West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University has recently deepened its partnership with our region’s community colleges and is committed to engaging rural areas with smaller populations. In addition, we are working with business and industry leaders to create more commerce that attracts and retains bright, hardworking people.

To succeed at this from an educational standpoint, WT has encouraged its rural partners to give up the old “2+2” model, where the two-year college would grant the asso ciate degree and then hopefully send their students to the university. Instead, we are “sharing” the students along the way.

WTAMU adds to this by providing the ability for rural students to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees while remaining in their hometowns, keeping their jobs, supporting their families and generally addressing the complexities of life, one step at a time.

The community colleges never stop encouraging and supporting these students, even after completing their two-year degrees.

WTAMU Vice President Dr. Brad Johnson, former president of Northeast Texas Community College, is the tip of the spear in this insightful collaboration.

WT positively engages in the process through advising, financial aid, scholarships and supporting the community college staff. Through their partnership with WT, the community has access to what U.S. News & World Report calls the best online un dergraduate degree in Texas.

The community college staff reduce the feelings of isolation that online students often experience through frequent visits, hosted meetings and personal interest in the students’ progress. This collaboration works in several community college towns across the Panhandle.

Our communities in the Panhandle are working diligently to attract and retain new industries to the region. Thanks to our local mayors, county judges and other leadership groups in industry and commerce, we are doing just that. Our future lies in strong partnerships that make a better way of life for the hardworking people of our region. Partnerships with our constellation of communities will bring those opportunities to the best part of rural Texas, not just send talent to the big cities.

Together, WTAMU—the Panhandle’s University, in partnership with communities and commerce, is powering a productive future.