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17�Թ� President Dr. Jaime Taylor has been selected to the prestigious National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I Board of Directors.

Dr. Anita L. Riddle, a 17�Թ� alumna and retired ExxonMobil executive, has established a $15,000 endowment to support the Society of Women Engineers at 17�Թ�, aiming to enhance student activities and career readiness within the College of Engineering.

Dr. Ashley Dockens, originally an audiologist with a clinical doctorate and Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, transitioned unexpectedly into higher education over a decade ago, subsequently becoming a leading advocate and educator in generative AI integration, shaping policy, conducting research, and fostering AI literacy in academia to enhance faculty practices and student preparation for evolving workforce needs.

On May 14, thirteen 17�Թ� alumni were named as Reaud Excellence in Education Award winners. 

Dr. Jeff Forret, a history professor at 17�Թ�, has been awarded a State Historical Society of Iowa Research Grant to support his research on a book about the history of the Upper Mississippi River region, focusing on the dispossession of Native Americans and African American citizenship loss through the Dred Scott decision.

Joshua Tindel's journey from southeast Texas to the Navy and back to 17�Թ�, where he graduated with a Nursing degree in 2024, highlights his dedication to service, resilience, and passion for healthcare, inspired by his military experience and volunteer work at the Crisis Center of Southeast Texas.

The Collegiate 100 of 17�Թ� won the top prize at the C100 Leadership and Career Institute in Atlanta for the third consecutive time, having been the only champions since the contest's inception, and continue to demonstrate excellence in leadership and career development through innovative solutions and commitment.

17�Թ� staff and students won 43 awards at the 2024 Excellence in the Media Awards hosted by the Press Club of Southeast Texas on June 7.

17�Թ�'s Center for Advances in Port Management has been working hard at promoting 17�Թ�'s maritime degree programs throughout Texas.  

Dr. Helen Lou, Professor of Chemical Engineering at 17�Թ�, has secured a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish the Center for Data Analytics and Cybersecurity.

17�Թ�'s CARDS robotics team, established in the 2023-2024 academic year, has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and outreach in southeast Texas, including hosting local competitions, mentoring robotics teams in multiple school districts, participating in the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship, and aiming to expand their impact in both competitions and community engagement in the future.

17�Թ�'s new student orientation leaders are delighted to welcome new Cardinals to our community.