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
- 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
- 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
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:
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:
The application includes a nomination form addressing the three criteria listed above.
2026 TWHE Award Press Release
Presidential Leadership
Del Watson (2026)
Emerging Leader
Michele Hancock (2026)
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
Amanda Galindo (2026)
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.
