Latest news with #CivicLeadership
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UT System announces $100 million investment into civic leadership school
The University of Texas System announced on Thursday a $100 million investment for a permanent building for its School of Civic Leadership, a college created to house programs to help teach 'principles of freedom.' The nine-figure investment will go toward the renovation of the Biological Laboratories building on the University of Texas at Austin campus into a space for the new school. The school welcomes its inaugural class in the fall. Construction on the school is expected to be completed by 2028, according to a UT news release. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov Dan Patrick and several UT officials gathered at UT Austin to celebrate the announced funding for the school. In a news release, Abbott said the $100 million investment will 'restore classical civics and leadership education' at UT. 'We need to get back on the pathway of ensuring that we're educating our students with the leading concepts that have led to the great country we are today,' Abbott said. The school, which was established in 2023, and the think tank Civitas Institute, which it houses, were developed by UT officials alongside conservative lawmakers and donors including Patrick. In 2021, Patrick and conservative donors assisted in the creation of Civitas' predecessor, the Liberty Institute, which sparked faculty concerns on the college's purpose. Programs at the school like its Society of Fellows were made to 'foster a thoughtful admiration for Western Civilization, constitutional government, and economic liberty,' according to its website. UT's investment in the school, once framed by Patrick as a way to fight critical race theory in colleges, comes as state legislators are considering a bill that would limit how universities can teach about race, history and inequality. While Senate Bill 37 passed in the Senate, a House committee proposed changes to the legislation that would roll back many of its stricter provisions. The school's inaugural freshman class will have 100 students, and the UT System said they are 'on track' to hire 20 dedicated tenured or tenure-track professors for the school by Fall 2026. Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas System have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!


The Citizen
30-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Local teacher needs vote to win at Young Leaders Awards
Ayanda Muziwandile Kubheka has earned a prestigious nomination in the 2025 Young Leaders Awards, under the Civil Society category. This category celebrates young changemakers committed to tackling pressing social challenges, often through non-profit work, community-driven initiatives, or grassroots movements. Kubheka's nomination recognises his dedication to creating positive change and uplifting communities through civil society engagement. Kubheka, an educator at Harpo Primary School and the founder of Amasobonde Foundation – a non-profit career development and educational support organisation – now needs your vote to ensure he brings the sought-after award back to Vryheid. He is heavily involved in assisting children to reach their highest potential through his foundation, Cross Pollination Academy which offers digital literacy programmes, life coaching, job shadowing, special classes, and application support. He also mentors learners from primary grades to post-matric level. He has been also recognised as the Life Orientation Cluster's best teacher, a YALI Civic Leadership graduate, and a Teach the Nation alumnus. With every learner empowered and every family reached, Kubheka's firm belief is that education is the most powerful tool for change and he continues to be an example to the young ones by advocating for education. The voting lines are currently open to the public and close on May 31, to cast your vote for Ayanda follow this link ALSO READ: Battlefields Primary School principal wins at National Teaching Awards The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!