Emily Messer, President, Texas Wesleyan University

Emily Messer, president of Texas Wesleyan University, talked to Invest: about the growth in student enrollment that the college has enjoyed in spite of declining student enrollment rates nationally. She also discussed how being a first-generation college student has shaped her leadership philosophy and the way she understands and approaches higher education.

What personal experiences have shaped your leadership philosophy and approach?

As president, my purpose of serving in higher education is to be part of life-changing experiences for students at Texas Wesleyan University. With over half of our students being first-generation college students, I deeply resonate with their journeys. I recognize the impact that higher education, specifically a degree from Texas Wesleyan, can have on their lives. This can transform their lives, the lives of their families and their future paths as new opportunities become available to them.

I am passionate about higher education, and Texas Wesleyan offers me the chance to support students in a profoundly meaningful way.  We take great pride in the social mobility we provide. Our student body is remarkably diverse, with nearly 60% of our students of color, and with a myriad of backgrounds. We are honored to be federally designated as both a Hispanic-serving institution (HIS), and a Minority-Serving Institution. 

What are some significant achievements and challenges that you have achieved in your first year as president?

It has been a remarkable year. We started off the academic year in August with a record-breaking freshman class, marking the largest new student body in our 133-year history. 

A significant highlight has been the engagement of our students on campus, which includes fostering strong relationships with students, faculty, and staff. For the first time I was part of the creation of our “RAMily,” a term that reflects our ram mascot. Our “RAMily” embodies the spirit of our faculty, staff and students. We support one another and make sure we are serving our students. 

The fall semester was excellent, transitioning into an outstanding spring semester. This culminated in April with my inauguration as the 21st president and first female president of Texas Wesleyan University. The week of celebrations included an alumni brunch, student and faculty events, and concluded in the formal investiture academic ceremony. 

What initiatives is Texas Wesleyan University implementing to support the specific academic needs of students of color, both in terms of their success and in retention?

Over the past year, Texas Wesleyan has implemented several retention initiatives aimed at enhancing student success. As a student-centered university, we want to provide every student every opportunity to graduate in four years and advance into their chosen careers and passions. These initiatives include the addition of student success coaches, an increase in academic advisers, and supplemental instruction. These initiatives were made possible through fundraising aimed on student success.

Recognizing many of our students are first-generation college students or come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, we ensure that 100% of our undergraduates receive scholarships or grants to make their education affordable. Additionally, we then provide extra resources to support their academic journey. For instance, we recently adopted open educational resources (OERs), which provides free access to textbooks. Nearly 30 faculty members integrated OERs in their courses, resulting in about $100,000 in savings for textbook costs for students.

We also installed a laptop vending machine in our library allowing students to swipe their student ID and check out a laptop for the day. This is an innovative solution for students who cannot purchase their own laptop to complete their coursework. 

How has the nationwide decline in student enrollment in higher education impacted Texas Wesleyan University?

In my conversations with college presidents across the country, I’ve often heard that Texas Wesleyan is in an enviable position due to our location. As the Dallas-Fort Worth area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, we’ve experienced record enrollment this past year and expect another exceptional enrollment for this coming academic year and beyond.

Most importantly, our commitment to inclusivity sets us apart. We take pride in serving and embracing a diverse student population.  Our motto is a “smaller, smarter” institution focused on personalized educational experiences. We are the choice for students who seek to know their professors while having all the student life experiences universities offer.

What is the strategy of Texas Wesleyan University to adapt its programs to support both adult learners and new demographics?

Workforce development is a prevalent topic in higher education across our region, so we aim to ensure we are providing opportunities for traditional-age students and non-traditional adult learners to obtain an education, whether it is degree-oriented or workforce development training. One of our latest initiatives is a micro-credentialing program at our school of business. This program is designed for individuals already in the workforce who wish to enhance and gain new skills to advance their careers. By offering targeted training and credentials, we aim to support professionals in their ongoing career development and growth.

How is Texas Wesleyan University engaging the business community in North Texas to remain relevant and aligned with industry demands?

Partnerships are key. We actively engage with the chambers of commerce in Fort Worth, specifically the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. By participating in these groups, we keep employers and their employees informed on the services and programs we provide while staying attuned to the needs of the various markets. In addition, we have business advisory councils across campus to collaborate and meet the demands of the workforce locally and beyond. We are also incredibly fortunate to have outstanding support from our community, including our local foundations and our business sector, which significantly contribute to our success. 

What are the most important growth opportunities that Texas Wesleyan University aims to capitalize on?

We are well positioned for growth, both in our traditional-age student population and among non-traditional learners. We are fortunate to offer some outstanding graduate degree programs at Texas Wesleyan, including the largest and most recognized nurse anesthesia program in the country. We draw students from across the nation to be a part of that doctoral program. We also offer a range of doctorate and graduate programs in the fields business, education and marriage and family therapy. While in the past those programs have been offered on campus through in-person programs, we have transitioned them to an online opportunity allowing our students more flexibility.

What are your outlook and top priorities for Texas Wesleyan University in the next two to three years?

We are excited about the future. With the strong momentum, we embark on this new era at Texas Wesleyan. Our projections indicate continued growth in enrollment and the introduction of innovative programs. Our vision remains focused on serving both the traditional-age students and adult learners while expanding our campus services and facilities.

A major upcoming development is the Karen Cramer Athletic Stadium located on campus, which will be a top-tier athletic stadium. Most institutions of our size do not have athletic stadiums on their campus, so we are thrilled about how it will serve our men’s and women’s soccer, track, and football teams. We anticipate that the Fort Worth Independent School District will use our field which will provide additional opportunities for visitors to campus. Soon, we will break ground on our Moritz Fieldhouse.

Our residence halls have been at capacity for the past couple of years, so we will see a new residence hall on campus to accommodate the growing student body. We’ve recently completed renovating our science labs and outfitting classrooms with the latest state-of-the art equipment and technology. Our new facilities and renovated buildings are made possible through the generous support of our donors, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to our university mission.