Office Hours

A geography professor with an infectious love for learning, humor, and tranquility, Dr. Brian Cooper has an amazing knack for making class engaging. Join us as we explore his deep connection to students, why understanding places and people is more relevant than ever, and how his journey shaped his approach to education.

From humble beginnings in the border town of McAllen, Texas, to life (and art) altering experiences in Baltimore, Sydney Guzman is embracing her journey as it unfolds. Listen in to this episode of Office Hours as she discusses her path to art, becoming a faculty member at Texas State University, trusting one's artistic vision, and how she's letting the universe guide her path.

Being influenced and inspired by many places, people, and moments, Dr. Louie Valencia has extensive knowledge of social change, youth culture, and digital history. He chats with AnaBelle about his Harry Styles' course, how he got started in his career, and advice he has for early career students.

From woodshop technician and t-shirt shop owner to professor, artist, and father, Thomas May has had a remarkable journey. In this episode, he shares his experiences with his daughter and TXST Marketing and Communications intern, Avery, reflecting on his path through education, the challenges of adulthood and artistry, and the rewards of being an educator.

A mass communication legend and award winning professor, Dr. Laurie Fluker is a force at Texas State University. Known for her passion and fire during her 8 a.m. lectures, Dr. Fluker has left an impact on both her students and on the course of the university. She and Tyson talk about her life, upbringing, and the journey to discovering your purpose.1

From a small town in Arkansas, Biological Anthropology professor, Dr. Kate Spradley has made a huge impact on the world with her legendary work on the project, OP-ID, identifying the unidentified human remains on the Us and Mexico border. But she started out like many students, with a lack of self confidence and the fear of a future unknown. She talks to Tyson about discovering her passion for learning and academics, how she became interested in anthropology, and what her work means to her and to the future of forensic sciences.

Associate Professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Dr. Angela Jones has set her sights high since the beginning. A first gen student with a burning intrest in shows like "Datelines," Dr. Jones shares what her college experience was like, how to make your goals a reality, and her tips for those who have never been on a jury before. 

From a small town in Canada to working in a prison and somehow ending up in Texas, our TXST President, Dr. Kelly Damphousse, has had a long and interesting journey to where he is today. He sits down with Tyson to discuss his upbringing, career goals, what education means to him, and the driving forces that propelled him to success.

Dr. Andrea Banzatti has a poetic way with physics and an even more beautiful perspective of life and learning. The Milanese physics professor chats with AnaBelle about his life in Italy, looking at the sky, and his passion for adventure and the surprises life brings. 

A dancer turned lecturer, Megan Moss is an artist in many respects. Her dancing, choreography, and study of the human body have shaped her worldview on our need for movement, creativity, and the freedom to show up as who we are. She chats with AnaBelle about her life as a dancer, her journey to becoming a lecturer, and her advice for creatives and people trying to find their way in the world. 

From discovering the vaccine for K9 rabies to helping with the fight against COVID on TXST's campus, Dr. Rodney Rohde is nothing short of a legend to Bobcats. He chats with Giselle about his upbringing, his unique journey that led him to where he is today, and his advice to young people as they move through life. 

A mogul in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dale Blasingame has made a name for himself at TXST and beyond. Tyson, a digital media major, gets an in-depth look at Blasingame's upbringing, love of basketball, and his journey from sports journalism to teaching. 

Ben Reed is a creative writing and literature professor at TXST who has had an interesting career path, from oil rigs to catering, then grad school to now. He sits down with Adrianna to talk about his creative process, his unconventional college career, and why he chose writing as his "thing" in the first place. 

Originally from Canada and making waves in the Esports industry, professor Ali Forbes is a force to be reckoned with. A former college basketball athlete, Forbes is the definition of a go-getter. She sits down with AnaBelle to talk about hunger, drive, hustle, and working hard to get what you want. 

Dr. Nicole Wagner has grown up with an appreciation for nature, whether it be the grass in her backyard or the animals that she came to meet. Assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at TXST, Dr. Wagner talks to Adrianna about following her passion, what agriculture and nature have taught her about the ways of life, and her journey to getting her Ph.D. 

Jason Reed takes the mundane Texas lifestyle and makes it a work of art. A photography professor at TXST and a fellow at the Center for the Study of the Southwest, Reed has been photographing and learning from his home state ever since he can remember. He sits down with Adrianna to talk about his student experience, what advice he has for those in the early stages of their career, and some of the memorable moments he has had as a photographer. 

Growing up in Dickinson right outside of Houston, Dr. Daniel Carter wasn't sure what his future held for him. Entering college as an undecided major, spending some of his time writing, and now a professor in the School of Mass Communication and Journalism, Dr. Carter never expected his journey to take him to San Marcos, Texas, where he's spent years teaching and inspiring students in journalism and beyond. Sam chats with Dr. Carter about his career path, his predictions of social media, and what advice he has for young creatives. 

A San Antonio native, Shannon Faseler has always known she had something to share with the masses. An art and painting professor who studied biology and pre-med, Faseler has had a whirlwind of experiences in her career journey. Adrianna chats with Faseler about her life and inspriation as an artist and making your mark on the student experience.

Ever since she was a teenager, Jennifer knew that she would go to college. TXST alum turned public relations professor, Jennifer Scharlach has had a plethora of experiences spanning from nonprofit work to our very own Alumni Association. Listen to her conversation with Tony as they discuss her journey to becoming a professor and what it means to make yourself heard. 

A first-generation college student with a love for running, Dr. Jake Waddingham continues to push the limits. Intern Adrianna chats with Dr. Waddingham about his busy college career as a runner and journalist, and everything he learned up to the present day as a TXST McCoy College of Business professor. 

Raised in The Valley, Eddie Sanchez is a writer whose start came in the form of hiphop inspiration and being given the task of completing his older brother's writing  homework. He now works for Texas State's University Marketing's team of writers and teaches a US 1100 class. 

Psychology senior lecturer Dr. Amy Meeks was a shy, quiet child, who now teaches to about 400 students at TXST. Coming from a small liberal arts college and taking that leap to graduate school in psychology, she chats with Adrianna about how people have become her number one learning resource and motivation.

Dr. Carlos Moro is an assistant professor in the TXST Concrete Industry Management program. Hailing from Spain and getting his Ph.D. from Purdue University, Dr. Moro has had a unique path to TXST.

Director of Opera Studies and assistant professor Dr. Marc Reynolds talks with Tony about his college career, his major switch from the medical field to music, and what it was like finding his way in his opera career.

The TXST Podcast Network. Real stories from our expert faculty and amazing students, exploring important ideas for Texas and sharing how we're shaping what comes NEXT. New episodes released weekly.