Dear Friends,
We spent time during TXST’s 125th anniversary celebrating our past, and rightfully so. Today, I want to focus on the bold future ahead of us. In 2025, we are making great strides to advance our Hopes & Aspirations High vision to increase enrollment, elevate student success, achieve R1 research status by 2027, grow the Round Rock Campus, and become an employer of choice.
Here is what is ahead:
$675M in Campus Transformations
From cutting-edge academic buildings to world-class student housing, TXST is reshaping its campuses like never before. The largest construction project in our history—Hilltop 2—is set to break ground in July, while new state-of-the-art STEM and athletic facilities will redefine how our students learn and compete.
See what we are building at TXST
Record-Breaking Enrollment Continues
TXST is the university of choice for more students than ever. Enrollment soared to 37,356 this spring, freshman retention is at an all-time high, and Fall 2025 applications are shattering records. Our first Bobcat Day this year on Saturday was the biggest yet. We are on track to welcome our largest freshman class ever in Fall 2025, yet our focus remains on boosting graduations, not just enrollment. I am excited to see tremendous progress being made in student success, with record retention and graduation rates.
Explore our record-breaking growth
Expanding Access: More Options for More Students
We are making a TXST education more accessible, whether through our growing Round Rock Campus, expanded online degree programs, or new community college partnerships. This fall, we also plan to expand into Austin with MBA and MPA programs, giving professionals more ways to advance their careers and raising TXST's visibility in this important market.
Discover how we’re reaching more students
R1 Bound: Research Growth is Soaring
TXST is charging toward R1 status with research expenditures now exceeding $165 million—putting us among the top 20% of universities nationwide. We are doubling our doctoral programs and tackling major challenges in water conservation, AI, semiconductor manufacturing, and public safety.
See how TXST research is making an impact
Texas University Fund (TUF): Surpassing Metrics for Full Funding
TXST is primed to secure up to $70 million in research funding next year—if the Texas legislature expands the Texas University Fund. We have already exceeded the required research benchmarks, and this funding would supercharge our doctoral programs, research labs, and top-tier faculty recruitment.
Find out what this funding means for TXST
Looking Ahead
TXST’s rapid rise is turning heads—including at the Texas Capitol, where I recently joined other university presidents and TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall to outline our record growth and funding priorities before the Senate Committee on Finance. Even as we expand and grow, we remain committed to affordability—TXST’s inflation-adjusted net cost has dropped 23% over the past decade by increasing private and institutional scholarships.
None of this happens without you! Thank you for your continued support and dedication to TXST and our students.
States Up!
Kelly Damphousse
President
