Austin, TX
Samsung Austin Semiconductor Supports Texas A&M Engineering Academy At Austin Community College With $1.5 Million Gift
Dr. Robert H. Bishop addresses attendees at the event celebrating Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s support of the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Austin Community College.
Emily Oswald/Texas A&M Engineering
Austin Community College District (ACC) hosted a special event celebrating a $1.5 million gift from Samsung Austin Semiconductor to support the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at ACC at the Highland Campus on Tuesday, Feb. 18. This innovative partnership between ACC, Texas A&M University, and Samsung Austin Semiconductor provides an affordable and accessible pathway for aspiring engineers while addressing a critical workforce need in Texas.
“This partnership is transforming the way we prepare students for careers in engineering,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “At ACC, we are committed to creating systemic change that removes barriers to opportunity and ensures every student has the support they need to succeed. Together with Texas A&M and Samsung, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive pipeline of engineering talent that will shape the future of our region.”
“We appreciate the unwavering support from Samsung Austin Semiconductor and Austin Community College. This pivotal partnership means students who might otherwise lack the resources to move to Aggieland, as freshmen, can continue to embark on their Texas A&M Engineering journey,” says Dr. Robert H. Bishop, vice chancellor and dean of the Texas A&M College of Engineering. “Together, we’re equipping more students for thriving careers in engineering and technology, directly addressing the state and national demand for engineers.”
(l-r) Tim Smith II, Jon Taylor, Andy Brown, Kwee Lan Teo, Dr. Robert H. Bishop, Dr. David Fonken, Dr. Nan McRaven, Jeffrey Go, Justin Bryant, Gigi Edwards Bryant, Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, and Dr. Manny Gonzalez.
Emily Oswald/Texas A&M Engineering
Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s $1.5 million gift underscores ACC’s commitment to creating affordable and accessible pathways for students. The funds will support scholarships, expand program resources, and enhance student services.
“Samsung Austin Semiconductor has had strong connections with both schools. We are excited to amplify these partnerships with a $1.5 million investment to the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Austin Community College to inspire high school students to become engineers,” says Jon Taylor, executive vice president of Samsung Austin Semiconductor. “Our commitment to these schools will provide aspiring engineers the opportunity to pursue higher education without the higher cost. Access to these programs is crucial to boosting participation in engineering programs and fortifying Texas’ semiconductor ecosystem.”
About the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at ACC
The Texas A&M Engineering Academy at ACC, the first program of its kind, allows students to co-enroll at ACC and Texas A&M. Students complete their foundational courses at ACC, benefiting from small class sizes, personalized support, and state-of-the-art facilities before transitioning to Texas A&M to complete their engineering degrees.
Since its launch in 2017, the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at ACC has enrolled 710 students, with 134 graduates since 2021. Currently, 327 students remain enrolled at ACC or Texas A&M, reflecting the program’s 65% retention rate.
Engineering Job Demand
The Academy will play a crucial role in preparing engineers, which is critical as Texas continues to experience explosive growth in technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure. According to the JobsEQ Occupational Report, engineers in Texas earn an average salary of $118,200, with opportunities in multiple fields, including Civil, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Petroleum, and Aerospace Engineering.
With over 154,000 engineers employed across Texas and projected growth of 1.8% annually, the need for engineering talent is clear. The Engineering Academy is uniquely positioned to meet these demands while creating pathways for students to achieve well-paying and meaningful careers.
“Engineers are the backbone of innovation,” says ACC Provost Dr. Monique Umphrey. “By supporting this program, we’re addressing the urgent workforce need while empowering students with the tools and knowledge they need to lead in their field. Our partnership with ACC and Samsung ensures that more students can access this opportunity and help meet the critical need for engineers across our state.”
For more information about the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at ACC, visit austincc.edu/engineeringacademy.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thirteen Texas cities were listed as the most delinquent on debt in the United States.
Financial resource outlet WalletHub recently compared proprietary user data in the 100 largest U.S. cities to find where people were having the most difficulty paying their bills.
“Being delinquent on debt payments can cause a lot of harm to your credit score, and late payments will remain on your credit report for seven years,” WalletHub said. “People who are delinquent on any debt should try to get current as quickly as possible in order to minimize credit score damage and avoid other consequences like additional late fees, closed accounts, or lawsuits.”
The data showed the Texas city that struggled the most was Laredo, which ranked No. 8 nationally. Laredo had a total score of 72.52 out of 100, with 18.31% of people being loan balance delinquent in Q4 of 2025.
“People in some cities will have a much harder time catching up on delinquent debt payments than others, though,” WalletHub said.
Nationally, the No. 1 city with the most delinquent debt was Detroit, Michigan, which had residents delinquent on 15.7% of all their loans and lines of credit. Detroit residents were also delinquent on 20.2% of their entire debt, according to the study’s data.
Other Texas cities in the top 20 included:
No. 11 – Garland, TX
- Total Score: 68.11
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 13.42%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 13.91%
No. 13 – El Paso, TX
- Total Score: 65.83
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 12.86%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 14.30%
No. 18 – Arlington, TX
- Total Score: 63.15
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 12.87%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 13.35%
No. 20 – Lubbock, TX
- Total Score: 61.07
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 12.71%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 12.96%
Other Texas cities in the top 100 included:
No. 26 – San Antonio, TX
- Total Score: 58.59
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 12.05%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 13.50%
No. 32 – Fort Worth, TX
- Total Score: 55.09
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 11.96%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 12.47%
No. 39 – Houston, TX
- Total Score: 50.71
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 12.43%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 9.92%
No. 47 – Corpus Christi, TX
- Total Score: 46.79
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 10.72%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 12.21%
No. 52 – Irving, TX
- Total Score: 44.37
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 11.56%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 9.57%
No. 68 – Dallas, TX
- Total Score: 38.36
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 11.86%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 6.83%
No. 83 – Plano, TX
- Total Score: 30.81
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 10.79%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 6.46%
No. 90 – Austin, TX
- Total Score: 21.40
- Percentage of Tradelines Delinquent in Q4 2025: 9.56%
- Percentage of Loan Balance Delinquent in Q4 2025: 5.80%
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ABC Kite Fest, a beloved annual tradition in Austin, Texas, has announced the final details for its upcoming event on April 11th in Zilker Park. As the largest and longest-running kite festival of its kind, the one-day celebration will feature kite flying demonstrations, live music, food trucks, and a variety of family-friendly activities.
Why it matters
The ABC Kite Fest has been a cherished part of the Austin community for decades, drawing thousands of locals and visitors each year to enjoy the colorful displays of kites in the sky above Zilker Park. The festival celebrates the city’s vibrant outdoor culture and provides a fun, affordable day of entertainment for all ages.
The details
This year’s ABC Kite Fest will feature professional kite flying demonstrations, with expert kite pilots showcasing their skills and techniques throughout the day. In addition to the kite flying, the event will also include live music performances, a variety of food trucks offering local cuisine, and activity booths with games and crafts for children.
- ABC Kite Fest will take place on April 11, 2026 in Zilker Park, Austin, Texas.
The players
ABC Kite Fest
An annual kite festival in Austin, Texas that is the largest and longest-running of its kind.
Zilker Park
A popular urban park in Austin, Texas that hosts the ABC Kite Fest each year.
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What’s next
Tickets for the ABC Kite Fest are available for purchase online, and the event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own kites or purchase them on-site to participate in the festivities.
The takeaway
The ABC Kite Fest is a beloved annual tradition that celebrates Austin’s vibrant outdoor culture and provides a fun, affordable day of entertainment for the whole family. The festival’s return to Zilker Park is sure to be a highlight of the spring season in the city.
U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 rankings for colleges, universities and higher education programs across the United States. The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy ranked No. 8 in the nation and remains the top pharmacy school in Texas.
UT Austin earned a 4.2 on a 1-5 scale. Respondents represented schools and programs offering Doctor of Pharmacy degrees accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
“As the link between patients and medicine,” says U.S. News & World Report, “pharmacists must be experts on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, understanding use, side effects and interactions.” Texas Pharmacy continues to rank among the nation’s best, remaining rigorously competitive among peer institutions.
“Our students, alumni, faculty and staff are proud to be among the leading colleges of pharmacy in the country,” says Samuel M. Poloyac, Pharm.D., Ph.D., dean of The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and James T. Doluisio Regents Chair. “We strive for excellence and impact as we shape the future of our profession through innovative care for our communities and groundbreaking health discoveries.”
View the Best Pharmacy Schools rankings to see how UT Austin stacks up against its peer institutions.
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