National CBE Exchange Highlights ETAMU’s Role in Shaping Workforce-Ready Education
From Nov. 10 to 13, East Texas A&M University sent a cross-campus team of faculty, staff and academic leaders to the annual CBE Exchange in Phoenix, Arizona, where representatives from four ETAMU colleges gathered to discuss skills-based learning, workforce readiness and the future of competency-based education (CBE).
Competency-based education allows students to progress by demonstrating what they know and can do, rather than by completing traditional seat time. The approach is designed for working adults who need flexibility to balance career, family and education. East Texas A&M's CBE programs offer fully online, skills-focused pathways that help students advance their careers faster and more efficiently.
The CBE Exchange event brought together national innovators in CBE and served as an opportunity for East Texas A&M to collaborate across disciplines. Dr. April Sanders, dean of the College of Innovation and Design (CID), said one of the most valuable aspects of the conference was the energy and actionable ideas that attendees brought home.
“Everyone felt energized because the ideas presented were things they could come back and implement in meaningful ways to help students,” Sanders said.
East Texas A&M presenters delivered two sessions at the conference: “CBE Roundup: Wrangling Partnerships to Forge Career Pathways” and “The Wild West of AI: Transforming Assignments and Assessments in the CBE Frontier.” Topics included expanding employer partnerships, improving assessment models and preparing students for emerging workforce demands.
East Texas A&M Presenters
- Justin Weiss
- Dr. Kara Campbell
- Dr. Catherine Cockrell
- Dee Besson
- Jimmy Womack
- Brandi Westmoreland
- Dr. Shannon Manley
- Dr. Kathy Dixon
- Dr. Beth Bailey
Faculty and staff from other East Texas A&M colleges attended the conference, including the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, and the Honors College. The multi-college delegation reflects ETAMU's commitment to innovative, flexible pathways for working adults. This theme was highlighted in a recent East Texas A&M news article—“No Time for College? CBE Programs Give City Employees a Faster Path Forward.” The article showcases how CBE programs are helping city employees advance their careers.
In addition, several deans attended, including Dr. Ray Green of the College of Education and Human Services, Dr. Joseph Romero of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, and Dr. Erin Webster Garrett of the Honors College. Dr. Debbie Lelekis, associate dean in CHSSA, also participated in the event. Numerous other faculty members attended.
The insights gathered at the Phoenix conference continue to shape East Texas A&M's efforts to provide accessible, career-focused programs for working adults seeking to advance their education.