Angelo State outlines AI, cybersecurity and aviation expansion to boost San Angelo workforce

Angelo State University President Ronnie Hawkins told a San Angelo panel that the university is pursuing a coordinated push into artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and expanded aviation training to strengthen the local workforce and attract new businesses.

Hawkins said ASU adopted a goal to be “an innovative university” by the end of the decade and is aligning investment across academics, economic development and campus culture to reach it. “We want to be known as an innovative university by the end of this decade,” Hawkins said, noting initiatives in information technology, AI, health programs and the arts.

ASU is expanding its aviation offerings, including an air-traffic operations program that uses full simulators to replicate U.S. runways and tower operations, Hawkins said. He credited alumni and city support for funding aircraft, simulators and facilities, and said the program is already drawing students from other established aviation programs.

Hawkins also highlighted a regional security operations center that he described as the only fully operational endpoint-security center in Texas of its kind, serving more than 100 customers, and said the university will open a Nexus Building to host an artificial-intelligence center of excellence similar to its cybersecurity center.

“AI is already out there,” Hawkins said, framing the Nexus space and cybersecurity clinic as practical community resources: he said a “cyber-ready clinic” would soon help residents learn basic cyber hygiene for home devices and phones.

Hawkins cited student outcomes as part of the university’s pitch: at a recent halftime event he said 285 student-athletes took part, and he noted the university has about 380 student-athletes with a 3.2 grade-point average or higher. He also said ASU has a high conversion rate of campus visitors electing to enroll.

Looking ahead, Hawkins described the Kay Bailey Hutchison Institute and a growing roster of research activities meant to bring businesses and city leaders into campus research. He said the combination of industry-facing programs and facilities outside the main campus is intended to retain graduates and connect them to local employers.

The panel concluded with Hawkins reiterating ASU’s role in town-gown collaboration and workforce development as central to San Angelo’s economic future.