“Leaders Among Us,” was founded by Dr. Patricia D. Witherspoon, former dean and retired professor in the University of Texas System. She co-leads the program with Ms. Yvonne Lopez, retired higher education administrator who focused much of her career on student development and student success, including work at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Patricia D. Witherspoon, PhD
Dr. Witherspoon retired from the University of Texas System in August, 2017, after serving for almost 40 years as a faculty member and administrator at UT Austin, UT El Paso (UTEP), and the UT System. At UT Austin she was Associate Dean of the College of Communication and then Chair of the Department of Communication Studies (1985-2000). At UTEP, she was Chair of the Department of Communication, Dean of the Graduate School, and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the largest college at UTEP. She is the author of two books, a volume on presidential communication based on interviews with senior staff in the Ford, Carter, and Reagan presidencies and a textbook on communicating leadership in organizations. She is second author on a third book on changes in American newspapers. Dr. Witherspoon has published journal articles and book chapters on presidential communication and leadership communication. She taught the first courses in organizational leadership and communication in the Department of Communication at UT Austin, and the first course on communication and organizational leadership at UTEP. For several years she also taught in the Master’s in Leadership Studies program at UTEP and has been asked to continue that teaching in the future. In December, 2017, she completed teaching an online course on Communication and Organizational Leadership at the undergraduate level, and is teaching Leadership and Organizational Change in spring, 2018. For her work with students, Dr. Witherspoon was the recipient of the Margaret Berry Award for Contributions to Student Life from UT Austin, and has been honored for her work as an administrator by UTEP and by the national Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences. |
Yvonne Lopez, MEd
Ms. Yvonne Lopez is a higher education administration professional with eighteen years of experience in the daily operations of the Graduate School as Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Programs and Director of Student Success in the College of Liberal Arts, UTEP. Accomplishments include leadership in academic advising and student retention, higher education administration and supervision, development and delivery of proactive initiatives to increase enrollment, and student success. She established and maintained effective communication with students, applicants, faculty, and staff. Ms. Lopez provided oversight and leadership for the graduate admissions process, effective resolution of student admission issues, as well as those related to probation and graduation. Ms. Lopez is highly skilled in budgeting, strategic planning, directing programs and services for student success, enrollment management, team building, and staff development. Her skills include serving developmental needs of first generation minority and academically at risk students. She has conducted student orientation workshops and collaborated with faculty and other administrators to enhance career opportunities for graduate students. Ms. Lopez also has directed a Title V Mentoring Grant, a McNair Grant, and an Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) Grant. She is a member of the 1st Inaugural Class of the Leadership Development Institute, UTEP. Her professional affiliations included the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), National Association of Graduate Professionals (NAGAP), American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRO), National Association of International Educators (NAFSA), and National Hispanic Woman’s Caucus. |