December 2025 Destination Bryan Tourism Office Update

Texas A&M University Police Announce Promotions For Five Officers

The Texas A&M University Police Department is pleased to announce several promotions over the last few months for the 2025-2026 Police Promotional cycle. Chad Houston: Chad Houston has been promoted to the rank of Captain within the Support Services Division. Capt. Houston is responsible for supervising employees in Personnel, Recruiting, & Training, Special Operations, Dispatch, Records & Evidence, and IT Sections. Capt. Houston has been employed with the department for 26 years and has a Master Peace Officer License. He previously served as a Security Officer, Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Clery Compliance Sergeant, Special Operations Lieutenant, Patrol Operations Lieutenant, Criminal Investigations Lieutenant, and Internal Affairs Coordinator. Capt. Houston also currently serves as a member of the University Police Department Honor Guard. Capt. Houston received the Texas A&M University Division of Finance and Operations Selfless Service Award in 2018, President’s Meritorious Service Award in 2019, and a Chief’s Citation Award in 2026. Capt. Houston is a native of San Angelo, TX. He and his wife have been married for 22 years. Captain Houston earned a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from Texas A&M University in 2000. Jonathan Blythe: Jonathan Blythe has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant within the Field Operations Division. Lt. Blythe is responsible for supervising two night patrol shifts within the Patrol Operations Section. Lt. Blythe has been employed with the department for 12 years and has a Master Peace Officer License. He previously served as a Field Training Officer, Canine Handler, Patrol Sergeant, and Training Coordinator. Lt. Blythe also currently serves as a Public Information Officer for the department. Lt. Blythe received a Texas A&M University President’s Meritorious Service Team Award in 2015, Texas A&M University Selfless Service Award in 2016, and the Supervisor of the Year Award in 2024. Lt. Blythe is a native of Hempstead, TX. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 20 years and have two daughters, Alexis and Sofia. Lt. Blythe earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from East Texas A&M University in 2025. Aoife Nester: Aoife Nester has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant within the Field Operations Division. Sgt. Nester is responsible for supervising police officers assigned to her patrol shift. Sgt. Nester has been employed with the department for five years and has an Advanced Peace Officer License. She previously served as a Field Training Officer, a Bicycle Officer, and a Mental Health Peace Officer, during which she assisted with implementing the UHS and TAMUPD Co-Responder program. Sgt. Nester also currently serves as a Basic Instructor for the department. Sgt. Nester received a Life-Saving Award and a Chief Citation in 2025. Sgt. Nester is a native of Surrey, England, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology at Texas A&M University. Yolanda Hickman: Yolanda Hickman has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant within the Support Services Division. Sgt. Hickman is responsible for supervising police officers assigned to the Community Service Unit. Sgt. Hickman has been employed with the department for 15 years and has a Master Peace Officer License. She previously served as a Field Training Officer, a Bicycle Officer, and a Defensive Tactics Instructor. Sgt. Hickman also currently serves as a Certified Crime Prevention Specialist and member of the University Police Department Honor Guard. Sgt. Yolanda Hickman received the Texas A&M University Operations Division Operational Excellence Award in 2026 and the Keeping the Dream Alive Award Honoring Black Women in Law Enforcement, making an impact in 2025. Sgt. Hickman is a native of Bryan/College Station, TX. Sgt. Hickman earned a bachelor’s degree in business and criminal justice from DeVry University in 2016. Cody Mitchell: Cody Mitchell has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant within the Field Operations Division. Sgt. Mitchell is responsible for supervising police officers assigned to his patrol shift. Sgt. Mitchell has been employed with the department for five years and has an Intermediate Peace Officer License. He previously served as a Field Training Officer. Sgt. Mitchell also currently serves as a Basic Instructor for the department. Sgt. Mitchell is a native of Caldwell, TX. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business from Liberty University.

Texas A&M University to Receive $2-Million Grant to Bolster Cybersecurity & AI Training

United States Senator John Cornyn announced today that Texas A&M University has been awarded a federal grant of $1,997,970 to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity workforce development so professionals are equipped to protect critical infrastructure as instances of cyberattacks from foreign adversaries continue to increase. The funding comes through the U.S. National Science Foundation as part of the CyberAICorps Scholarship For Service (SFS) Program and was established by the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, amended by the National Defense Authorization Acts for 2018 and 2021, and expanded to include the AI workforce authority through the Cornyn-negotiated CHIPS and Science Act. “We must take steps to defend against cyberattacks by training students with the AI and cybersecurity skills needed to protect our critical technology systems,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This grant will help Texas grow the ranks of cyber professionals by funding specialized training at universities across the nation, including at some of Texas’ top academic institutions. I was proud to help negotiate the CHIPS and Science Act, which made this award possible, and I look forward to seeing the advancements in AI and cybersecurity it will support.” The grant funding will: Provide resources for specialized training in AI and cybersecurity; Support students’ placement and retention in the CyberAI mission of government organizations; And help advance the CyberAI field and the protection of U.S. national security.

Road Closures, Facility Closures, and Schedule for Upcoming Games of Texas

The Texas Amateur Athletics Foundation (TAAF) Summer Games of Texas kick off Thursday. Both Bryan and College Station have announced that certain facilities will be closed while the event is in town. Bryan: • Pools, including the Bryan Aquatic Center and Sadie Thomas Pool (closed July 29-August 3) • Bryan Tennis Center (closed August 1-2) College Station: • Gary Halter Nature Center (closed July 27-August 2) • Meyer Senior and Community Center (closed July 27-August 2) • Lincoln Recreation Center (closed July 27-August 2) • Southwood Community Center (closed July 27-August 2) • Parks and Recreation Administrative Office (closed July 30-31) • Adamson Lagoon & Cindy Hallaran Pool (closed July 30-August 2) In Bryan there will also be some street closures as part of the Track and Field competition at Merrill Green Stadium. For the safety of participants and attendees, the City of Bryan has announced that parts of Oak Ridge and Campus Drives will be closed to through traffic Thursday, July 30 – Sunday, August 2. They say access to the Walmart area will not be interrupted.