Latest news with #TexasStateUniversity
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Marshal McIntosh takes helm as Brownwood city manager
BROWNWOOD, Texas () – The City of Brownwood has appointed Marshal McIntosh as city manager, as the previous city manager, Emily Crawford, transitions to Abilene. McIntosh previously served as the city's Deputy City Manager, bringing more than a decade of experience in public service. 'Marshal McIntosh is not only a product of this organization and community, but a key architect of its recent success,' said Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes. 'His appointment is a strategic investment in the future of Brownwood. He brings the vision, capability, and character needed to lead Brownwood confidently into its next chapter.' City of Abilene appoints new city manager City officials say he has been a driving force behind projects such as the Downtown Master Plan, Riverside Park renovation, Brownwood Event Center Complex, and much more. McIntosh joined the city in 2014, moving into the Deputy City Manager position in 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public and Media Communication and a Master of Business Administration from Howard Payne University. He has also completed the Texas Certified Public Manager Program through the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University and Texas Christian University's Certified Public Communicator program from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication. He also holds certifications in economic development from the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and in emergency management from FEMA's national disaster and emergency management programs. McIntosh was also named Professional of the Year by the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce in 2022 and is recognized as a '40 Under 40' standout citizen. McIntosh is also a 2018 graduate of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Brownwood community leadership development program. Brownwood moves forward with $18M for downtown master plan phase 1 'Marshal's appointment reflects the best of what it means to grow leaders from within,' said Mayor Stephen E. Haynes. 'Having served Brownwood in nearly every capacity over the past decade, he brings unmatched insight into our community's operations, challenges, and potential. His long-standing relationships with staff and his forward-thinking vision make him uniquely qualified to lead as our next City Manager.' McIntosh is a member of the: Texas City Management Association (TCMA) International City Management Association (ICMA) Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT) Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) Texas Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (TACVB) Texas Midwest Community Network (TMCN) International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) 'I am deeply grateful to the City Council for their confidence placed in me,' said Marshal McIntosh. 'I look forward to serving alongside our city staff, whose commitment to our community gives me the confidence to lead the City of Brownwood and continue making progress in the place we are proud to call home.' McIntosh will assume his duties as City Manager on June 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Watermark Launches AI-Powered Instructor Insights, Honors Institutions Driving Student Success Fueled by Innovation
WASHINGTON, June 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Watermark Insights' annual Engage conference brought together higher education and accreditation leaders in Washington, D.C. This year's theme, "Tell Your Story," recognized colleges and universities facing increasing pressure to demonstrate clear impact in a complex environment. The conference reinforced Watermark's commitment to helping institutions showcase their achievements, driving student and institutional success. Representatives from national accreditors explored the evolving role of accreditation and the importance of continuous improvement. Panelists emphasized that institutions that combine strong data practices with compelling framing are well positioned to demonstrate their achievements, contributions and drive ongoing improvement. Watermark unveiled several new enhancements designed to drive faculty professional growth, simplify cumbersome tasks through system integration, and make institutional outcomes easier to see and share. Some of these enhancements include: Instructor Insights for Course Evaluations The first of its kind in course evaluation and survey solutions, this capability, powered by AI, transforms student feedback into clear, actionable insights helping instructors quickly identify strengths and areas for growth. Watermark Planning & Self-Study Integrations New connections with D2L and Council for Advancement of Standards (CAS) streamline assessment workflows, making it easier to measure outcomes and demonstrate institutional effectiveness in one place. Watermark Faculty Success Redesign A refreshed and modern interface and interactive CV view improve the way faculty track achievements and navigate reviews, spending more time on student initiatives and less on administrative burden. Engage award winners announced At this year's Engage Conference, Watermark honored three institutions that are driving innovation and delivering meaningful results on campus. Insights Award: Texas State University Texas State University was honored for its exceptional use of data to inform strategic decisions and improve outcomes. By making assessment and student feedback data more accessible and actionable, the university has empowered faculty and staff to better support student success. This work is supported by Watermark solutions including Faculty Success, Student Learning & Licensure, the SL&L Data Export Service, and Course Evaluations & Surveys. Innovation Award: Mohawk Valley Community College Mohawk Valley Community College received the Innovation Award for achieving full campus adoption of a centralized planning and assessment process in just six months. Its bold leadership and collaborative approach were supported by the creative use of Watermark's Planning & Self-Study solution. Impact Award: Harris-Stowe State University Harris-Stowe State University was recognized for achieving measurable improvements in student outcomes, faculty support, and operational efficiency. The university moved from fragmented processes to a unified and data-informed approach using Watermark's suite of solutions. "Every year at Engage, I'm reminded of the heart and purpose behind the work happening on campuses," said Erin Shy, CEO of Watermark. "Our customers are meeting complex challenges with creativity and care, and we're here to make sure our technology helps them do it better." To learn more about Watermark, visit About Watermark Watermark gives higher education institutions the tools they need to easily track, manage, and examine their data. For over twenty years, colleges and universities have used Watermark solutions to complete assessment and accreditation requirements, capture and analyze student feedback, showcase faculty accomplishments, and improve student engagement. Watermark's Educational Impact Suite (EIS) puts data into context so faculty and staff can focus on what really matters: institutional and student success. Learn why Watermark is trusted by over 1,700 colleges and universities to support continuous improvement at View source version on Contacts Media ContactLindsey Gilllgill@
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Watermark Launches AI-Powered Instructor Insights, Honors Institutions Driving Student Success Fueled by Innovation
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Watermark Insights' annual Engage conference brought together higher education and accreditation leaders in Washington, D.C. This year's theme, 'Tell Your Story,' recognized colleges and universities facing increasing pressure to demonstrate clear impact in a complex environment. The conference reinforced Watermark's commitment to helping institutions showcase their achievements, driving student and institutional success. Watermark unveils AI-powered Instructor Insights and honors institutions driving student success at Engage 2025, highlighting innovation, faculty support, and measurable impact across higher education. Share Representatives from national accreditors explored the evolving role of accreditation and the importance of continuous improvement. Panelists emphasized that institutions that combine strong data practices with compelling framing are well positioned to demonstrate their achievements, contributions and drive ongoing improvement. Watermark unveiled several new enhancements designed to drive faculty professional growth, simplify cumbersome tasks through system integration, and make institutional outcomes easier to see and share. Some of these enhancements include: Instructor Insights for Course Evaluations The first of its kind in course evaluation and survey solutions, this capability, powered by AI, transforms student feedback into clear, actionable insights helping instructors quickly identify strengths and areas for growth. Watermark Planning & Self-Study Integrations New connections with D2L and Council for Advancement of Standards (CAS) streamline assessment workflows, making it easier to measure outcomes and demonstrate institutional effectiveness in one place. Watermark Faculty Success Redesign A refreshed and modern interface and interactive CV view improve the way faculty track achievements and navigate reviews, spending more time on student initiatives and less on administrative burden. Engage award winners announced At this year's Engage Conference, Watermark honored three institutions that are driving innovation and delivering meaningful results on campus. Insights Award: Texas State University Texas State University was honored for its exceptional use of data to inform strategic decisions and improve outcomes. By making assessment and student feedback data more accessible and actionable, the university has empowered faculty and staff to better support student success. This work is supported by Watermark solutions including Faculty Success, Student Learning & Licensure, the SL&L Data Export Service, and Course Evaluations & Surveys. Innovation Award: Mohawk Valley Community College Mohawk Valley Community College received the Innovation Award for achieving full campus adoption of a centralized planning and assessment process in just six months. Its bold leadership and collaborative approach were supported by the creative use of Watermark's Planning & Self-Study solution. Impact Award: Harris-Stowe State University Harris-Stowe State University was recognized for achieving measurable improvements in student outcomes, faculty support, and operational efficiency. The university moved from fragmented processes to a unified and data-informed approach using Watermark's suite of solutions. 'Every year at Engage, I'm reminded of the heart and purpose behind the work happening on campuses,' said Erin Shy, CEO of Watermark. 'Our customers are meeting complex challenges with creativity and care, and we're here to make sure our technology helps them do it better.' To learn more about Watermark, visit About Watermark Watermark gives higher education institutions the tools they need to easily track, manage, and examine their data. For over twenty years, colleges and universities have used Watermark solutions to complete assessment and accreditation requirements, capture and analyze student feedback, showcase faculty accomplishments, and improve student engagement. Watermark's Educational Impact Suite (EIS) puts data into context so faculty and staff can focus on what really matters: institutional and student success. Learn why Watermark is trusted by over 1,700 colleges and universities to support continuous improvement at
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
50 rural innovators showcase ideas to global investors in the US
Austin (USA): In a major boost to rural innovation, 50 student innovators from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Karnataka showcased their startup ideas to global investors and corporate leaders at the Global Junicorn Summit held recently at Texas State University in San Marcos, near Austin. Organised by the International Startup Foundation (ISF), based in Bengaluru, the summit was part of a two-day event that also featured the Global AI Summit. The initiative received an overwhelming response from tech leaders, startup founders, and investors from across the US. The 50 student innovators, termed 'Junicorns' (junior unicorns), were shortlisted from over 1,000 applicants through a six-month rigorous selection and mentoring process. Their ideas, covering diverse domains such as agriculture, health tech, sustainability, and education, were developed into pitch-ready prototypes with the support of ISF. The foundation also facilitated their travel to the United States. 'The idea behind Junicorns is to encourage young rural innovators from India by giving them global exposure so that they can eventually evolve into successful entrepreneurs and become role models for youth in rural areas,' said JA Chowdary, Founder of ISF and the key force behind the initiative. 'This summit provided me with a global platform to pitch my idea. Several investors showed serious interest in supporting my innovation.' said a rural innovator from Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. The ISF announced its next step—to build a global mentor network connecting summit attendees and industry leaders to support these Junicorns in turning their ideas into scalable startups. The event concluded with the Global AI Summit, where technology leaders and CEOs discussed the transformative role of artificial intelligence across industries. The summit saw vibrant discussions on AI's applications in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and education, underlining its relevance in shaping future innovations. Both summits highlight ISF's commitment to bridging rural innovation with global opportunities, demonstrating how talent from India's heartland can make an impact on the world stage when empowered with the right platform and mentorship.
Newsweek
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ken Paxton's Chances of Toppling John Cornyn in Texas Senate Race—New Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton led another poll against Senator John Cornyn in the state's 2026 Senate primary race. Why It Matters Cornyn, who has spent more than two decades representing Texas in the Senate, has drawn a primary challenge from Paxton, who has cast himself as more conservative and supportive of President Donald Trump. The primary underscores intraparty fractures for Republicans and could have key implications for the general election. Although Republicans are viewed as favored in the Texas election, Democrats are hoping to make it competitive next November, as they need to flip seats in at least two states Trump won by double digits to secure a Senate majority. But Texas has been reliably Republican for decades; and its leftward drift in the 2010s was reversed in the 2024 election, when Trump performed stronger than in the 2016 or 2020 election in the Lone Star State. What to Know Paxton has established an early polling lead against Cornyn in several recent surveys of primary voters, including in a new poll released this week by Texas State University's Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center. The poll found that a plurality of Republican primary voters are inclined to support Paxton, but many still remain undecided about how they will vote next year. Senator John Cornyn speaks to reporters in Washington, D.C. on March 3, 2025. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Texas on July 11, 2021. Senator John Cornyn speaks to reporters in Washington, D.C. on March 3, 2025. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Texas on July 11, 2021.;In a two-way race, 43 percent of respondents said they would vote for Paxton compared to 34 percent who would vote for Cornyn. An additional 23 percent said they are unsure of how they would vote. If Representative Wesley Hunt, who has been speculated to be a potential candidate, joins Paxton and Cornyn, he would receive 15 percent of the vote, the poll found. In that scenario, 34 percent of Republicans would vote for Paxton and 27 percent would support Cornyn. Twenty-four percent were still undecided. A Trump endorsement could be critical for the race. Nearly half—49 percent—of Republicans said his endorsement would make him more likely to vote for a candidate. He has not made an endorsement yet. The poll surveyed 1,200 Texas registered voters from May 9 to May 19, 2025, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points. How Competitive Will Texas Senate Race Be? What Poll Shows The poll suggested the race could be decided by the single digits, regardless of who becomes the Republican nominee. The closest scenario involved Paxton versus former Representative Colin Allred, the Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Senator Ted Cruz in the 2024 Senate race. Paxton led Allred by two points (48 percent to 46 percent). Some Democrats have floated Allred as a viable candidate for 2026, as he performed stronger than former Vice President Kamala Harris in the Lone Star State. Paxton also held a 3-point lead over Representative Joaquin Castro and a 4-point lead over former Representative Beto O'Rourke. Hunt held a 3-point lead over Allred and 6-point leads over Castro and O'Rourke. Cornyn led Allred by four points, O'Rourke by 6 points and Castro by 7 points, according to the survey. Texas Could Be Critical 2026 Senate Race—Here's Why Democrats have talked about flipping Texas for years, but the state has proven elusive for the party, which has no choice but to target double-digit Trump seats next year if it wants to overcome a difficult Senate map to win a majority. Maine, which Harris won, and North Carolina, which Trump won by only 3 points, are Democrats' top targets next year as they also defend seats in Trump-won Georgia and Michigan. But there are no other obvious flip opportunities next year—meaning they have to win two Republican-leaning states. Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Ohio and Texas are viewed as the most viable states for Democrats, though Republicans are still favored in each of those races. While Republicans held a lead in every matchup of this poll, others have suggested Allred could lead Paxton in a hypothetical race. Texas backed Trump by about 14 points last November, despite him winning the state by fewer than 6 points four years earlier. Cornyn last won reelection in 2020 by about 10 points against Democrat M.J. Hegar. What People Are Saying Cornyn campaign senior adviser Matt Mackowiak told Newsweek on Wednesday: "When Texas GOP primary voters fully understand Ken Paxton's record of mismanagement, ethical failings and poor judgment, we are confident we will win this primary." Newsweek also reached out to the Paxton campaign for comment via email. Paxton on X, formerly Twitter, on April 9: "For years, John Cornyn has betrayed President Trump and the America First movement. Texas deserves better, and that's why I'm running for U.S. Senate." President Donald Trump told reporters last month: "I like Paxton, I like Cornyn, they're both good people. So, I'll make a decision somewhere along the line. But you have two very good men." What Happens Next It is yet to be seen whether Allred or a different Democrat jump into the Texas Senate race or if other candidates like Hunt could also run on the Republican side. The Cook Political Report classifies the race as Solid Republican, meaning it is "not considered competitive" nor "likely to become closely contested."
