Embarking on a New Journey: Strategic Plan 2031
With many successes and significant progress made toward our UIW Strategic Plan, we now embark on a new journey to develop the vision and priorities that will propel us to new heights as we approach the 150th anniversary of our founding in 2031. In Fall 2023, we launched a multi-phase Strategic Planning process that will continue through plan implementation in 2026.
Strategic Planning Task Force
UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans asked John Bury, Vice President for Strategy and Enrollment, and Michael Larkin, Chief of Staff, to lead a Strategic Planning Task Force composed of faculty and UIW leadership, which will identify initiatives and opportunities that will make UIW even more distinctive and ensure we remain a destination for students seeking transformative, Catholic education.
Dr. Michael Moon, Professor, Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions, President, Faculty Senate (2025-2027)
Dr. Adeola Coker, Assistant Dean, Professor and Chair, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Feik School of Pharmacy
Dr. Chunling Niu, Assistant Professor, Dreeben School of Education
Dr. Chris Edelman, Professor and Chair, Philosophy, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Dr. Lori Kels, Chair, Clinical Sciences, Professor, Psychiatry, UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Jeannie Scott, Dean, H-E-B School of Business and Administration
Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI, Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Marcos Fragoso, Vice President for International Affairs
Dr. Eva Fernández, Provost
Lenora Chapman, CFO and Vice President for Finance and Administration
Strategic Planning Task Force Subcommittees (as of Sept. 18, 2025)
Each subcommittee is chaired by two members of the Strategic Planning Task Force and is devoted to articulating critical initiatives and metrics toward embodying three key areas outlined in the 2024 Presidential Position Paper, found below in English and Spanish.
Dr. Jeannie Scott (Co-chair), Dean, H-E-B School of Business and Administration
Dr. Chris Edelman (Co-chair), Professor and Chair, Philosophy, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Dr. Leah Alviar, Associate Dean of Administration, School of Professional Studies
Santiago Arteaga, Intern, Student Government Association
Dr. Monica Ayala Jimenez, Associate Provost for Student Success
Eric Booth, Dean of Campus Life
Dr. Laura Cannon, Associate Professor, History, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and Faculty Athletics Representative
Amy DeStefano, Director, International Admissions and Recruitment
Dr. Brandy Finck, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Experience
Tila Jernigan, Senior Director, Military and Veterans Affairs
Dr. Erlinda Lopez-Rodriguez, Associate Professor, Chair, Human Performance, Director, Community Health Education and Nuclear Medicine Programs, Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions
Dr. Elda Martinez, Director, Teacher Education Department and Professor, Dreeben School of Education
Dr. Tanja Stampfl, Professor, English, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI (Co-chair), Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Dr. Chunling Niu (Co-chair), Assistant Professor, Dreeben School of Education
Dr. Heather Barton-Weston, Associate Professor, Community Health Education, Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions
Kathleen Bottaro, Assistant Provost for Teaching, Learning, and Technology
Dr. Arturo Chavez, Associate Vice President, Mission & Ministry
Dr. Taylor Collins, Associate Professor, Economics, and Chair, Economics, Management, MIS and General Business, H-E-B School of Business and Administration
Dr. Michael Frye, Professor, Engineering, School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering
Dr. Trey Guinn, Assistant Dean and Professor, Communication Arts, School of Media and Design
Yesenia Mazuka Mendez, Treasurer, Student Government Association
Laura Moran, Director, Digital Transformation and Innovation
Dr. Mark Nijland, Dean, Research and Graduate Studies
Teofilo Reyes, Jr., Assistant Director, Leadership & Global Engagement, Ettling Center for Civic Leadership & Sustainability
Susan (Margaret) Rios, Manager, Grants Accounting
Marcos Fragoso (Co-chair), Vice President for International Affairs
Dr. Adeola Coker (Co-chair), Assistant Dean, Professor and Chair, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Feik School of Pharmacy
Cristen Alicea, Director, Financial Assistance
Yanina Cruz Salas, Director, Communication and Marketing Latin America Region
Robert Leonard, Associate Vice President of Business and Finance and Comptroller
Dr. Jose Moreno, Chair and Professor, Finance, Marketing and International Business, H-E-B School of Business and Administration
Patricia Ramirez, Principal, St. Anthony Catholic High School and Director, Brainpower Connection
Marissa Rodriguez, Director, Presidential Communications and "One Word" Strategic Priority Champion
Ben Rueger, Chief Information Officer and Vice President, Innovation and Technology
Dr. Kyle A. Sandberg, Assistant Dean for Professional Advancement and Associate Professor, Rosenberg School of Optometry
Tyler Simmons, President, Student Government Association
Dr. Suleyman Tek, Chair and Professor, Mathematics, School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering
Leanna Walker, Director, Academic Affairs, School of Professional Studies
Dr. Adam Watkins, Dean, School of Media and Design
President's Position Paper
Dr. Thomas M. Evans shares his vision for leveraging our strengths in furtherance of Mission in his paper: "Embodying the Mission in a New Era: Inviting Collaboration, Serving Students Better & Working Together to Ignite the Potential of Our Global System."
Planning Timeline
Spring
- Strategic Planning Task Force forms
Fall
- Strategic Planning Task Force subcommittees form
January
- The Strategic Plan 2024 website is published.
- UIW hosts David Vuletich, EAB managing director of Research Services, to provide workshops on Strategic Planning to leadership.
February
- President’s position paper is made available through the Strategic Planning website.
- Strategic Planning listening sessions planned with leadership and interdisciplinary groups.
March
- Listening take place in San Antonio.
April
- Listening sessions continue in San Antonio and begin in Mexico.
May
- Listening session continue.
June
- Listening sessions conclude.
- Analysis
- Strategic Plan draft to begin.
Summer
- Draft and analysis continue.
Fall
- Continued assessment.
November
- President Evans announces to the UIW community that the University is embarking on a new strategic planning process during the President’s Homecoming Address.
- President Evans invites higher education research firm and UIW partner EAB to present on the state of the higher education sector to faculty and staff.
December
- Planning for Spring 2024 community engagement continues.
- A position paper outlining President Evans’ initial vision for the future of UIW is in development.