Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes UTSA’s Browning, Nash and Niño

Niño joined UTSA in June 2021 as vice president for university relations, overseeing strategic communications, marketing, government relations and community relations. While at UTSA, she has strengthened the university's relationships with key stakeholders in San Antonio and across Texas, with a strong focus on promoting a college-going culture and increasing access to economic development programs. Notably, she has led the university's efforts to support its neighbors on San Antonio's historic West Side, adjacent to the Downtown Campus, and her work during early phases of the ITC Centennial 2068 visioning process were vital in gathering community input around the future of the museum.

Prior to joining UTSA, Niño spent more than two decades working with the federal government, serving in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as senior advisor to the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and as executive director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Partnership and Engagement. Additionally, she served as the director of electronic health records communications at University Health System, as director of marketing and business development for Port San Antonio and as director of marketing for the San Antonio Express-News.

"Teresa's lifelong work in advocacy for a variety of community issues prompted others to take notice of her skill and effectiveness," said Doris Slay-Barber, president of the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame. We are mindful of her work at the national level and her dedication to solving community issues and her dedication to civic leadership."

As the interim vice president for research for the UTSA Office of Research, Browning has guided UTSA in crafting and implementing strategies to foster new large-scale, high-impact research initiatives at the university. Guided by her leadership, UTSA recently topped $100 million in research expenditures for the fourth year in a row, and over $150 million in 2023, an increase Browning attributes to the world-class faculty that UTSA continues to attract and internal strategies that have increased support for existing faculty.

Browning joined UTSA in 2014 as dean of the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design (formerly the College of Engineering). Prior to UTSA, she spent 16 years at the University of Kansas, including two years as associate dean of administration. She is a fellow of the American Concrete Institute and Co-PI for the NSF Natural Hazards Research Infrastructure Network Coordination Office.

"Dr. Browning's emphasis to improve the participation and status of women in the STEM fields has long been recognized as the reason for the increased success of female students in STEM and also for the increased number of female faculty role models for the students," Slay-Barber said. "Because of Dr. Browning's efforts, Texas has more successful STEM students."

Nash, one of a few dozen of Black women in the nation to earn a Ph.D. in Physics, was appointed vice provost for faculty success in the fall of 2023. In this role, she is responsible for implementing programs that support the retention, advancement and career transitions of UTSA faculty members.

A professor of physics in the UTSA Department of Physics and Astronomy, Nash is currently collaborating with Ferhat Ozturk, an assistant professor of practice in the UTSA Department of Integrative Biology, and fellow College of Sciences professor Amelia King-Kostelac to foster the next generation of urban beekeepers. Funded through a $2.8M grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this project is providing workforce training that is expanding the opportunities for underrepresented students to pursue USDA career paths. Nash is also training faculty on new ways to enrich the learning environment for students through research experiences.

Nash served previously as the associate dean of faculty success in the UTSA College of Sciences. In that role, she supported the recruitment and professional development of faculty and educational opportunities for students across the college.

"Dr. Nash's advocacy for the promotion of educational opportunities for all makes her a leader. She makes STEM education a priority and mentors students in many areas, including some outside the classroom," said Slay-Barber. "She is known for programs that provide additional skills such as negotiating so that students in the STEM fields are prepared to build their path to success. Her concentration in the area of Physics makes her a role model for others, especially female students."

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