The University of St. Thomas–Houston was proudly represented at the 2025 Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators (TACUSPA) Centennial Conference, where Angie Maxey, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Access and Disability Services, and Ben Nguyen, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, were recognized for excellence in professional leadership and innovation.

Their presentation, titled “Planning with Purpose: Strategic Planning for Division Success,” was selected by TACUSPA leadership and conference attendees as an Outstanding Educational Session—an honor awarded to sessions that exemplify excellence in content, delivery, and relevance to the field of higher education.

The session challenged participants to rethink how strategic plans are used within divisions of student affairs—transforming them from static documents into dynamic tools for driving measurable impact. Through a practical framework for aligning divisional goals with institutional priorities, Maxey and Nguyen shared how cultivating buy-in, accountability, and continuous improvement can turn strategic planning into a culture of intentional leadership.

“Being recognized by our peers for this work was incredibly meaningful,” said Maxey. “Our goal was to provide a roadmap that helps leaders translate vision into action in a way that strengthens collaboration and advances student success.”

Representing UST among higher education professionals from across Texas, Maxey and Nguyen’s recognition reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to innovation, mission-driven leadership, and the Basilian values of Goodness, Discipline, Knowledge, and Community.