Families of students in the University of St. Thomas’ Pragmatic Studies program say they were blindsided by an administrative shakeup that pulled the university’s flagship program for students with learning differences out of the Kolbe School and removed its leadership. Parents and the program’s founder say roughly 165 students are enrolled and worry the move could unravel the individualized supports many describe as “life-changing.”
Founder And Families Sound The Alarm
Anna Schubert, 22, told ABC13 Houston she completed an associate degree through Pragmatic Studies and was working toward a bachelor’s when the shakeup landed. In that same report, program chair Dr. Tera Torres said, “My whole department has been eliminated, all have been fired,” and said she is working to start another program for students who learn differently.
University Says It Will 'Strengthen' The Program
University leaders say the program is being “strengthened” and that students will now be housed in the School of Education and Human Services, though officials declined to discuss personnel matters, according to reporting by the Houston Chronicle. That outlet also reports the university declined to renew Dr. Torres’ contract and that Volunteers of America Texas notified the school it would end future scholarship funding after the program was moved.
How The Program Was Built
Pragmatic Studies launched in 2021 as an associate-degree track tailored for students with learning differences and later expanded to include a BAAS option, according to University of St. Thomas news. University materials and past releases describe rapid growth, noting the program had drawn internship partners and philanthropic backing. Families say that track record raises the stakes for any reorganization.
Parents Demand Clarity
Parents say communication from campus has been thin and that many families only learned of the reorganization after it was already a done deal, with some students hearing the news while off campus on trips, the Houston Chronicle reports. In response, families have circulated petitions and are pushing for an in-person briefing spelling out what the shakeup means for staffing, student services and scholarship commitments.
What To Watch Next
University leaders have told reporters they are meeting with affected students and families and maintain that supports will remain in place, according to ABC13 Houston. Parents and advocates say they are watching closely to see whether scholarship partners restore funding and whether the program’s individualized model survives the move as the spring semester approaches.
