.

In addition, Dr. Daniel Ernst, assistant professor of English, gave a compelling presentation on classroom use of AI that impressed regents—several even joked about requesting their own AI certificate. (Recording of his presentation begins 3-hour-20-mark for Day 1.)

Policy & governance updates

SB 37 compliance: The Faculty Senate revised its bylaws over the summer—well ahead of peer institutions across Texas. The board ratified the bylaws and new members, so we have a working faculty senate at the start of the academic year.
General Education Council: Proposed by Provost Bauer to launch a review of the core curriculum, aligning new state requirements with TWU’s academic innovation agenda.

Faculty & staff recognition

The provost introduced five new academic leaders, and the board conferred emeritus and emerita recognition on Dr. Vicki Baker, professor of music education; Dr. Ling Hwey Jeng, professor and director of library and information sciences (20+ years); and staff members Tonya Gilbeaux (38), Cindy Howell (36), Corin Walker (33), Brenda Bradley (27), Lorie Huslig (21), Dr. Barbara Ben-Ezra (17), and Adelina Spaulding (11).

Athletics

TWU Athletics continues to grow in both scale and academic distinction. The roster expanded from 96 student-athletes in 2019 to 216 in 2025, while the overall GPA stands at an incredible 3.603. Top team GPAs included Basketball at 3.883 and Gymnastics at 3.879—a testament to TWU’s commitment to putting the student in student-athlete.

Dallas and Houston

The board endorsed the final TWU Dallas strategic plan, which emphasizes collaboration rather than competition with Denton and Houston. Dallas will define itself as an urban campus, complementing Denton’s residential and rural outreach identity. President Christopher noted that Dallas’s non-contiguous spaces across the city can enhance visibility and community impact.

Planning will begin in September for TWU Houston’s first strategic plan.

Chancellor’s evaluation and goals

I am grateful for the board’s strong and affirming evaluation of my performance this past year, shared after the closed session.

The board also approved my personal goals for 2025–26 as chancellor. These personal leadership goals are informed by the university’s overall strategic plan and represent the areas where I will concentrate focus in addition to my normal schedule:

Strengthening enrollment through retention, academic expansion, and a refined dual credit strategy
Building institutional capacity and readiness for the responsible use of AI
Culminating the Dream Big campaign in concert with TWU’s 125th anniversary
Deepening systemness through Dallas implementation and the launch of Houston planning
Sustaining my own leadership and professional development

Our progress, as reflected in these highlights, is thanks in no small part to your dedication. I am grateful for the excellence and heart that faculty and staff bring to Texas Woman’s every day. Together, we are building a university and system that is distinctive in its mission and bold in its aspirations.

With a pioneering spirit,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

Page last updated 3:23 PM, August 22, 2025