Junction Changes

TO: Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Deans, Associate Deans, Chairs & Program Directors

FROM: Rod Williams, Vice Provost for Outreach & Engagement

       Ron Hendrick, Provost & Senior Vice President 

RE: Center at Junction Restructure

The Texas Tech University Center at Junction is undergoing a strategic restructuring as we reestablish programs using evidence-based approaches to outreach, engagement and measurable impact.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Construction is underway on a new education and conference center, which is scheduled for completion in December 2026. Once open, the facility will support meetings, conferences, trainings, retreats and other convenings that advance the university’s academic and engagement mission.  The new 6,400 square foot conference center has a 216 person seating capacity in a banquet style setting.

Staffing and Academic Programming

To support this next phase of growth, Texas Tech is building new infrastructure at Junction, including:

·      An Executive Director for Junction with a professor of practice appointment

·      A Director of the Outdoor Learning Lab with an instructor appointment

·      Additional instructional hires to support R1-level engagement programming

·      Graduate student assistantships focused on researching the impact of outdoor learning on STEM education

Courses and Funding Model

Courses continue to be offered at Junction. However, the funding model has changed: Participating colleges and schools will now be responsible for providing instructor salaries. Logistics related to dining, housing and field trips remain unchanged.

Llano River Field Station

The Llano River Field Station has closed in name only. Access to research sites, laboratories and facilities remains unchanged under protocols established in 2025, and research activity is encouraged to continue across Junction for faculty and graduate students working under faculty supervision. The field station designation was discontinued after three years without grant activity or peer-reviewed publications, making it unsustainable to maintain dedicated staffing.

K–12 Engagement

All K–12 schools and districts remain welcome to register for Junction programs and field trips, and any previously scheduled programs will proceed as planned.

We appreciate the continued partnership and engagement of our stakeholders as Junction enters this next chapter. Questions related to the Center at Junction may be directed to Dr. Ann Mastergeorge.