Texas State awarded 2020 Adult Learner Impact Award

December 4, 2020

Texas State University was recently honored with the 2020 Adult Learner Impact Award from the Council for Adult Experiential Learning (CAEL). The award recognizes excellence in adult learning on an institutional level.

“Texas State University, a Hispanic Serving University, was an early adopter of the principles and processes dedicated to adult learners. Recently department faculty completed a multiyear strategic planning process and program redesign to update and strengthen the university’s  Bachelor of Applied Arts and sciences program outcomes, curriculum, and PLA (prior learning assessment) processes.

“Thanks to this, students are saving thousands of dollars in textbook, tuition and fee costs and the university is benefitting from enhanced student retention and increased student hour credit production,” said Christine Carpenter, vice president-engagement for CAEL. 

The Department of Organization, Workforce and Leadership Studies (OWLS)  has earned two Texas Workforce Commission awards that provide additional support for PLA through the new College Credit for Heroes program. The program bridges workforce gaps faced by military students by connecting military experience, education, and training with the requirements of high-demand civilian occupations in Texas.  

“CAEL recognizes Dr. Todd Sherron, Dr. Carrie Boden, and Dr. Catherine Cheerstrom and all those at Texas State University who have contributed their hard work and dedication to these initiatives to serve adult learners and provide wider and easier pathways to earn a college degree,” Carpenter said.

CAEL was founded in 1974 to help organizations succeed on the principle that adult learners should be met where they are and that their experience in getting there can create college-level learning. CAEL supports adult learner success at more than 300 postsecondary institutions, employers, and government agencies in the U.S. and abroad.