DIIA's director Judy Ashcroft nominated for Leadership Texas

Dr. Larry Faulkner, the president of UT Austin, sponsors three women for Leadership Texas each year. Leadership Texas is a program of the Foundation for Women’s Resources, created to bring together Texas women who have demonstrated their leadership ability in their profession, community or workplace. Other award recipients this year are associate vice president and budget director Mary Knight and Lorraine Branham, director of the Department of Journalism.

The Leadership Texas program seeks to improve management skills and knowledge of the state so that the women are prepared to seize greater leadership opportunities. Educating and inspiring the individual leaders, the program also seeks to establish relationships and has created a network of women not only during this program year, but a statewide network of 2000 Leadership Texas graduates.

Delegates from UT System are Tanya Moten Brown, vice chancellor for administration, and Geri Malandra, associate vice chancellor for accountability. The College of Engineering at UT Austin is sponsoring Cath Polito, director of Center for Lifelong Engineering Education.

Dr. Ashcroft, who was nominated for consideration by Executive Vice President and Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson, considers the experience a special honor. "The Leadership Texas experience is increasing my awareness of the State as well as introducing me to amazing women from cities all over Texas. I'm honored to be participating, and I'm already applying what I'm learning," she commented.

Leadership Texas is structured around five sessions held in various Texas cities during the calendar year. In each designated host city, the Leadership Texas meeting brings in national experts on the topics of leadership, communication, and demographics.