Distinguished Alumni Honored by College of Education

The College of Education community joined Dean Charles Martinez at The University of Texas at Austin in early March to honor outstanding alumni for their leadership in education, health and sport. Through their tireless work, research and advocacy, these honorees are shaping the future and driving meaningful change for thousands of children, educators and communities. They serve as inspiring role models for the next generation of leaders and scholars.  

The Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate alumni achievement at every stage, from emerging leaders to distinguished careers, culminating in the prestigious Dean’s Changemaker Awards.  

Our longstanding commitment toward excellence creates a learning environment where students flourish and go on to successful careers beyond the Forty Acres, Martinez said. At a time when the value of higher education is being widely debated, it is especially important to lift up exemplars – individuals who are working every day to improve the health and education of communities everywhere.

This year’s eight honorees were carefully selected by a committee of faculty, staff, students and alumni supporters and presented to Dean Martinez. The award winners are evidence of the college’s remarkable impact on the health and education of children, families and communities. 

Our award honorees embody the highest values of the College of Education, serving as role models for future generations and demonstrating the transformative power of education, said Associate Dean for Student Success, Community Engagement and Administration Victor Sáenz.  

The Honorees 

Dr. Ashlyn Brown, a dedicated physician and educator advancing equity and evidenced-based care, and Ana Paula Martinez, a leader in early childhood intervention and special education, received Early Career Awards, recognizing rising stars age 39 and younger who are already building inspiring careers.  

I never would have guessed that the leadership and mentorship roles I took on would help set me up for where I am today, Brown said. Now I’m a resident at Baylor College of Medicine, pursuing a career in interventional pain medicine.

Ana Paula Martinez said she struggled in school when she was younger. “Growing up, I became very aware of the disparities between people with disabilities and those without,” she said. As Mexico’s first Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Martinez established the country’s first family-centered clinic for autistic children in Monterrey.  

Longtime Longhorns Walter Bumphus, a nationally recognized leader in higher education and the community college landscape, and Nancy Smith, who transformed how educators use data to improve student learning, received Distinguished Career Awards for their lifelong achievements and leadership in education, research and policy, and the excellence they have demonstrated throughout their careers. 

Coming to The University of Texas changed my life, Bumphus said. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring 30 individuals who have gone on to become college presidents and chancellors.

Over the course of her 25-year career, Smith has advanced innovation and data capabilities across the education sector and continues to do so today. “The best thing I learned from the College of Education was to set audacious goals and figure out how to achieve them,” she said. 

The Changemakers 

The Dean’s Changemaker Awards recognize alumni whose lifelong dedication and achievement have made a profound impact on education, health and sport and the communities we serve.  

The recipients of the 2026 Dean’s Changemaker Awards were Vaughn Gross, a distinguished leader who dedicated her career to supporting literacy, special education, and teacher professional development; Ginni Mithoff, a lifelong champion of elementary education, children’s health and community well-being; and Jeanne Klein and Mickey Klein, longtime philanthropists and passionate supporters of UT. 

These four alumni were honored for their enduring legacy of impact and their transformative leadership in education and the UT community, and for embodying the highest values of our college. 

A passion for learning and a belief in its transformative power are tools for change, Gross said. Being a changemaker takes the willingness to care, the courage to act, and the commitment and perseverance to keep going.

Although Mithoff’s mother was unable to attend UT because she was a woman, she always felt that UT was in her blood. She and her sister would visit their grandparents, who lived across the street from the law school, and play on the grounds. My great ambition was to go to The University of Texas, she said. My family encouraged me to be the best that I could be.

Jeanne is a leading advocate for public elementary education and social and emotional learning, and Mickey shares her passion for education. Our main goal has always been, and will always be, to educate the best teachers, said Jeanne Klein. What would our society be like without great teachers?

The Kleins provided early leadership support for Texas Education THRIVE, and Jeanne has been instrumental in launching and growing the program, which supports early-career teachers through mentorship and professional development. 

Although Mickey graduated with a degree in petroleum engineering, he has served for years as a dedicated volunteer and mentor at UT Elementary. In recognition of his contributions, Dean Martinez named him an honorary teacher. 

I’ve been asked many times in my life what I would have been if I hadn’t become an engineer, Mickey said. I always answer, a teacher. If I could do it all over again, I would be a fourth-grade teacher.

Read more about our winners. 

2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees