Midland College Dean Pete Avalos Named to Texas Association of College Technical Educators Board of DirectorsApril 08, 2025

Midland College  is proud to announce that Pete Avalos, Dean of Applied Technology, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of College Technical Educators (TACTE). In this leadership role, Avalos will serve a two-year term, helping to guide the organization’s mission of strengthening workforce education across Texas.

TACTE is a professional organization dedicated to addressing the realities of workforce education in today's job market. Representing the resilient and forward-thinking spirit of community and technical colleges, TACTE supports workforce education by promoting best practices and offering valuable activities and services to educators and administrators throughout the state.

“I am truly honored and humbled to have been selected to the TACTE Board of Directors,” said Avalos. “It’s really exciting to be able to work with such a talented group of people who have an impact on CTE programs across the state, making decisions that impact not only the local communities, but students as well.” 

Avalos brings years of experience and a deep commitment to workforce training. In fact, his appointment to the TACTE Board follows recent recognition of the Natural Gas Compression program as a TACTE Program of Excellence — a prestigious award honoring programs that demonstrate innovation, dedication, and a significant impact on both education and industry.

The TACTE selection committee praised the program for its tireless efforts to provide students with hands-on, relevant training that directly aligns with the evolving needs of the energy sector. Under Avalos’ leadership, the program has become a standout model for how colleges can effectively bridge education and industry — particularly in the energy-rich Permian Basin.

"Pete’s appointment is a well-deserved recognition of his leadership and his program’s success in preparing students for real-world careers," said MC President Dr. Damon Kennedy. "As Texas faces a critical shortage of skilled trade workers, leaders like Pete play a vital role in shaping conversations around workforce readiness. Early exposure to career and technical education is key to helping young people discover meaningful, well-paying career paths that are essential to the state’s economic future. By encouraging conversations with students about the value of CTE, we help break outdated stigmas and open doors to opportunities that serve both individuals and communities."

As a TACTE Board member, Avalos will help shape the future of workforce education in Texas, supporting initiatives that empower students, strengthen communities, and meet the demands of today’s job market.