ATGS Call for Proposals

We are excited to announce the Call for Proposals for the annual Association of Texas Graduate Schools (ATGS) meeting, which will be held on the campus of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX on September 10-11, 2026. The theme for this year’s conference is “Innovating Graduate Education for a Talent-Strong Texas.”  We welcome submissions that highlight innovative strategies, emerging trends, and practical solutions that strengthen graduate pathways, expand access, support student success, and prepare Texas institutions to meet evolving workforce, research, and leadership needs.

Topics of Interest

We are particularly interested in sessions that address the following topics:

1. Innovating: Advancing Graduate Education

  • New models in graduate recruitment, admissions, and enrollment strategy

  • AI, digital tools, and technology-enabled graduate education

  • Innovative program design for master’s and doctoral education

  • Interdisciplinary, applied, and cross-sector approaches to graduate education

  • Data-informed decision making in graduate leadership and administration

2. Supporting: Promoting Graduate Student Success

  • Retention, persistence, and degree completion

  • Mentoring, advising, and faculty-student support structures

  • Graduate student well-being, belonging, and resilience

  • Financial support models, assistantships, fellowships, and reducing barriers to completion

  • Career preparation, workforce readiness, and professional development for graduate students and postdocs

  • Responsible conduct of research, research ethics, and graduate training in scholarly integrity

3. Strengthening: Building a Talent-Strong Texas

  • Graduate education’s role in workforce development and talent pipelines

  • Partnerships with industry, government, community colleges, and regional employers

  • Expanding access through pathway programs, direct admissions, and credit for prior learning

  • Serving rural, regional, and emerging student populations

  • Aligning graduate education with state, regional, and national priorities

4. Special Topics

  • Policy and advocacy in graduate education

  • Research innovation and the evolving role of graduate schools

  • Public trust and communicating the value of of graduate education

  • Research integrity, compliance, and ethics in graduate education

  • Emerging challenges and opportunities in graduate leadership

Submission Guidelines

  • Title: Clear and concise.

  • Abstract: Maximum 300 words, summarizing the session's focus and objectives.

  • Learning Objectives: List 3-5 key takeaways for attendees.

  • Presenter Information: Include names, titles, affiliations, and contact information for all presenters.

  • Session length options:

    • 60 minutes (45-minute presentation with 15 minutes Q/A)

    • 30 minutes (25-minute presentation with 5 minutes Q/A)

Submission Process

  • Submit your proposals through the online submission portal

  • Submissions due June 30, 2026

  • All proposals will be reviewed by the Program Committee and selected presenters will be notified by mid July.

Why Present at ATGS?

Presenting at ATGS provides an excellent opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with a diverse audience of professionals, researchers, practitioners and those interested in graduate education. It’s also a great way to network, gain visibility in your field, and contribute to the advancement of your profession.

For more information

More information can be found on our website at atgs.org. If you have additional questions, please send an email to Tom Faulkenberry (ATGS President) at faulkenberry@tarleton.edu.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and to seeing you at ATGS 2026 at Tarleton State University in Stephenville!