The Texas Tribune is pleased to present a daylong symposium, in partnership with Baylor University, on higher education in Texas. Topics of discussion will include higher education issues and the 84th legislative session; access, affordability and demographic change; the quest for higher ed excellence; and how to solve the persistent problem of low completion rates.

8 a.m.: Complimentary continental breakfast

8:30 a.m.: Higher Education & the 84th Legislature

• State Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee 
• State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, vice chairwoman of the House Higher Education Committee 
• State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury 
• Raymund Paredes, Texas higher education commissioner

9:45 a.m.: Higher Ed Exceptionalism

• Paul Foster, chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents 
• Edward Burger, president of Southwestern University 
• Woody Hunt, chairman of the Higher Education Strategic Planning Committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 
• Diana Natalicio, president of the University of Texas at El Paso

11 a.m.: Access, Affordability & Diversity

• Sara Martinez Tucker, University of Texas System regent and former under secretary of the U.S. Department of Education
• Cynthia Teniente-Matson, president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio 
• Lisa Fielder, founder and CEO of College Forward
• Shirley Reed, president of South Texas College

Noon Complimentary lunch

12:30 p.m. A Conversation with Ken Starr, president and chancellor of Baylor University

1:45 p.m. Cracking the Completion Code

• Wynn Rosser, CEO of the Greater Texas Foundation 
• Bill Powers, former president of the University of Texas at Austin 
• Brian McCall, chancellor of the Texas State University System 
• Elaine Mendoza, vice chairwoman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents

Optional 3 p.m. Tour of Baylor University

This symposium will be held at Baylor University in the Baylor Club inside the McLane Stadium. A light breakfast and lunch is included. Free parking will be available directly outside the venue. The event is free and open to the public. 

The Tribune's symposia are modeled on the celebrated Texas Tribune Festival. These one-day, one-topic events bring together experts to present and generate productive conversations on major issues of the day.

This event is generously sponsored by Baylor University, Educate Texas, Texas A&M University, Texas State Technical College, iDesignEDU and Southwest Airlines, the official airline of Texas Tribune Events. Media support is provided by KWBU, KWTX, The Baylor Lariat and The Waco Tribune. The Texas Tribune's higher education coverage is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Hatton W. Sumners Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation and Lumina Foundation.

Disclosure: though donors and corporate sponsors underwrite our events, they play no role in determining the content, panelists or line of questioning.