Leading By Example
TTUHSC El Paso Welcomes Leadership Texas Cohort to Campus
The state-wide women’s leadership program complements the university’s mission to develop leaders who make a positive impact on the community
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso welcomed the latest Leadership Texas cohort to campus on Friday, Sept. 29.
Leadership Texas is the longest-running women’s leadership program in the country, providing networking opportunities for the past 40 years to women at all decision-making levels in political, economic and public life. It is presented by Leadership Women Inc., a Dallas-based nonprofit.
The 2023 Leadership Texas cohort includes women leaders who represent a broad spectrum of professions, forming an invaluable network across our state and beyond.
Three TTUHSC El Paso employees are members of the 2023 cohort: Paola Flores, executive associate in the Office of Institutional Advancement; Cyd Goldfarb, senior director of admissions and recruitment for the Hunt School of Dental Medicine, and Iskra Jacobo, managing director of datacenter operations for Information Technology. They were among 85 women accepted into the prestigious program this year.
Over the years, 23 TTUHSC El Paso employees have graduated from Leadership Texas.
Leadership Women selected women across our state for their professional, cultural, geographic and ethnic diversity, as well as their desire to collaborate with leaders from a variety of disciplines and interests.
“The experience is transformative, providing opportunities for networking, mentorship, and hands-on leadership challenges,” Flores said. “My abilities to lead, motivate and contribute to my community and organization have been enhanced through this program.”
Each year, the cohort visits three cities to meet with business and community leaders. Earlier this year, they visited Dallas to learn more about financial systems and the economy. They also traveled to College Station, where they toured the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and Disaster City, a 52-acre training facility for emergency responders.
El Paso was the third destination and host of their graduation this year. The cohort had the opportunity to savor the unique cultural experience of regional food from the locally owned restaurant Taconeta and enjoy a captivating folklorico performance during their visit to our campus.
University officials hope the visit to our campus would leave the Leadership Texas class of 2023 empowered and inspired to return to their homes and initiate positive transformation in their communities much like how TTUHSC El Paso was built thanks to the vision of our El Paso community and business leaders.
Attendees enjoyed a tour of the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic where student and faculty providers have helped more than 3,500 patients and provided over 19,000 hours of critically needed oral health care since 2021. The group also visited the state-of-the-art Dental Learning Center for a hands-on dental demonstration as well as the Training and Educational Center for Healthcare Simulation where students and residents learn and train to become competent and compassionate health care providers.
A thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Leadership Texas graduates from TTUHSC El Paso followed the tour. The focal point of the panel discussion revolved around the theme of "Leadership Journey Perspectives." During the insightful session, the panelists candidly reflected on the pivotal lessons they have garnered throughout their leadership trajectories.
Additionally, the discussion shed light on how Leadership Texas, as a program, has equipped these individuals with the skills, perspectives, and networks necessary to navigate and excel in their future career endeavors.
“The development of leaders is not just a pursuit; it's a promise to invest in a better tomorrow, where every individual's unique ability and aspirations are nurtured. Leadership Texas does a tremendous job of giving participants the tools and an expanded network to grow as leaders,” said Andrea Tawney, Ph.D., vice president for Institutional Advancement at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso and a 2019 graduate of Leadership Texas. “We're thrilled Leadership Texas was able to come back to our campus where they saw how much we’ve grown since the last time the organization visited in 2018.”
Programs such as Leadership Texas help TTUHSC El Paso foster an environment at where women from all backgrounds can gain experience and mentorship to help build a path to leadership success.
“Having the opportunity to graduate from Leadership Texas on my own campus is a fulfilling experience, since it’s not only a personal achievement but also a step toward making a positive impact in my professional life and for my community,” Flores said.
About Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso
TTUHSC El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.
Established as an independent university in the Texas Tech University System in 2013, TTUHSC El Paso is celebrating 10 years as a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research. According to a 2022 analysis, TTUHSC El Paso contributes $634.4 million annually to our Borderplex region’s economy.
With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, TTUHSC El Paso has graduated over 2,000 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.