Partnerships That Power Workforce Learning in Texas

At the 2025 Higher Education Forum hosted by the Dallas Regional Chamber, Educate Texas led statewide conversations on education-to-workforce alignment, strategic partnerships, and preparing students for careers in high-growth sectors.

Aligning Postsecondary Education with Workforce Priorities

Texas thrives when students graduate not only with diplomas, but with purpose, skills, and clear pathways to meaningful careers. The 2025 Higher Education Forum, hosted by the Dallas Regional Chamber, brought together leaders from higher education, business, and philanthropy to chart a bold path forward for workforce readiness in Texas.

Kerri Briggs, Ph.D., Executive Director, Educate TexasAs presenting sponsor, Educate Texas helped drive conversations that emphasized systems-level solutions—strengthening education-industry partnerships, accelerating career-connected learning, and redefining what it means to be college and career ready. Executive director of Educate Texas Kerri Briggs reinforced the importance of aligning education systems with opportunity and ensuring every student is prepared for success beyond graduation.

“We’re working to ensure that all high schoolers graduate with more than a diploma and that every post-secondary degree and certification equips students with the skills and resources needed for a career,” Briggs said.

A Shared Vision for Talent and Innovation

Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Wynn Rosser called for flexible, aligned systems that center student success. His keynote emphasized the urgency of regional partnerships, data-informed strategies and inclusive innovation—echoing priorities shared across sectors during the forum.

Panelists representing SMU, Texas Instruments, UNT and Foremost Quality Logistics explored how cross-sector collaboration is transforming talent pipelines in critical industries. Their insights underscored the importance of building intentional, regionally responsive pathways in fields like semiconductor manufacturing and logistics and supply chain management.

These conversations directly reflect Educate Texas’ commitment to advancing long-term strategies that prepare students for success in high-growth, high-demand careers.

Building Momentum: From Forum to Action

Educate Texas is actively putting these priorities into practice. This fall, we’re launching the AI + Education Leadership Collaborative, a 10-month program designed to equip executive teams in K–12 and postsecondary education with the tools and strategies to lead through the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in education.

This initiative responds directly to the forum’s call for strategic, future-ready leadership. Participants will gain access to expert mentorship, peer learning, and actionable planning resources that help them integrate AI responsibly and effectively across teaching, governance, and school operations.

Applications are now open. Learn more and apply here: https://edtx.org/program/ai-education-leadership-collaborative

“AI is already beginning to impact the way educators teach and students learn,” Briggs noted. “We are committed to supporting school district leaders with strategies for success in this new era.”

A Call to Collaborate

From piloting and scaling career-connected learning models to investing in systems change, Educate Texas continues to collaborate with education and industry leaders across the state to ensure students graduate with more than a diploma.

The organization works with partners like Dallas College, southern sector STEM districts (including Dallas ISD, DeSoto, Cedar Hill and Lancaster) and the DFW Apprenticeship Accelerator to design programs that connect students directly to real-world experience and workforce pathways.

“If we’re not already collaborating, let’s fix that,” Briggs urged.

That spirit of inclusion and action is central to how Educate Texas operates—as a trusted change agent, a strategic partner and a leader in education-to-workforce alignment.

The organization thanks the Dallas Regional Chamber for convening this critical conversation and looks forward to continued progress.