Shailen Singh, Moderator
Texas State University
Dr. Singh is Associate Professor and Assistant Department Chair in the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies (OWLS) at Texas State University. His research examines the intersection of organization development and disability, with a focus on the administrative systems and bureaucratic processes families must navigate to secure services and supports for children with disabilities. He is particularly interested in how the design and implementation of these institutional procedures shape parental identity, caregiving labor, and parents' capacity to maintain a sense of self beyond the caregiving role.
As Assistant Department Chair, Dr. Singh supports curriculum governance and new program development. Before joining Texas State, he spent 15 years in university administration at the University of Arkansas, Texas A&M University–College Station, and Texas A&M University–Central Texas in areas related to student affairs, first-year experience, student success, and disability services
Erin Berger, Panelist
Texas State University
Dr. Berger believes the future of higher education depends on how boldly institutions expand who they serve, what they teach, and how they deliver learning.
At Texas State University, Dr. Berger leads Continuing Education with one core goal: making quality education and career pathways accessible to the people who need them most. This includes developing short-term certificates, micro credentials, and stackable pathways that connect directly to employment and, when learners are ready, to a degree.
Dr. Berger thinks about specific people when designing programs: single mothers seeking meaningful careers, veterans reentering the workforce, and young people for whom traditional college has never made sense. This work is also personal. Her mother began her career as a respiratory therapist and worked her way up to become the chief operating officer of a hospital, completing university courses online after her children went to bed.
Dr. Berger believes those learners deserve quality.
At Alamo Colleges, Dr. Berger helped build the Skills Lab and create the district’s first stackable pathways. This work brought together academic departments, employers, and grant agencies to design noncredit entry points into meaningful careers. Dr. Berger helped build the program’s processes, quality standards, and design frameworks from the ground up, earning national recognition for the model.
At Texas State, Dr. Berger aims to take that work further. A four-year university with strong academic programs and deep regional roots is exactly the kind of institution where continuing education can become a true front door for lifelong learners—connecting people to credentials, careers, and degree pathways that can change the trajectory of their lives.
Clayton (CJ) Odam, Panelist
San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District
Mr. Odam has been in education for 23 years and has been with San Marcos CISD for 19 of those. He worked as a Debate Coach and English Teacher, then served as an Assistant Principal at San Marcos HS, before transitioning to his current role. He is now in his 6th year as the Director of CTE and CCMR, helping guide Career & Technical Education programs for the district and ensure students are prepared for College, Career, and Military opportunities after graduation. He is a proud graduate of Southwest Texas State University, is married to his lovely wife, Kathy, and has two daughters, Addison and Macy.
Felix Quayson, Panelist
Texas State University
Dr. Quayson is an Educational Research Scientist, Scholar, Fulbright Specialist, Baldrige Quality Examiner, and Associate Professor (Practice) who is dedicated to researching credentials of value (degree, non-degree, certificates, badges, micro-skills, and apprenticeship), college and career readiness, and workforce and STEM education influence on economic mobility and self-efficacy.
Kristin Tow-Walker, Panelist
Lamar State College Orange
Ms. Tow-Walker is the Assistant Vice President for Statewide Partnerships at Lamar State College Orange (LSCO). She provides leadership to partners throughout Texas, including Texas Department of Criminal Justice, The Texas State University System – Polk County Center, and a new initiative between Texas State University and Lamar State College Orange.
Ms. Tow-Walker began her career in 2002 with Navarro College (NC) as the Director of Tech Prep. During her 16-year career at NC she served in several capacities throughout the career and technical division and three years as the dean of student services for the Ellis County campuses. She served the Texas Administrators of Continuing Education from 2008-2015; serving as president 2013-2015. Following a few years as the Associate Vice President for Workforce Education at Trinity Valley Community College, Kristin joined LSCO in 2020.
Ms. Tow-Walker earned an Associate degree from Navarro College, a Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Guidance from East Texas State University (now East Texas A&M University), a Master of Education in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Texas A&M University, and is course complete in her doctorate course with East Texas A&M University.
Ms. Tow-Walker is passionate about training the future workforce and providing opportunities for individuals to reach their dreams.
Jennifer Warren, Panelist
Space Workforce Incubator for Texas
Ms. Warren is Director of Workforce Partnerships for SWIFT – Space Workforce Incubator for Texas, where she works with employers, educators, and workforce partners to align talent pathways with the needs of Texas’ growing space and advanced manufacturing industries. She is also a workforce partnerships consultant, helping employers build stronger talent pipelines through apprenticeships, work-based learning, and industry-education partnerships. Her background spans workforce development, employer engagement, brand strategy, and media production.