Discussion: History in Higher Education Policy by AHAHistorians published on 2020-08-12T13:40:48Z Discussion: History in Higher Education Policy Trinidad Gonzales, chair. Featuring Raymund Paredes, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Why does the Texas legislature still require college students to take history courses, and what does that mean for history faculty members? Raymund Paredes, the Texas Commissioner of Higher Education, shared the stage with AHA Teaching Division Councilor Trinidad Gonzales (South Texas Coll.) for over an hour on August 28 at the Texas Conference on Introductory History Courses. In a frank and wide-ranging conversation about the role of history in college general education curricula and the how policy-making shapes requirements--and consequently staffing levels--for history at the college level, Paredes gave his insights and recommendations for history faculty members in the audience. He emphasized that improving students' low graduation rates for Associates and Bachelors degrees in Texas is a top priority for state higher education officials and lawmakers alike. Paredes taught in the English department at the University of California Los Angeles for more than 30 years before moving back to his native Texas. He received his PhD in American Civilization from the University of Texas at Austin. Genre Learning
