Tarleton State Fort Worth leader recognized for expanding higher education access and strengthening pathways from education to opportunity
FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce (FWC) has named Dr. Rachael Capua, Vice President of External Operations and Dean of Tarleton State Fort Worth, as the 2026 recipient of its Young Professional of the Year Award. This honor recognizes Capua’s work to expand access to higher education, strengthen student pathways, and align academic programs with workforce needs in Fort Worth and across Tarrant County. She received the award at FWC’s Young Professionals Summit, which was held on Sept. 9 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Worth South.
The annual Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes an individual between the ages of 21 and 40 who is blazing a path forward in Fort Worth — exemplifying leadership not only within their industry and organization, but also in the community. A committee of FWC volunteers and leaders selects the winner based on professional achievement, demonstrated leadership, community involvement, professional development, character, and integrity.
“Rachael — or ‘Dr. Cap,’ as she is fondly known by students and colleagues — perfectly embodies the kind of leadership this award is designed to recognize,” said FWC President and CEO Steve Montgomery. “She has helped expand Tarleton State’s presence and, with it, access to higher education in Fort Worth, built partnerships that have supported thousands of Tarrant County students, and invested her time and leadership in organizations across our community. She also understands how important it is to bring emerging leaders into Chamber conversations about our city’s future.”
Since joining Tarleton State University in 2023, Capua has helped lead the university’s continued growth across North Texas. In addition to serving as dean of Tarleton State Fort Worth, she oversees the university’s extended campuses in Fort Worth, Waco, and Bryan, as well as its online, extended education, and workforce development operations. Her work includes expanding educational pathways, aligning academic programs with regional workforce needs, and helping guide development of Tarleton State Fort Worth’s 80-acre campus on Chisholm Trail.
Previously, as founding Director of College and Career Success for Tarrant To & Through Partnership, Capua worked with colleges and universities to connect more than 8,000 Tarrant County students with scholarships, persistence coaching, and other support. Her civic service has included leadership roles with the Fort Worth Mayor’s Council on Workforce & Education, Center for Transforming Lives, Tarrant Area Food Bank, Bass Hall Performing Arts, and other community organizations.
“I’m so honored by this recognition,” said Capua. “I don’t see this as an award for one person or one story. Our professional journeys are shaped by the people who believe in us, champion us, and encourage us to become the best version of ourselves. Tarleton State University and the Fort Worth community have given me the opportunity to do that alongside educators, employers, and civic leaders who care deeply about where this city is headed, and I’m tremendously grateful.”
Capua also sees the relationship between young professionals and the FWC as essential to the city’s continued growth and its ability to meet future workforce, leadership, and community needs.
“Young professionals bring important perspectives, and the Chamber creates opportunities for those perspectives to be heard as we think about what Fort Worth will look like five, 10, or 20 years from now.”
The award presentation was made during FWC’s 2026 Young Professionals Summit, themed “Find It in Fort Worth.” The half-day event featured keynote speaker Elyse Dickerson, founder and CEO of Fort Worth biotech company Eosera, along with discussions focused on career growth, leadership, workplace effectiveness and sustainable professional success.
For more information on the Young Professional of the Year Award and to see a list of past recipients, visit the award website.
ABOUT FWC’S YOUNG PROFESSIONALS SUMMIT
The annual Fort Worth Chamber 2026 Young Professionals Summit brings together emerging professionals for an afternoon focused on career growth, leadership, and professional development. The 2026 event was presented by UTA West and built around the theme “Find It in Fort Worth.” Programming included discussions on career acceleration, leadership readiness, sustainable success, and workplace effectiveness, along with a Leadership Fort Worth workshop on building a personal board of directors.
The Summit also featured a keynote address from Elyse Dickerson, founder and CEO of Fort Worth biotech company Eosera. Dickerson shared lessons from leaving a 13-year corporate career to build her own company, and explored topics of resilience, entrepreneurial risk, mentorship, and turning career setbacks into opportunity.
ABOUT THE FORT WORTH CHAMBER
The Fort Worth Chamber, with more than 1,250 member businesses, serves as the leading voice of the business community in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Through its core functions of leadership, engagement, and advocacy, the Chamber’s mission is to bring the Fort Worth region together to identify issues, solve problems and align resources, resulting in a stronger business climate and greater economic prosperity for all.
For more information, visit fortworthchamber.com.
