Compiled by Mike Davis, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications.

International and National Media Highlights

San Antonio Express News | December 13, 2023 
Paige Meloni ’91, Chief Financial Officer for Lewisville ISD in Lewisville, Texas, has been named as the sole finalist for the superintendent position for the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, based in Schertz, Texas. Prior to working as CFO in Lewisville, Meloni has held various teaching and administrative roles in secondary education. Per state law, the school board will hold a final vote before the role becomes official.

Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference | December 12, 2023 
Three Austin College student-athletes were selected as All-Sportsmanship honorees by the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Honorees include Justin Ajdukovich ’26 for men’s soccer, Bryanna Cortes-Pinedo ’25 for women’s soccer, and T.J. Folse ’25 for volleyball.

Travel and Tour World | December 13, 2023 
Lily Harris ’22, Event Coordinator at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, has been selected as an emerging leader by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and selected to participate in the “20 in Their Twenties” program for the class of 2024.

TV News Check | December 6, 2023 
Clarice Tinsley, who was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Austin College in 2016, celebrates 45 years of anchoring the KDFW Fox 4 News.

WESB News | December 13, 2023 
Dr. Michael Davila, former Assistant Director of Student Engagement, Enrichment and Development at Austin College, received his Doctor of Education in higher education leadership degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Davila currently serves as the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Dallas and Regional News

The Lufkin Daily News | December 13, 2023 
Izaac DeJesus ’28 of Diboll, Texas, has signed a letter of intent to continue his education and play baseball at Austin College in the fall.

The Wise County Messenger | December 20, 2023 
Abby Mosley ’28 of Decatur, Texas, has signed a letter of intent to continue her education and play softball at Austin College in the fall.

The Paris News | December 24, 2023 
Anna Duvall ’28 of Rivercrest High School in Bogata, Texas, has signed a letter of intent to continue her education and play basketball at Austin College in the fall.

Southern Methodist University | December 14, 2023 
Austin College joins the Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub (TSTH), a consortium of 41 members from private industry, local governments, colleges, universities, tribal communities, and nonprofit organizations designed to enhance semiconductor production over the next decade. TSTH is one of 31 national tech hubs designated by the Biden-Harris Administration who will be given the opportunity to apply for up to $75 million in federal funding to increase national production of semiconductors.

Local Media Highlights

Herald Democrat | December 10, 2023 
Dr. David Griffith, Professor of Business Administration at Austin College, has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub (TSTH), a 41-member consortium working together to apply for up to $75 million in federal funds designated by the United States Economic Development Administration. The TSTH project is focused on enhancing semiconductor and technology industries in the North Texas and Southern Oklahoma geographic region.

Herald Democrat | December 3, 2023 
Austin College students and faculty joined delegates from around the globe at the 2023 United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) from November 28–December 13. Attending delegates participated as official observers in the host city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The annual conference brings nations together to take action toward achieving the world’s collective climate goals as prescribed under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

KXII | December 8, 2023 
Dr. David Griffith, Austin College Professor of Business Administration and Director of Strategic Programs, met with other Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub representatives to discuss plans for the innovative program. He said that the potential grant funds will increase the current foothold, better prepare students, and keep Sherman competitive in the tech industry.

KXII | December 1, 2023 
Austin College Climate Ambassadors attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as official observers. Attendees can witness how climate policies go into effect, as well as discuss the positive changes needed to protect the global climate.

Blogs and Online Media

Austin College | December 6, 2023  
Cheryl Marcelo, M.Ed., Director of International Programs at Austin College, is a recipient of the 2024 Institutional Event and Leadership Development Grant, given to only nine women statewide by the Texas Women in Higher Education (TWHE) group. TWHE grants are designed to support women in higher education in Texas as they pursue opportunities for advancement and professional growth.

North Texas E-News | December 31, 2023  
Henry H. Bucher Jr., Faculty Emeritus in Humanities at Austin College, penned an op-ed piece discussing thoughts on moving closer toward national peace as the 2024 presidential election draws closer.

North Texas E-News | December 9, 2023  
Dr. David Griffith, Austin College business professor and Director of Strategic Programs, has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub (TSTH). Austin College was selected to lead the TSTH Subproject for Texoma Workforce Development centered around the Sherman-based semiconductor corridor. Other local TSTH members are Texas Instruments, Coherent, Global Wafers, Grayson College, Workforce Texoma, Sherman Economic Development Corporation, Texoma Council of Governments, and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

North Texas E-News | December 7, 2023  
Henry H. Bucher Jr., Faculty Emeritus in Humanities at Austin College, penned an op-ed piece discussing what may be needed for peace to end the ongoing battle in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine.

News ‘Roos Can Use

Forbes | December 20, 2023 
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) normally opens on October 1, but has been delayed until December 31, due to changes to the application form. While the delay is not ideal for applicants or institutions, officials say that the overall changes will result in a shorter, simpler, form and more students being eligible for financial aid.

Inside Higher Ed | December 13, 2023 
The House Education and Workforce Committee voted in favor of a bill to expand the Pell Grant program. The new changes will allow funding to be awarded to participants of short-term career programs, which were previously ineligible for this type of funding.