NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University, the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and Angelina College today announced the launch of the East Texas Water Institute, a new regional initiative designed to expand the information, expertise and partnerships available to communities as they steward and plan for East Texas’ water resources for generations to come.
Water sustains East Texas communities, supports agriculture and forestry, provides drinking water across the region and shapes the economy and quality of life that make East Texas unique. At the same time, communities are navigating aging infrastructure, changing water needs, workforce shortages, limited technical capacity and gaps in accessible water information.
Housed within SFA’s Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation, the East Texas Water Institute will serve as a regional hub connecting communities with research, technical expertise, workforce development, public education and partners who can help move important water work forward.
“For generations, SFA has served as the university of East Texas,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president. “This institute represents the next chapter in that mission — bringing together education, research, innovation and partnerships to ensure that water remains a source of prosperity, resilience and opportunity for generations to come.”
The institute will focus its work across five interconnected areas:
• Water data and measurement — improving access to reliable information about East Texas water resources, including groundwater and aquifer conditions.
• Water education and public awareness — translating complex water information into accessible tools, educational resources and public engagement.
• Applied research and technical assistance — helping communities address infrastructure needs, develop solutions and connect with technical expertise and resources.
• Water workforce — strengthening education and training pathways for the professionals needed to support East Texas water systems and communities.
• Regional coordination — bringing together communities, utilities, water districts, river authorities, state agencies, higher education, landowners and other partners around shared challenges and opportunities.
“Water is a through line connecting nearly every part of East Texas’ future — our health, economy, land and communities,” said Charlie Glover, president and CEO of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. “A thriving East Texas for all will depend on how well we work together to steward this resource, strengthen regional capacity and ensure communities have the tools and partnerships needed to plan for the future.”
Among its first efforts, the institute will expand regional aquifer measurement and access to groundwater data while developing public and youth education resources focused on East Texas water.
SFA has appointed Dr. Drew Gholson as associate vice president and executive director of the East Texas Water Institute. Gholson brings experience in water resources, agriculture and applied research, and will lead the institute’s development, partnerships and regional work.
“Water challenges rarely fit within a single discipline or jurisdiction,” Gholson said. “Our role is to connect the expertise and resources that already exist across East Texas and help communities put that knowledge to work.”
The T.L.L. Temple Foundation is endowing the institute’s executive director position, making a long-term investment in the leadership and capacity needed to sustain the institute’s work across East Texas.
Angelina College has a long history of responding to the workforce needs of the region, and the East Texas Water Institute is an opportunity to apply that experience to one of the region’s most important challenges, said Dr. Michael Simon, president of Angelina College.
“Working alongside SFA, we will develop education and training pathways that respond directly to the region’s water workforce needs and prepare the skilled professionals who will be essential to maintaining, improving and protecting East Texas’ water systems,” Simon said.
The East Texas Water Institute is designed to be a lasting regional resource, connecting communities with the data, expertise, education and partnerships needed to address water challenges and pursue opportunities across East Texas.
For more information, visit sfasu.edu/etwi.
