Texas State University President Dr. Kelly Damphousse Talks with NYSE Texas

Laura Dioro interviews Dr. Kelly Dampus of Texas State University, discussing the university's evolution from a teachers college to a pivotal economic driver in Texas, the world's eighth-largest economy. Dampus emphasizes Texas State's innovative approach to education, collaborating with industries to tailor curricula that meet workforce demands, particularly in emerging fields like AI, sustainability, and film. He highlights the university's commitment to first-generation and low-income students, offering practical experiences and reducing student debt. Texas State seeks to broaden students' horizons through global exposure, ultimately transforming lives and redefining higher education's future.

• Texas State University began as a teachers' college 126 years ago, focusing on educating teachers for the region.
• Over time, the university evolved to include a business school and engineering program, adapting to the changing industrial landscape of Central Texas.
• The university now serves as an economic engine for the region, contributing significantly to the state's economy.
• Texas is recognized as the eighth-largest economy in the world, highlighting the university's role in preparing students for diverse industries.

"We started off as a teachers college. So 126 years ago, we were founded to teach teachers to teach the people who were moving to what was then Southwest Texas, which now central Texas."

• Texas State's origin as a teachers' college highlights its foundational role in regional education.

"Now we are like an economic driving engine for this part of the state."

• The university's evolution into a significant economic contributor underscores its impact on the regional economy.

• Texas is a major economic powerhouse, with the most companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange among U.S. states.
• The launch of NYC Texas, the first fully incorporated exchange in Texas, signifies the state's innovative economic environment.
• Texas State University plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and preparing students to contribute to this dynamic economy.

"Texas being such a booming economy, you know, the New York Stock Exchange is no stranger to that with Texas actually being the state with the most listed companies on the New York Stock Exchange."

• Texas's strong presence in the stock exchange highlights its economic significance and innovation.

"We're the first fully incorporated exchange in Texas and it's a testament to, of course, a lot of the innovation you're seeing at Texas State."

• The establishment of NYC Texas reflects the state's innovative spirit and Texas State's role in supporting this environment.

• Texas State University collaborates with industry leaders to develop a curriculum that aligns with workforce needs.
• The university views businesses and industries as customers, aiming to produce graduates who are ready to contribute immediately.
• Practical experience through internships and learning from industry professionals are key components of the educational approach.
• The university addresses the needs of a diverse student body, including many first-generation and economically disadvantaged students.

"What we're doing at Texas State is actually working with industry and working with businesses, working with banks, working with finance people, saying, 'What do you want your students to look like when they come out?'"

• Collaboration with industry ensures the curriculum meets real-world needs, preparing students effectively for the workforce.

"Many of our students, about half our students are are pale eligible, so they come from pretty poor backgrounds. About half our students are first generation college students."

• The university's focus on supporting diverse and underprivileged students highlights its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

• Texas State University aims to ensure student success by preparing them for immediate employment after graduation.
• Success is defined by students securing jobs, becoming independent, and being valued by employers for their preparedness and resilience.
• The university's agile curriculum adapts to the fast-paced and complex modern world, equipping students to handle life's challenges.

"For us, the success starts when our students get a job, when our students don't move home with their parents, and when our businesses say, 'We love hiring Bobcats because they have a lot of grit, but they also prepared for life that's coming at them.'"

• The focus on job readiness and independence is central to the university's definition of student success.

"We have to be very agile in the kind of curriculum we're putting together for them."

• The need for an adaptable curriculum reflects the rapidly changing demands of the modern world and workforce.

• Teachers are crucial in shaping the workforce by understanding and imparting the skills that modern companies require.
• Educational institutions are aligning their curricula to meet the needs of industries, particularly in the realm of technology and entrepreneurship.
• There's an emphasis on training students not just academically, but also in practical skills that are immediately applicable in the business world.

"Teachers are teaching others how to teach these students are teaching the workforce in a way. Hey, this is what you know these these solid entrepreneurs, these founders need."

• This quote highlights the cyclical nature of education, where teachers pass on valuable, industry-specific knowledge to students who will eventually enter and influence the workforce.

• AI is rapidly becoming an essential skill for students, with educational programs incorporating AI training.
• Companies are increasingly hiring young professionals with AI expertise, recognizing its importance in staying competitive.
• AI is seen not as a passing trend but as a crucial component of modern business strategies.

"If you're not using AI anymore, you're really behind the curve."

• This statement underscores the necessity of AI in contemporary business practices, framing it as a critical tool for innovation and competitiveness.

• There is a shift in student aspirations from merely achieving financial success to making a positive societal impact.
• Students are increasingly interested in working for companies that prioritize environmental responsibility and sustainability.
• This change reflects a broader trend towards corporate social responsibility and ethical business practices.

"What's really interesting is our students used to want to do well, which meant they want to make a lot of money. Now they also want to do good and there's a difference between doing well and doing good."

• This quote illustrates the evolving priorities of students, highlighting a growing desire to contribute positively to society while pursuing their careers.

• Water is becoming a critical resource, likened to oil in its importance and political implications.
• Students are being educated on the scientific, political, and environmental aspects of water management.
• There is a focus on sustainability and the impact of climate change, particularly in regions facing drought conditions.

"One of our innovative research areas is about water about how the role of water in the world right now. If you're in Texas you know water is like it's the new oil."

• This quote emphasizes the significance of water as a resource and the need for innovative approaches to its management, reflecting broader environmental challenges.

• Students are encouraged to bring environmental awareness into the workforce, potentially influencing corporate practices.
• There is an emphasis on integrating sustainability into business operations, inspired by the new generation's values.
• Companies are being challenged to consider their environmental impact and explore sustainable practices.

"They might because our students influence them or inspire them might say, 'Hey, let's think about how we can do this, but also help with the with water or the environment and things like that.'"

• This quote suggests that students have the potential to inspire change within organizations, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.

• Austin is experiencing rapid population growth, especially in areas like Williamson County, with 4,000 people moving there monthly.
• This growth impacts the environment, infrastructure, and roadways, presenting challenges in managing these changes.
• Students are encouraged to think broadly, beyond their disciplines, about how to improve the world and not just focus on financial gain.

"Williamson County is one county north of here and 4,000 people a month are moving to Williamson County... that has an impact on the environment, has an impact on the infrastructure, on the roadways."

• The quote highlights the significant population influx in Williamson County and its effects on local infrastructure and environment.

"Our students are now being empowered to think more broadly than just the science of the thing of the discipline they're talking about but also about how do we make the world better in addition to how do we make more money."

• This emphasizes the educational shift towards holistic thinking, encouraging students to consider societal improvement alongside economic success.

• Texas State aims to challenge traditional perceptions of Texas, such as its association with barbecue and oil, by fostering unexpected developments.
• The institution focuses on anticipating future industry trends to avoid stagnation and mistakes.
• New industries like film and semiconductors are coming to Texas, requiring educational preparation for diverse roles beyond traditional positions.

"You want these leaders to be thinking about not just what folks think of when they think of Texas... but really, you know, almost bending the status quo a bit and surprising folks."

• This quote underscores the goal of shifting perceptions of Texas by fostering innovation and unexpected developments.

"What we're trying to do is try to anticipate where industry is going, where business is going. I mentioned AI earlier, but there's other things that are going, new industries, for example."

• The focus is on forward-thinking strategies to align education with emerging industry trends, such as AI and new business sectors.

• Texas State is aligning its curriculum with new industry demands, such as the film industry, which is expanding due to legislative support.
• The film industry requires preparation for various roles, including technical, logistical, and creative positions.
• The semiconductor industry is also a focus area, necessitating educational programs to meet future workforce needs.

"The legislature passed a huge line item that allowed the legislature to invest in the film industry, which means we've got to be preparing our students to go work in that industry."

• Legislative support for the film industry in Texas is driving educational initiatives to prepare students for a range of roles within this sector.

"Semiconductors for example, we know that's coming. We've got to prepare be preparing students for that line of work as well."

• This highlights the importance of preparing students for the burgeoning semiconductor industry, ensuring they are ready for diverse roles.

• Austin's construction boom necessitates specialized educational programs in construction science management and concrete industry management.
• Texas State has developed programs to train students in these fields, with alumni contributing significantly to local construction projects.
• Concrete is a crucial material in construction, and Texas State is one of only five institutions in the U.S. offering a concrete industry management program.

"We started a construction science management program to train people to build buildings... Our alumni are building like huge buildings here in Austin."

• The quote illustrates the direct impact of Texas State's construction science management program on local infrastructure development.

"There's five concrete industry management programs in the country, and Texas State has one of them. Again, preparing people for that new world."

• This highlights Texas State's unique position in offering specialized education for the concrete industry, addressing a critical need in construction.

• Texas State University is committed to transforming lives through education, particularly for first-generation and low-income students.
• The institution prioritizes student success, with improving metrics in retention, graduation, and job placement rates.
• A significant focus is on minimizing student debt, with half of the students graduating debt-free and the average debt being manageable.

"What people don't understand is how a four-year college degree can change someone's life. So many of our students about half are first generation, about half of them are Pell eligible, so they come from poor backgrounds."

• The university serves a significant population of first-generation and low-income students, emphasizing the transformative power of a college degree.

"Our student success metrics are going through the roof now. Number of people that stick around for their sophomore year, the graduation rates, retention rates, job placement rates, the number of people who are graduating without debt."

• Texas State University is seeing significant improvements in student success metrics, including retention, graduation, and job placement rates, with a focus on reducing student debt.

• Texas State University is committed to broadening students' horizons through study abroad programs and international student integration.
• Many students gain their first international experience through university initiatives, enhancing their global perspective.
• The university fosters a diverse environment, enriching the student experience by incorporating international students.

"We're taking a bunch of students that are striving here opening up a world to them through internship opportunities, research opportunities, study abroad opportunities is a big initiative for us."

• Texas State University provides various opportunities, such as internships, research, and study abroad programs, to expand students' global exposure and experiences.

"About a quarter of those students have never been out of Texas before, never been on an air. The first airplane ride they ever took was to Madrid, right? And so, we're opening the world up to those people."

• The institution offers students their first international travel experiences, significantly broadening their worldviews and personal growth.

"We have now over 2,000 international students at Texas State. We had about 500 before when I got here."

• The university has significantly increased its international student population, enhancing cultural diversity and global learning opportunities on campus.

• Texas State University is actively redefining the future of undergraduate and higher education through its innovative approaches and commitment to student development.
• The institution focuses on not just providing a degree but also enriching students' lives with broader global experiences and perspectives.

"We're changing people's lives, but not just in an ordinary sense. We're giving them a degree, but opening the world up to something that they might know exists."

• The university is committed to transforming students' lives by providing both a degree and expansive global experiences, enhancing their understanding and opportunities.

"Changing people's lives and as many are saying here, really redefining what the future of undergrad and higher education look like."

• Texas State University is recognized for its efforts in redefining the landscape of undergraduate and higher education, focusing on comprehensive student development.