M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership
Mission
The M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership is designed to advance the personal and intellectual development of individuals seeking careers as academic and student services educators and professionals in institutions of higher education, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Students gain historical, political, philosophical, and social knowledge for creating equitable and just environments in an increasingly complex and constantly changing higher education context.
Program Philosophy
The M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to course work. Students can tailor the program of study to fit their interests while building sound theoretical foundations, self-reflection practices, and practical experiences. The Higher Education Leadership program's curriculum aligns with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education standards for professional preparation programs in student affairs.
The M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership program is designed to prepare transformative leaders through theory and practice to create conscious scholarly practitioners. Through coursework and assistantships/internships, students build the ability to navigate complex higher education organizational structures and relationships with stakeholders.
Our faculty welcome and affirm all learners of diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, personalities, talents, and learning styles. As a faculty, we believe in the co-construction of knowledge through partnership with the knowledge and experiences students bring to the classroom to make meaning of higher education populations, phenomena, and issues. Students are prepared for a wide range of roles related to higher education that include student life (e.g. residential life, career center, advising, enrollment management, and student activities), academic affairs, financial aid, multicultural affairs, institutional research, P-16 transitions, in K-12 and postsecondary education, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
Inquiries: phel@utexas.edu
About Our Program
Current Students
Core Faculty
 Norma Cantú, J.D.Ken McIntyre Professor for Excellence in School LeadershipWith a background as assistant secretary of education for Civil Rights in the Clinton Administration, she teaches topics in civil rights and the intersection of law and policy in education. |
 Stella FloresAssociate ProfessorExamines the effects of state and federal policies on college access and completion outcomes for low-income and underrepresented populations including immigrant and English Learner students. |
 Denisa GándaraAssistant ProfessorExplores higher education policy and finance, focusing on college access and success for populations historically underserved in higher education. |
 Liliana GarcesProfessorExamines how legal and education systems interact to shape educational opportunity and create inequality for historically marginalized student populations; topics include race-conscious policies in postsecondary admissions, freedom of expression and inclusion and the use of research in law. |
 Michael Anthony GoodmanAssistant Professor of PracticeFocuses on student governance and involvement in the areas of college student government, the student body presidency, sorority/fraternity life, equity and justice issues, queer students and issues in higher education, and educational crises and emergencies. |
 Manuel J JustizProfessorA. M. Aikin Regents Chair in Education Leadership Bringing the experience of 28 years as dean of the College of Education, Justiz shares his expertise in topics of public policy, the politics of education, and providing equal access for minorities in education. |
 Marilyn C. KameenProfessorA. M. Aikin Regents Chair in Junior and Community College Education Leadership Interests include academic administration, faculty in higher education, and college student development with research on college teaching and minorities in higher education. |
 Richard J. ReddickProfessorExamines the experiences of faculty of color at predominantly White institutions; mentoring relationships between faculty and Black students; and work-life balance in academia. |
 Victor B. SáenzProfessor & Department ChairW. K. Kellogg Professor of Community College Leadership Leads the Project MALES (Mentoring to Achieve Latino Educational Success Initiative focused on Latino males in education; seeks to advance research-informed policy solutions that enhance educational outcomes for underserved students in secondary and post-secondary education. |
 Lauren SchuddeAssociate ProfessorStudies how to ameliorate social inequities in the United States through higher education policy; focuses on college pathways at broad-access institutions, including community colleges. |
 Patricia SomersAssociate ProfessorServed as a faculty affiliate in Women’s and Gender Studies and Lozano Long Institute for Latin American Studies. Researched topics such as campus safety, higher education law, academic freedom, and higher education in Brazil. |
Affiliated Faculty
 Cassandre Giguere AlvaradoAssistant Professor of PracticeExecutive Director for Student Success Initiatives Focuses research on student success and graduation initiatives, including innovative college readiness assignments, student success programs and understanding the completion agenda. |
 Michael BohligAssistant Professor of PracticeAs Assistant Director of Research at CCCSE, Bohlig’s research interests center on student success at community colleges and the effects of enrollment status and developmental education on persistence and completion. |
 Aileen BumphusAssistant Professor of PracticeAssociate Vice President for Academic Diversity Initiatives in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement Research interests include educational leadership, emotional intelligence, and resiliency. |
 Carrie Lou GarberoglioAssistant Professor of PracticeServes as Co-Director of the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes, focused on dismantling systemic barriers in the transition period through high school and beyond that prevent deaf people from reaching their goals. |
 Linda GarciaAssistant Professor of PracticeAssistant Director of College Relations of the Center for Community College Student Engagement Oversees the Center’s community college relations and serves as a point of contact for state leaders, funders and national higher education organizations. |
 David GardnerAdjunct ProfessorInterests include higher education policy and planning focused on expanding participation in higher education, improving graduation rates, and ensuring success in the workforce. |
 Douglas GarrardAssistant Professor of PracticeServes as Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Senior Associate Dean of Students, and teaches courses related to on-campus culture in higher education. |
 Matt GianiAssistant Professor of Practice |
 Sharon JusticeAssistant Professor of PracticeInterests include: student affairs administration, professional staff development, college student development, retention programs for students of color. |
 Mylon KirksyAssistant Professor of PracticeDirector of Residence Life for Housing and Food Service Teaches courses that examine the intersectionality of culture, organizations, and systems of privilege, power, and difference in higher education. |
 Edward LeachAssistant Professor of PracticeExecutive Director of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, a consortium of community and technical colleges that share a philosophical commitment to support excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership. |
 Charles Martinez, Jr.DeanLee Hage Jamail Regents Chair in Education, Sid W. Richardson Regents Chair Focuses on identifying factors that hinder or promote the success of children and families from vulnerable and underserved populations. |
Celena Mondie-MilnerSenior Outreach Program CoordinatorServes as Senior Outreach Program Coordinator for the Center for Space Research and the NASA Texas Space Grant Consortium, focusing on Education and Outreach to promote space education to students, teachers, and the general public. |
 Soncia Reagins-LillyProfessor of Practice, Vice President for Student AffairsShares her expertise in higher education policy, administration and finance, strategic planning, and leadership development as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. |
 Justin T. SamuelAssistant Professor of PracticeFocuses research on South Asian American college students, diversity training efficacy for student leaders, and work/life integration for student affairs administrators. |
 LaToya SmithAssistant Professor of PracticeVice President for Diversity and Community Engagement Serves as the Title IX Coordinator and Associate Vice President of University Compliance Services to ensure the university holds high levels of integrity and ethical standards. |
 Betty Jeanne TaylorAssistant Professor of PracticeAssistant Vice President, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement Focuses on university-wide campus climate initiatives including bias incident reporting and response as well as implementing best practices for inclusive classroom climates and faculty recruitment and retention. |
 Aaron VoylesAssistant Professor of PracticeServes as the Associate Director for Student Learning and Development and researches post-qualitative and post-structuralist methodologies, discourse analysis, and gender performance. |
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