STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Ten Tarleton State University faculty and staff members attended the recent Texas Women in Higher Education (TWHE) annual conference in Houston. This year’s record number of attendees included several presenters, scholarship recipients and grant winners.
“Tarleton State was well represented in Houston this past week at the TWHE annual conference,” said Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason a TWHE institutional representative for Tarleton State. “The university stood out in nearly all aspects of the conference from scholarship, presentations, sponsorship and even grant awards. We also had several first-time attendees. The group effectively showcased the hard work and innovation happening at Tarleton.”
Two Tarleton State professors were among the recent recipients of the TWHE 2025 Leadership Development Grants.
Dr. Shannon Hankhouse and Prairie Endres-Parnell were each awarded $500 grants designed to support women in higher education throughout the state as they pursue opportunities for both advancement and professional growth.
Additionally, two staff members, Dr. Jericha Hopson, Business Relationship Manager for Research, and Shani Taylor, Manager of Instructional and AV Technology Support, were selected to present research about careers in information technology. First-time attendee Blake Smith, Content Marketing Specialist for the Division of Enrollment Management, received a conference scholarship.
TWHE is a Texas nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, advancing, and supporting women employed at colleges and universities across the state. Any individual who is committed to supporting and advancing women in higher education is welcome to participate in the Texas Women in Higher Education activities without regard to gender, gender identity, and gender expression.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.