Our Experts Leading the Way, October 2023

Published: Oct. 26, 2023

Our Division of Student Affairs staff are being recognized nationally, locally and across campus as experts on the full student experience. They lead the way so every student can discover and pursue their passions, and be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. The team members below are influencing the Longhorn life, horizontally and holistically, as part of the hub of student life and well-being.

Vice President panel during the TACUSPA annual conference
Cynthia Hernandez (Texas State University), Carlos C. Amaya (El Paso Community College District), Jerry Wallace (Lone Star College – Montgomery), Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly, Daniel Maxwell (University of Houston) and Monica Mendez-Grant (Texas Women's University) at the TACUSPA 2023 Annual Conference

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly received The Top 50 Women Leaders in Education award from Women We Admire. She also participated in a panel discussion, “Student Success and the Power in Partnerships,” during the Texas Association of College & University Student Personnel Administrators (TACUSPA) 2023 Annual Conference. And, she gave the welcome remarks at the Terry Scholars Banquet on Oct. 5. 

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Heather Miller (Vice President for Student Affairs office, left) moderates "Supporting the Whole Student" with Senior Vice Provost for Curriculum and Enrollment and Dean of the Undergraduate College Rich Reddick and VP Lilly

During the Oct. 20 Texas Development meeting, VP Lilly and Senior Vice Provost for Curriculum and Enrollment and Dean of the Undergraduate College Rich Reddick discussed “Supporting the Whole Student” in a conversation moderated by Heather Miler. 

Justin Carter, Angelique Karditzas, Richie King, Brittany O’Malley, Abby Simpson, Madeline Shaw and Kayleigh Spaulding shared student support and well-being resources with Moody College of Communication students in the Introduction to Communication Foundations class and Transfer-year Interest Groups.

UT Outpost receives Whataburger donation
Alma Garcia (Vice President for Student Affairs office), Valeria Martin, Maddy Noisa and Viviana Castañeda (Dean of Students) with a representative from Whataburger (far left) at the Women's Volleyball game on Sept. 14

Viviana Castañeda, Maddy Noisa and Valeria Martin (Dean of Students) and Alma Garcia (Vice President for Student Affairs office) accepted a donation from Whataburger on behalf of UT Outpost at the Women’s Volleyball game on Sept. 14. 

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Lilly Ettinger (fourth from left) with Travis County Judge Andy Brown (far left), Travis County commissioners and staff members from Communities in Recovery at the Travis County Commissioners Court

Lilly Ettinger (Center for Students in Recovery) represented UT Austin at the Travis County Commissioners Court meeting on Aug. 29 where commissioners proclaimed September as Recovery Month. Ettinger served on the planning and leadership team for the citywide Recovery in the Park event. 

Katie McGee (Dean of Students) served as an expert for The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Fostering Students’ Free Expression: How Colleges Can Support and Encourage Tough Conversations.” McGee is quoted in “A Primer for Classroom Discussions” featured on page 28 of the 72-page report.

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William Ramirez, Kennedy Bailey and Helen Getachew (Student Government) with Heather Miller (Vice President for Student Affairs office) at the council meeting

Heather Miller (Vice President for Student Affairs office) moderated a panel of Student Government leaders at the Corporate Champions Council on Sept. 18.

Ashley Richardson-Minnitt (New Student Services) served on a panel at the Texas Rehabilitation Association annual conference with Kelli Nix (University of North Texas). They discussed Autism and issues neurodivergent students may face transitioning to careers and life after college. Richardson-Minnitt and Katharine Suchar also presented at the College Autism Summit on Oct. 19.