Foundation Board Bios
Dr. Maxwell has more than 35 years of experience in higher education at both public and private institutions, along with land grant and urban institutions. He currently serves as the Interim Vice President for Student Success and Student Life at the University of Houston-Downtown. Dr. Maxwell has served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UH System (UHS) and the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, University of Houston (UH) since January 2012. Dr. Maxwell successfully served as the Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, UHS, and Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, UH from October 2021 to July 2022, and then as the Interim Vice Chancellor/Vice President for Student Affairs through January 2024. As the Interim Vice Chancellor/Vice President, Dr. Maxwell provided leadership, strategic vision, organization, and administrative oversight for the division at UH and had general oversight for the functional areas in UHS. Dr. Maxwell also served as the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Houston — Clear Lake (UHCL) while maintaining a modified portfolio with UHS/UH during the 2018-2019 academic year. Dan currently serves as the TACUPSA Foundation Board Chairperson. He is member of NASPA and served as the chairperson of the 2023 Conference Leadership Committee and NASPA Board of Directors. He was active with APLU and served on the Council on Student Affairs Programming Committee from 2021-2024. Dan is also the past two-term national president of the ACUI. Dan has been recognized for his contributions to the profession. Most recently, Dan was recognized as a 2020 Pillar of the Profession (NASPA) and The Robert H. Shaffer Distinguished Alumni Award in 2020 (Indiana University's Higher Education Doctoral Program). In March 2019, Dan received the Butts-Whiting Award from ACUI. Dan received his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and his master’s degree from University of Miami. He earned his doctorate in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University.
Molly Albart Molly Albart Joined UTA in 2000 and began her career as a residence hall director and advanced to an executive level throughout her time at UTA. In 2024, she became Assistant Vice President for UTA’s Extension and Extended Campus finance and administration teams leading complex government contracts, service grants, corporate contracts and providing fiscal oversight for one of the state’s largest professional education divisions. Prior to taking on this role, Molly served as Assistant Vice President for Student Success and Transition in the Division of Student Affairs. She led five departments including New Maverick Orientation, Transition Programs and Services, Military and Veteran Services, Student Publications, and the Intercultural Student Engagement Center. In addition, she was responsible for division budget management, assessment and reporting, commencement ceremonies, and the marketing and communications team. Prior to her role in the Division of Student Affairs central office, Molly spent 12 years working in Housing and Apartment and Residence Life. Molly served on the TACUSPA Board of Directors in various roles and served as TACUSPA’s President in 2018-2019. 
Corey Benson Corey J. Benson (he/him) is Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at The University of Texas Permian Basin. His previous roles at UTPB include Associate Dean of Students (2018-2020) and Dean of Students (2020-2022). Corey also previously served as Title IX Coordinator at University of Houston-Clear Lake, Title IX Investigator in the Office of the Dean of Students at The University of Texas at Austin, Assistant Director of Community Standards and Program Coordinator for the Center for Students in Recovery at The University of Texas at Arlington, Program Coordinator for Student Diversity and Inclusion at Texas State University, and Graduate Assistant for the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Corey serves as president of the Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators (TACUSPA) and is a former chair of the Texas Deans of Students Council (TexDoS). He was the recipient of the Outstanding New Professional (2014) and Outstanding Mid-Level Professional (2017) awards from TACUSPA as well as the Outstanding New Professional (2015) and Service to Student Affairs (2019) awards from the NASPA GSKC. Corey has presented on issues related to Title IX, student conduct administration, student leadership and development, and diversity and inclusion at regional and national conferences including: NASPA Student Affairs Law Conference, NASPA Multicultural Institute, Leadership Educators Institute, and the annual conferences of NASPA and TACUSPA. Corey earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies (2013) from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and a bachelor’s degree in communication (2011) from University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Cynthia Hernandez Dr. Cynthia L. Hernandez serves as the Vice President for Student Success at Texas State University providing leadership for a comprehensive division comprised of over 450 staff housed in 14 departments including housing and residential life, dean of students, counseling services, health services, campus recreation, disability services, career services, LBJ student center, student involvement & engagement, academic enhancement services, student learning assistance center, new student and family experiences, first generation initiatives, and assessment, planning, and technology services. With over 25 years of progressive leadership experience, Dr. Hernandez focuses on enhancing student success and learning in the co-curricular through inclusive, student-centered programs, services, and initiatives. Prior to joining Texas State University, Dr. Hernandez served as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Texas A&M University. She earned a bachelor's degree in Animal Science, a master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, and a doctorate in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Educational Policy from Texas A&M University. Dr. Hernandez is an active member of several professional organizations including NASPA, the association for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, where she serves as an at-large member on the NASPA Board of Directors, and NODA, the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education, where she held the position of President.
John Kaulfus Dr. John Kaulfus currently serves as the Assistant Vice President & Chief Student Affairs Officer at UT Health San Antonio. He has served in this position since 2015. For the past five years, he has also served as a Lecturer in the higher education master’s program at UT San Antonio (UTSA). Dr. Kaulfus received his Bachelor of Social Work and master’s in higher education administration from UT Austin and his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at UTSA. Dr. Kaulfus is a past president of TACUSPA (2014) and is currently the Chair for the Texas Council for Chief Student Affairs Officers (TCCSAO).
Lisa McDougle Dr. Lisa McDougle has over 30 years of experience in higher education at both private and public institutions. Since 2013, she has served as the Assistant Dean for Academic Success and Student Affairs at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Rehabilitation Sciences. Prior to that she served as the Director of Student Life and the Associate Dean for Student Success at the University of Texas Health Science Center (2002-2013) and as Assistant Director, then Director of Residence Life at St. Mary’s University (1987-2002). Her experience includes academic and personal support, crisis management, peer mentoring, admissions and recruitment, student activities, special events, student governance, student organizations, leadership programming, judicial affairs/professional behavior standards, Title IX, residence life, wellness and recreational sports. She earned two undergraduate degrees in accounting and business administration as well as a masters in human relations and supervision from Louisiana Tech University and her doctor of education degree in educational leadership and policy students from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. McDougle has been a member of TACUSPA since moving to Texas in 1987. She has served in various leadership roles including conference co-chair, 4-year institution representative, president-elect, president and past president, as well as service on the TACUSPA foundation board and new professionals institute planning. She is active with her community most notably with the Cross Roads Church homeless/low income ministry and client choice food pantry.
Christine Self Dr. Christine Self has worked in family engagement for more than 20 years. She serves as the Director of Parent & Family Relations at Texas Tech University. Christine received her Ph.D. in Higher Education Research from Texas Tech in 2018, following a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and a Bachelor of General Studies. She is dedicated to supporting student success by educating students and their families as well as developing programs and resources that enhance student experiences. She also teaches in the Women's and Gender Studies Program at Texas Tech. Beyond campus, Christine has been actively involved in TACUSPA, serving on the Board of Directors from 2015 to 2018 and on the Foundation Board since 2021. Christine also holds a seat on the Board of Directors for AHEPPP – Family Engagement in Higher Education and serves on the Council for Academic Standards in Higher Education (CAS). She is the coeditor of Engaging Families in Higher Education: Best Practices and Lessons Learned (Routledge, 2023) and a contributor to the College Ready series.
Heather Snow is currently serving as AVP and Dean of Students at Texas Woman’s University where she oversees the Center for Student Involvement, Career Connections, Scholar Programs, Center for First-Generation Students and Office of Civility & Community Standards. Prior to joining TWU in March of 2024 she served for the last 16 years at the University of Texas at Arlington where she was Associate Vice President and Dean of Students. Heather has been a dedicated member of TACUSPA since her arrival as a professional in Texas in 2008 including serving as the Conference Keynote Chair, Program Committee Chair, Conference Co-Chair, VP of Administration and most recently finishing a 3 year rotation as President Elect/President and Past President of the association before joining the Foundation Board.
Ashley Spicer-Runnels Dr. Spicer-Runnels joined the Texas State University System in March of 2022 as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Health Affairs. Prior to joining TSUS, she served as the assistant vice provost for academic affairs at the Texas A&M University-San Antonio, where she worked closely with deans and other administrators to create policies and procedures to support student and academic success and degree completion. She also served as assistant vice president for student success, where she oversaw new student/transition programming and student support initiatives. Prior to her tenure at A&M-San Antonio, she held positions at Texas State University and Lamar University. Dr. Spicer-Runnels previously served as TACUSPA Foundation Board member (2023-2024), TACUSPA president (2019-2020), treasurer (2016-2019), and conference chair (2016). She currently serves as TACUSPA Treasurer. |