FUEL

IGNITING PASSION

FOR 125 YEARS

FUEL

INNOVATION

At Texas Woman’s, the heart of innovation beats in its people — and in the

culture the institution creates to support them. That ethos is especially

true in higher education, where research not only drives discovery but

shapes how we learn, lead and ultimately live.

This year, Texas Woman’s University achieved a defining milestone: R2

research status. The recognition affirms what I have long known — that our

faculty and students are building a research culture of consequence, one

fueled by bold curiosity and an appreciation for the far-reaching implications

of even the smallest discoveries.

As a woman-focused public university, we are uniquely positioned to ignite

a fire in those who have not always been invited to tackle the world’s most

complex challenges. In doing so, we bring fresh insight to age-old problems.

Innovation flourishes when new voices are not only heard but empowered.

Texas Woman’s plays a pivotal role in ensuring the future of discovery

reflects the full richness of humanity. As we contribute to an economy of

ideas, we are also poised to lead in research that matters.

This report is a celebration of how we fuel innovation — and a call to go

even further. The future needs what we are building here.

Carine M. Feyten, PhD

Chancellor and President

1

#1

#1

in Texas for students with children

-Intelligent.com

APRIL 6, 1901

At the dawn of the second industrial revolution, the 27th Texas

Legislature in 1901 laid the cornerstone of a bold experiment: the

Girls Industrial College. Designed to educate young women beyond

the genteel confines of finishing schools, its mission was clear — “to

fully prepare girls for the practical industries of the age.”

Rising from the grand prairie region as the “college on the hill,” it

would, over time, become Texas Woman’s University in 1957. Few

could have foreseen that this visionary institution would not only

withstand the vagaries of 125 years but also transcend its origins to

become the nation’s first woman-focused university system — an

enduring testament to purpose, progress and possibility.

#1

in DFW for graduate earnings vs cost

-Dallas Business Journal

#2

in Texas and #6 in nation for campus ethnic diversity

-U.S. News & World Report

#2

for economic mobility of all universities in North Texas

Economic Mobility Index Rank

-thirdway.org

#7

in nation for student experience

-The Wall Street Journal

HIGHLY

RANKED

PROGRAMS

#1

Occupational Therapy Ranked #24 in the country

& #1 in Texas


#2

Physical Therapy Ranked #28 in the country

& #2 in Texas


51%

First Generation Students

#2

MHA degree ranked #14 nationally & #2 in Texas

-Intelligent.com

#3

Best Master’s Degrees in Nutrition Online

-OnlineU.com

Top 5%

Best Online Master’s in Education Programs


Top 15%

Nursing is ranked top 15% nationally


$0

Loan debt

43% of May 2025 graduates

earned a bachelor’s

degree debt-free

51%

of all Texas allied health

doctoral degrees from

4-year public university

(3-year average)

TOP

RATED

Best U.S. Colleges

-The Wall Street Journal

America’s Top College 2025

-Forbes

Earned

the Seal of Excelencia making it a

top university for Latino student success

Top performers

on social mobility in Texas


designated a

CARNEGIE

Residential

Campus

2025

3

Blazing a Trail

1904

Beulah Kincaid Fry ’04

First Graduate

Three years after the

Girls Industrial College

was founded in 1901 –

and a year following the

construction of Old Main

– the institution produced

its very first graduate,

Beulah Kincaid Fry.

1962

Pauline Beery Mack

Researcher/professor

In 1962, Mack began

research work with

NASA, studying the

impact of inactivity

on bone density. The

study mirrored what

astronauts would

experience while

traveling in space.

1901

1905

1915

1930

1934

1938

1953

1954

The 27th Texas Legislature

founded the Girls Industrial College

Name officially changed to the

College of Industrial Arts (CIA)

The CIA awards its first

bachelor’s degrees

The college begins offering

graduate studies

Name officially changes to the Texas

State College for Women (TSCW)

The Texas Centennial celebration

unveils the Pioneer Woman statue,

paying tribute to the spirit of

Texas’ pioneer women

The TSCW awards its first

doctoral degrees

Nursing program begins in Dallas

at Parkland Hospital

Name officially changes to

Texas Woman’s University

1968

Ann Williams ’68

Dance company founder

Inducted into the Texas

Women’s Hall of Fame,

Williams was the first

African American to

earn a master’s degree

in dance in Texas. In

1975, she founded the

Dallas Black Dance

Theatre.

1972

Sylvia Garcia ’72

U.S. Representative

She had a public

service career that

included posts as

municipal judge,

county commissioner

and state senator, and

Garcia in 2018 was

one of the first two

Texas Latinas elected

to congress.

Ashley Ingram ’25

Basketball phenom

Earning numerous

All-America honors,

Ingram paced the

Pioneer basketball

2025

program to unmatched

success, becoming

the all-time leader in

points and rebounds.

1957

1960

TWU Institute of Health Sciences

Houston Center opens in the

Texas Medical Center

Institute of Health Sciences Dallas

Center opens

1966

The Stroke Center Dallas is

launched

Women’s Collection established to

chronicle history of Texas women

1979 1992 1994 2015

2021

Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s

Leadership is created

Men are admitted to all degree

programs

Oakley, the barn owl, becomes

official mascot

2017

Texas Legislature establishes

TWU System

Doswell School of

Aeronautical Sciences is launched

2023

2024

TWU installs inaugural presidents of

the Dallas and Houston campuses

TWU achieves R2 Designation

for high research activity and

doctorate degrees conferred

2025

5

The Power of

“Why” Fuels

Discovery

Sometime between age two and three, we all start asking one powerful

question: Why? It’s how we make sense of the world — and it’s the spark

that fuels innovation. But somewhere along the way, that innate

curiosity often fades.

At Texas Woman’s University, we’re keeping it alive.

We believe “why” is more than a question — it’s a mindset. It drives our

research, powers critical thinking and inspires breakthroughs across

disciplines. For more than a century, our faculty and students have

harnessed this mindset to make lasting contributions to science, society

and healthcare.

Our commitment to discovery just earned us national recognition. Texas

Woman’s has been designated a “Research 2: High Research Activity”

institution in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications. Only 139 U.S. universities

carry this distinction, awarded to institutions that spend at least $5 million

annually on research and graduate 20 or more PhD students each year.

In 2023 alone, we invested $6.9 million in research and awarded

233 research doctorates — proof that our curiosity has real-world impact.

This growing research enterprise means more opportunities for hands-on

learning, deeper student-faculty collaboration, stronger community

engagement and dynamic interdisciplinary partnerships.

When Strategy Gets Smarter

Jace Hargis, veteran educator with a deep background

in research and science, was selected as the university’s

inaugural chief artificial intelligence (AI) strategist. In his role

at Texas Woman’s, Hargis will focus on institution-wide AI

strategy and implementation. He is responsible for envisioning

and executing initiatives that leverage AI to advance teaching,

research and administrative operations. He is also tasked with

facilitating collaboration across academic and administrative

units, building partnerships with external organizations and

ensuring ethical and effective uses of AI technologies across

the university.

473

Total undergraduate and graduate student research engagements

233

The number of research doctorates conferred in 2024

At TWU, we don’t just ask “why” — we pursue it relentlessly.

Putting a Stake in the Ground

Over the next five years, Texas Woman’s will

graduate more students with the next-level

problem solving and critical thinking skills

needed to address complex global challenges.

To do that, we plan to double existing STEM

and STEM-related opportunities and increase

the number of women entering and thriving in

STEM and STEM-related careers.

Explore STEM at TWU

7

Hands Down,

Research

Pays Off

A Holistic

Approach to Cancer

Rehabilitation

Vanessa Yanez ’25, a cancer

survivor and occupational therapist,

is using her dissertation research in

the School of Occupational Therapy

at TWU Houston to fill in the gaps

between the physical and psychosocial

impacts in cancer rehabilitation. “My dream,

my wish, is to raise awareness about the full

scope of what oncology occupational therapy can

offer cancer survivors,” Yanez said. “I truly believe

we’ve only scratched the surface — there is so much

more we’re capable of doing to support people beyond

treatment and into meaningful, empowered lives.”

Making the

“Change” Together

Over one million women enter

menopause in the U.S. each year,

with another estimated two million

experiencing perimenopause. The

adverse impacts of these phases of

a woman’s life have many potential

consequences, including ongoing

health issues, healthcare costs or loss

of work productivity. It’s an area

of study requiring more extensive

research, some scientists say, and it’s

in line to be the focus for a new

research initiative at TWU. A team

of interdisciplinary faculty and

members from the healthcare

industry are developing a

strategic plan to expand

the university’s Institute for

Women’s Health, making

menopausal research a primary

focus. The institute serves as a

research hub and clinical space,

which together draws on

resources from multiple

health science disciplines

at TWU to address

women’s health issues.

Here’s the Dill

As an occupational therapy doctoral candidate,

Natalie Mackie ’24 created an adaptive pickleball

program as part of her capstone project. Patients at

the Mike A. Myers Stroke Center in Dallas enjoyed

learning a new sport and the camaraderie built through

friendly competition. “The research shows a lot of chronic

stroke patients lead sedentary lifestyles,” Mackie said.

“I wanted this to be something that they could build

up their confidence to then start to maybe play

within their own communities.”

The Big Chill

Carbohydrates, much maligned for their impact

on blood-sugar spikes, can pose long-term

problems for those suffering from diabetes,

including stroke or heart disease. Nutrition and

Food Sciences faculty member Mindy Patterson’s

research shows that a stint in the refrigerator will

cool down the “bad” carbohydrates and convert

them into a “good” nutrient-resistant starch. Not

only can you eat rice and pasta while avoiding the

sugar rush, resistant starches also provide much

needed fiber and improve gut health.

A Toast to Your Health

Grape pomace, the leftover waste after grapes

are pressed to make juice or wine, makes

up to 25% of the weight of grapes. It has

been a sticky problem for winemakers, which

produce tons of waste every year. But what if

red wine pomace could be used to modulate

gut health in coronary artery disease?

Mandana Pahlavani with the Department

of Nutrition and Food Sciences received a

$300,000 grant from the USDA to find a way

to encapsulate and test all the antioxidant and

anti-inflammatory goodness of the polyphenols

found in red wine pomace. Not only could her

study have a beneficial impact on the human

body, it can also help the environment.

Take a Sip & Learn More

9

Ground

Breaking

Facilities

As Texas Woman’s continues to physically evolve and its

Denton footprint covers more ground, it is important

that its facilities serve the students, faculty, staff and

community residents in the best way possible. Much

thought was poured into the planning process for new

buildings, infrastructure, walking trails and green spaces,

making the university a more robust environment for

learning, discovery, collaboration and wellbeing.

Brackenridge Gets Face lift

Students and visitors now have a one-stop location in

the Welcome Center at Brackenridge Hall to apply for

admission and financial aid, book tours and pursue other

services aimed at incoming students.

New Home for Health Sciences

This Fall, the 136,000 square-foot health

sciences center will serve as an interprofessional

education facility linking students in the allied

health fields with an emphasis on preparing

them to serve in rural settings. The building will

expand health-related programming, community

outreach, research and other activities at

Texas Woman’s.

11

Transforming a Campus

2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

As of 08/25

1. Health Sciences Center

2. Welcome Center

at Brackenridge Hall

3. Frame Street

Entrance

4. Knowledge Grove

Preschool Facility

5. East Campus

Infrastructure

2/22 100% 8/25 COMPLETED

2/22 100% 8/25 COMPLETED

5/23 100% 7/25 COMPLETED

11/22 100% 8/25 COMPLETED

5/22 80% 12/25 Est. Completion

6. Denton East

Campus Trails

11/21 80% 12/25 Est. Completion

Building for

the Future

7

The MAK is in Business

The Graduate Research Building, which opened in 1968 and

has been closed since 2021, was razed to make space for

a new 40,000 sq. ft. building, the Merrilee Alexander Kick

College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

4

1

3

5

2

7

6

$298 MILLION

In Capital Project Investments

13

Student Life

is About Living

Texas Woman’s University has been officially designated a Carnegie Residential Campus,

a prestigious classification that recognizes institutions with a strong commitment to

providing a vibrant, on-campus residential experience supporting student engagement,

learning and success. Residential life on campus can be a transformational experience

— a bridge to a healthy adulthood, both personally and professionally. The skills learned

through social interactions, leadership opportunities and the many services available for

support throughout a student’s journey lead to greater retention and improved academic

performance. It’s more than just meeting basic needs; it’s about finding a purpose and

learning to live a fulfilling life.

designated a

CARNEGIE

Residential

Campus

2025

Recipe for Success

During her senior year, nutrition (dietetics) major

Alexandra Mack ’24 created a cookbook for her capstone

project using staple ingredients from TWU Minerva’s

Market food pantry. Inspired by research on food

insecurity among college students, including

at TWU, she addressed how financial barriers

can lead students to skip meals or go days

without eating. To help, she developed two

cookbook versions: one with meals for

students living on campus with limited

equipment and another for students in

apartments with access to full kitchens.

Dress for the Job You Want

TWU’s Career Connections Center and Jane

Nelson Institute launched a career boutique

this fall, offering donated professional clothing

and styling support. Job-seeking students in

need can now dress confidently for interviews,

enhancing their career opportunities with

the perfect power suit and

expert guidance.

Cook a recipe from

Alexandra’s Cookbook

In the Driver’s Seat

For decades, earning a driver’s license was considered a rite

of passage for many teens. However, that trend has slowed.

Now nearly 40% of teens delay getting their license by one

or two years, and 30% wait even longer. Not being able to

drive can pose a major barrier, especially when job hunting.

In response, TWU launched a driver education program to

help students and the campus community learn how to drive

and work toward obtaining a provisional driver’s license.

15

An Athletic

Legacy

Track

Louise Ritter, a three-time Olympic qualifier, won

the high jump gold medal in Seoul, South Korea on Sept. 30,

1988 during the Summer Olympics

Kathy Arendsen, All-American athlete and

pitcher for the TWU softball team when they won the

national championship. Arendsen went on to strike out

Reggie Jackson in a demonstration.

Professional women’s sports programs are smashing through

barriers, posting record-breaking viewership and revenues that

are expected to reach $2.35 billion globally, a 25% increase

over 2024. The momentum found in women’s athletics is also

being felt right here at Texas Woman’s.

1915 Basketball

History-making describes our trail-blazing Pioneers. The

courage, talent and character of student-athletes, coaches

and staff continues to transform their respective sports and

the future of women’s athletics.

Softball

“Our history is about our

accomplishments.

Our legacy is about our impact.”

-Pete Luongo

Emerging Women’s Sports

Collegiate women sports continue to expand at the NCAA championship level.

The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics has voted to recommend that

Divisions I, II and III sponsor legislation to establish a National Collegiate STUNT

Championship. If approved, STUNT would become the seventh emerging sport

to earn NCAA championship status. In January 2025, the NCAA officially

approved women’s wrestling as a championship sport.

STUNT was added to the TWU athletics program in 2020 and wrestling

in 2022, making it the first Division II program in Texas.

3

125

Pioneers awarded the NSCA All-American

Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the

Year Award, a first.

13

National championship

titles achieved by Pioneer

gymnastics team.

2,946

Community hours completed by studentathletes,

which is the economic impact

equivalent of $98,600 in community service.

3

Lone Star Conference regular season

championship titles won by Pioneer

basketball program.

86

Consecutive semesters in which Pioneer

student-athletes in all nine sports collectively

averaged at least a 3.0 GPA.

#1

Dancing with

the Stars

The Pioneer Pride Dance

Team was named the National

Champions for the first time in

program history. It capped off a

historic season, which began with

earning a Gold Paid Bid to Nationals

at National Dance Association

Summer Camp — also

a first in program

history.

17

Victory

in Motion

The Greek goddess Nike, the Winged Victory, has long stood as a

symbol of triumph, strength and forward motion. At the heart of the

Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, her statue serves as a

powerful reminder of the spirit that drives this work: bold leadership

that breaks barriers and lifts communities. The Institute has grown

into a statewide model for leadership development and preparing

women for successful careers in business and public service.

Its impact is tangible and far-reaching and takes many forms — from

the small business that grows into a thriving enterprise, to the student

who steps confidently into civic leadership, to the policymaker

who shapes the future of her community. Through three specialized

centers, bold opportunities are created for women to rise, lead and

make meaningful contributions across Texas.

Just as Winged Victory embodies momentum in motion, the institute

propels that energy through its growing network of programs, resources

and partnerships throughout Texas. The Jane Nelson Institute for

Women’s Leadership isn’t just preparing women to lead but igniting

their potential to change the world, one victory at a time.

1,000+

WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES ADVISED

$2,370,000

in grant funding supporting

467 women entrepreneurs

1,500

clients have been served by the

Center for Women Entrepreneurs since 2015

$267,000

LBJ women’s campaign school grants awarded to 167

participants, covering 100% of the cost of training and

empowering women to lead in the political arena

15

AccelerateHER business incubation programs have

been hosted, reaching 119 women in Denton, Dallas,

Houston, Abilene, Mission, Austin and Corpus Christi

$98,000+

in funds awarded to students placed in highly

competitive, compensated state and national

legislative internships

19

Thinking

Big in Dallas

Not long after Monica Christopher became the Dallas campus’

inaugural president, work began to develop a strategic plan to

grow the campus and raise its visibility. Funded by a grant from

Communities Foundation of Texas, a steering committee created a

roadmap for aligning academic programs with workforce needs,

adding leadership opportunities for students, growing enrollment,

elevating student life, strengthening community partnerships and

alumni engagement and increasing research activity. Specific goals

and measures will guide progress over the next five years.

1st

Dallas Campus

Commencement

Ceremony

TWU Ventures

TWU Ventures bridges workforce gaps

with industry-aligned learning. This initiative,

spearheaded by TWU Dallas will support

non-degree programs and partnerships

driven by market demand and workforce

relevance. Three pilot credential programs in

the healthcare arena are scheduled to launch

late summer/fall 2025.

Pushing Limits

in Houston

Located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, TWU Houston has long

been a leader in the health professions with standout programs in nursing,

health care administration, nutrition, occupational therapy and physical

therapy. Now, we’re pushing boundaries even further — expanding our

presence across Houston through dynamic partnerships with community

colleges, school districts, the Texas Workforce Commission and more.

These collaborations are designed to break down barriers and open

more doors for students.

One of our most exciting innovations is competency-based education

(CBE) — a flexible, streamlined path to a degree that reduces cost and

time while increasing access and opportunity. CBE empowers students

to learn at their own pace, based on what they already know and can

do — putting success within reach, faster.

Whether it’s in health, education, research or community

engagement, TWU Houston continues to adapt, grow and

redefine what’s possible — because here, there are no limits.

1st

Houston Campus

Student Regent

Maya Landgrebe

Growing Your Own Takes Root

TWU partnered with Houston ISD to turn paraprofessionals into certified

teachers. May 2025 marked the first graduates, and now TWU’s Grow Your

Own pipelines have nearly 100 future teachers with room to grow. Students

will soon experience an even faster, more affordable path to a degree with

competency-based education.

21

Mike A. Myers Stroke Center

Just in time for Stroke Awareness Month, TWU Dallas

cut the ribbon on the Mike A. Myers Stroke Center expansion,

which was renamed following a $2 million gift from Dallas

businessman and philanthropist Mike A. Myers. The donation

has helped expand research, patient and family services,

and interprofessional training opportunities for students

preparing for careers in healthcare.

“The world needs dreamers and the

world needs doers. But above all, what the

world needs most are dreamers that do.”

—Sarah Ban Breathnach

Doswell School

of Aeronautical

Sciences Takes Off

Through a generous $15 million donation from the Doswell Foundation, Texas Woman’s launched a bold

new flight plan with the establishment of the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences. The aviation

school lifted off in Fall 2024 with its first cohort of aspiring professional pilots. Since taking to the

skies, the program continues to grow in enrollment, private support and partnerships.

TBM Owners and Pilots Association

The TBM Owners and Pilots Association established a scholarship to support a student pursuing a

Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science. This scholarship will cover tuition, fees and flight training

costs over four years, enabling a student to focus on coursework and flight training.

Kathleen Hildreth

As a West Point graduate and commissioned U.S. Army officer, Kathleen Hildreth flew VIPs in

Korea and served as a maintenance test pilot. As a successful businesswoman, Hildreth served her

country by helping young students fill the industry demand for new aviators. Her $1 million gift to

TWU funded scholarships for every student in the aviation school’s inaugural cohort and will match

future donations to the program.

Cindy Green Weber, MS, PhD ’86, ’91

After flying for nearly 20 years and landing in 50 states and six countries, alumna Cindy Green Weber

wanted to make an impact and help more women become pilots. Joined by her husband, Tony, and her

daughter, Alexandra McGowen, the Webers created the Dr. Cindy Green Weber Excellence Fund. Her gift

will help the Doswell School purchase, operate and maintain a full-motion flight simulator.

U.S. Air Force

The Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences in partnership with U.S. Aviation Academy, signed an agreement with the U.S.

Air Force to provide Initial Pilot Training (IPT) for prospective pilots. By adopting the IPT program, the Air Force is seeking to increase

the number of pilots while reducing the time it takes officers to transition to advanced military aircraft and receive their wings.

23

IT STARTS WITH

A SPARK

IT STARTS WITH

YOU!

EDUCATION is not

the filling of a pail.

It’s the lighting of a FIRE.

twu.edu Fall 2025

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