Jessica Priest

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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 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...

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.

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...

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.

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 wants the NCAA to start ‘sex-screening’ its student athletes A lawsuit filed by the state comes as more women athletes are being scrutinized for their height, athletic ability and physical characteristics as evidence that they are transgender.

Texas wants the NCAA to start ‘sex-screening’ its student athletes 19thnews.org/2025/02/texa... via @19thnews.org

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.

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 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.

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

@jessicapriest.bsky.social @texastribune.org: Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas A&M president’s job over claim that university broke DEI ban www.texastribune.org/2025/01/14/t... #txlege

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.

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.

The New York Times Denounced “Y’all.” We’d Like a Word. Is this even really a debate?

Thank you @dansolomon.com for this impassioned and necessary defense of Y’ALL www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/... @texasmonthly.bsky.social

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 ...

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