Texas A&M System Hosts Inaugural Rural Resilience Summit at RELLIS Campus
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Leaders from across Texas and the nation will gather Oct. 9–10, for the inaugural Rural Resilience Summit, hosted by The Texas A&M University System at the Animal Biotech Center at Texas A&M-RELLIS.
The two-day summit will bring together experts in education, agriculture, healthcare, emergency management and economic development to address the most pressing challenges — and promising opportunities — facing rural Texas. The event also marks the launch of the Center for Rural Resilience, an A&M System-wide initiative anchored at Tarleton State University that will serve as a hub for research, collaboration and innovation focused on rural communities.
- WHAT:
- Rural Resilience Summit — convening state and national leaders to advance health, economic sustainability, workforce development and disaster preparedness in rural Texas.
- WHEN:
- Thursday, Oct. 9 – Friday, Oct. 10, 2025
- Day 1: 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Day 2: 8:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 9 – Friday, Oct. 10, 2025
- WHERE:
- Animal Biotech Center, Building 6030
- Texas A&M-RELLIS
- 3100 State Highway 47
- Bryan, TX 77807
- WHO:
- Keynote and featured speakers include:
- Glenn Hegar, Chancellor, The Texas A&M University System
- Dr. Susan Ballabina, Executive Vice Chancellor, The Texas A&M University System
- Dr. Cliff Lamb, Agency Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
- Curtis Donaldson, Executive Director for Rural Medicine, Texas A&M Health
- Hon. Tahrohon Shannon, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Prosperity
- Keynote and featured speakers include:
- WHY IT MATTERS:
- Rural communities are essential to Texas’ future — powering the state’s economy, producing the food and energy that fuel the nation and shaping the next generation of leaders. Yet many face significant barriers to growth, including limited healthcare access, workforce shortages, economic vulnerabilities and disaster readiness challenges.
- Through the Rural Resilience Summit, The Texas A&M University System aims to:
- Launch a coordinated framework for advancing rural priorities statewide
- Strengthen partnerships among government, academia, philanthropy and local communities
- Identify actionable strategies for improving health, education, economic sustainability and disaster resilience in rural regions.
- MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
- Remarks and availability with Chancellor Glenn Hegar and senior A&M System leaders.
- Interviews with state and national rural policy experts.
- Coverage of working group discussions and pilot project proposals.
- Photo and video opportunities throughout the two-day event.
- MEDIA RSVP / CONTACT:
- For media credentials, interview requests or additional details, please contact:
- Jim Suydam
- Director of Media Relations
- The Texas A&M University System
- jsuydam@tamus.edu
- For media credentials, interview requests or additional details, please contact:
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 $8.1 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. The Texas A&M System serves approximately 175,000 students and reaches millions more through service, research 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.