Derek Pham, Oklahoma Technology Student Association state president and a senior at Mustang High School, and Aspa Talal, state treasurer and a senior at Edmond North High School, told the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education State Board about a sharp increase in TSA membership and the organization’s leadership and competition programs.

The students presented during the recognitions and presentations portion of the board meeting, describing TSA as the CareerTech student organization (CTSO) for STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics—and outlining competitive events, leadership officer roles at regional, state and national levels, and three priorities for the state officers’ program of work: social media, community service and membership growth.

Why it matters: TSA membership is a recruitment pipeline into CareerTech programs and into the STEM workforce. The officers said their outreach and alumni highlights help generate interest in underserved schools and that increased participation reduces later major changes and improves students’ career decisions.

Key details: The presenters said Oklahoma TSA reported about 24,761 members in 2023–24 across 109 high school chapters and 147 middle school chapters, and that membership had grown to 32,194 members, 122 high school chapters and 149 middle school chapters midway through the current year—a cited increase of roughly 30 percent in total membership compared with the prior year. The students described national initiatives tied to TSA’s upcoming 50th anniversary that provide scholarship incentives—$1,000 awards for chapters that sustain or grow membership—and said chapters in Oklahoma have benefitted from that program.

Board questions and staff responses: State Director Brent Hagan and board members asked about funding sources, Pell grant usage, and barriers at smaller chapters. Hagan and students said most CareerTech funding for technology centers comes from local ad valorem millage and that Pell usage is rising as centers encourage students to apply for federal aid; presenters offered to provide exact Pell dollar figures to the board on request. Board members suggested additional support for under-resourced chapters that lack access to equipment such as 3-D printers.

Student outcomes and next steps: The students described leadership pathways from chapter to regional, state and national office and said competitive events give students hands-on experience that helps on college applications and in the workforce. They requested that the board and agency continue to promote TSA success stories and help chapters that need material support to sustain and grow participation.

The board acknowledged the presentation and the agency said it would share requested data (Pell funding breakdown) and continue outreach to smaller chapters.