Quotes from the 2025 TWHE Awards
2025 Recipient of the Institutional Representative of the Year Award: Pamelyn Klepal Shefman
TWHE has supported my growth as a servant leader and I am so grateful for the commitment of TWHE and the volunteers who continue with this important work. TWHE has been a wonderful asset to me and my campus these past years. I was asked to be the IR just weeks before the first conference I attended and had no clue how important it would become. TWHE has supported the programming of leaders on my campus and I feel fortunate to able to share the resources of TWHE and ACE with others as our IR.
2025 Recipient of the Emerging Leader Award: Charlotte L. Rodgers
Involvement with Texas Women in Higher Education has been an exceptionally rewarding experience over the past several years. Through TWHE, I have cultivated meaningful professional networks and relationships with dedicated and inspiring administrators from across the state. Serving on this year’s conference planning committee has further deepened those connections, allowing me to collaborate regularly with colleagues from diverse institutions that continue to support my personal and professional growth. Receiving the 2025 Emerging Leader Award was a significant milestone that strengthened my confidence and sharpened my awareness of my capacity to lead, influence, and contribute meaningfully to the higher education community. I am grateful to TWHE for the opportunities it continues to provide to expand my sphere of influence, strengthen my professional network, and intentionally invest in my development as a young practitioner in the field.
2025 Recipient of the Contributions to TWHE Award: Katie Alaniz
I am incredibly grateful to Texas Women in Higher Education for the opportunity to connect with inspiring professionals from a wide range of institutions across the state. Through TWHE, I have engaged in meaningful and impactful professional development alongside others who are genuinely committed to learning, growth, and collaboration. These experiences have broadened my perspective, pushed me to think more strategically and intentionally, strengthened my professional skills, and supported my growth as a leader. TWHE has provided a welcoming space where insightful perspectives are valued and individuals at all stages of their careers are encouraged to learn from one another.
Institutional Representative (IR) of the Year Award
Designed to recognize a member and her outstanding contributions to TWHE through the fulfillment of her role of IR. Factors that will be considered are how she:
- Connects with women on her campus
- Enhances the profile of women on her campus
- Promotes relevant communication on her campus
- Participates in and communicates with TWHE
The application includes a nomination form addressing the four criteria listed above.
Emerging Leader Award
Designed to recognize an early career professional who has given of her time, energy, and creativity to enhance TWHE at a local or state level. Factors that will be considered are how she:
- Participates in the annual conference
- Shows capacity for leadership on her campus and within TWHE. Examples could include playing a crucial role in a regional workshop, presenting at the annual conference, and advocating for TWHE on her campus
- The nomination should include specific examples of contribution or leadership to TWHE at the institutional or state level
The application includes a nomination form addressing the four criteria listed above.
Presidential Leadership Award
Designed to recognize a member and her outstanding contributions to higher education on her campus and beyond. Factors that will be considered are how she:
- Embodies the mission and vision of TWHE
- Substantially contributes to the American Council on Education’s Moving the Needle: Advancing Women in
Higher Education Leadership Examples of this include:- Leading a program or research project that focuses on the need for advancing women in higher education leadership positions
- Identifying and pursuing methods and practices of recruiting and hiring women to senior executive offices
Building capacities in women and in institutions
- Developing, practicing, and/or providing leadership models that recognize success in advancing women in higher education
- Serves as an example for women in higher education in Texas
- Believes in the mission of TWHE and promotes involvement in the organization at the institutional and state level
Emerging Leader
Charlotte Rodgers (2025)
Rebecca Morrow (2024)
Kathy Pawelek (2023)
Julie Schwab (2022)
Annie Phillips Munson (2021)
Martinella Dryburgh (2020)
Jenny Branson (2018)
Contributions
Katie Alaniz (2025)
Kristina Wilson (2024)
Martinella Dryburgh (2023)
Christy Crutsinger (2022)
Cissy Matthews (2021)
Debbie Thorne (2020)
Leah Jackson (2019)
Rissa McGuire (2018)
Jennifer Martin (2017)
Institutional Representative
Pamelyn Shefman (2025)
Laura Escamilla (2024)
Teresa Simpson (2023)
Abigail Tilton (2022)
Lora Helvie-Mason (2021)
Lisa Brown (2019)
Shonda Gibson (2018)
The application includes a nomination form addressing the criteria listed above.
