STEM Success Stories: How Wesleyan Alumni Are Advancing Technology

At Texas Wesleyan University, it's no secret that we are proud of our students and alumni. The TXWES community includes countless talented and passionate individuals, who leverage college insights to make a discernible difference in their communities. This impact spans a range of industries, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

For example, graduates from our physics, biology and chemistry programs spark change in the healthcare arena, while computer science graduates are behind some of today's most cutting-edge technologies — making their mark through impactful computer engineering jobs and AI careers. We're eager to spotlight their achievements and inspirational stories.

Why Alumni Success Stories Matter

Alumni success stories provide a snapshot into the Texas Wesleyan experience, illustrating how coursework, mentorship and other experiences continue to influence students long after they graduate. These stories reflect authentic student stories and place a relatable spin on the college journey. Such narratives may not only fuel increased confidence but also inspire goal setting. Students see themselves in these stories, compelling them to pursue tech careers that might otherwise seem out of reach.

Inspiring Prospective Students and Showcasing Outcomes

From the aspiring student's perspective, college may feel like a whirlwind — an exciting yet complex atmosphere difficult to capture through curricula or stats alone. Alumni cut through the confusion, showcasing the behind-the-scenes realities of the college experience along with the powerful career outcomes that a well-rounded education can promote.

These stories inspire future students to follow in the footsteps of accomplished alumni and remind future students that they, too, are capable of accomplishing great things.

Closing the Loop Between Classroom Learning and Industry Impact

Students want to know how the concepts they cover in the classroom will play out in the real world. Alumni clarify the value of classroom learning, demonstrating how college isn't just about the degree or credentials but rather developing tangible skills (and a spirit of inquiry) that encourage others to use their talents to make a positive difference in their fields of choice.

Strengthening Employer and Community Partnerships

Alumni stories remind us that graduates can remain deeply connected to the Texas Wesleyan community and even provide opportunities for other students to follow in their footsteps. Through employers and industry partnerships, alumni can bring hands-on learning experiences to current students, further extending their impact while preparing a new generation of students to carry forward the TXWES tradition of excellence.

Foundational Training at Texas Wesleyan

Speaking to the value of the Texas Wesleyan experience, alumni appreciate their strong foundational knowledge, developed through core courses that offer in-depth exposure to critical concepts.

Lab Intensive Courses and Hands-on Methodologies

Lab intensives encourage TXWES students to engage with STEM concepts through direct observation and experimentation. From quantum mechanics applications to theories of composition, a range of chemistry and physics concepts are explored within the lab environment, where students gain confidence through scientific inquiry.

Project-Based Learning and Capstones

Collaborative projects and case studies cultivate problem-solving skills while bringing fascinating concepts to life. These are purposefully built into TXWES curricula, instilling lasting takeaways through experiential learning. Capstone projects expand on this by integrating knowledge acquired through various courses and labs while fostering civic awareness and commitment through service learning.

Faculty Mentorships and Research Teams

Offering enthusiastic support while also challenging students to reach their full potential, Texas Wesleyan faculty members are the ultimate student cheerleaders. They develop meaningful relationships with students via the Rams First Mentorship Program, drawing from their personal experiences to help students navigate both college life and the complexities of career planning.

Professors also mentor undergraduate research, overseeing laboratory-intensive programs that bring classroom concepts to diverse settings and scenarios. Texas Wesleyan even offers summer research opportunities through the chemistry and biochemistry departments, including paid research through the Welch Foundation.

Alumni Profiles—Data Science and Analytics

Computer science graduate Ana Aleksandric '20 is committed to dispelling misconceptions — especially those that threaten the public. Her research delves into the "chaos around manipulated narratives," especially in the context of misinformation that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Selected for the competitive Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) internship from the University of Texas at Arlington, Aleksandric worked closely with Multi-Interprofessional Center for Health Informatics co-director Gabriela Wilson to determine where and how COVID-19 vaccine misinformation was most likely to occur. Their ultimate goal was to help public health advocates "assist the public in making fully informed health care decisions."

Building Pipelines, Models and Decision Dashboards

As Aleksandric's public health research demonstrates, computer science is broadly applicable across numerous fields (supporting, for instance, data-driven decision-making in healthcare). To that end, Texas Wesleyan's computer science and business analytics programs introduce students to cutting-edge technologies that fuel impactful insights across fields like health informatics and supply chain management.

Underscoring these data-driven systems are pipelines that support data collection and prepare data for analysis — plus models that apply algorithms, ultimately uncovering trends or patterns. Decision dashboards make these data-backed insights easier to conceptualize.

At Texas Wesleyan, computer science coursework breaks down these processes and strategies through algorithm analysis and by examining data structures. Following graduation, alumni integrate these skills into high-impact research.

AI and Machine Learning in Health, Finance and Retail

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) promise to unearth once-hidden insights within vast amounts of data. Texas Wesleyan's computer science and business analytics students are encouraged to embrace these AI-powered solutions and explore their ties to diverse disciplines such as mathematics, psychology and even philosophy.

This interdisciplinary focus prepares students to design, optimize or deploy algorithms applicable in fields such as healthcare, finance or retail. For example:

• Alumni unleash these skills in nursing informatics, analyzing patient information to personalize and enhance care delivery.
• In finance, AI-powered solutions strengthen fraud detection.
• Retail relies on AI-backed recommendation engines to improve customer experiences.

Ethics, Governance and Responsible Model Deployment

Amid rapid technological advancements, leaders must continue to prioritize ethical solutions that safeguard patients, consumers and community members. Prioritizing AI literacy and ethical AI practices, Texas Wesleyan programs prepare students to navigate the human side of AI, with ethical concerns purposefully built into technical coursework.

Alumni Profiles—Computer Science and Cybersecurity

Paving an inspiring path for women in cybersecurity, Dr. Erika Leal '18 has long been a tinkerer but came to Texas Wesleyan University in hopes of expanding her computer science skill set within a supportive campus community. Although she dealt with considerable self-doubt, she gained confidence through the kind words and consistent support from her professors. She now seeks to provide the same inspiration for other women in STEM, having come full circle as an assistant professor at Baylor University.

Computer Architecture and Cloud Infrastructure

Texas Wesleyan computer science programs encourage students to explore computing at a granular level, revealing how systems function and how foundational computing concepts tie into cutting-edge developments in the cloud.

Computer architecture coursework delves into memory hierarchies and parallel structures, which — by influencing caching, redundancy and latency management — set the stage for breakthroughs in distributed computing. These insights are relevant across numerous computer science careers, in turn helping senior professionals design scalable systems and create reliable data infrastructure.

Privacy, Threat Modeling and Secure Engineering

As technological opportunities expand, so do cyber threats alongside them. Thankfully, alumni such as Dr. Erika Leal underscore the possibility for a more secure digital future. Her current areas of focus include malware analysis and cyber-physical systems.

Fellow alum Patricia Howard reveals how interdisciplinary studies can give way to STEM success as well. She possesses a strong background in theater but has also made a name for herself in the cybersecurity field and even landed a feature in Cybercrime Magazine. She advocates for proactive strategies to combat social engineering.

Her spirit of continuous learning, cultivated through TXWES, has allowed her to master complex cybersecurity concepts. Relevant topics such as threat modeling and software engineering are also covered in detail through targeted programs such as the Master of Computer Science (M.C.S). Patricia Howard and Dr. Erika Leal remind us that there exist many pathways to cybersecurity careers and, through passion-driven exploration, students and alumni can shape this quickly evolving industry.

Alumni Profiles—Biology

Granted the American Medical Association (AMA) Medal of Honor based on his remarkable contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Wesleyan alumnus Victor J. Test, MD '86 saved lives by gathering protective equipment and developing protocols in the early days of lockdown.

Driven by early insights from China, Italy, New York and Washington, Test and his team developed protocols in advance, even sharing these with local facilities. He also prioritized human connection during this time, using pictures to build trust with patients and helping staff members access counseling services and yoga classes. Test clearly loves his work and explains that, while "some days [are] good and some days bad," he firmly believes he has the "best job in the world."

From Classroom to Career

The alumni highlighted above demonstrate not only how targeted coursework and skill development drive success in passion-driven fields but also how students can benefit from internships, research projects and other experiences that put their skills into action. This is a central part of the TXWES experience: Learning extends beyond the classroom to provide hands-on preparation that echoes the realities of demanding careers in STEM.

Internships and Employer-Sponsored Projects

Internships bring STEM competencies into the real world, encouraging students to channel their passion and newly gained competencies to make a positive difference within their industries or specializations of choice. These internships can even provide direct pathways to tech industry jobs.

Various opportunities are available due to Texas Wesleyan's strong partnerships with local employers. Paid research opportunities through the Welch Foundation further expand applied learning, yielding impactful insights in areas like nanoscience.

Certifications, Competency Badges and Licensure Prep

Many TXWES degree programs prioritize certification and licensure readiness, helping students prepare for challenging exams in their fields. For instance, NCLEX preparation is a clear priority within nursing programs, while computer information systems coursework can prepare students for certifications such as the CompTIA Network+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Impact Metrics and Recognition

Alumni stories offer inspiration, yet there are numerous other ways to assess the profound impact of a STEM education at Texas Wesleyan. Metrics quantify how graduates use their skills and insights to make meaningful contributions in STEM fields. Other forms of recognition are worth noting, too, including everything from peer-reviewed research to venture launches to media features.

Patents, Publications and Open Source Contributions

Texas Wesleyan graduates leverage their expertise to fuel innovation and contribute to the STEM body of knowledge. Their studies are regularly published in peer-reviewed journals, exhibiting thought leadership and a clear commitment to advancing their chosen fields. Dr. Erika Leal serves as the ultimate example of this, maintaining a dual focus on teaching and research through her role as the research director of the Central Texas Cyber Range.

Patents offer a window into faculty and alumni-driven innovations. This information is available through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Having filed a patent to detect organic materials in rocks and sediments, Dr. Bobby Deaton — who had a profound impact on TXWES — exemplifies this innovative legacy.

In addition, open-source contributions reflect a shared commitment to service through innovation, with graduates making extensive use of platforms such as GitHub. Data and software engineer Francisco Castillo, for instance, studied computer science at Texas Wesleyan and expanded his technical skill set by contributing to open-source repositories.

Venture Launches and Social Impact

Texas Wesleyan graduates bring their innovative spirit to ambitious ventures that introduce STEM innovations to new markets and compelling solutions to evolving industries. Their work has a profound impact on diverse communities, inspiring technological innovations as well as strengthening public initiatives that support numerous social challenges.

Biology graduate Susan Coultas has launched Coultas Clinical Consultancy, advising pharmaceutical and biologic companies on clinical development activities. Meanwhile, alum Andrew Tatsak supports new medication launches as part of Biogen's Alzheimer's division. We've discussed Dr. Test's contributions in detail above, but he also offers generous support to the American College of Chest Physicians' CHEST Foundation and has even served as the program chair.

Awards, Grants and Media Features

TXWES alumni regularly receive awards and distinctions that highlight their expertise and their real-world impact. For example, TXWES grad Julie Keller was highlighted as the 2024 Professional of the Year by Strathmore's Who's Who Worldwide Edition, recognizing her impressive contributions in mental healthcare.

Media mentions demonstrate how these contributions are perceived and valued within the community. News reports and podcasts draw attention to notable alumni like Dr. Test, while nurse anesthetist and TXWES alum Alison Miller was featured on Good Morning America.

Offering a more comprehensive look at alumni contributions, a feature in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram refers to TXWES as an "economic engine in east Fort Worth," adding that local alumni "pump $41 million into the economy" and that an estimated "27,000 alums live within 50 miles of campus."

We're proud of our alumni's accomplishments but also thrilled about campus-focused STEM opportunities — such as a five-year, $1,450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) intended to help expand STEM teaching pipelines. This program aims to expand STEM education awareness while also improving the recruitment and retention of qualified STEM teachers.

How Texas Wesleyan Continues to Support Graduates

Once a Ram, always a Ram. The Texas Wesleyan experience certainly doesn't end with graduation; as students move on, they continue to draw inspiration and support from their TXWES community. Promoting networking, professional development and lifelong learning, alumni services help graduates remain connected and engaged.

Alumni Networks and Events

The close-knit TXWES alumni community includes a welcoming alumni association that's open to all former students. Association members qualify for generous discounts and can even take advantage of career resources. The Ram's Horn provides a dedicated space for alumni updates. Alumni regularly gather for happy hours and reunion weekends.

Lifelong Learning, Certificates and Graduate Study

At Texas Wesleyan, we believe in the power of lifelong learning, which is why we offer many avenues to help alumni and community members continue exploring new topics or developing additional skills. Graduate education provides a natural next step, fostering advanced learning while helping students ascend into senior or management roles. Relevant options in STEM include the Master of Computer Science and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.).

Continuing education opportunities further expand learning (but without requiring as significant a commitment). Business information technology (IT) programs, for instance, encourage local employers to help professionals explore computer software and IT networking technologies. These curated learning experiences cover IT theory and applications via hands-on training.

Get Involved and Share Your Story

We believe that, by sharing their stories, alumni can inspire future trailblazers. If you would like to contribute, feel free to get in touch — we'd love to learn more about your journey.

Nomination Process for Alumni Spotlights

Alumni achievements deserve recognition, and that's exactly what we offer through our Alumni Medal Awards. Many impressive honorees have earned this distinction through the years. Nominations open each spring, with the next opportunity launching in mid-March. Nominate your favorite Rams online — if they win, you'll want to show your support during the Alumni Medal Dinner. Self-nominations are encouraged, so if you take pride in your accomplishments, feel free to put your name forward.

Ways to Partner on Projects and Scholarships

Strategic partners extend Texas Wesleyan's impact, bringing the advantages of higher education into the workforce through formal collaborations. We're also pleased to offer opportunities through the Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership, which connects local students to powerful pathways via scholarships, internships and bridge programming to facilitate a smooth transition. T3 presents partnership opportunities including mentorship, worksite field trips and financial support.

Become the Next Texas Wesleyan Success Story

Join a powerful legacy of alumni, and discover how you can contribute to research and innovation as part of the close-knit Texas Wesleyan University community. Explore our online and on-campus degree programs, or visit us to behold our unique campus culture in action. Get in touch today to learn more about the TXWES Smaller, Smarter experience.