Klein, Texas— The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) has awarded the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS) the 2026 ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award for their groundbreaking industry partnership with Klein ISD.
This national honor recognizes the joint effort that created the Geospatial Engineering & Land Surveying College Program at Klein Collins High School, which is the first program of its kind in Texas and a model now referenced nationwide for preparing students for high-demand careers.
Since its launch in 2018, the Geospatial Engineering & Land Surveying College Program has garnered national attention for addressing a critical workforce shortage in land surveying and geospatial sciences through innovative, career-connected learning.
“I’m very proud of our outstanding Geospatial Engineering & Land Surveying Program,” Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown said. “Top-notch career and technical programs like this are what make Klein ISD stand out as the premier choice for parents seeking the very best education for their children. We are deeply grateful to the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors for their partnership and commitment to helping us prepare students for bright futures."
Addressing a Critical Workforce Need
Several years ago, Klein ISD leaders and industry partners identified an urgent challenge: the land surveying workforce was aging, and new professionals were in short supply. The district’s Career & Technical Education team, led by Deborah Bronner-Westerduin, Director of Career & Technical Education, worked with TSPS members to design a fast-track high school program that equips students with college credit, professional certifications, and career-ready skills.
“This was a first-of-its-kind vision,” Bronner-Westerduin said. “Klein ISD received approval through the Texas Education Agency to be the first district to offer this program of study in Texas, and it has been a game-changer for our students and for the profession.”
Hands-On Learning Through Industry and Higher Education Partnerships
Industry involvement is central to the program’s success. Texas Society of Professional Surveyors extended junior memberships to Klein Collins students, enabling them to form the nation’s first high school TSPS student chapter. Students participate in professional conferences, gain mentors, and build networks with practicing surveyors.
Local companies also support the program by volunteering on campus weekly, leading field exercises, and providing access to industry-grade tools such as total stations, GPS units, and mapping drones.
The partnership further expanded when Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC), home to Texas’s only joint Geospatial and Surveying degree program, joined the effort. TAMU-CC professors now deliver dual-credit courses virtually to Klein ISD students, helping them graduate high school with college credit and a clear path to a four-year degree.
College Credit, Credentials, and Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Geospatial Engineering & Land Surveying College Program are uniquely prepared for success. By the time they earn their high school diploma, students can also graduate with:
An Associate of Science degree from Lone Star College–University Park
Up to 66 hours of transferable college credit
Industry-recognized certifications, including:
Certified Survey Technician (CST) Level I
FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot License
AutoCAD Certification
GIS Analyst Occupational Skills Award
“Taking advantage of these dual-credit courses not only saves families money, but also ensures students have real-world skills that lead directly to high-paying jobs,” Bronner-Westerduin said.
National Model for High-Quality CTE
Klein ISD’s Geospatial program is intentionally aligned with ACTE’s High-Quality CTE Framework, emphasizing rigorous academics, career-connected learning, and measurable outcomes. Students have excelled in SkillsUSA competitions, presented at state and national surveying conferences, and even competed against and outperformed college teams in the National Society of Professional Surveyors’ student competition.
As a reflection of this excellence, Klein ISD has also been recognized as a CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas, placing the district in the top 3% of districts statewide. This honor underscores the district’s leadership in preparing students for continued education and high-demand careers.
The program’s success has inspired replication across Texas, with Klein ISD serving as the blueprint for similar programs statewide.
National Recognition
Klein ISD and the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors will be honored at the ACTE Awards Gala on December 9, 2025, where the nation’s top CTE programs and partnerships will be celebrated.
As Klein ISD looks ahead, the district continues to welcome new students into the Geospatial Engineering & Land Surveying College Program each year. Current 8th and 9th-graders can apply each spring when selecting their high school courses.
For more information, families can visit kleinisd.net/programs