DECEMBER 8, 2022 — Veronica Salazar has completed the Governor’s Executive Development Program, which enables Texas leaders to explore leadership in state agencies, organizational strategy and best practices for supporting hybrid work modalities for employees.
Salazar serves as UTSA’s chief financial officer and senior vice president for business affairs. She is responsible for the oversight of key university operations, including essential financial services, exemplary public safety, and engaging on-campus services.
The Governor’s Executive Development Program is hosted by the University of Texas at Austin’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. In the 1980s, the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House of Representatives jointly appointed the Executive Development Council to create a course for top executives working in state government in Texas.
The program held its inaugural class in 1985 and hosted Class 40 this fall. There are more than 2,000 graduates of the Governor’s Executive Development Program from over 100 state agencies throughout Texas.
Through the Governor’s Executive Development Program, executives in Texas state agencies and universities engage in leadership training focused on organizational strategy, infrastructure management, resource management and personal effectiveness. Attendees must be nominated and are selected by the Office of the Governor.
“Veronica’s extensive background in finance and operational leadership at UTSA and other major public universities made her an ideal candidate for the Governor’s Executive Development Program,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “I feel strongly her experience brought great value to the program and know she has brought back innovative ideas to implement at UTSA with broader implications for developing success models throughout Texas.”
Salazar was nominated for the leadership program by Eighmy and accepted in September 2021. The first week of the program took place in Arlington, Texas, in October and focused on a 360-leadership evaluation, legislative communications and strategic alignment.
“I was honored to be included in this leadership program,” Salazar said. “My goal was to absorb as much information as possible regarding leadership and organizational strategy from a statewide perspective, as well as make meaningful connections with diverse individuals serving the State of Texas.”
The Governor’s Executive Development Program took place over three non-consecutive weeks from October through December 2022. This intensive educational program engaged leaders in executive-level positions with responsibility for charting the strategic direction of their organizations. During the course, Salazar focused on a specific applied learning project related to best practices for supporting hybrid work modalities for employees.
The Governor’s Executive Development Program is offered once each year to a select group of executive leaders at state agencies in Texas. With the conclusion of the program, Salazar and other participants in Class 40 will develop a leadership plan aimed at applying new concepts, ideas and behaviors to their home institution. Salazar will focus on applying knowledge and best practices gained through her applied learning project to benefit the UTSA community.
