“Take the leap and join the Texan Family! Come in with an open mind and prepare to have the most pivotal years of your life. Soak up every experience possible, build lifelong friendships, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone because that’s where the growth happens. Tarleton State isn’t just a school; it’s a community that will support you, challenge you, and celebrate you every step of the way.
Tyler Nerada
Tarleton State Alumni, Class of 2022 & 2024 | First Generation Graduate
Once you officially become a Tarleton State Texan, you are a Texan for life. You become a part of a familial unit that prides itself on keeping its alumni connected.
Whether you are pursuing a graduate degree or returning to Tarleton State to work full-time, you will always have a home on-campus.
This statement rings true for first-generation, Tarleton State alumni, Tyler Nerada.
~ Life at Tarleton State University: Undergraduate Edition ~
Originally from Victoria, Texas, located more than 4 hours away from Stephenville, Tyler Nerada made Tarleton State University his home in 2019 to pursue his undergraduate degree in Agribusiness.
Although Tarleton State was geographically out of the way for Tyler, he never second-guessed his choice.
“When I started looking into colleges during my senior year of high school, I’ll admit I was in way over my head. As a first-generation student, I had no idea where to even begin. I kept seeing Tarleton at FFA contests, so I figured I’d check it out. I know it sounds cliché, but the moment I stepped on campus, it just felt right—like it was where I was supposed to be,” Nerada shared.
The beautiful campus coupled with the unwavering support of faculty and staff is what gave Tyler the push he truly needed. In that instance, Tarleton State became his new home.
During his time on-campus, Tyler kept a busy schedule!
He jumped in head-first to a number of organizations including being a Tarleton Transition Mentor (TTM), Texan Rep, member of the Student Government Association (SGA), a member of Tarleton Serves and a group leader for Alternative Spring Break (ASB).
“Out of everything I’ve been a part of, Alternative Spring Break stands out as the most impactful. Our team put in months of planning to make sure the trip went off without a hitch, and getting to serve that community alongside such a dedicated group made it all incredibly rewarding,” Nerada said.
Tyler graduated with his B.S. in Agribusiness in December 2022. However, his journey was far from over.
~ Life at Tarleton State University : Graduate Edition ~
Following the completion of his undergraduate degree, Tyler decided to tackle his graduate degree as well. After much research, staying at Tarleton State was a no-brainer.
He began working toward his M.S. in Management with a concentration in Leadership in the spring of 2022.
“When it came time to graduate with my bachelor’s, I wanted to keep that momentum going and pursue my master’s. I looked into a few different programs, but once again, Tarleton stood out. The M.S. in Management program was fully online and affordable enough to pay out of pocket while working full-time,” Nerada said.
While pursuing his graduate degree, Tyler worked full-time as an Admissions Counselor for Undergraduate Recruitment.
In December 2024, Tyler crossed the stage , earning his second degree from Tarleton State University.
~ Life at Tarleton State University: Full-Time Edition ~
After serving as an Admissions Counselor for over 2 years, Tyler was promoted to Senior Recruitment Coordinator at Tarleton State University.
“In this role, I get to do a bit of everything—building systems to help keep our University Recruitment team on track, working with campus and community leaders, putting together recruitment materials, and supporting our admissions counselors however I can,” Nerada said.
A large part of Tyler’s job is helping students find their path which he enjoys doing by sharing his own stories about his time at Tarleton State.
“I work with some of the funniest, wittiest, and most outgoing people you’ll ever meet (seriously, the Tarleton stories alone are worth a visit). If you ever find yourself at the TSU Welcome Center, come say hi! We’ll make sure you leave with a smile and probably a story or two,” Nerada shared.
For Tyler, one of his greatest professional accomplishments has been his continuous growth in his role.
“Professionally, my greatest accomplishment has been the growth and experience I’ve gained in my role. Over the last few years, I’ve worked hard to meet goals and continuously show up as the best version of myself. That dedication paid off when I was promoted to our leadership team! Having a boss who truly invests in employee growth definitely makes a difference and I’m grateful for that support,” Nerada said.
~ Q&A with Tyler Nerada ~
Q: What would you tell incoming/prospective students about Tarleton State University?
A: “If you want to be truly cared about, the choice is easy—choose Tarleton State! This university has given me valuable experiences, career-building skills, unforgettable memories, and moments that have shaped who I am today. The family atmosphere here is real. You’re not just a number at Tarleton, you’re part of a community that wants to see you succeed. Whether you’re considering undergrad or grad school, Tarleton is the place to be. I’ve lived it, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Q: If you could give your past self one piece of advice, what would it be?
A: “If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice, it would be to give myself a little more grace. I spent so much time running from meeting to meeting, checking off to-do list items, and pouring extra hours into every assignment—especially during my master’s program. I was staying up late most nights, focused on perfecting everything and chasing that 4.0 GPA (which, don’t get me wrong, was awesome!). But in the process, I didn’t always take the time to pause and appreciate the journey. Looking back, I’m proud of the hard work but I also wish I had slowed down just a bit to soak in more of the memories, the people, and the moments that made it all worth it.”
Q: Is there anything else you believe Texans should know before starting their journey at Tarleton State University?
A: “If you’re on the edge about Tarleton, just take the leap and join the Texan Family! Come in with an open mind and prepare to have the most pivotal years of your life. Soak up every experience possible, build lifelong friendships, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone because that’s where the growth happens. Tarleton isn’t just a school; it’s a community that will support you, challenge you, and celebrate you every step of the way. At the end of the day, choosing a school is easy when you find one that truly supports and cares about you—and that’s exactly what Tarleton did for me.”
Starting your Texan journey, whether it be your undergraduate or graduate career, starts with simply applying!