Three A&M System schools recognized by WHIT Program for providing tutors to foster children

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Week after week, students across The Texas A&M University System met one-on-one with children in foster care to work through reading assignments, math problems and sometimes just a difficult day.

 

Now, the WHIT Program honors those students for their service and commitment.

 

Texas A&M University was named the winner of the Large University award for the WHIT Program’s Campus Champions Initiative for providing more volunteer tutors than any other large university.

 

Texas A&M University-Texarkana received the Small University Award, and the honors programs at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and A&M-Texarkana also were recognized for their participation.

 

The Texas A&M University System is the largest participant in the WHIT Program as part of the Chancellor’s Foster Student Initiative. Founded in 2018 at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University-Kingsville, the Initiative provides legal, academic, and financial support to former and current foster children at its member universities.

 

“The Texas A&M University System is committed to serving the state of Texas and empowering young leaders to do the same,” Hegar said. “Our collaboration with the WHIT Program is not only making a difference in the lives of the children who are tutored but also in the lives of the student tutors who are learning the skills necessary to become responsive and compassionate leaders.”

 

Earlier this year, Texas A&M sophomore Devkumar Banerjee was honored as the WHIT Program’s 2025-2026 Tutor of the Year, following Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Clara Rodriguez, who received the same award for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

Jennifer Lisson, the program’s president and founder, presented Chancellor Glenn Hegar, Dr. Jonathan Kotinek of the Texas A&M Honors Academy, and Dr. James Hallmark, A&M System Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, with a $2,000 award at The Texas A&M University System Offices. Texas A&M’s Honors Academy also received a $500 award for recruiting at least ten tutors during the past academic year.

 

“One of the most powerful things about The WHIT Program is that tutoring foster kids goes far beyond academics. TAMU student volunteers don’t simply help a child in foster care with math or reading. They become mentors, role models, and often a steady source of encouragement for a young person who needs someone in their corner. And Texas A&M University at College Station has truly set the standard,” Lisson said.

 

Lisson and her husband, Jeff, established The WHIT Program in memory of her late daughter, Whitney Thompson, who was known for her love of people and concern for those in need. The Campus Champions initiative, sponsored by the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust, recruits university students to tutor children in foster care.

 

For more on the WHIT Program, please visit  www.whitprogram.org.

 

About The Texas A&M University System

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most impactful higher education systems in the country, with an annual budget of $9.1 billion. Its statewide network includes 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M–Fort Worth and the Texas A&M–RELLIS Campus. The A&M System also plays a direct role in U.S. national security as a member of the teams that manage and operate Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Pantex Plant for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The A&M System serves approximately 175,000 students and reaches millions more through research, service and outreach programs each year. With nearly $1.6 billion in annual research expenditures, the A&M System fuels innovation, supports communities and drives Texas’ economy forward.

 

Media Contact:

Chris Bryan

Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications

cbryan@tamus.edu