Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies

Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies The Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University - San Marcos

The Department of Occupational, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University prepares nontraditional students for careers through high-quality academic, professional, and technical programs. Our programs grant college credit for experiential learning such as work/life experience; credit for non-collegiate instruction; and credit by exam. We offer one undergraduate degree — the Bache

lor of Applied Arts and Sciences and two graduate degrees — the Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (MSIS) and the Master of Education with a Major in Management of Technical Education (MEd).

TEXAS WORKFORCE INNOVATION SUMMIT Building Skills to Degrees: Pathways to Texas’ Workforce of Tomorrow 📅 October 1, 2026...
09/04/2026

TEXAS WORKFORCE INNOVATION SUMMIT

Building Skills to Degrees: Pathways to Texas’ Workforce of Tomorrow

📅 October 1, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📍 Texas State University

Explore. Connect. Launch Your Future.

REGISTER NOW! https://forms.office.com/r/kwAWxdqm88

Are you a:
✅ Community College Student
✅ University Student
✅ High School Senior
✅ Job Seeker
✅ Adult Learner or Career Changer
✅ Workforce Professional
✅ Educator or Community Partner

Join regional employers, workforce leaders, educators, and career experts as we explore the skills, credentials, and opportunities shaping the future of work. The summit focuses on AI and the future of work, human skills, career-aligned pathways, and college-to-career transitions.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
🚀 Career Exploration Opportunities
🤝 Networking with Employers & Workforce Leaders
🎓 Transfer and Educational Pathway Information
🧠 Insights on AI, Technology, and Workforce Trends
📈 Career Readiness and Professional Development
💼 Internship, Employment, and Workforce Connections

FEATURED TOPICS
• AI & The Future of Work
• Leadership & Human Skills That Matter
• Career-Aligned Credentials & Degrees
• College-to-Career Success Strategies
• Workforce and Industry Insights

Presented By: Department of Organization, Workforce, & Leadership Studies (OWLS) - Texas State University in Partnership With:

Hays-Caldwell Economic Development Partnership
Lamar State College Orange
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
Texas State University College of Applied Arts
Texas State University Career Services
Texas AI Alliance
Austin AI Alliance
San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce

🦉 https://www.owls.txst.edu/

🎉 The OWLS Department is proud to announce that Texas State University has been awarded the 2026-2028 Open Educational R...
08/18/2026

🎉 The OWLS Department is proud to announce that Texas State University has been awarded the 2026-2028 Open Educational Resources (OER) Grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board!

This grant expands access to free learning materials, helping make higher education more affordable for Texans. Since the program's inception in 2018, OER initiatives have supported more than 33,000 Texas students and saved an estimated $3.5 million in textbook costs.

We are especially excited that Dr. Felix Quayson, OWLS faculty, is the principal investigator and will lead these efforts at Texas State University. His leadership will help advance innovative, student-centered learning opportunities that reduce costs and improve access to educational resources. TXST students who enroll across five OWLS selected courses will gain free access to OER textbooks.

Learn more in Governor Greg Abbott's announcement: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-more-than-2-million-in-grants-to-expand-free-educational-resources-for-texas-students

🦉https://www.owls.txst.edu/

✈️Texas State University is live at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the largest aviation gathering in the world. The week-long e...
07/21/2026

✈️Texas State University is live at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the largest aviation gathering in the world. The week-long event features thrilling daily air shows, attracting more than 700,000 attendees and 10,000 aircraft, which briefly turns the local control tower into the busiest on earth. 🌍

🦉Representing our fast-growing Aviation Science program is a dedicated TXST OWLS team composed of two students, two faculty members, and a flight partner instructor. They have an exciting week ahead showcasing our flight training pathways.

You can tune into the official air show live streams starting at approximately 2:30 PM Central Time Tuesday through Saturday at https://www.eaa.org/airventure/live. 📺

👩‍✈️To discover what it takes to launch your professional pilot career with us, explore the TXST OWLS Aviation Science program details at https://www.owls.txst.edu/undergraduate-program/aviation-science.html.

✨Congratulations to OWLS faculty member Zen Van Loan on being named President of the AI Alliance and the Austin AI Alli...
07/20/2026

✨Congratulations to OWLS faculty member Zen Van Loan on being named President of the AI Alliance and the Austin AI Alliance! 🎉

This is an incredible win for our students in the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) Program with an Artificial Intelligence Major: https://online.txst.edu/degrees/undergraduate/bachelor-applied-arts-sciences/

Through Ms. Van Loan's leadership, OWLS students will directly benefit from premier expertise, network connections, and cutting-edge resources designed to help our workforce and communities master AI effectively, responsibly, and confidently.

By uniting companies, educational institutions, city leaders, workforce organizations, and state leadership, the Alliance will expand AI education and economic opportunity across the state.

Join us in congratulating President Van Loan! 👏

07/10/2026

What a summer! 🚀✨ The ACCEYSS team has been on the move, and we are absolutely bursting with pride over our ACCEYSS Summer Camps 2026!
From exploring the intersection of STEAAM + Horticulture (ages 5-12) to diving deep into STEM + AI (ages 5-17), our brilliant campers spent the summer building curiosity, unlocking new talents, and fueling future careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Every single student walked away with a well-deserved recognition of completion! 📜🎓

Behind the scenes, ACCEYSS is an NSF INCLUDES Collaborative Change Consortia grant housed under the Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies (OWLS) Department at Texas State University. We are building a powerful university-community partnership between interdisciplinary researchers, faith leaders, and local community partners to prepare the next generation for STEM success across Texas and Florida! 🌟

A heartfelt THANK YOU to the incredible local organizations who partnered with us this summer to make it all happen:
~ Abundant LIFE CDC - LIFE Kidz Academy
~ Jericho City Church of Champions
~ The Glory Impact Center
~ REAL Ministries
~ No Greater Love Baptist Church
~ St. Luke AME Church - UMOJA
~ Rise Tampa, RICH House Program
~ Lion of Judah
~ Abundant Life Church - San Marcos
~ ACCEYSS Network
~ Greater Bethel Baptist Church

🦉https://www.owls.txst.edu/research/acceyss-research-group.html

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert!What skills does the future workforce need to thrive?In Episode 6 of the OWLS @ Work Podcas...
07/10/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert!
What skills does the future workforce need to thrive?

In Episode 6 of the OWLS @ Work Podcast, we dive deep into workforce growth and regional development in Central Texas.

Join Dr. Shetay Ashford-Hanserd (OWLS Department Chair) Groholske (OWLS Advisory Council Member) for an insightful conversation on bridging the gap between education and industry.

💡 Key Takeaways:
• Current employment trends in Central Texas
• In-demand skills for the regional economy
• How the OWLS department supports workforce growth

🎧 Listen to Episode 6 now to stay ahead of industry trends!
🦉https://www.owls.txst.edu/about-us/podcast-page.html

06/05/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert!

We are thrilled to share Episode 5 of the OWLS@WORK Podcasts featuring Margaret Lindsey, an invaluable member of our Advisory Council.

Mrs. Lindsey played a pivotal role in developing career investigation programs across school districts statewide. We deeply value her incredible contributions, leadership, and wisdom.

In this episode, we dive deep into:
🔸 The core concepts and development of career pathways.
🔸 How these frameworks shape student awareness, investigation, exploration, and training.
🔸 The rapidly growing educational and career opportunities right here in Central Texas.

👉 Listen now to gain exclusive insights into the future of workforce development: https://www.owls.txst.edu/about-us/podcast-page.html

🎉We’re celebrating Brittany Hyden, PhD as she embarks on an exciting new chapter at the University of Arkansas in Adult ...
06/02/2026

🎉We’re celebrating Brittany Hyden, PhD as she embarks on an exciting new chapter at the University of Arkansas in Adult and Lifelong Learning. Since joining OWLS in September 2020, Dr. Hyden has taught and mentored countless graduate students, and since September 2024 she has served as our dedicated MAIS/MSIS academic advisor.

Her passion for guiding students on their graduate pathways has shaped the OWLS community in meaningful and lasting ways.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Hyden on her new tenure‑track position and in thanking her for her many contributions to the OWLS graduate program. We will miss her and cheer her on as she continues to inspire learners throughout her career.📣

https://www.owls.txst.edu/

05/26/2026

🎙️ OWLS Podcast "Workforce Ready" with OWLS Department Chair, Dr. Shetay Ashford-Hanserd, and Advisory Council Member, John Navarrette. Tune in to learn more about how workforce readiness means mastering adaptability with a combination of soft and technical skills and lifelong learning.

Listen on Spotify and YouTube: https://www.owls.txst.edu/about-us/podcast-page.html

https://www.owls.txst.edu/
ready education learning

✨Congratulations to our OWLS faculty on this important contribution! 🎉 Faculty members at OWLS continue to engage in mea...
05/11/2026

✨Congratulations to our OWLS faculty on this important contribution! 🎉

Faculty members at OWLS continue to engage in meaningful scholarships.

With the publication of "Occupational Training in the Future of Work," Dr. Felix Quayson (Editor), Dr. Ruchie Kukde (Chapter Author), and Lecturers Noel Fuller (Chapter Author), and Arnob Saha (Chapter Author), contributed practical guidance and critical perspectives on the future of occupational training.

The book explores how societies can prepare people for meaningful careers in a rapidly changing world, asking an essential question: How can education and innovation work together to build a more adaptive and inclusive workforce?

Contributors from across academia, industry, and policy explored what it means to be “career-ready” in the 21st century.

https://www.owls.txst.edu/about-us/news.html

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601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX
78666

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Friday 8am - 5pm

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