Texas A&M University-Texarkana – News

 

A&M-Texarkana Professor Named to Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators

TEXARKANA, Texas – Texas A&M University-Texarkana Associate Professor of History Dr. Craig Nakashian has been named to the Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators by Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. The Academy is an initiative of the Texas A&M University System, acknowledging teaching excellence. The program is supported by the Chancellor’s Century Council, a group of private donors committed to advancing the future of higher education in Texas.

Dr. Nakashian will be recognized at the Council’s annual banquet in March, where he will receive a certificate, a stipend, and commemorative medallion that is to be worn on occasions requiring academic regalia. “It’s often said that good history professors have a way of bringing the subject to life for their students,” said Dr. Del Doughty, Dean of TAMUT’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Education. “Dr. Nakashian certainly does that. But he also helps them to see the joy in history, and his enthusiasm for the subject is contagious.”

Dr. Nakashian holds bachelor’s degrees in History and Government from Western New England University, a master’s degree in Medieval History from Durham University in England, and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Rochester. He has been at Texas A&M University-Texarkana since 2010 and taught previously at Southeastern Missouri State University, Syracuse University, and the University of Rochester.

Dr. Nakashian is originally from western Massachusetts. His wife Zoe, originally from Plymouth, England, is the Collections Manager for the Texarkana Museums System. They have two children- a son, Meran (11) and a daughter, Pelin (7).

 

A&M-Texarkana Ranked as a Top College for Veterans

TEXARKANA, Texas – College Factual recently reviewed 1820 colleges and universities nationwide to rank them according to which institutions are the most veteran-friendly. Texas A&M University-Texarkana ranked in the top 15% of all schools in the nation in the “Best for Vets” category and finished #16 out of 79 schools reviewed in Texas.

The ranking is meant to highlight colleges and universities who are working hard to provide quality educational outcomes to veterans, active duty military students and their families. Some of the quality factors included in the rankings are veteran affordability, veteran support services and resources available, and overall quality metrics important to any student – particularly those metrics important to non-traditional students.

Texas A&M University Texarkana has an active Veteran Services Center that is always looking to enhance the educational opportunities for those who serve or have already served, and their families. Robert Hernandez, Manager of TAMUT’s Veteran Services Center, explained that “the Veteran Services Center is here on the Texas A&M University-Texarkana campus to serve those that served our country. We will assist in determining eligibility for VA or State of Texas Education benefits as well as assist with applying the benefits to help with paying your tuition and fees. Our office will help you every step of the way…from applying to admission right through graduation. We are a One-Stop Shop for Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, Veterans, and their family members.”

Barney Self, US Army 1981-1983, is just one of many students on campus taking advantage of TAMUT’s Veteran Services Center. Because he was a resident of Texas when he enlisted in the Army, Self is eligible for benefits under the Texas Veterans Commission’s Hazelwood Act. The act allows Self to take 150 credit hours free of tuition and fees. “The Veteran Services Center at A&M-Texarkana is the best I’ve ever seen,” said Self. “They have literally shown me how to navigate the process of receiving these benefits, and now have me on my own path towards becoming a teacher. They have absolutely changed my life.”

There are currently 210 students out of the university’s roughly 2000 students who are receiving benefits through the Veteran Services Center. If you would like more information on TAMUT’s Veteran Services Center, please contact Robert Hernandez at 903.334.6602 or rhernandez@tamut.edu.

 

A&M-Texarkana Mathematics Students Post-Strong Showing at Competition

TEXARKANA, Texas – Several Texas A&M University-Texarkana math students competed in the recent 2018 Student Challenge Using Differential Equation Modeling (SCUDEM) and presented their mathematical model at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Two teams of students participated in the event, working diligently to solve their projects between October 19th and October 27th. Each team member contributed between 20 and 25 hours to their plan.

This SCUDEM session featured students presenting their models at 40 locations around the world. Teams are ranked in the following way: The highest ranking available is the “Outstanding Award,” with the second-ranking called the “Meritorious Award” and the third-ranking labeled as the “Successful Award.”

A&M-Texarkana’s TEAM A, (comprised of Ryan Powell, Katelin Garamillo, and Nathalie Alvarado) was given the Meritorious Award, and Team B (made up of Rebecca Thompson and Claire Reyes, received the Successful Award. Additionally, Ryan Powell and Rebecca Thompson were awarded the 2nd place in the Math Bowl competition, and Nathalie Alvarado received the 3rd place.