Signature Programs

Our Signature Programs offer fellowships, collaborative projects, and immersive experiences that empower students, educators, and communities to learn, lead, and grow together.

Teaching

Humanities Teaching Fellows

A year-long fellowship for pre-service and in-service teachers focused on humanities instruction. Fellows engage in collaborative lesson design, pedagogical inquiry, and mentorship from university faculty and master teachers.

Outcomes

  • Advanced tools for history and civics instruction.
  • A strong cohort of innovative humanities educators.

Research

Graduate Research Collaborative in Humanities Education

A cohort-based incubator for graduate students focusing on civic learning, public memory, and teacher identity.

Outcomes

  • Faculty–student working groups.
  • Co-authored scholarship and conference presentations on civic learning, public memory, and teacher development.
  • Community-engaged digital humanities projects and classroom-ready curriculum toolkits co-designed with K–12 partners.

Archival History Development

A community-driven digital archive of oral histories and culturally significant materials co-curated with students and teachers.

Outcomes

  • Graduate students develop archival and digital humanities expertise.
  • Pre-service teachers gain curriculum integration skills.
  • Local educators access classroom-ready resources.

Athletics

Sports Leadership for Community Impact Conference

The Sports Leadership for Community Impact Conference brings together educators, coaches, nonprofit leaders, youth-serving organizations, and civic stakeholders committed to developing young people into community-minded leaders through sport. Grounded in the belief that sport is a powerful vehicle for leadership development, civic engagement, and social impact, this conference emphasizes practical strategies, community partnerships, and applied leadership models.

Outcomes

  • Inspires athlete-leaders with a vision beyond the field.
  • Provides professional development for coaches.
  • Strengthens university–community relationships.

Community Engagement

Next Generation Scholars Academy (Grades 6-8)

The TRACE Next Generation Scholars Academy is a selective, two-week academic experience that cultivates college-readiness by providing middle school students with premium access to research-based learning and early opportunities to demonstrate their potential to high schools and universities as emerging scholars, researchers, and leaders.

Rooted in Texas: Researching Family and Community Histories

From Stories To Scholarship

Outcomes
  • Develop and present an original “college-level” research project
  • Experience learning from Texas A&M University professors and staff
  • Receive a Certificate of Completion from a college readiness program
  • (Remove: “Build confidence as a thinker, presenter, and scholar”)

Priority Deadline: May 15
Final Deadline: May 29
Cost: No Cost (Selective Admission, Limited Seats, Valued at $1200)