Faculty
Lisa J. Chrans is a Professor of Instruction and program coordinator in the Integrated Studies major

Professor Chrans grew up in Virginia with a military family and transferred to Texas State University to complete her graduate degree in Speech Communication. She began her employment at Texas State University twenty-five years ago as an academic advisor, coordinator for the National Student Exchange program, and then full-time faculty member. She has previously taught Communication 1310 and University Seminar 1100. In 2007, she helped create the Bachelor of General Studies degree and its major courses, INTS 4360 & INTS 4361. Lisa has presented on the transition from senior student to working professional and continues to research best practices in career planning and development. She enjoys numerous hobbies, including reading, watching pro football (her cats are named Emmitt Smith & Peyton Manning), traveling, and animal charities.
Erika K. Nielson, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Integrated Studies Program

Dr. Nielson received a B.A. in Anthropology from Texas A&M University, an M.A. in Reading Education from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and a Ph.D. in Post-Secondary Student Success in Literacy from Texas State University. Dr. Nielson is also a yoga student of 28 years and a yoga teacher of 24 years. Her research foci include career preparation, educators and students engaging in mindfulness, self-compassion, and yoga practices, and their understanding and observations of those practices, as well as the literacy practices of adult learners. She has two adult children and two dogs, a Corgi and Corgi mix. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys karaoke, hiking, yoga, and going to the gym.
Autumn B. Guel, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Instruction

Dr. Guel, Associate Professor of Instruction, in the College of Education, has extensive experience in higher education, having served in a variety of roles across multiple departments at Austin Community College (2005–2012) and Texas State University (2012–present). In 2017, she transitioned into a full-time faculty role in the College of Education, where she teaches in the Integrated Studies and Adult, Professional, and Community Education programs.
Her love of learning led her to earn a B.S. in Organizational Leadership & Management, an M.S.I.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Organization, Workforce & Leadership Studies, and a Ph.D. in Adult, Professional, and Community Education in 2023. Committed to both teaching and scholarship, Dr. Guel has presented at numerous conferences, holds several professional certifications, and has received multiple honors and nominations, including the Presidential Distinction for Excellence in Teaching in 2023.
Her academic interests include adult education, career development, experiential learning and course design, lifelong learning, and the development of possible selves. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and continually seeking out new learning experiences.