Texas A&M University-Texarkana was recently appropriated additional funding that will allow the university to expand academic programs through the university’s Better East Texas Initiative. The Better East Texas (BET) Initiative is an educational strategy designed to specifically address both current and projected needs of the East Texas region. “Texas A&M University-Texarkana understands its impact on and responsibility to Texarkana and the entire East Texas region, and strives to implement academic programs that will make the area an even better place to work and live,” said University President Dr. Emily Cutrer.
“A&M-Texarkana always receives a great deal of support from our local elected officials in Austin. State Representative Gary VanDeaver and State Senator Bryan Hughes are vocal advocates for higher education, and they were both instrumental in our university receiving this additional funding,” Cutrer added. The $3.6 million in funding recently secured through the 86th legislative session will allow for the initial development and offering of five academic programs that respond directly to the area’s educational, workforce, and health needs: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW); Master of Social Work (MSW); Master of Nursing- Advance Practice Nurse/Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP); Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME); Certificate in Paper Engineering.
