Texas Society of Professional Surveyors Named as an ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award
ALEXANDRIA, VA - The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce Texas Society of Professional Surveyors in Austin, TX as a 2026 ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award Winner. The Business-Education Partnership Award celebrates the contributions and achievements of schools and businesses that aid in the development and maintenance of partnerships supporting high-quality career and technical education (CTE).
The Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS) has played a pivotal role in addressing the nationwide shortage of land surveying professionals by partnering with Klein Independent School District (Klein ISD) to create an innovative, accelerated career pathway for students.
Several years ago, Klein ISD identified the urgent need for new talent in the field of land surveying. In collaboration with industry leaders, the district launched the Geospatial and Land Surveying Accelerated College Pathway at Klein Collins High School, providing students with opportunities to graduate with AutoCAD and FAA Drone Pilot 107 certifications, Level I Survey Technician credentials, and even an associate degree from a local community college.
TSPS quickly became a cornerstone partner in this initiative. The organization welcomed Klein ISD students as its first-ever junior members, enabling them to form a student chapter, take on leadership roles, and gain access to mentorship, networking, and professional development through the TSPS annual symposium. Members from surveying companies across Texas also volunteered weekly on campus, donating time, tools, and expertise to provide students with real-world instruction, fieldwork, and hands-on experience with professional-grade equipment.
TSPS further strengthened the pathway by facilitating a partnership with Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (TAMUCC), the state’s only institution offering a joint Geospatial and Surveying degree program. TAMUCC professors now deliver dual-credit courses virtually to Klein ISD students, helping graduates seamlessly transition to postsecondary education or the workforce. Many program alumni have gone on to attend TAMUCC, while others enter the industry directly with highly marketable skills and credentials.
This program is intentionally aligned with ACTE’s High-Quality CTE Framework, emphasizing career-connected learning, rigorous coursework, and measurable outcomes. Students not only earn multiple industry-recognized credentials but also gain invaluable leadership experience through TSPS membership, SkillsUSA competitions, and participation in the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) collegiate competition—where Klein ISD teams have successfully competed against, and even outperformed, college students.
The impact of this partnership extends far beyond individual student success. The Klein ISD program has become the first approved high school Program of Study in Geospatial Engineering and Land Surveying in Texas, now serving as a statewide model for replication. By expanding equity and access, particularly for underrepresented and first-generation college students, TSPS and its partners are opening doors to high-wage, high-demand careers while building a sustainable pipeline of surveying professionals for the future.
Through this forward-thinking collaboration, TSPS has elevated the visibility of the surveying profession, demonstrated the power of industry-education partnerships, and ensured that the next generation of surveyors is equipped with the skills, experience, and confidence to succeed. The GELS program at Klein Collins High School has been fully embraced and is now being referenced as a model not only across Texas but nationwide.
Texas Society of Professional Surveyors will be recognized alongside other national ACTE award winners on December 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET, at the annual ACTE Awards Gala. For more information on the Excellence Awards and the Awards Gala, visit: http://www.acteonline.org/awards.
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources
