Jessica Priest
jessicapriest.bsky.social
Jessica Priest
@jessicapriest.bsky.social
Higher education reporter for The Texas Tribune | jessica.priest@texastribune.org
Reposted by Jessica Priest
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.
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.
www.texastribune.org
September 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Reposted by Jessica Priest
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.
www.texastribune.org
June 16, 2025 at 11:28 PM
@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...
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.
www.texastribune.org
June 17, 2025 at 1:41 PM
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...
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.
www.texastribune.org
March 14, 2025 at 7:51 PM
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 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.
www.texastribune.org
March 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Jessica Priest
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 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.
www.texastribune.org
February 11, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Reposted by Jessica Priest
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
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.
www.texastribune.org
February 6, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Reposted by Jessica Priest
@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
January 14, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by Jessica Priest
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.
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.
www.texastribune.org
January 10, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by Jessica Priest
Thank you @dansolomon.com for this impassioned and necessary defense of Y’ALL www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/... @texasmonthly.bsky.social
The New York Times Denounced “Y’all.” We’d Like a Word.
Is this even really a debate?
www.texasmonthly.com
December 7, 2024 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Jessica Priest
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
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 ...
www.propublica.org
December 5, 2024 at 4:36 PM