Justin Weiss, instructor in public administration and city planning at East Texas A&M University, has been named the 2026 Academician of the Year by the Texas City Management Association (TCMA), a statewide organization representing local government professionals.

The award recognizes exceptional contributions to the advancement of local government through teaching, scholarship and engagement with practitioners. Weiss will be formally recognized at the TCMA Annual Conference in June in Arlington.

TCMA is an organization of city managers, administrators and other municipal leaders dedicated to promoting high standards of governance, ethics, leadership and professional development across Texas. The association is committed to the council-manager form of government and works to strengthen partnerships between elected officials and professional administrators.

Weiss serves in the College of Innovation and Design at East Texas A&M, where he teaches in the Public Administration and City Planning program. The college focuses on flexible, career-aligned degree pathways, including competency-based education programs designed for working professionals. Its online format allows students, including many employed in municipal government, to advance their education while continuing to serve their communities.

“I was genuinely surprised and deeply honored by this recognition from TCMA,” Weiss said. “This award represents the meaningful partnership between higher education and the practitioners who serve our communities every day.”

Before entering higher education full time, Weiss spent more than a decade in municipal government, including service as an assistant city manager and economic development manager. That experience informs his classroom instruction and curriculum development, bridging theory and real-world application. He has played a key role in strengthening partnerships between the university and cities across the state, helping create accessible pathways for city employees to earn degrees and build leadership capacity within their organizations.

“Justin’s recognition reflects the powerful intersection of practitioner expertise and academic excellence that defines our college,” said Dr. April Sanders, dean of the College of Innovation and Design. “His deep practitioner experience, combined with his commitment to applied education, creates real pathways for working professionals to advance their careers while serving their communities. This recognition from TCMA affirms the value of bridging academic excellence with real-world impact—which is exactly what we aim to do across all our CBE programs.”

The recognition highlights Weiss' impact on preparing the next generation of public service professionals while supporting current practitioners seeking advancement. His work reflects the university's broader commitment to workforce development and community engagement throughout Texas.