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Jessica Priest

@jessicapriest.bsky.social

Higher education reporter for The Texas Tribune | jessica.priest@texastribune.org

4 Posts9615 Follower117 Folgt
J. Nathan Matias@natematias.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Last week, Jon Penney, Sarah Brayne, & I discussed the role of AI and surveillance in transforming and scaling restrictions on academic freedom & speech. @jessicapriest.bsky.social has an excellent story on how gen AI is being used to do so in Texas universities www.texastribune.org/2025/12/15/t...

Texas universities deploy AI for course audits

Records obtained by The Texas Tribune show how universities are using the technology to reshape curriculum under political pressure, raising concerns about academic freedom.

texastribune.org

Steve Mullis@stevemullis.net · 11mo ago

ICYMI, this @texastribune.org piece is the most comprehensive reporting of what happened at Texas A&M that led to multiple firings, including the resignation of the university president. Kudos to @jessicapriest.bsky.social, @nicholasgutteridge.bsky.social, and Kate McGee.

How a secret recording of a gender identity lecture upended Texas A&M

Officials have struggled to detail the exact reasons for the A&M professor’s termination, citing a technical issue with her course description. Faculty say the move was politically motivated.

texastribune.org

Gail Cornwall@gailcornwall.com · last yr.

Two siblings. Both academically driven and engaged. One has access to higher education in Texas, and one now doesn’t, because “state officials agreed to the federal government’s demand.” @jessicapriest.bsky.social for @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/14/t...

Undocumented students rethink their college dreams after Texas cuts their access to cheaper tuition

Thousands of undocumented students who grew up in Texas now face college tuition costs that are more than twice what other state residents pay.

texastribune.org

Jessica Priest@jessicapriest.bsky.social · last yr.

@texastribune.org spoke to four college students who were brought into the country when they were young. They breathed a sigh of relief when the Legislature did not repeal a law granting them access to cheaper tuition. Their relief was short lived. www.texastribune.org/2025/06/14/t...

Undocumented students rethink their college dreams after Texas cuts their access to cheaper tuition

Thousands of undocumented students who grew up in Texas now face college tuition costs that are more than twice what other state residents pay.

texastribune.org

Jessica Priest@jessicapriest.bsky.social · last yr.

University of North Texas and Rice University are among dozens of universities under federal investigation for partnering with a group that had sought to increase diversity in graduate programs www.texastribune.org/2025/03/14/d...

University of North Texas and Rice University under federal investigation for “race-exclusionary practices”

The Texas universities are among dozens accused of violating the law by partnering with a group that had sought to increase diversity in graduate programs.

texastribune.org

Jessica Priest@jessicapriest.bsky.social · last yr.

Texas Southern University asks lawmakers for $120 million to replace its law school building. Students might lose access to financial aid if they continue learning in building that has mold, leaks and foundation issues. www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/t...

Texas Southern University asks for $120 million to replace aging law school

Law students might lose financial aid if TSU does not address health and safety concerns about the building.

texastribune.org

Hardeep Singh MD MPH@hardeepsinghmd.bsky.social · last yr.

As a healthcare researcher, I’m constantly fundraising to keep my team going, but the NIH cuts to my institutional support will inevitably reduce the ability of our team to improve patient safety My comments to @jessicapriest.bsky.social @ @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/02/10/t...

Texas universities could face funding cuts for health care research under new Trump administration policy

A federal judge blocked a new National Institutes of Health policy from going into effect in 22 states that sued the agency, but Texas wasn’t part of the suit.

texastribune.org

Carla Astudillo@carla-astudi.bsky.social · last yr.

Texas colleges would be required to submit compliance reports and they don’t fix a violation within 180 days, they would be ineligible for future funding increases. via @jessicapriest.bsky.social @snehadey.bsky.social

Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown

Legislators are expected to take up a $360 million proposal that would change the landscape of financial aid in the state.

texastribune.org

Mason Hickok@masonhickok.bsky.social · 2y ago

Good piece this from from @jessicapriest.bsky.social (new on the Higer Ed beat) via @texastribune.org, offering an excellent view on the relationship of Texas public universities and GOP leaders in the state.

UT-Austin’s presidency goes vacant amid growing challenges for Texas public university leaders

In recent years university presidents have been facing growing political pressures, student and faculty pushback and an increasingly demanding job.

texastribune.org

Charles Ornstein@charlesornstein.bsky.social · 2y ago

ICYMI: Come January, when Donald Trump assumes the presidency for the second time, Texas leaders could get another opportunity to whittle down Medicaid — this time with fewer constraints than in the past. @lomikriel.bsky.social @jessicapriest.bsky.social @texastribune.org

If Trump Makes Cuts to Medicaid, Texas Officials Could Seize the Opportunity to Further Slash the Program

State leaders have shown a decadeslong antipathy toward the health insurance program. If Trump makes severe reductions, it’s unlikely leaders would have the political will to make up any lost federal ...

propublica.org