Omar López, Moderator
Texas State University
Dr. López is a Professor in the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University and a nationally recognized STEM education reformer. His work sits at the intersection of higher education, STEM education, and workforce development, with a particular interest in how colleges and universities can better prepare students for changing careers and workplaces. His recent research focuses on the future of the STEM workforce, including the effects of artificial intelligence on occupations, the skills and competencies employers need, and the pathways connecting STEM education to careers. His research on AI and the future of work was recently published in AI & Society, and he has conducted and contributes to projects examining STEM career pathways, skills-job alignment, and workforce outcomes. He is currently a researcher on federally funded projects focused on closing the STEM education gap. Across this work, Dr. López is interested in a fundamental question: How can higher education evolve so that students are prepared not only for the jobs of today, but for the workforce they will encounter tomorrow?
Ajayi Anwansedo, Panelist
Texas State University
Dr. Anwansedo is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Artificial Intelligence and AI Program Lead in the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University. Her work focuses on AI workforce readiness, organizational AI adoption, emerging-technology policy, and workforce development. She also serves as a SIAM Science Policy Fellow. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Scholar and Research Project Lead with the ACCEYSS Research Group, supporting research and community-engaged initiatives focused on strengthening STEM+C education and workforce pathways. Her professional experience includes roles with IBM and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Ruchi Kukde, Panelist
Texas State University
Dr. Kukde is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University. Her teaching and research span data analytics, decision-making, Career and Technical Education, workforce development, healthcare analytics, and STEM+C education. She also serves as senior research personnel with the ACCEYSS Research Group, contributing to research on the K–20 STEM education pipeline. A mixed-methods scholar, Dr. Kukde specializes in data analytics, statistical modeling, and research methodology.
Nick LaLone, Panelist
Texas State University
Dr. LaLone is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University. His interdisciplinary background spans Information Science, Sociology, Crisis Informatics, Emergency Management, Technology Integration, and AI-mediated Workforce Development. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Sciences and Technology from the Pennsylvania State University, an M.A. in Sociology and a B.S. in Applied Sociology from Texas State University. Before returning to Texas State University, Dr. LaLone was a bridge between public and private institutions collaborating with organizations like Entertainment Media Producers, FEMA, Goddard Space Flight Center, the International Association of Emergency Management, and portion of the Department of War.