Texas faces a widening gap between workforce demand and educational attainment. Projections show that by 2036 more than 70% of jobs in the state will require education or training beyond high school, yet fewer than half of young adults currently hold a postsecondary credential. Those who do not earn a certification, credential, or degree within 6 years of high school have only a 12% chance of reaching a living wage. Closing opportunity gaps in postsecondary pathways has become essential for economic mobility and regional prosperity. The LONESTARP3 Network addresses this challenge through research collaboratives that unite university scholars, policy organizations, and education practitioners. Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) contribute to two collaboratives. One examines disparities in access to and participation in dual credit programs across Central Texas and the El Paso region. The second analyzes how industry-based certifications align with workforce needs and student interests in the Rio Grande Valley and the El Paso borderland. Quantitative analyses using data from the Texas Education Research Center reveal statewide patterns, while interviews with local stakeholders provide context and lived experience, including the perspectives of emergent bilingual students. Findings from these studies will guide decisions that expand equitable postsecondary success across Texas.