Torch Magazine – ��̽��

Full Circle: Alumni Spotlight on Jennifer Biry ’97

Tracy Donley — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:33:29 +0000

��̽�� alum Jennifer Biry is having a full-circle moment.

Soon after crossing the stage at ��̽��, having earned her degree in business administration, she went to work for telecommunications giant AT&T. She worked there for more than two decades, climbing ranks before eventually moving on to other opportunities at Warner Media and then McAfee.

But this year, she’s returned to her old stomping grounds at AT&T—this time around as Deputy CFO. And come January, she’ll transition into the role of Senior Executive Vice President and CFO. “The company helped shape my career, and I’m excited to bring back the cross-industry perspective and expertise I’ve learned along the way to help lead the next chapter,” Biry says. “When I joined the company out of college, I never imagined I would one day return to AT&T as its future CFO.”

But it makes sense, when you think about the broad range of knowledge Biry has collected over the course of her career thus far. She knows AT&T because she worked her way through it. “Over the years, I was fortunate to take on roles across finance, strategy, operations, and media, and each one gave me a deeper understanding of how the business operates—and more importantly, how decisions create long-term value for customers, employees, and shareholders.”

From where she’s standing now, she can look over her career and clearly see the first big break. “Early in my career at AT&T, I was asked to support the BellSouth and Cingular merger,” she recalls.

Some readers will remember Cingular, an American mobile phone company. It was owned by AT&T and BellSouth, but after the two companies became one, it was fully owned by AT&T. And Biry was right in the middle of that acquisition.

“Growth comes from saying yes to the uncomfortable. Some of the best opportunities are the ones that feel a little bigger than you’re ready for.”

“I was one of the younger members of the team, and it was a tremendous opportunity that gave me exposure to a high-stakes transaction, insight into different parts of the business, and the ability to interact with leaders I wouldn’t have otherwise worked with so early in my career,” she says. “Looking back, that experience was pivotal. It broadened my perspective and accelerated my development as a leader. It also reinforced what I learned at ��̽��: Growth comes from saying yes to the uncomfortable. Some of the best opportunities are the ones that feel a little bigger than you’re ready for.”

Sound advice for up-and-coming Bulldogs—and pretty much everyone, no matter what phase of their careers they are in. But Biry is a strong believer in supporting and encouraging the next generation of leaders. To that end, she has a few words of advice for current students: “Take full advantage of the opportunities you have in front of you today. My career has been built on a strong foundation that started with the quality of education I received at ��̽��,” she says. “And I believe that a true difference maker is ��̽��’s focus on giving its students access to professors who bring real-world business experience into the classroom. It’s an incredible advantage to learn from people who have navigated the challenges and opportunities you are studying, and who can connect lessons with practical business situations.”

Biry says ��̽��’s smaller-sized classes are a great asset, because they allow professors to really lean in and influence the careers of their students. “In fact, it was one of my professors, Ron Huntsman, who encouraged me to pursue accounting,” she adds. “He thought that my passion for business combined with a solid understanding of the financial statements would be a unique and valuable combination. That advice ended up putting me on a path that shaped the rest of my career and ultimately led me to where I am today.”

She’s still connected to her alma mater—for example, she’s served on the university’s Executive Advisory Council for the Business Department, now called the Business Advisory Council. She’s also the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award.

And she still carries with her the most important lessons she learned back in her undergrad days. Among those lessons: Growth happens when you’re willing to step outside of your comfort zone. “My time at ��̽�� gave me a strong business foundation, but more importantly, it taught me how to stay curious, ask questions, and keep learning,” she says. “When I started my career, I was solely focused on ‘climbing the corporate ladder,’ but I soon learned to think of my trajectory as a lattice rather than a ladder. The roles that helped me grow the most were often the ones that stretched me in new directions—and many weren’t promotions. That mindset of embracing new experiences and continuous learning is something I still rely on every day.”

Alongside those lessons, there are fond memories of her undergrad years—not necessarily of a specific event, but more about the sense of community that permeates the ��̽�� campus. “��̽�� is a place where people genuinely invest in one another’s success,” she says. “The relationships I built with classmates, professors, and mentors had a lasting impact on me and helped shape the person and leader I’ve become. It’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed connected to the university over the years and why I’m so passionate about giving back to current students.”

The Truest Friends: Sigma Lambda Chi and Friends Host 50th Spring Party

Tracy Donley — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 21:28:26 +0000

It all started in 1975, when four recent ��̽�� graduates—all of them Sigma Lambda Chi fraternity brothers—proposed the idea of a spring gathering so that they could stay connected with their fellow Bulldogs as the years passed. The first Spring Party took place the following year, 1976, and those four—Stephen “Whip” Wendel, Vance “Vy” Youens, John Miller, and Frank Burk, later joined by Henry “Dutch” Schonenberg and Belinda Schmidt—have worked to keep the Spring Party alive for fifty years now. Gaeylyn Burk, Frank’s wife who passed away in 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer, was also a driving force behind the party, and in fact, became known as the mother of the Spring Party, as the event is usually held at the Burks’ home, and she was known to be such a gracious hostess.

This year, some seventy-five friends came together on a Saturday in June, celebrating their shared histories at ��̽�� and the bonds of enduring friendship. One has to wonder if they could’ve imagined, back in 1976, that they would still be faithfully gathering fifty years later.

As always, everyone chipped in to help cover costs—but with a generous donor choosing to foot the bill, the group once again was able to present a sizeable donation to ��̽��, this year benefitting the Frank and Gaelyn Burk Scholarship endowment fund, so that future generations of Bulldogs will live as a legacy, forging new paths, serving in new ways, and celebrating friendships yet to come.

Culture Shaper: Alum Spotlight on Julie Hiner ’92

Tracy Donley — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:45:12 +0000

Most ��̽�� graduates carry with them four years’ worth of memories from their time on campus—eventful years of learning, making lifelong connections, and growing their wings. But alum Julie Hiner ’92 arrived for her first day of school with a full bank of ��̽�� memories already in place. “I basically grew up on campus, running around with other professors’ kids,” she says. (Her dad is Dr. Bob Hiner, who taught psychology at ��̽�� for 33 years, arriving in the 60s and staying right through his retirement.)

So when it came time to choose which college to attend, ��̽�� was a seamless fit for Hiner. She chose communications and media studies as her major and enjoyed the small class sizes, the dedication of her professors, and the chance to explore her faith—all the while soaking in the liberal arts curriculum, which would provide the foundation for her career. “The coursework made me a more well-rounded person and professional, someone who can see the big picture,” she says. And those small classes? They boosted her faith in herself. “Beyond academics, ��̽�� gave me exceptional access to campus leaders, which gave me the confidence to hold my own in a room with senior business leaders.”

The Liberal Arts Mindset

Hiner’s undergrad years equipped her well for a very rewarding career journey—and she says the liberal arts mindset remains a valuable asset in today’s job market. “At a time when everyone is becoming so specialized, this education gives you a broad, inclusive perspective. In a corporate environment, that translates into what I call ‘enterprise thinking’—which means taking all functions and teams into consideration as you create solutions for the total business.”

Hiner had watched for years as her father cultivated long-term relationships with his students, so she sought that same attention and enduring collaboration with her own professors. “Fast forward to today, the same is true with the leaders and co-workers that I interact with every day,” she says. “��̽�� is special because of the students, faculty, and staff. In the same way, people are what drives a company’s culture and makes it unique.”

Hiner knows a thing or two about company culture. Since graduating, she’s held positions that have allowed her to transform corporate communications over a wide range of companies—the most recent of which is Illumina, an American biotechnology company.

But to understand what led her there, let’s rewind a bit, back to Hiner’s professional goals in her college days. “My favorite class at ��̽�� was mass communications,” she recalls. “For a brief period, I thought I wanted to work in broadcast news. After an internship at a local news desk and a brief stint in radio, I found my professional home in corporate communications. In the early days of my career, it became clear that those first few jobs were not going to be my long-term path. I’m thankful that they helped me understand more about what I liked and what I was best at.”

Finding Her Voice

She wrapped up her degree in 1992 and headed out into the field, working her way through her first jobs, moving across the country to be where the opportunities were. Then came her first big break: a position with Lucent Technologies. “At the time, the telecommunications company was a giant, with over 200,000 employees across the globe, and a Wall Street darling,” she says. “It was my first formal corporate communications role and the first time I directly supported an executive. It was so daunting! Mentors within the company helped me find my voice and, over time, I gained the courage to use that voice.”

Unfortunately, Lucent fell on hard times, eventually merging with another company and finally being acquired by yet another. “Times were good, until they weren’t,” says Hiner. “The company faced a downturn and quite literally couldn’t keep the lights on. I was still diligently working when a senior leader shared one of life’s most important lessons: knowing when to stick it out and knowing when to move on to the next opportunity. That experience also taught me the importance of transparency. It also taught me that character towers above corporate politics.”

Just like she did in college, Hiner packed up every lesson she’d learned and took them with her as she moved forward in her career—and she used the experience at Lucent to her advantage. “Throughout my career I have been drawn to companies that are in the midst of deep transformation or change,” she says. “For example, I joined Capital One as they were transitioning from a credit card company into a bank. My team built, from scratch, the communications structure for the new banking business. The same holds true for my current role at Illumina. I joined when the company had an entirely new C-suite and a communications strategy that needed a full and global refresh. That blank slate gave me a massive voice to shape the next era of Illumina’s communications.”

The Path to Illumina

On the journey toward Illumina, Hiner worked at companies like Citigroup, AMD, and Lumen Technologies. She crisscrossed the country, basing in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Louisiana, Texas, and now, California. But looking over the whole of her experience thus far, Hiner can see the common threads that run through all these positions, and the important lessons that she’s learned: “One, change is constant—embrace it! Two, everyone has a story, and it’s the honor of a communicator to share that story. Three, transparency is key. Transparency drives trust with your employees and confidence with your audience.”

“One, change is constant—embrace it! Two, everyone has a story, and it’s the honor of a communicator to share that story. Three, transparency is key. Transparency drives trust with your employees and confidence with your audience.”

Today, as head of communications at Illumina in San Diego, Hiner finds that she still loves the work. “I believe that communications is the best job in corporate,” she says. “Why? Because we get to make connections and tell stories. When done well, we move market perception, help sales teams drive revenue, position our senior leaders in fantastic media moments, ensure employees are engaged, protect the company brand, and so much more.”

Illumina is on the cutting edge of the development of DNA sequencing systems. It works with companies worldwide to provide next-generation genetic analysis tools so that scientists can read and study genetic material to understand disease and lead the way toward advances in medicine. And it’s Hiner’s job to get the word out, all the while keeping the lines of communication ever open within the company as well.

“My role at Illumina puts me at the center of an industry-leading biotech company,” she says. “Illumina is working to improve human health with DNA sequencing. Illumina’s life science solutions advance cancer research, diagnose genetic disease, track infectious disease, and so much more. My role encompasses internal, external, and social media communications as well as the company’s employee experience, community relations, and philanthropic efforts. There’s honestly not one thing I love most . . . because I love it all.”

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. “Of course, there are parts of this job that are not so easy,” Hiner admits. “When the company faces challenges, the communications team makes sure that we are sharing a transparent story that keeps confidence in the company. If the press gets a story wrong, we need to correct it. If there is a lawsuit halfway around the world, we have to address it. We also work as a global team, which is fantastic, but those 4 a.m. calls with our colleagues in China mean I will need a lot of extra caffeine that morning! That said, every difficult day is in service of a mission to improve lives . . . well . . . that is bigger than any tough moment.”

��̽�� Memories

And even though there are a lot of miles between Seguin and San Diego, Hiner still carries those ��̽�� memories with her wherever she goes. Picking out a favorite from among the years she spent on campus—whether from her childhood or her college days—isn’t easy. “As a professor’s kid, I have 23 years of ��̽��/campus memories to choose from,” she says. “I think about my summer job lifeguarding at Mabee pool. And getting a C in the intro to psychology class taught by my own dad! We still argue about that grade. Probably my favorite memory would be July 4^th potlucks with all of the professors and their families at Dr. Giesber’s property. The backyard was banked against the Guadalupe River, and it was a time where the amazing faculty and staff really came together as a family.”

Really, all of those memories boil down to one thing. “Bottom line, my favorite memories have been and will continue to be about the people. Across ��̽��’s social media and communication platforms—you can see the quality and caliber of the talent this university is sending out into the world. It’s impressive and I feel very fortunate to count myself as a fellow grad. ��̽�� is such an incredible place and I’m grateful to have spent so many years involved with the school.”

Seventh in a Row: ��̽�� Makes PTK Honor Roll Again This Year

Tracy Donley — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:56:45 +0000

Every year, Phi Theta Kappa—an honor society for students attending associate degree-granting colleges—names select universities across the nation to its Transfer Honor Roll, which has become a national benchmark for transfer excellence. This year, 275 four-year colleges and universities were named, and for the seventh consecutive year, ��̽�� made the cut.

“At ��̽��, we are honored to be recognized as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll, as it reassures our goal in aligning with PTK’s mission to recognize and promote student academic achievement,” said ��̽�� Vice President for Enrollment Alecia McCain. “We are focused on providing transfer students with a personalized transition to ��̽��, which will allow the students to understand the transferability of courses and strength of academic scholarships.”

The honor roll was created to recognize institutions that demonstrate exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college transfer students earn their bachelor’s degrees. PTK assesses colleges across five different dimensions which influence the success of transfer students, including student success outcomes, financial support, and campus engagement.

“This recognition is about much more than transfer agreements,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Successful transfer happens when institutions intentionally design policies, practices, and campus cultures that help students thrive after they arrive. These colleges have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority.”

A Dream and a Prayer: Alum Spotlight on Dr. Elizabeth Garcia ’26

Tracy Donley — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:15:59 +0000

There was a time when ��̽�� Professor of Nursing Dr. Elizabeth Garcia was afraid she might fail—and the stakes at the time were very high.

This story begins with the dream that Garcia had held since she was a teenager: to become a nurse. It was a dream she shared with her mom, who couldn’t pursue that goal for herself due to financial hardship. So Garcia was dreaming for two, and the fact that she found herself struggling in nursing school must’ve felt like something incredibly important was slipping from her grasp.

Back in high school, the idea of pursuing a degree in nursing butted up against the harsh realities of the cost of higher education—and the cycle that Garcia’s mother had dealt with threatened to repeat itself. “We knew that we couldn’t afford it for me either, so it was not something we discussed at home,” Garcia says, looking back.

But then, things changed. “During my high school years, two teachers came into my life who believed in me, invested their time in me, and helped me find a way.” Those teachers must’ve seen the potential in young Garcia. For one thing, she was an A student. For another, she was a hard worker. “Before I knew it, I had earned enough money in scholarships to help pay for nursing school. I believe God sent them to me. These two educators taught me many things, but most importantly, they taught me what faculty support should look like.”

So she entered nursing school, ready to break the cycle and pursue the dream, but the difficulty faced by anyone aspiring to become a nurse was compounded, ironically, by some of her professors. “I was always a 4.0 student in high school, so I thought nursing school would be a breeze,” she says. “It was not. I really struggled and most of my nursing professors were not supportive or encouraging. One professor regularly reminded me how close I was to failing each semester.”

Yet instead of giving up, Garcia decided to turn that struggle into a promise. “I prayed constantly, asking God to help me graduate. I promised Him that if He carried me through, I would one day devote myself to helping struggling nursing students like I had been. I wanted students to have a positive nursing school experience, rather than the one I experienced.”

Putting the Promise into Play

You’ve probably already figured out that Garcia persevered. She successfully weathered nursing school—but she didn’t stop there. After earning her associate’s degree, she went on to pursue her bachelor’s as a registered nurse, and then her master’s in nursing education.

In 2020, after years in the field, she came to ��̽��, true to her promise, and began offering a hand up to aspiring nurses. “So here I am, having come full circle, and God has me in a position to do just that.”

She became to her students the kind of teacher she herself had needed back in nursing school. Clearly, she takes great joy in that. “I love watching students succeed, especially those who have the odds stacked against them,” she says. “Seeing them overcome challenges and realize they are capable of becoming excellent nurses is incredibly rewarding.”

Garcia is humbled by her role. “I believe God allows me to be part of those moments, and it is an honor to encourage students as they discover that they are capable of far more than they imagined. Completing a nursing degree can change the trajectory of not only their lives, but the lives of their families for generations. Being part of that journey is one of my greatest blessings and one of my personal ministries.”

A New Challenge

So there Garcia was, not only a registered nurse herself, but a teacher to other nurses; not only the bearer of the dream she shared with her mother, but a person in a position to help others rise to meet their own goals.

But there was still room to grow—and there were still hurdles to clear.

“I dreamed of obtaining a doctorate but didn’t feel it was financially possible,” Garcia says. “My husband and I prayed about this for years. In January of 2023 we got serious about making a decision and started looking at schools and comparing prices. Again, I felt defeated looking at the costs.”

But all of that was about to change. ��̽�� was launching its first doctoral program—a doctor of education degree—and looking for a few outstanding individuals to join the first cohort. “God came through once again,” Garcia says. “He laid this opportunity in my lap. In February 2023, I received an email that notified me that ��̽�� would be covering my tuition at 100 percent. I cried. Getting my doctorate was the missing puzzle piece that was going to allow me to continue doing the work I promised God that I would do. I saw it as God equipping me with the knowledge and credentials to continue the work He had called me to do.”

In May, Garcia, in the presence of her family, professors, fellow students, and colleagues, made yet another dream come true—and saw yet another prayer answered.

She says the ��̽�� EdD is set apart from other such programs by its emphasis on personalized attention. “My professors began as instructors but became trusted mentors. They genuinely cared about me as a person, not simply as another student on the roster. Dr. Peñaranda’s leadership, along with Dr. Bollinger and the rest of the faculty, set the tone for an exceptional program. They created a culture where students were challenged academically while also being supported personally.”

So this spring—a lifetime away from those years of struggle in nursing school—a triumphant Garcia earned her doctorate. And as it worked out, her own young son donned cap and gown right along with her—in his case because he had just completed kindergarten. He will grow up within a new cycle, one forged by his mother, and by her mother . . . And he will carry that legacy and, no doubt, have dreams of his own—along with the courage to make them come true.

Beyond Walls, For the Common Good: ��̽�� Attends Annual VLHE Conference

Tracy Donley — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:59:24 +0000

Every summer, members of the National Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU), gather at Augsburg University in Minnesota for the Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education Conference. There they explore the many ways in which Lutheran values can play an active role in the realm of higher education—values like civic engagement and service to neighbor.

This year’s theme, “Beyond Walls, For the Common Good: Lutheran Higher Education and Civic Responsibility,” challenged participants to step beyond the worldly walls of campus, culture, and comfort in order to rediscover how the core values of faith and sharing “good news” shapes our shared responsibility for the world—a timely discussion in an age marked by polarization, inequality, and public distrust.

Dr. Steve Vrooman addresses group at annual VLHE conference.

Representing ��̽�� at the conference were Director of International Education Charla Bailey, Director of Counseling and Accommodation Services Sarah Westerfield, and Associate Professor of Psychology and Social Sciences Division Chair Dr. Beth Woods. Attending on behalf of the President’s Cabinet were Campus Pastor and Director of Community Engagement and Mission Rev. Dr. Wes Cain, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Chris Mueller, and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Steve Vrooman. Meanwhile, Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. William O’Brochta, along with students Emma Bohmann (sophomore, English studies, theology) and Andie Lozano-Lomeli (junior, communications studies, political science) took part as well, as they were invited by conference organizers to present a session based upon their work, entitled “Sustaining Campus as a Civic Community.” Their presentation offered conference attendees insight into how a clear focus on Lutheran values can invite all students into an on-campus civic community in a lasting way.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the VLHE Conference with such a strong group of colleagues and students,” said Westerfield. “I am invigorated by the call to engage in moral discernment and service as a campus community.”

This year marked the thirty-first anniversary of the conference, which featured keynote speakers Dr. Anthony Bateza, associate professor and department chair at St. Olaf College; Jon Pahl, author and professor at United Lutheran Seminary; and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, president of Augustana University.

“The VLHE conference provided a wonderful opportunity to meet colleagues from sister Lutheran universities, to learn about their study abroad programs, and discuss how we can collaborate to send more students abroad,” said Bailey. “More broadly, I appreciated hearing about how we can all work together to be more resilient in these changing times.”

Community Pillar: ��̽��’s Dr. Judy Hoffmann Recognized by New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung

Tracy Donley — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:08:47 +0000

��̽��’s own Dr. Judy Hoffmann, emerita professor, grant specialist, and co-founder of the ��̽�� Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (SISE) program, was recently named a Community Pillar by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung in partnership with New Braunfels Monthly magazine.

Pillars of the Community are chosen for their commitment to philanthropy, historic preservation, and community leadership. Hoffmann, who joined the ��̽�� faculty in 1997, has taught history and geography and directed the SISE program—and even after leaving the classroom, has continued to work at ��̽�� as a grant writer, now serving as the director of foundation and government relations for the university.

A resident of New Braunfels for more than four decades, Hoffmann has done extensive research on the German population who settled in the area and is an expert on the history of the city—but she was also chosen as a Community Pillar because of the host of volunteer opportunities she’s taken on through the years, both within New Braunfels and beyond. Hoffmann has served organizations like the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest, the Mid-Texas Symphony, the American Cancer Society, New Braunfels Utilities, and Headwaters at the Comal—and has been a member and leader of too many boards to count.

But even considering all of this, Hoffmann said she was surprised by the recognition. “It is an honor to be singled out as a New Braunfels Community Pillar for it is my joy to serve others,” she said. “My hope is that I can inspire others, especially past, present, and future ��̽�� students, to get involved in making their community a better place. It is certainly what I urged my students to do during all my years of teaching at the university.”

��̽�� sends many congratulations to Dr. Hoffmann!

Read the full article in the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung right .

[Photo credit: Lauren Hearron, assistant managing editor and magazine editor, New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.]

Making a Meaningful Difference: ��̽��’s Dr. Ariadne De Villa Honored Internationally

Tracy Donley — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:40:06 +0000

��̽��’s Dr. Ariadne De Villa, associate professor of Spanish, had an eventful spring.

First, she was featured as one of Passion Vista magazine’s “Women Leaders to Look Up To in 2026” for her contributions to academia, language and cross-cultural education, and the advancement of thoughtful, informed leadership practices.

“I am thrilled and deeply honored to be featured for leading with language and shaping futures through education,” said De Villa. “This recognition is a testament to the passion, dedication, and purpose that drives my work every day. Being included among remarkable women who are making a positive impact and shaping the future is both humbling and inspiring. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Passion Vista team for this honor and to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Here’s to continuing to learn, grow, and make a meaningful difference.”

De Villa topped off her spring with a trip to Bangkok, Thailand, where she was selected as a Visionary and Legacy Speaker to present “Redefining Influence Through the Power of Language” at the 2026 Global Leadership and Legacy Conclave. While there, she was presented with the Medal of Honour and recognized as a World Peace and Diplomacy Organisation International Peace Ambassador for Education & Cultural Diplomacy.

De Villa said she was honored by the recognition and the opportunity to represent ��̽�� on a global platform dedicated to education, cultural understanding, and peace.

“When language opens a door for someone, it doesn’t just change their education, it changes how they see the world, and how the world sees them,” she said.

Click below to read the article in Passion Vista magazine:

Legacy: ��̽�� Alum Mason Briscoe ’14 Takes on New Role as Superintendent

Tracy Donley — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:35:53 +0000

It’s no wonder that Mason Briscoe built his career in the field of education. He grew up surrounded by teachers. “Education has always been a part of my life,” the 2014 grad says. “Growing up, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the impact that educators can have on students, families, and entire communities through the work of my mom and several of my aunts.”

Briscoe’s mother started out as an elementary school teacher, then became a principal, and is now superintendent of curriculum at Needville ISD, where Briscoe grew up. Two of his mom’s sisters are educators as well. “Their dedication to serving others helped shape my respect for the profession and gave me an appreciation for the important role schools play in people’s lives. School pride was everything to me when I was growing up.”

Briscoe’s career has been something of a whirlwind. After graduating ��̽��, he took a job in Hallettsville, teaching history and coaching baseball, before returning to his hometown, where he spent nearly two years as their head baseball coach. After that, he went back to Hallettsville, taking a job as offensive coordinator and head baseball coach.

Then he moved into administrative work, first becoming assistant principal in Hallettsville, then head principal. And now, at only 34 years old, he’s taking on a new role as superintendent for Edna Independent School District.

Briscoe has said that one of the best things about working in the field of education is the joy of watching kids succeed. And even though the nature of his work is shifting with his new role, he has no intention of distancing himself from the students in his district. “One of the greatest parts of education is building relationships with students and I want that to remain a priority for me as superintendent,” he says. “While my role will look different, I plan to stay visible and engaged on our campuses by attending student events, visiting classrooms, participating in school activities, and making time to interact with students regularly. Staying connected to our students helps ensure that the decisions we make at the district level remain focused on what matters most—their success and well-being.”

Back in his years at ��̽��, Briscoe enjoyed his time playing Bulldogs baseball, and he counts being part of the team in 2014, when they advanced to the regional tournament, as one of his favorite undergrad memories. “It was an incredible experience competing alongside such a talented group of teammates and coaches, and it’s a memory that still stands out today,” he says.

Briscoe also fondly remembers the unexpected snowstorm that hit ��̽�� during his sophomore year. Classes were canceled and he joined a group of friends to play football in the snow and have snowball fights around campus. “It was one of those unique college experiences that created lasting memories and friendships. Both memories reflect what made ��̽�� special for me—the relationships, experiences, and sense of community.”

Once he graduated, Briscoe knew for sure that he wanted to get into coaching—he’d always seen himself in that role. “I loved sports growing up and wanted to help young people succeed both on and off the field,” he says. “A lot of credit goes to Bill Miller, Greg Burnett, Fla Strawn, and Rick Heines for being great mentors as baseball coaches/athletic director.”

It didn’t take long for Briscoe to know that he’d made the right career choice. “As I began coaching and teaching, I quickly realized that education was where I belonged. Throughout my career, I have drawn inspiration from my family’s commitment to service, hard work, and doing what is best for students. Looking back, I can see how those values shaped my leadership philosophy and guided me through each stage of my career, from teaching and coaching to campus leadership and now the superintendent role.”

These days, when he’s not shaping young minds and watching over the schools in his district, he enjoys spending time with the people he loves most. “I have been happily married to my wife for eight years, and together we have two sons, Mason V (5) and Ty (4),” he says. “They keep us very busy and are the center of our lives. As a family, we enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s hunting, fishing, or working on our family’s ranches. I still have a strong passion for sports and enjoy following collegiate athletics closely. When I’m not working or spending time with family, I enjoy being around friends and connecting with people. For me, those opportunities to spend time with family and friends are the best way to recharge and stay grounded.”

The Gift of Gratitude: Alum Spotlight on Chassety Raines

Tracy Donley — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:22:09 +0000

You’ve probably heard of a Renaissance person: one of those individuals whose talents and interests seem to span a multitude of vastly different spheres. Here’s an example: When Chassety Raines graduated ��̽�� in 2022, she earned both a BA in Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship and a BS in biology. During her undergrad years, she was a member of ��̽��’s award-winning softball team (Raines was a pitcher who collected plenty of awards herself.). That, plus a double degree plan, would be enough to keep anyone on their toes. But Raines was also a member of the prestigious Black and Gold President’s Council, not to mention the National Society of Leadership and Success, Alpha Chi, Habitat for Humanity, Pi Rho Chemistry Club, and Alpha Lambda Delta. What did she do in all her spare time? She played in the concert and pep bands, of course. All of that and she still managed to graduate with highest honors.

“I kept busy!” she admits with a laugh, looking back. The secret of her success? One, she was clearly interested in lots of different things and was willing to work hard to do them all. And two, she surrounded herself with people she could count on. “I had amazing support systems, and I think that doing so much actually helped me to be sane/balanced. I had different outlets to release different stressors (such as softball or band), and because I was so busy, my schedule didn’t let me stop for too long to get overwhelmed or I would drown.”

Raines says that support system consisted of the many friends, teammates, and classmates who helped her along the way and encouraged her. “I think what also helped me was that my professors and coaches supported me,” she adds. “They allowed me to be more than just a student, or an athlete, etc. Rather, they all worked with me (and my crazy schedule), and supported me in my different activities.”

After leaving ��̽��, the next chapter of Raines’s education saw her earn her master’s in Wildlife, Aquatic, Wildlands Science and Management, as well as her certificate in geographic information systems, both from Texas Tech University. Chances are, many of us weren’t even aware that such a course of study existed—so naturally, we have to wonder what led Raines to that particular path.

“The route to my master’s program was a bit unusual,” she explains. “I never knew what I wanted to do for work, pretty much ever. It had always been a daunting question to me, even throughout undergrad and well into my master’s. I had known I wanted to do something that helps others but never had a clear image as to what that would be.”

But thankfully, one particular professor back at ��̽�� had planted a seed that would eventually flourish in a whole new field.

“During my time at ��̽�� Dr. Lievens encouraged me to minor in biology as I had already done summer research, which later led me to majoring in biology,” Raines says. “After graduating, I had an opportunity to use the rest of my NCAA eligibility from COVID at Texas Tech! After looking through their master programs and speaking to faculty members, I landed on my program and was able to also take courses in other departments that sparked my interest!”

Raines followed her passion right through her grad school years, playing ball and earning a perfect 4.0, no less, finishing up her degree in the spring of 2024. She recently accepted a position as a Vegetation Management and Wildfire Risk Data Analyst at Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP), a company that provides electricity to more than 280,000 homes and businesses in the Lone Star State. In her new role, Raines will be tasked with helping to reduce the risk of wildfires—and remember, she’d set out to do something that is helpful to others. This job fits that bill and then some.

“The work that I am doing is important for numerous reasons” she says. “We have all seen the devastating effects of wildfires that happen in the U.S. Most recently, Nebraska endured the worst wildfires in the state’s history with over 800,000 acres burned in March. Wildfires pose a risk to our farmlands, homes, and even our lives. In my role, I get the opportunity to work toward reducing the risk of wildfires occurring in my home state of Texas. I find joy and fulfilment in knowing the work that I am doing now can hopefully prevent people from losing their homes, or even a loved one.”

Raines is well prepared for the task at hand—in part, because of the gifts from her ��̽�� years that she still carries with her. “During my four years at ��̽��, I made so many memories, learned several tough lessons, and found amazing friends I can depend on, even years later,” she says. “I think if I had to sum it up to one thing, it would be that I carry the feeling of gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunities that ��̽�� gave me. Gratitude for growth from the lessons learned. Gratitude for the relationships gained and lost. And gratitude for all the memories created though those opportunities with friends by my side, learning lessons as we navigated through college.”

Torch Magazine – ����̽��