Education
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
New degrees slated for 2026 school year Starting in fall 2026, Texas State Univer- sity students will have four new degree options following an August decision from the university system’s Board of Regents. What’s planned? Pranesh Aswath, TXST provost and executive vice president of academic a airs, said in a statement that two of the programs—a Doctorate of Science in Health Science degree, and a Master of Science in Health Informatics—will help form the next generation of educators in the healthcare sector, including nursing, physical therapy, chiropractors and counselors. Two other degrees will be o ered, includ- ing a Master of Science in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering.
Therapy dogs to boost campus mental health Two full-time K9 therapists are learning how to help Texas State University students. The gist University o cials said in a news release that the K9s will provide daily support and crisis response for students. Their two-legged partners will include o cers David Velasco-Martinez and Monique Grijalva. Zooming in University Police Chief Matthew Carmichael issued a statement, saying they are proud to o er this service “in a time when policing is being reimagined.” “Our department is choosing to lead with love, care and compassion,” he said. “We’re not just growing a program, we’re building a lasting leg- acy of compassion-driven policing that places the
TXST launches free autism support Students with autism can receive free support at Texas State University through a recently launched program designer to help students feel seen, supported and empow- ered to succeed, according to a news release. What they o er Services include coaching and workshops dedicated to helping students with skills that promote increased decision-making skills, as well as social communication and self-advocacy. “We hope this program will allow these students to achieve their personal, aca- demic, and post-graduation goals,” Gavin Steiger, director for disability services, said in the release.
Mental health programming centered around nature is expected to launch in fall 2026 at Texas State University.
COURTESY TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Nature-based wellness services in the works Nature-based mental health and well-being options for students are in the works at Texas State University. In a nutshell The university recently joined the Campus Nature R network—a national e ort rooted in
cultivating wellness through nature, according to a news release. The university was also invited to participate in the CNRx Academy, which provides university and college o cials with tools to design the wellness e ort. What else? A team of ve faculty and sta members will combine their knowledge during the 2025-26 school year to design the e ort for students TXST Public Information O cer Jayme Blaschke said the e ort is expected to launch in fall 2026.
Two K9 therapy dogs will o er daily emotional support for students at Texas State University.
COURTESY TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
emotional and mental well-being of our students at the center of what we do.” Stay tuned The program should launch within the current school year, after the K9s complete their training.
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