Texas State University aims to achieve R1 Carnegie classification by 2027, putting it on the path to becoming a top-level research institution.
The R1 designation recognizes investments made by the university’s public and private sectors to support research conducted by faculty and students.
Texas State University is currently classified as an R2 university, but becoming R1 means Texas State University has a reputation for research excellence, said Shriek Mandayam, principal research officer.
“It’s not about being better, it’s about being different,” Mandayam said.
big picture
University faculty receive grants from state, federal, or private industry to fund the research of their undergraduate and graduate students. Researchers are trying to solve problems that are interesting to society, Mandayam said.
To receive the R1 designation, a university must have at least $50 million in research funding and graduate an average of 70 PhDs each year for three consecutive years, Mandayam said.
Texas State University reached the $50 million threshold in 2016 and continues to increase research funding, investing $160 million in 2024. The 2024 reporting period is also the first year in which the university has awarded more than 70 Ph.D. degrees, a milestone that university officials say should continue over the next two years.
This year we had 71 and if we continue this momentum we will reach there,” Mandayam said.
Although the university has met the initial criteria to be granted an R1 designation, it must continue to invest in new and existing doctoral programs.
outlook
Mandayam said the university has invested $18 million in its existing doctoral program. program candidates through scholarships, scholarships, and doctoral assistantships.
Texas also invested $50 million in new Ph.D. graduates. program—doubling the amount offered over the next year.
mark a milestone
Texas’ “Next is Now” capital campaign, which ended Aug. 31, was designed to achieve an R1 designation.
The campaign opened to the public in October 2021 and collectively raised more than $275 million, according to a news release.
Lawmakers also passed the Texas University Fund (TUF) in the 88th Texas Legislature, requiring a constitutional amendment (Proposition 5) to be submitted to Texas voters in November 2023. The voter-approved proposal would provide funding for certain higher education institutions to become majors. Research university.
Texas State University is one of four universities to receive $1 billion in funding from TUF, which will fund new Ph.D. Mandayam said they are developing the programs needed to obtain federal grants, hiring staff and providing teachers with the resources they need.
influence
Mar Huertas Pau, associate professor of biology, said achieving R1 status as a designated Hispanic-serving institution will allow the university to redouble its efforts to serve the Hispanic community. Ta.
Carlton Fong, associate professor in the School of Curriculum and Instruction, said the R1 classification will provide additional support, resources and opportunities.
He said this will enable the university to attract and retain the best talent and continue to meet its goals.
“We will advance ways to make our education system more equitable by maximizing the potential of all learners and educators, especially those who have been historically excluded or systemically marginalized.” We are working on it,” Fong said.
Looking to the future
Mandayam said he wants to quadruple the number of Ph.D. The program offered by Texas will increase research funding by an additional 50% in the future.
Mandayam said Texas will also focus on the semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability and water research.
“We are very focused on digital humanities and want to recruit humanities scholars from across the country,” he said.
