WT News & Notes | April 2026

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - Here's a roundup of the latest news and accomplishments of West Texas A&M University students, faculty and staff.

Rogers Named Outstanding Counselor Advocate

Elizabeth Rogers, assistant professor of counseling in the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, was presented the Jan Friese Counselor Advocate of the Year for 2025 by the Texas School Counselor Association.

"This was an important one for me because it reflected my advocacy work across all aspects of the school system," Rogers said.

The award recognizes Rogers's outstanding advocacy, leadership and unwavering commitment to the counseling profession and the individuals and communities it serves.

"Dr. Rogers exemplifies what it means to be an advocate, educator, and change-maker, and this recognition is well deserved," said Dr. Betty Coneway, head of the Department of Education and the Dr. Geneva Schaeffer Professor of Education and Social Sciences.

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Hunt Recognized by West Texas Historical Association

Dr. Alex Hunt, director of WT's Center for the Study of the American West, was inducted as a fellow in the West Texas Historical Association.

Hunt, who also is Regents Professor of English and Vincent-Haley Professor of Western Studies in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Ars and Humanities, was recognized at WTHA's annual meeting in April for "his significant contributions to the association, West Texas history, and for mentoring the next generation of scholars." Hunt joins a group of 34 other fellows named since 2008.

Hunt presented research at the WTHA meeting, as did Dr. Paul Clark, professor of history; Dr. Amy Von Lintel, professor of art history; Dr. Brian Ingrassia, associate professor of history; and Dr. Nick Gerlich, the Hickman Professor of Marketing.

Student presenters were Jaydn Jeffries, a graduate student in English from Canyon; Edie Heuss, a graduate student in history from Jacksboro; Rose Lewis, a senior history major from Amarillo; and August Vinson, a senior history major from Amarillo

Also at the meeting, Ingrassia was elected to the WTHA board of directors.

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Business Faculty Present at Texas A&M System Symposium

Dr. Mary Liz Brooks and Dr. Leslie Ramos-Salazar, both of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, were invited panelists at the inaugural Texas A&M University System Chancellor's Faculty Innovation and Impact Symposium.

The symposium is an invitation-only, systemwide celebration of the educators who are redefining what student success looks like across The Texas A&M University System.

Designed as both a celebration event and a collaborative experience, the symposium blended keynotes, faculty panels, innovation showcases, and conversations with System leadership and student voices.

Brooks, the Barbara Petty Professor of Business Communication, presented about WT's successful integration of Coursera certification courses as part of a pilot program.

Ramos-Salazar, the Abdullat Professsor of Business Communication and Decision Making, presented on AI-supported writing and learning.

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Thapa Elected to Agronomy Society Office

Dr. Sushil Thapa, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences in the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, has been elected vice leader of the Semi-Arid Dryland Cropping Systems Community within the American Society of Agronomy.

The election followed a month-long global voting process among ASA members, held from March 2 to April 2. The ASA is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing agricultural research and education worldwide.

Thapa will serve as vice leader through the end of 2026 before moving to community leader in January 2027, a role that will allow him to help guide the direction and priorities of the community.

The appointment reflects continued recognition of faculty expertise and contributions to advancing agricultural research and collaboration at both the national and international levels.

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Thompson Takes Top Honors at Research Fair

Ryann Thompson, instructor of nursing in WT's Laura and Joe Street School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, won first place among graduate poster presenters at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Thompson, who is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at A&M-Corpus Christi, presented her project, "Improving ED to ICU Nurse Patient Transition Communication Using the IMIST-AMBO Framework," on April 24 at the College of Nursing's Student Research Symposium.

Her project proposal focuses on enhancing the quality and consistency of nurse-to-nurse handoff communication during patient transfers from the emergency department to the intensive care unit. Thompson hopes to enhance patient safety through clear communication and clarity through the continuity of care.

Thompson plans to implement her project over the summer.

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Promoting quality, both in education and student work, is a cornerstone of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which raised more than $200 million dollars, the largest such campaign in Texas Panhandle history.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

-WT-