2024 Year in Review: The top stories in higher education
In 2024, Texas higher education experienced transformative changes, driven by major legislative actions, strategic funding and bold initiatives to tackle challenges in access, affordability and workforce alignment. With the full implementation of House Bill 8 and increased focus on student success, the state laid the foundation for a brighter future for students and employers alike.
Here are several key articles that capture the year’s biggest stories:
1. New Higher Education Commissioner
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board named Dr. Wynn Rosser as the new Commissioner of Higher Education. Dr. Rosser, formerly the President and CEO of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, has a distinguished background in advancing education in rural East Texas. His previous roles include leadership positions at Texas A&M University and the Greater Texas Foundation. As Commissioner, Dr. Rosser will oversee statewide higher education policies, manage financial aid programs, and drive initiatives to expand access and workforce readiness in Texas.
2. House Bill 8 Implementation
Texas Standard: Community college funding in Texas shifting to focus on student outcomes (January)
The restructuring of Texas’ community college funding model under House Bill 8 marked a historic shift from enrollment-based funding to a focus on student outcomes. The state allocated an additional $683 million to support community colleges, with funding tied to key metrics such as credential completions, successful university transfers and dual credit course sequences completed by high school students. This innovative model aims to better align educational programs with workforce needs and enhance student success.
3. Dual Credit Expansion
Kilgore College in East Texas reported a 36.5% increase in dual credit enrollment, with high school students now forming the majority of its student body. This surge stems from the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program, established under House Bill 8. FAST provides funding to community colleges offering free dual credit courses for low-income high school students, significantly expanding access to college-level coursework.
4. Improving Higher Education Accessibility
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has introduced a “Direct Admissions” tool that allows high school students to determine their eligibility for admission to the state’s public universities before applying. By inputting their class rank, GPA, and standardized test scores into the My Texas Future website, students receive a list of institutions where they qualify for admission. This initiative aims to simplify the college application process and encourage more students to pursue higher education. Thirty-one public universities, including the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University, are participating in this program.
5. Challenges with Redesigned FAFSA
Dallas Morning News: ‘Worse than COVID’: 41% fewer Texas students completed FAFSA this year. (April)
In 2024, the rollout of a redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) caused significant disruptions, leading to a 41% decline in FAFSA completion among Texas high school seniors compared to the previous year. The delayed release of the new form — from its usual October launch to late December — created widespread confusion. Technical glitches further frustrated students and families, hindering timely submission. Educators and advocates have expressed deep concern about the potential impact on college enrollment, as FAFSA completion is critical for accessing financial aid. The challenges posed by the new form have been deemed more disruptive than those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
6. The merger of UTSA and UT Health San Antonio
Texas Tribune: UT San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio will merge into one institution (August)
In August 2024, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the merger of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and UT Health San Antonio, aiming to establish the state’s third-largest public research university by 2025. This integration will unify UTSA’s 35,000 students with UT Health San Antonio’s six health care schools, resulting in annual research expenditures nearing $470 million, positioning the new institution just behind the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University. UTSA President Taylor Eighmy has been appointed to lead the consolidated university, which will encompass six campuses across San Antonio and serve over 40,000 students. The merger seeks to enhance public impact and global competitiveness by combining the strengths of both institutions into a premier academic and research hub for South Texas.