PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Dec. 22, 2025) – From historic investments and new academic programs to national student wins and faculty excellence, 2025 was a year that moved Prairie View A&M University forward in powerful ways.

PVAMUOpening Doors: New Programs, Facilities, and Innovation

2025 marked a year of bold launches and forward-looking investments designed to expand access, strengthen student support, and position Prairie View A&M University at the forefront of innovation.

  • Addressing Global Health Challenges: PVAMU announced a new Master of Science in Nutrition program focused on workforce needs and community impact.
  • Investing in Student Success: Ground was broken on a new student support services facility, expanding resources designed to help students thrive academically and personally.
  • Protecting Innovation: PVAMU opened a Patent and Trademark Resource Center, strengthening support for entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators.
  • Supporting Student Health: PVAMU launched a pilot program to support students living with sickle cell disease, underscoring a commitment to holistic student success.
  • Executive Leadership in Action: The University introduced the Presidential Executive-in-Residence Program with Dr. Mathew Knowles, creating a new pathway for students to learn directly from industry leaders.

New Faces, New Leadership

The University welcomed a dynamic group of scholars and leaders whose expertise and vision are shaping PVAMU’s future.

  • Two-time alumna Dr. Angela Branch-Vital was appointed inaugural Dean of the School of Public and Allied Health.
  • Dr. RoSusan D. Bartee joined PVAMU as Dean of the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education.
  • Fulbright scholar Dr. Aneika Simmons joined the College of Business faculty, expanding global perspectives in leadership and instruction, and was later named interim dean of the college.
  • Joel B. Thornton was appointed the inaugural Dean of Libraries, advancing access, research, and academic resources.
  • Dr. Princess Williams joined PVAMU as scholar-in-residence, continuing her work to empower voters and strengthen civic engagement.
  • Nationally acclaimed author Dr. Daniel Black was named the 2025-2026 Toni Morrison Writer-in-Residence.
  • J. Robert “Bob” McKee was named Chief Financial Officer, bringing strategic leadership to the University’s financial operations.
  • Dr. Casey J. Davis was appointed Associate Vice President and Chief of Police.
  • PVAMU welcomed several new coaches in 2025, including Tremaine Jackson as Head Football Coach and Tai Dillard as Head Women’s Basketball Coach, along with Kortland Ware (Golf) and Daniel Dulin (Baseball), bringing fresh leadership across key Panthers programs.

Panthers on the National Stage: Student Achievements

PVAMU students made headlines throughout the year, earning recognition for academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and athletic success.

Research, Teaching, and Campus Impact

Research, teaching, and service efforts advanced throughout the year, delivering real-world impact across campus and beyond.

  • PVAMU landed a $1.98 million grant to support Texas’s semiconductor workforce.
  • PVAMU and Texas Southern University launched a $2.2 million machine learning research project.
  • The University secured $1.5 million to support small landowners participating in the climate economy.
  • PVAMU launched an innovative project to train special education teachers.
  • PVAMU was awarded a prestigious grant to expand global education initiatives.
  • Dr. Aliakbar M. Haghighi and Dr. Jimmy L. Henry received Regents Professor and Regents Fellow awards from The Texas A&M University System.
  • Dr. Orion Ciftja was named a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
  • Endowed Professor Dr. Ali Fares was recognized among the top 1% of scholars worldwide.
  • Prairie View A&M and Texas A&M celebrated five years of Panther Research and Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (PRISE) Program success.

A Year of Milestones

Several defining moments underscored PVAMU’s momentum and national standing.

  • PVAMU received a historic $63 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
  • The University surged in rankings and enrollment, signaling a new era of excellence.
  • PVAMU was reaffirmed as a prestigious high research R2 institution under updated Carnegie Classification standards.

Looking Ahead

The achievements of 2025 reflect the collective strength of Prairie View A&M University’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners. Together, these moments tell a story of progress, purpose, and continued impact, setting the stage for what comes next.

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