Dr. Tom Sechrest is Director of the Master of Science in Leadership & Change (MSLC) Program (becoming the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership--MSOL--in Fall 2022) as well as the Doctorate of Education of Leadership & Higher Education (DLHE) Program. He holds the tenured academic rank of Professor of Human Development & Leadership. Dr. Sechrest joined the adjunct faculty in 2001 and the tenure-track faculty in 2005.
Sechrest has had a long career in leadership development as an entrepreneur, in the public sector, in the private sector, in the non-profit sector, and in higher education. He started his career as an entrepreneur in educational & industrial television, creating training films, documentaries, commercials, and music videos for Don Kirshner's Rock Concerts and others. He then worked as a television producer for the U.S. Department of Labor, and was promoted to Training Officer, where he led a national leadership development project and focused on organizational effectiveness. In mid-career, he completed Ph.D. studies at The University of Texas at Austin, where he was a Research Assistant and coordinated international conferences in the continuing education program. He worked as Senior Organization Development Specialist in Corporate Leadership & Succession Planning for AMD, then served as Faculty Chair for Leadership Austin before joining the tenure-track faculty at St. Edward's. At St. Edward's, Sechrest has taught Leadership Theory & Practice, Methods of Research, Social Responsibility of Business, and Action Research. He currently teaches Leadership Foundations & Formation and Strategic Leadership in the master's program, as well as Leadership in the 21st Century: Current Trends, Emerging Possibilities and Research Methods I: Introduction to Practice-based Research in the EdD program.
Professor of Human Development & Leadership, Fall 2021
Director, Doctorate of Education of Leadership & Higher Education Program, January 2019-present
Associate Professor of Human Development & Leadership, Fall 2019
Director, Master of Science in Leadership & Change Program, 2015 - present
Interim Dean, The Bill Munday School of Business, 2013-2014
Associate Dean, The Bill Munday School of Business, 2008-2015
Awarded Tenure, 2014
Associate Professor of Management, 2010-2019
Assistant Professor of Management, 2005-2009
Director, MSOLE Program 2006-2016
Advisor to the Program Committee, 2021 Global Conference of the International Leadership Association, "Reimagining Leadership Together." Geneva, Switzerland and virtually.
Program Chair, 2020 Global Conference of the International Leadership Association, "Leading at the Edge." Originally scheduled for San Francisco, California, November 2020, but ultimately held virtually because of the COVID pandemic. (First-ever ILA virtual conference.)
Member, International Leadership Association Board Development Committee, 2015 - 2020
Member, International Leadership Association Leadership Development Member Interest Group Executive Committee, 2018 - 2020
Co-founder, International Leadership Association Ethics Forum Learning Community, 2011
Chair, International Leadership Association Leadership Development Member Interest Group, 2012
Member, Delta Lambda Chapter of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity Alumni Committee, 2016 - 2020
Member, Delta Lambda Chapter of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity Housing Corporation, 2015 - 2020
Member, Inaugural Board of Directors, SolvED non profit, Austin Texas, 2019-present
Reviewer, Conference Proposals for the Academy of Human Resource Development Research Conference in the Americas as well as the Asian Chapter Conference, 2010 - present
Reviewer, Conference Proposals for the International Leadership Association Global Conference, 2009 - present
Member, The Seton Cove Advisory Council of the Institute for Soul-Centered Leadership, 2012-2016
Member, Sister Mary Rose McPhee Lecture and Workshop on Leadership & Spirituality, Organizing Committee, 2008-2016
Chair, Human Capital Action Team, Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy, Austin Independent School District, 2012
Member, Board of Directors, Salvage Vanguard Theater, Austin, Texas 2008-2010
International Leadership Global Global Conference, Prague Czech Republic (2009), Boston MA (2010), London UK (2011), Denver CO (2012), Quebec CA (2013), Auckland NZ (2013), San Diego CA (2014), Barcelona Spain (2015), Atlanta GA (2016), Brussels Belgium (2017), WPB FL (2018), Ottawa CA (2019), San Francisco California-Virtual (2020), Geneva, Switzerland-Virtual (2021).
Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference, (2007, 2008, 2009)
SUPERVISED STUDENT RESEARCH--Action Research Projects completed for the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership & Ethics Program
IN DEVELOPMENT: Sechrest, T. (2022). The Leader’s Primer on Mindfulness. A book introducing leaders to basic concepts of mindfulness.
IN DEVELOPMENT: Sechrest, T. (2022). Storytelling as an Outcome of Reflection. Journal article derived from Conference Presentation.
IN DEVELOPMENT: Sechrest, T. (2022). Doctoral Program Development: Mission, Vision, and Values as Process Precursors. Journal article derived from Conference Presentation.
Sechrest, T. (2020). The interim leader: Organizational considerations before the permanent leader arrives. Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics.
Sechrest, T. & Rains, R. (2018). A taxonomic guide to university-level writing assignments. Journal of the Academy of Business Education, 19, 33-51.
Sechrest, T. (2017). A Reflection on Father Edward Sorin, The Greatness of Your Mission: Living the Legacy of Holy Cross Education, Austin TX: Holy Cross Institute
Sechrest, T. (2009). Globalization and work, Chapter in Occupation Management Handbook. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Sechrest, T. & Middelberg, T. (2007). Using the RFDA Model as a Tool for Developing Ethical Leadership. Perspectives in Business, 4(1), 23-27.
Sechrest, T. (2003). Book Review: Principles of Facilitation: The Purpose and Potential of Leading Group Process. Group Facilitation: A Research and Applications Journal. Apple Valley, MN: International Association of Facilitators.
Watkins, K. & Sechrest, T. (1998). Adding value: Program financing for program planners, Chapter in Program planning for the training and continuing education of adults. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company.
Morrisey, G., Sechrest, T., & Warman, W. (1997). Loud and Clear: How to Prepare and Deliver Effective Business and Technical Presentations. New York: Perseus Books Group. (Over 400,000 copies sold.)
Estes, N., Owston, R.D., Neely, N., Sechrest, T., Leverett, D., Ash, K. (1996) Connecting the disconnected: Leadership development for high performance learning communities. Battle Creek, MI: W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Sechrest, T.L., Thomas, M.P. and Estes, N. (Editors) (1995). Leadership for creating educational change: Integrating the power of technology. Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference on Technology and Education. Austin, TX: The University of Texas at Austin College of Education.
Sechrest, T. (1994). Review of Change at Work: The Total Transformational Management Process by Oscar G. Mink, et al, in The Forum, Newsletter of the Academy of Human Resource Development, Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T.L. (1994) “International Cooperation and Partnerships; Technology for education in a developing world,” in Thomas, M.P., Sechrest, T.L., and Estes, N. (eds.) Deciding Our Future: Technological Imperatives for Education. Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Technology and Education. Austin, TX: The University of Texas at Austin College of Education.
Sechrest, T.L. & Worley, E.N. (1994). “Open and Distance Learning: A Discussion of Where We Are and Where We Should be Going,” in Thomas, M.P., Sechrest, T.L. and Estes, N. (eds.). Deciding Our Future: Technological Imperatives for Education. Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Technology and Education. Austin, TX: The University of Texas at Austin College of Education.
Thomas, M.P., Sechrest, T.L. and Estes, N. (Editors) (1994). Deciding Our Future: Technological Imperatives for Education. Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Technology and Education. Austin, TX: The University of Texas at Austin College of Education.
Sechrest, T. (2021). "Storytelling as an Outcome of Reflection." International Leadership Association 23rd Annual Global Conference: Reimagining Leadership Together. Geneva, Switzerland (Virtual)
Sechrest, T. (2021). SESSION CHAIR: "New Studies on Virtual Work Worlds." International Leadership Association 23rd Annual Global Conference: Reimagining Leadership Together. Geneva, Switzerland (Virtual)
Sechrest, T. (2021). SESSION CHAIR: "Leadership Education - Evaluation & Assessment." International Leadership Association 23rd Annual Global Conference: Reimagining Leadership Together. Geneva, Switzerland (Virtual)
Sechrest, T. (2020). SESSION CHAIR: "Followership Education and Reimagining Its Place in Leadership Education." International Leadership Association 23rd Annual Global Conference: Reimagining Leadership Together. Geneva, Switzerland (Virtual)
Sechrest, T. (2020). "Doctoral Program Development: Mission, Vision, and Values as Process Precursors." International Leadership Association 22nd Annual Global Conference: Leading at the Edge. San Francisco CA (Virtual)
Sechrest, T. (2020). SESSION CHAIR: "Purposeful Pedagogy." International Leadership Association 22nd Annual Global Conference: Leading at the Edge. San Francisco CA (Virtual)
Sechrest, T. (2020). SESSION CHAIR: "Continual Improvement: Design and Redesign of Leadership Programs." International Leadership Association 22nd Annual Global Conference: Leading at the Edge. San Francisco CA (Virtual)
Sechrest, T. (2019). "The Interim Leader: Courage Required." International Leadership Association 21st Annual Global Conference: Leadership: Courage Required. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Sechrest, T. (2019). Why Leadership Matters. Austin Young Chamber LEAD Summit. Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2019). SESSION CHAIR: “Exploring Leadership at the Doctoral Level: Preparation, Writing Circles, and Growing Relational Leadership.” International Leadership Association 21st Annual Global Conference: Leadership: Courage Required. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Sechrest, T. (2018). SESSION CHAIR: “Forgiveness as a Force in Leadership.” International Leadership Association 20th Annual Global Conference: Authentic Leadership for Progress, Peace and Prosperity. West Palm Beach, Florida USA.
Sechrest, T. (2018). SESSION CHAIR: “Leadership in Extreme Situations.” International Leadership Association 20th Annual Global Conference: Authentic Leadership for Progress, Peace and Prosperity. West Palm Beach Florida USA.
Sechrest, T. (2018). "Leaders versus Managers." Austin Young Chamber Workshop, Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2017). The Complete Leader Goes to School. Podcast for Ron Price and Associates, Boise ID USA.
Graduation Speaker, St. Edward’s University Graduate and New College Ceremony, May 2017.
Sechrest, T. (2017). SESSION CHAIR: Innovative Applications of Inclusive Leadership Theory. International Leadership Association 19th Annual Global Conference: Leadership in Turbulent Times. Brussels, Belgium.
Sechrest, T. (2017). SESSION CHAIR: “Innovative Applications of Inclusive Leadership Theory.” International Leadership Association 19th Annual Global Conference, Leadership in Turbulent Times. Brussels, Belgium.
Sechrest, T. (2017). GRADUATION SPEAKER, Graduate and New College Ceremony, May 2017.
Sechrest, T. (2017). Values-based Leadership: Eternal Truths that Still Apply. Texas State University Leadership Institute, San Marcos TX USA
Sechrest, T. (2017). Change: Guiding Staff Through Tumultuous Times. Mission Capital Summit, Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T., (2016). SESSION CHAIR: "Mentoring, Inclusion and Well-being: Self and Other in Leadership Development." International Leadership Association 18th Annual Global Conference: The Dynamics of Inclusive Leadership. Atlanta, Georgia USA.
Sechrest, T. (2016). Working Spirituality: Thoughtful Minds & Caring Hearts...A Walk Through the Forest. Subversive Spirituality, St. Edward’s University, Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2016). Asian Leadership Concepts. Undergraduate International Management Class of Professor Noel Gould, Texas State University. San Marcos TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2015). SESSION CHAIR: Developing Leaders Across Borders of Conflict-Afflicted Regions. International Leadership Association 17th Annual Global Conference: Leading Across Borders and Generations. Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Sechrest, T., Johnson, C., McKinney, B. (2015). PANELIST: When Death Crosses Borders: Leadership Ethics and Contagious Disease. International Leadership Association 17th Annual Global Conference: Leading Across Borders and Generations. Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Sechrest, T., Byars, J. & Thomas, T. (2014). Ethics of Social Media Workshop. International Leadership Association 16th Annual Global Conference: Conscious Leading for Global Change: Emergence of our Collective Realities. San Diego, California, USA
Sechrest, T. (2014). SESSION CHAIR: “Leadership Discovery: Approaches from Various Contexts.” International Leadership Association 16th Annual Global Conference: Conscious Leading for Global Change: Emergence of our Collective Realities. San Diego, CA. USA.
Sechrest, T. (2014). SESSION CHAIR: “Followership and Leading: What Can We Learn from this Relationship?” International Leadership Association 16th Annual Global Conference: Conscious Leading for Global Change: Emergence of our Collective Realities. San Diego, CA. USA.
Sechrest, T. (2014). Living Ethically in an Unethical World. Career Colleges and Schools of Texas Annual Conference, San Antonio TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2014). GLOBAL WEBINAR FACILITATOR: "The Ethics Education of Business Leaders,” featuring Tom Culham, sponsored by the International Leadership Association.
Sechrest, T. (2013). SESSION CHAIR: “Three Approaches to the Development of Current and Future Leaders.” International Leadership Association 15th Annual Global Conference: Leadership for Local & Global Resilience: The Challenges of a Shifting Planet. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Sechrest, T. (2013). SESSION CHAIR: "Intergenerational leadership: The Challenges of a Shifting Workforce." International Leadership Association 15th Annual Global Conference: Leadership for Local and Global Resilience: The Challenges of a Shifting Planet. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Sechrest, T. (2013). SESSION CHAIR: "Reframing for New Realities: Youth Leadership Development in the 21st Century." International Leadership Association 15th Annual Global Conference: Leadership for Local and Global Resilience: The Challenges of a Shifting Planet. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Sechrest, T. (2013). SESSION CHAIR: Coaching and Strengths-based Development. International Leadership Association/New Zealand Leadership Institute Regional Conference: The R&D of Leadership. Auckland, New Zealand.
Sechrest, T. (2013). SESSION CHAIR: Neuroscience as an Emerging Leadership Discipline. International Leadership Association/New Zealand Leadership Institute Regional Conference: The R&D of Leadership. Auckland, New Zealand.
Sechrest, T. (2013). GLOBAL WEBINAR FACILITATOR: "Becoming a Trustworthy Leader,” featuring Aneil and Karen Mishra, sponsored by the International Leadership Association.
Sechrest, T., Kamphuis, Y., & Miranda, L. (2012). Implications of Contemporary Events on Leadership Development. International Leadership Association 14th Annual Global Conference: Leadership Across the Great Divides: Bridging Cultures, Contexts and Complexities. Denver, Colorado, USA
Sechrest, T., Chaleff, I., & Edmonds, W. (2012). The Ethical and Practical Dimensions of Focusing on Followership Development. International Leadership Association 14th Annual Global Conference: Leadership Across the Great Divides: Bridging Cultures, Contexts and Complexities. Denver, Colorado, USA.
Sechrest, T. (2012). Leading Ethically in an Unethical World: The Role of Virtues. Austin Executive Association, Austin, Texas, USA.
Sechrest, T. & Kondo, Y. (2012). Reinventing Japan: Asia-Pacific University's Partnership with St. Edward's University. US.-Japan Higher Education Panel, Waseda University. Tokyo, Japan.
Sechrest, T. & Wilson, A. (2012). WORKSHOP: Building and Sustaining Ethical Nonprofits: Values, Blind Spots and Strategies. The Texas Nonprofit Summit. Austin, Texas, USA.
Sechrest, T. & Albert, P. (2011). Emergent Leadership: Re-Mapping 21st Century Paradigms of Leadership. International Leadership Association 13th Annual Global Conference: One Planet, Many Worlds: Remapping the Purposes of Leadership. London, UK
Sechrest, T. (2011). Leading Locally in the 21st Century: Old Virtues Still Apply. Young Men's Business League. Austin, Texas, USA.
Sechrest, T. (2011). Ethics, Transparency and Accountability in Government. U.S. Department of State International Visitors Leadership Program, Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2011). Leading Locally in the 21st Century: Old Virtues Still Apply. Young Men's Business League, Austin TX USA
Sechrest, T., Byars, J., Sanga, K., Spence, N., Thomas, T. (2010). The Ethics of Leadership: Continuing the Discussion. International Leadership Association 12th Annual Global Conference: Leadership 2.0: Time for Action. Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Sechrest, T. (2010). Existing Frameworks for Contemporary Times: Why The Birkman Method Still Applies to Leadership 2.0. International Leadership Association 12th Annual Global Conference: Leadership 2.0: Time for Action. Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Sechrest, T., Byars, J., Thomas, T., Sanga, K., & Spence, N. (2010, October). Workshop: Ethics Discussion Forum Learning Community. International Leadership Association 12th Annual Global Conference: Leadership 2.0: Time for Action. Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Sechrest. T. (2010). GLOBAL WEBINAR FACILITATOR: "Leadership Development in the US: Best-practice Principles and Patterns,” featuring Grady McGonagill & Tina Doerffer, sponsored by the International Leadership Association, Webinar, May 2010.
Sechrest, T., (2010). Speaker Panel: AACSB Bridge Program, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Texas USA.
Sechrest, T. (2009). 21st Century Leadership. Texas Education Agency Summer Management Lecture Series, Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2009). Using the RFDA Model as a Tool for Transforming Tacit Knowledge into Explicit Knowledge. Academy of Human Resource Development Research Conference in the Americas. Washington, DC, USA.
Sechrest, T., Byars, J., Price, T., Spence, N., Thomas, T. (2009). Initiating and Sustaining Conversations about Ethics in Organizations. International Leadership Association 11th Annual Conference: Leadership for Transformation. Prague, Czech Republic.
Sechrest, T. (2008). Old Virtues for New Times: Why Eternal Verities Still Apply. Young Presidents Organization. Austin, Texas, USA.
Sechrest, T. (2008). WORKSHOP: On Becoming an Ethical and Transformative Nonprofit Leader. Austin Community College Center for Community-based and Nonprofit Organizations. Austin, Texas, USA.
Sechrest, T. (2007): Southwest Transit Association HR Roundtable Keynote, 21st Century Ethics. SWTA is a trade association for public transit organizations in Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Austin Texas USA.
Sechrest, T. (2007). Ethics in the Public Sector. Presentation to visiting dignitaries from Azerbaijan. Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2007). Ethics Workshop for APSS Counselors. St. Edward’s University, Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2006). WORKSHOP: The Education of Ethical Leaders. American Society for Training and Development Austin Chapter. Austin, Texas, USA.
Sechrest, T. (2006). Strategic Planning Workshop. St. Edward’s University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2006). Keynote: Making the Hippo Hop. St. Edward’s University Student Leadership Conference. Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2005). Workshop on leadership development. St. Edward’s University Emerging Leaders Program. Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T., Wilburn, K. & Wilburn, R. (2005). Workshop on Ethics. U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program. Austin TX USA.
Sechrest, T. (2005). KEYNOTE ADDRESS: How to be an Ethical Leader in an Unethical World. Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce Annual Conference. Austin, Texas, USA.
I expect students to be PREPARED for each class session--that means assigned readings completed, ready to discuss in class, and eager to fulfill the requirements for assignments. Attitude about learning is as important as the process. Being a student is a commitment. I will do my part as the instructor, and I expect students to do theirs, too.
My primary efforts are as a thought-leader in leadership development with the International Leadership Association, where I maintain global professional relationships, in the Academy of Human Resource Development, and in the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics. Locally, I am active in social and community events, though I am more of a "home body" than I am a social butterfly!
I consider my role as a professor to be more "facilitator of learning" than a didactic (one-way) disseminator of knowledge and information. I seek to create en environment in the classroom in which students can effectively learn. That environment is comprised of structured stimuli (texts and readings) to ground knowledge acquisition, thoughtfully-constructed learning modules that encourage critical examination of the topics being studied, and relevant feedback to students about their learning.