M. A. I. S. Texas State University

Lois Hickman has received both of her degrees from Texas State University-San Marcos and is a Licensed master Social Worker.  In 1979, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) with honors.  She also received outstanding Achievement in Social Work and Spanish, her major and minor, respectively.  She was a member of Alpha Chi, the interdisciplinary honor society at Texas State, as well as the chapter’s secretary.

After an internship in 1979 with Travis County juvenile Court, she was offered a permanent position as a Juvenile Probation officer (JPO) in the Intake Department.  In 1983, she was promoted to Court Investigator, specializing in placement of adjudicated youths and treating sex offender populations.  She started Triad Program in Travis County, which inspired different agencies to collaborate in funding youth placements.  While a JPO, Lois was a member of numerous professional organization s for social workers and probation officers.  During this time, she was in the very first group of probation officers and social workers to be certified in the state of Texas.  She retired from the Juvenile court after ten years of fulfilling work in Travis County.

In 1989, Lois returned to Texas State and received a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis in Communication, Criminal Justice, and Sociology.  In 1990, she was an instructor in the criminal Justice department at Texas State for two Semesters on a contractual basis.  She was ranked very highly within the department by student evaluations at the end of her term.

A twist of fate in 1991 led Lois to employment with Early Childhood Intervention, HomeSpun.   For eight years she worked as a Family Consultant on a trans-disciplinary team for Hays and Blanco counties.  She founded three satellite offices for homespun while serving numerous rural families.  Although she enjoys working with families and children with disabilities, she could not pass up a chance to return to Texas State when the opportunity called.  In the fall of 1998, she accepted the position of Lecturer of Sociology and Applied Sociology Internship coordinator.

With an extensive experience in social work, sociology, criminal justice, special needs and family dynamics, Lois brings and eclectic background to the Sociology department.  She is a member of Alpha kappa Delta, the Internship al Sociology Honor Society and hopes to remain at Texas State for years to come.

Lois’ greatest accomplishment to date is her family.  She met her husband, Danny, in 1976 when he was her Spanish teacher at Texas State.  They have two high-energy children, Casey and Holley, who continue to educate and enlighten them every day.  Lois is also active with her children’s sports, community organization, her church’s youth program, mission outreach, and three local advisory councils.

M. A. Texas State University

Kelly Mosel-Talavera received her Bachelor of Arts in both sociology and communication form Texas A & M University at Corpus Christi in 1994.  She received her Master of Arts from Texas State (then Southwest Texas State) in 1997 with a major in sociology and a minor in communication studies.

Upon graduation, ms. Mosel-Talavera began teaching full-time for ITT technical Institute in Austin, Texas.  She taught introductory level sociology courses to an extremely diverse group of student completing general education requirements.  She also taught Speech and Communication, as well as Career Success, Human Relations, and Success Orientation.  In addition, she taught sociology and speech for Austin Community College, as well as public speaking course for Texas Culinary Academy.  She became a member of the ASA (American Sociology Association), and the Texas Folklore Society.  Her research interests continued in Texas Folklore and she found a new amusement in chili cook-offs.  As a result, she became a member of CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) and has competed regularly for the past five years.

She joined the faculty of the sociology department at Texas State University-San Marcos in August of 2001.  She has taught introduction to Sociology, Drugs & Society, and is the co-coordinator of the Applied Sociology internship program.  Her focus is on the interns and their success in the program.  It is her goal to see the interns who are graduating be prepared for the professional careers in to which they soon will transfer.

Personally, she is married and has three daughters, Kamryn Elizabeth, Kasey Lynn, and Kobie Rose.  She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her beloved Jack Russell mix, Hunter.