MinerAlert
MinerAlert
Dates: November 5th, 2025 from 10:30 am - 11:45 am • UTEP
Location: Union Building East, Tomas Rivera Conference Center 308, UTEP
Join us for a special lunchtime presentation featuring UTEP’s next Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)—a university-wide initiative focused on enhancing students’ career readiness, social capital, and post-graduate success. This session offers an early look into the QEP themes, goals, and big ideas shaping the next chapter of institutional innovation in student learning and success.
Our presenters will share insights into the planning process, highlight opportunities for campus-wide engagement, and reflect on how this initiative connects to UTEP’s broader mission of fostering high-impact, student-centered learning. Whether you’re faculty, staff, or a student leader, this is your chance to explore how the QEP will help our students succeed—during their time at UTEP and beyond—and to contribute your perspective to this transformative, university-wide effort.
Louie Rodriguez, J.D.
Vice Provost for Professional Development, Engagement, and Strategic Initiatives
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
Louie serves as a member of the provost’s leadership team at UTEP, where he oversees student career readiness, professional development, and strategic initiatives. A native El Pasoan, Louie brings his years of experience in the corporate and non-profit sectors to his work advancing UTEP student success. He holds a bachelor's degree from Baylor University and a juris doctorate from Columbia Law School.
Dr. Heather Smith
Vice Provost for Advising, Academic Success, and Student Support
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
Heather has 25 years of experience in university administration and is dedicated to inspiring and empowering students to believe in the value of higher education and earn college degrees. She began her career establishing the first academic center for student-athletes at UTEP, and in 2016, led the design and implementation of UTEP’s integrated holistic advising model.
As Vice Provost, Heather has integrated departments and programs dedicated to academic success and student support, advancing conditions for student success, persistence, and completion. She is active in UT System initiatives and collaborates on strategic enrollment planning that promotes a seamless student journey from admission through graduation. Heather earned her PhD in Rhetoric & Composition from UTEP.
Marisol Chávez
Senior Coordinator for Economic Development
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
As Senior Coordinator for Economic Development at UTEP, Marisol is responsible for building partnerships between the university and industry leaders across the Borderplex region. She leads initiatives connecting faculty expertise and student talent with opportunities in logistics, automotive, aerospace, and other key sectors to support regional economic growth.
Before joining UTEP, she served as Program Director at Pioneers 21, a nonprofit business incubator. Marisol earned both her bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism and her MBA from UTEP.
Dr. Katalina Salas
Director of UTEP Edge
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
Dr. Katalina Salas, a UTEP alumna, holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering and has a strong background in mentoring, community engagement, and student success. As Director of UTEP Edge, she helps foster inclusive leadership and supports environmental education and outreach across the community.
Previously, she served as a CIELO-G Postdoctoral Fellow and Assistant Professor of Research, expanding leadership opportunities for students in Geoscience. Passionate about fostering curiosity and leadership, Dr. Salas continues to advocate for student empowerment and academic growth at UTEP.
