UTSA President Taylor Eighmy and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley announced today the creation of an Office of Strategy. The new office, with reporting functions to both the offices of the President and the Provost, is designed to support the Integration Steering Committee throughout the university’s upcoming integration with UT Health San Antonio, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation and future strategic planning of the merged institution, while continuing to advance broader strategic initiatives.
“The establishment of this new Office of Strategy is both timely and crucial as we prepare for our merger with UT Health San Antonio and the robust integration process that will follow,” Eighmy said. “This office will play a pivotal role in guiding UTSA through the complex strategic efforts that lie ahead, ensuring that we remain focused, coordinated and forward-thinking in our approach.”
Personnel appointments for the office were also announced, with additional appointments expected following the merger next summer:
“The new Office of Strategy will provide essential support to the Integration Steering Committee, guiding us through the complexities of integration as we build a world-class university.”
Neuhard joins UTSA on October 1, 2024, following a national search to fill the position formerly held by Dr. Lisa Jasinski, senior director of strategic initiatives who oversaw the fifth-year strategic plan refresh in the Office of the President. Formerly the executive director of the Office of Operational Strategic Initiatives at the University of California at San Diego, Neuhard has extensive executive leadership experience around strategic planning, operations, economic impact and other major strategic initiatives, both internally at all levels of the University, and externally with national and international universities, institutes and organizations.
Neuhard has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida and J.D. from the University of Denver. He has prior experience in the private sector around supply chain management, technology development and procurement, and strategic partnership development. Neuhard will report directly to the president, with additional oversight and collaboration with the provost.
Maldonado, presently assistant vice president for executive communication in the Office of the President, joined UTSA in 2021 as senior director of strategic communications. She also serves as an assistant professor of practice in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts in the Department of Communication.
Prior to joining UTSA, Maldonado held various leadership positions at local and regional agencies in the areas of communication strategy and planning, crisis management, media relations and constituent engagement. She holds a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.A. in Communications Studies from St. Mary’s University. Maldonado will report directly to the president, with additional oversight and collaboration with the provost.
Neece-Fielder, presently associate vice provost for strategic planning and assessment and SACSCOC liaison, joined UTSA in 2011 as director of planning and assessment for Student Affairs.
She has held leadership roles in student development, first-year student success and university assessment across Texas at both public and private four-year institutions, as well as community colleges. She has a B.S. in Psychology from Texas Wesleyan University, an M.Ed. in Higher Education from Texas Tech University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from UTSA. She will remain the SACSCOC liaison for UTSA and will report directly to the provost, with additional oversight and collaboration with the president.
“I am delighted in the experience and acumen that Bob brings to us from UC San Diego — one of our new aspirant peers,” Eighmy said. “He will work closely with two incredibly talented colleagues, Kimberly and Kasey. Provost Shipley and I are eager to coordinate with the new office as it pursues this critical strategic focus.”
As shared in the September 13 update on the integration from Eighmy and UT Health San Antonio Acting President Robert Hromas, the universities now are focused on preparing a prospectus for submission to SACSCOC in March 2025, with the goal of obtaining Board approval for the merger by June 2025.
“While the formal merger approval by SACSCOC is a critical milestone, the actual integration will be an extensive, multi-year process that will require phased collaboration across task forces and working groups as we align our priorities and resources,” said Shipley. “The new Office of Strategy will provide essential support to the Integration Steering Committee, guiding us through the complexities of integration as we build a world-class university.”
The integration efforts, expected to span at least three years, will also involve the creation of a strategic plan for the new institution and the early preparation for reaffirmation of SACSCOC accreditation in 2030.
