Scaling success: How Texas A&M engineers workforce readiness at ChronFest

During this landmark gathering among leaders in higher education, Texas A&M’s Dr. Cindy Lawley led a transformative session titled “Scaling Success: Texas A&M’s Bold Approach to Workforce Readiness.” Her presentation spotlighted how the land-, sea- and space-grant university is reimagining how students and professionals are preparing for a dynamic future in the workforce.

‘Cradle to Gray’: A Lifelong Pathway

With more than 30 years in education, Lawley’s path to leadership has been shaped by experiences in secondary schools, city government and direct work with industry partners. Her driving passion has always been clear: “My passion is to prepare students for the real world.” 

Lawley believes that workforce readiness shouldn’t begin at graduation — it starts long before. She described the approach as “cradle to gray,” where learners are supported from their earliest aspirations to lifelong careers. For Texas A&M Engineering, where Lawley serves as the assistant vice chancellor for academic and outreach programs, this is not a new concept. Her approach began with just three employees in 2015. Today, more than 75 staff members drive workforce readiness initiatives, supported by committed leadership and a spirit of innovation. As Lawley reflects, “We learned to make a lot out of nothing — and our impact is measured in thousands of lives transformed statewide.”

“Technological change is rapid; higher education can be slow,” she explained. “But we can provide the foundation and critical thinking necessary to adapt.” Recent research shows that middle school is a pivotal moment when students begin to imagine their future careers, a time when sparking curiosity pays dividends.

Engineering Spark! Inspires Young Texans

Texas A&M’s Spark! initiative travels statewide, igniting passion for science and engineering in PK-12 students, especially in rural areas. The mobile roadshow, complete with robotics, 3D printing, coding and nuclear experiments, reaches deep into communities that may otherwise not have the same opportunity to showcase these career pathways within their local districts, both for students as well as educators. In 2024 alone, more than 18,000 students and 7,000 teachers participated in pop-up events, and Spark’s hands-on programming delivered both curriculum and inspiration. As home of the Texas Science and Engineering Fair, Texas A&M helped Texas students earn over $300,000 in prizes through this programming effort.

Building Pathways Beyond the Traditional Degree

Workforce readiness at Texas A&M isn’t one-size-fits-all. Lawley highlighted innovative pathways like co-enrollment and transition programs, including the nationally recognized Engineering Academies. These strategic partnerships allow students to begin their core curriculum at a two-year college, then continue seamlessly at Texas A&M to complete a four-year degree program. “Financial and family constraints sometimes direct students to two-year schools, not academic ability,” Lawley said. “These partnerships intentionally eliminate barriers while upholding academic rigor.”

Similarly, Texas A&M students have long excelled at theory, and as career placements become increasingly more valuable for graduates, the intentionality needed to develop the hands-on, technical skills grows equally as important to couple with their theoretical competencies. Four years ago, the Bachelors+ program launched, bringing six to eight weeks of immersive, hands-on training in advanced machining, welding, AI and 3D printing. Students earn micro-credentials and certificates valued by employers that bring their theoretical understanding to real-world application. The result equates to graduates who not only think critically but also hit the ground running.

Upskilling Learners Through Industry Partnerships

As the student profile evolves, lifelong learning is front and center. TEES EDGE, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Educating Generations, program serves as a one-stop shop for cutting-edge professional education. As a state agency upskilling platform housed within Texas A&M Engineering, TEES EDGE is a vital access point for lifelong engineering education and innovation for Texas professionals and beyond. The direct partnerships with industry help to close skills gaps.  by offering short courses that range from robotics and CAD (computer-aided design) to cybersecurity, all tailored for working adults to earn micro-credentials on their schedule. 

Taking into consideration the flexibility needed to foster student success, Texas A&M recognizes the value of listening to the demonstrated needs of the workforce. Different advisory boards bring real-time feedback from employers, informing curriculum and outreach to develop specialized programs while also strengthening the open enrollment courses. Strong relationships with local organizations and collaboration with professional associations help to ensure opportunities reach those who can benefit most from the program offerings, expanding Texas A&M’s reach across the state and nation.

Serving Texas, Leading the Nation

At ChronFest, Texas A&M’s message was clear: A bold, scalable approach to workforce readiness that is rooted in academic excellence and service continues to empower learners of all ages across Texas and beyond.