Texas Tech University System was recognized with the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award during the annual Texas Energy Working Group, co-hosted in Dallas by the FBI and Texas Tech University's Critical Infrastructure Security Institute (CISI).
The award honors individuals and organizations nationwide who strengthen communities, reduce violent crime, and protect national security. Each of the FBI's 56 field offices selects a recipient annually. This year, the FBI Dallas Division recognized Texas Tech University System for its leadership in research security and its collaboration on counterintelligence and cybersecurity initiatives.
Vice President for National Security at Texas Tech University and Executive Director of the Critical Infrastructure Security Institute, Dr. Stephen Bayne, accepted the award on behalf of Chancellor Todd Mitchell, M.D.
“It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of Chancellor Tedd Mitchell and the Texas Tech University System,” said Dr. Stephen Bayne. “This recognition highlights the critical role of higher education in working alongside federal partners like the FBI to advance research security, strengthen counterintelligence efforts, and safeguard our nation’s infrastructure. Texas Tech is proud to contribute to these vital national security priorities.”
"Congratulations to the Texas Tech University System for being the recipient of the Director's Community Leadership Award. Working with academic partners like Texas Tech is just one of the many ways the FBI seeks to safeguard vital assets like U.S. critical infrastructure. We look forward to our continued partnership in defending our nation,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
The Texas Tech University System established the Research Security Program, which has hosted multiple FBI national security engagements. Texas Tech also leads the academic subcommittee of the Dallas Division's Counterintelligence Task Force (CITF), strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and higher education institutions.
Highlights from the Texas Energy Working Group
The two-day Texas Energy Working Group event, held at Hunt Consolidated in Dallas,
Texas brought together leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore
the latest challenges and opportunities in energy security. Throughout the program,
participants examined evolving cyber threats, the importance of physical security,
and the role of research in strengthening national resilience.
In addition to expert briefings and case discussions, the event featured collaborative activities, including tabletop exercises, panel conversations, and breakout sessions. These formats encouraged participants to share perspectives, test strategies, and identify ways to align industry, government, and academic efforts. The discussions emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships and the necessity of cross-sector collaboration to address emerging risks and protect critical infrastructure.
The gathering underscored how the Texas Energy Working Group continues to catalyze dialogue and action, advancing a more secure and resilient energy workforce and ecosystem for the state and the nation.
Previous meetings of the Texas Energy Working Group had discussions that directly resulted in legislative outcomes in Texas including the Passage of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and new requirements mandating that cryptocurrency mining facilities consuming more than 75 megawatts of power must disclose their location, ownership, and electricity demand to both the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
These measures demonstrate the power of convening industry, academia, and government leaders, transforming conversations into concrete protections for Texas’s energy and infrastructure sectors.
By collaborating with industry leaders, government agencies, and academic institutions, Texas Tech University and the FBI continue to advance a secure and sustainable critical infrastructure for the state and the nation.