Spotlight: Texas A&M Commerce
The Plano Chamber membership team is thrilled to present our monthly Member Spotlights! Each month, we will be highlighting different Plano Chamber of Commerce members to continue connecting our members with each other and the Plano community at large.
The Plano Chamber would like to welcome and spotlight, Texas A&M Commerce. Heather Wagemann, our Membership Engagement Manager, asked Interim Assistant Director, Career Development, Tami Bishop a few questions about the college, Chamber membership, and their role in the community.
1. What would you like readers to know about Texas A&M University-Commerce and its specialties?
Texas A&M University-Commerce offers over 135 academic degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Commerce and now at our new location in Dallas! We offer affordable, accessible, and flexible programs that are nationally ranked. A&M-Commerce specializes in competency-based education, offering fully online, self-paced courses at a flat rate per seven-week term. In addition, we offer unique programs for the community, including the Pride Pathway for ISD employees looking to gain their degrees leading to teaching certification. We started our MBA for Veterans last year with tremendous success. Also, our new Supply Chain Management, BAAS Technology Management, and Cybersecurity programs ensures that we are meeting the needs of employers in the communities we serve.
2. Why did you choose to join the Plano Chamber of Commerce?
A&M-Commerce joined the Plano Chamber to connect with local employers and the community to better understand the ways we can influence and impact the educational and workforce needs of the Dallas Metroplex. At A&M-Commerce, we transform lives in Dallas and across North Texas through our mission to “Educate. Discover. Achieve.”
3. Tell us about your involvement in the community.
Our mission is to transform lives. To do so, we partner with industries to understand the knowledge and skills students need to be successful employees. In addition, the A&M-Commerce Center of Excellence provides consulting services to companies looking for project-based solutions. Our services extend to almost every aspect of business and have included firms such as Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, the City of Farmersville and Clayton Homes. Also, the College of Science and Engineering at A&M-Commerce constantly looks for ways to partner with industries to advance STEM, technology and hands-on learning opportunities for students.
4. What is your favorite part of your current work environment?
In Career Development, we are passionate about building bridges between academics and industry. I am passionate about seeing connections between students and employers come to fruition and how the impact will strengthen our community and transform lives.
Also, A&M-Commerce is the second most diverse school in The Texas A&M University System. If companies are seeking to foster diversity, equality, inclusion, and accessibility, they have access to this vast pool of talent. In 2022, A&M-Commerce ranked 100 out of 391 nationwide schools for “Top Performers on Social Mobility National Universities,” according to the U.S. News and World Report (link).
5. We heard A&M-Commerce is hosting Walk-In Wednesdays this spring! Please tell us more about this program and how our members can get involved.
Walk-In Wednesday is an invitation for our industry partners to visit Waters Library at our main campus to answer students’ industry-related questions and provide students with career readiness information. At these walk-in events, students can explore careers, get resume reviews, and learn interview tips. We keep it informal to reduce students’ fears and anxieties about career events. On Walk-In Wednesdays, we also provide our students free LinkedIn headshots and access to our university’s career closet. So far, we’ve had overwhelming interest from our industry partners!
