Bridging Education, Research and Community

The Texas A&M TRACE Lab for Global Citizenship

When Drs. Daniel Thomas III and Marcus Johnson of our Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture talk about co-founding and co-directing the TRACE Lab for Global Citizenship, their passion is unmistakable. “We want students to leave not just with knowledge, but a sense of responsibility,” said Johnson. “We want them to listen, to question and to imagine a world that reflects a shared humanity.”

That vision is at the core of TRACE (Teaching, Research, Athletics and Community Engagement), a lab founded on the belief that education anchored in community is essential to civic life. TRACE blends classroom learning with real-world experiences, creating spaces where young learners see themselves in history and where pre-service teachers gain the tools to inspire the next generation.

Building Skills Through Engagement

Drs. Daniel Thomas III and Marcus Johnson co-founded and co-direct the TRACE Lab for Global Citizenship. (Photo courtesy: Peigh Jones)

Through initiatives like the Humanities Teaching Fellows, the lab equips educators with advanced strategies to teach history and civics. The Next Generation Scholars Program introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of applied research through social studies themes and topics, while the Landmarks of Austin Summer Camp immerses high school students in local history through place-based learning.

Beyond outreach, TRACE equips students with research skills that connect them to their families, communities and histories. Its Graduate Research Collaborative supports interdisciplinary scholarship on civic learning and teacher identity through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. In addition, archival history development provides pre-service teachers with hands-on experience in archival research and curriculum design.

Teaching Leadership Through Sports

Athletics also plays a unique role in the lab’s vision—something Thomas and Johnson said was intentional. “Sports are a site where we see all dimensions of citizenship, including patriotism and representation,” said Johnson. TRACE looks to leverage that connection to inspire students as leaders beyond the field through events such as their Sports Leadership for Community Impact Conference, set to happen in April 25, 2026 at Kyle Field.

Thomas also provides insights from his scholarship on the civic work of high school teacher-coaches and the experiences of high school student-athletes.

Driving Impact Through Partnerships

With funding from the Haynes Chair for Leadership, Citizenship and Civic Engagement, TRACE is launching programs that connect students, educators and communities in meaningful ways. Its reach also extends beyond Texas A&M University through partnerships with Prairie View A&M University, Texas Southern University and the University of Oxford in the UK.

“The TRACE Lab is a hub where ideas meet action,” said Thomas. “Together, we can design financial and programmatic opportunities that not only advance knowledge but also make a measurable difference through civic engagement committed to the development of globally conscious citizens.”

Chase Moore, M.Ed. and Nelva Williamson ’78 are among the educational leaders supporting the lab. (Photo courtesy: Peigh Jones)

Among the education leaders supporting TRACE’s vision are longtime Houston ISD teacher and former student of our College, Nelva Williamson ’78, and former Special Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education, Chase Moore, M.Ed., who recently spoke with students and pre-service teachers in Thomas’ class. “We have opportunities as educators to empower and inspire these students to be whatever they want to be,” said Moore.

Thomas and Johnson hope the research and outreach efforts of TRACE can cultivate global citizens who understand their role in shaping a just and connected world.

“Anytime I see someone who wants to be a teacher, that’s someone who will affect generations,” said Johnson. “Why not support that person in that endeavor?”

Discover how you can support the TRACE Lab’s mission: tx.ag/CEHDTRACE.

For media inquiries, contact Ruben Hidalgo.