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, TX
More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in high water, governor says – WTOP News
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in…
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in high water, governor says.
Copyright
© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
KERRVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Kerrville issued a shelter-in-place Thursday morning, with heavy rain causing reported evacuations early Thursday morning. A Flash Flood Warning is currently in place for Kerr County as the Guadalupe River continues to rise.
Around 5:30 a.m., the National Weather Service said a “large and deadly flood wave is moving down” the Guadalupe River.
KXAN First Warning Weather Meteorologist Kristen Currie said approximately 11 inches of rain have fallen northwest of Kerr County since 10 p.m. on Wednesday. The Guadalupe River is expected to reach major flood stage in multiple areas.
Kerr County PIO Lisa Walter said “there have been multiple swift water rescues and evacuations.” Officials emphasized not to drive through flooded streets and to turn around if water covers the roadway.
Evacuations were underway in multiple areas, according to the county, including:
- Goat Creek
- Arcadia Loop
- Lowery/Guadalupe area
- Junction Highway low-water crossings
- Other low-lying neighborhoods
Emergency shelters are open at Impact Church (Goat Creek evacuation point), Calvary Temple Church and City West Church for people in West Kerr County, the county said.
Here are the latest headlines:
Live updates
7:03 a.m.: KXAN’s Kevin Baskar is in Gillespie County providing updates on the latest flood conditions in the area. Watch his update below.
6:37 a.m.: Kerr County officials emphasized not to drive through flooded streets and to turn around if water covers the roadway.
Evacuations were underway in multiple areas, according to the county, including:
- Goat Creek
- Arcadia Loop
- Lowery/Guadalupe area
- Junction Highway low-water crossings
- Other low-lying neighborhoods
Emergency shelters are open at Impact Church (Goat Creek evacuation point), Calvary Temple Church and City West Church for people in West Kerr County, the county said.
6:27 a.m.: Video shows emergency crews hauling boats and rescue equipment through Kerrville.
6:15 a.m. NewsNation correspondent Xavier Walton and his photographer captured a structure being swept up in river water and crashing into a Kerrville bridge. The structure appears to be some sort of shipping container, pushing against the bridge.
Watch the video below:
6:08 a.m.: Kerr County PIO Lisa Walter confirms “there have been multiple swift water rescues and evacuations.”
6:02 a.m.: The Guadalupe River at Center Point is expected to crest at 35 feet, which is the same crest as July 4, 2025.
5:57 a.m.: The National Weather Service said “a large deadly flood wave” is moving down the Guadalupe River.
5:49 a.m.: The Comfort Volunteer Fire Department said it has units in Kerrville and Centerpoint alerting people along the Guadalupe River. They’re helping Kerr County with evacuations along Highway 27 between Comfort and Centerpoint. They said all VFD personnel are OK.
5:30 a.m.: The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that it’s received reports of “street flooding in Ingram, and it’s likely many roads and city streets are flooded as well.”
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As flood threats continue across parts of South Central Texas, Austin Pets Alive! has activated emergency response efforts to support animal shelters affected by the inclement weather.
In a social media post, APA! wrote, “We began offering aid last night, working to secure fosters for 10 dogs in the Castroville shelter, an open-air shelter that sits at the bottom of a valley.”
APA! said the situation escalated overnight with additional shelters reporting flooding. One shelter confirmed that floodwaters reached its facility, APA! added.
Communities overwhelmed due to weather include Uvalde, Castroville and Sabinal.
The nonprofit is asking the Austin community to foster, adopt or donate to free up capacity for animals displaced by the disaster. APA! needs to clear out its facilities to assist the animals in need of shelter.
Here are ways you can help:
- Adopt: APA! is offering a “Name Your Own Adoption Fee” on all animals.
- Foster: The shelter is seeking foster homes for a minimum of three weeks.
- Donate: Proceeds will fund vans and response teams setting up a staging and triage center at the heart of the disaster zone, along with an expanded stockpile of preventatives, PPE and additional supplies.
If you would like to donate, click here.
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