Rick Walker, J.D. - STARLINK Director

Rick Walker, J.D., is the Director of the STARLINK Professional Development Network,

where he leads efforts to provide members with practical, affordable, and high-quality online

professional development.

In addition to his leadership role, Rick serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University

of North Texas in Denton, where he shares his expertise in Media Law and Media Ethics.

Rick Walker has delivered compelling workshops and trainings across the nation on a wide

range of educational topics.

Rick holds a Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan School of Law (now Texas A&M School of

Law), a Master’s degree in Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University, and a

Bachelor’s degree in Radio/TV/Film from the University of North Texas.

A former host of PowerTalk on KVRK 89.7 FM, Rick brings over 29 years of live broadcast

and production experience in the Dallas/Fort Worth media market.

Jennifer Baldauf

Jennifer Baldauf is the Director of Dual Enrollment and Assistant Registrar at Angelina College, where she leads efforts to expand access to higher education for high school students across the region. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Texas A&M University and is closing in on almost 20 years in higher education. With a background in academic advising, program development and student services, Jennifer is committed to supporting dual credit pathways for the Deep East Texas region. In her current position, she cultivates partnerships with 30 school districts, oversees all dual credit admission, registration and advising, and also serves at the Assistant Registrar.

Presentation Title

Bridging the Distance: Strengthening Rural Dual Credit Pathways in East Texas

Presentation Description

According to the 2020 US Census, the State of Texas leads the nation in rural population at 17%. Angelina College, located in Lufkin, Texas, services 12 rural counties, encompassing over 10,200 square miles. A large percentage of students within the service area will need to travel a good distance to attend face to face classes on the main campus. By shifting our strategic focus to credential completion and engaging our local workforce advisory boards, philanthropic foundations and modifying our recruitment strategies, the dual credit program is committed to building a strong, work ready high school cohort. This presentation will discuss the current initiatives, challenges and success in the ever-changing world of dual enrollment.

Dr. Eric Castillo

Dr. Eric Castillo is an ideator, strategist, and community weaver focused on arts, culture, and community impact. His work spans solidarity initiatives, community-centered design, and healing-centered practices that strengthen belonging among students, staff, and the broader community. He has stewarded projects grounded in wholeness, well-being, and social change—inviting reflection, skill-building, and radical imagination. His approach blends clear strategy with a human-centered, collaborative ethos oriented toward mutual flourishing and a transformed educational ecosystem. Dr. Castillo serves as president of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education, leading statewide advocacy and strategic planning to grow the organization for the next 50 years.

Cassidi Jacobs-Stiger

Cassidi Jacobs-Stiger serves as Assistant Director of Institutional Effectiveness at Northeast Texas Community College, where she leads initiatives in data analytics, predictive modeling, and performance-based funding strategy. With nearly a decade of experience as a college mathematics instructor and institutional researcher, she has developed improvement science frameworks to strengthen student success and drive equity-focused data solutions. Her recent work includes building forecasting models and data-informed processes for HB8, which have been adopted into NTCC’s strategic plan. Based in Avinger, Texas, she is also an elected school board member dedicated to advancing rural education and community revitalization.

Presentation Title HB8 and You: What Texas’s New Funding Model Means for Faculty

Presentation Description This session provides an accessible overview of Texas House Bill 8 (HB8), the new performance-based funding system for community colleges. With 95% of funding tied to student outcomes such as completions, transfers, dual credit, and high-demand credentials, HB8 reshapes how colleges plan budgets and prioritize resources. Faculty play a key role in influencing these outcomes, but the connection between classroom work and funding can feel unclear. This session will break down the basics of HB8 in plain language, explain how student success translates into funding, and discuss what the shift means for teaching, learning, and day-to-day faculty impact. Attendees will leave with clarity on HB8 and where their work fits in the bigger picture.

Pamela Daggon

Pamela Daggon is the Director of Member Services at STARLINK. She brings her exceptional expertise to oversee a multitude of critical functions within the STARLINK Network. In her role, she coordinates logistical and technical services while spearheading STARLINK's national marketing and social media endeavors. Prior to her role at STARLINK, Pamela served as a pivotal liaison under the California Community College Chancellor's office, where she played an instrumental role in advancing the Workforce and Economic Development initiatives. Pamela Daggon holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Architecture from California State University, Northridge.

Dr. Allatia Harris

Dr. Allatia Harris was named Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives – Workforce, Community and Diversity in March 2013, after serving successfully for five years as the president of the North Campus of San Jacinto College. In her current role, she works with business and industry leaders to ensure that San Jacinto College workforce programs are aligned with the varied industry needs of the greater Houston region. She serves on the Gulf Coast Workforce Board of the Texas Workforce Commission. She is the past Board Chair of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and a past chair of the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Harris chairs the Workforce and Education committee of the Economic Alliance-Houston Port Region and serves on the boards of the Greater Houston Partnership “UpSkill Houston” and the United Way Community Impact committee.

In 2023, San Jacinto College was included as one of five case studies in the Harvard Project on Workforce’s publication America's Hidden Economic Engines: How Community Colleges Can Drive Shared Prosperity. In 2019, the College was one of six case studies in the Aspen Institute Community College Excellence Program’s publication The Workforce Playbook: A Community College Guide to Delivering Excellent Career and Technical Education. In 2020-2021, the College’s associate degree programs in nursing (ADN) and in petrochemicals (AAS) were both recognized with separate Seimens Excellence and Equity in Community College STEM Programs awards.

Dr. Harris holds a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin where she has been recognized as a Distinguished Graduate. She has studied at the University of Southern California and earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in communication from the University of North Texas. Dr. Harris came to San Jacinto College from Dallas College where she was a faculty member and academic administrator.

Dr. Harris is married to Wayne Dickerson and has one son, Kristoffer, and one grandson, Isaac. She and Wayne enjoy fishing and spending time with their black Labrador Charley.

Casey Sporyz

Presentation Title: Intentional Design; design your course with Ai in mind"

Casey Sporyz is an Instructional Design Lead at Classavo, an innovative ed-tech company dedicated to making learning more affordable and engaging. At Classavo, she partners with professors across the country to design active, AI-resilient learning environments and build meaningful student engagement. Casey is passionate about helping educators use technology to enhance (not replace) the human side of teaching.

Dr. Charles R. Leslie Jr.

Dr. Charles R. Leslie Jr. was raised in Philadelphia, PA and graduated from Germantown HS.

Then he enlisted in the USAF, (1973). He was honorably discharged as SGT, from the Air Force

in April 1977. He then worked on the Alaskan pipeline. Transiting into his woodworking business

Leslie’s Custom Designs, until making the decision to pursue education. He received a

Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Education and Pastoral Ministries from Alaska Bible College. He

moved to Dallas in 1986 and earned a Master’s degree (ThM) in Bible Exposition and Urban

Studies from the Dallas Theological Seminary in 1992. He also was awarded, Who's Who of

Universities and College (while at Dallas Theo. Seminary). He began his missionary work to

Kenya (87), while at Dallas Seminary. He earned a Doctorate of Ministry (DMin) in Global

Missions from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky (2018).

For the last 35 years, Dr. Leslie’s passion for missionary work. has led him to several African

Countries (Kenya, Cameroon, Burundi, Uganda). And to Guyana, South America and Puebla,

Mexico. He’s been doing mission work in Uganda the last 22 years. Now as CEO of Mission

Global Fellowship, he leads mission teams to Uganda, Africa. And his focus is to mobilize the

body of Christ into missions, while teaching and training. Dr. Leslie has pastored (21 years) and

taught at Southern Bible Institute & College (Dallas TX) for 15 years. Where he led the first

mission team from that school. He served on several local boards, the Sherman School Board,

Dr Al Hambrick Basketball Foundation, the Sherman Education Foundation, Dr Bowie

Scholarship Foundation and the Grayson Crisis Center in Sherman TX.

He retired from Grayson College after 12 years, (now part-time) where he was an enrollment

and academic advisor. He began the college’s outreach and recruitment of African American

students along with the retention program (Men of Distinction) for all men at the college. He was

responsible for the starting of the Black History Program at Grayson College (2013). He was

honored as a “Living Legend” in 2023. He has been associated with Texas Association of Black

Personnel of Higher Education (TABPHE) for 18 years and is now serves President. He also

serves as the Legislative Chairperson.

Dr. Leslie currently serves as the assistant pastor at New Birth Cathedral of Praise. He serves

as VP of the Sherman Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (SIMA). Dr. Leslie was honored as

the Texas District 1 Texoma Heroes by the VFW. He was recognized for his dedication and leadership in his Honorable Military & Community service. Dr. Leslie proudly served our country in the Air Force and continues to serve others to this day.