Task Force Charter
The Communications Task Force for the merger will ensure the effective and consistent flow of communications throughout the multi-year merger of our two universities, and into the future. The Communications Task Force will develop, coordinate, and disseminate key messages and targeted audience communications, supporting the integration process across all work areas. This involves developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to ensure clear, consistent, and transparent communication with all stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the community through various channels, while also integrating the cultures of both institutions.
Task Force Updates
December 10, 2024
Members are developing message strategies, assessing processes, and planning for the launch of audience-based work groups that will engage internal and external stakeholders. The task force is also leading and managing shared stakeholder communications, including support for donors, alumni and key partners.
November 15, 2024
Members are developing communication plans and messaging strategies to guide the efforts of forthcoming working groups that will tailor outreach to various stakeholders.
October 10, 2024
Members are developing new content, creating communications pieces for internal and external audiences, capturing and responding to feedback from our university communities, and maintaining and updating the integration website.
Task Force Charge
The Communications Task Force is charged with overseeing the integration communications processes, internally and externally to UTSA and UT Health San Antonio.
The Communications Task Force aims to provide strategic direction, facilitate decision-making, and provide support to ensure effective communications to internal and external stakeholders throughout the integration.
This task force will (1) create, implement, and monitor a comprehensive communications plan, (2) prepare agendas and facilitate communications Working Groups and Task Forces, and (3) support development of communications (including ongoing updates to the integration website).
The Communications Task Force will be engaged beginning in September 2024 and will continue throughout Phase 1 (June 2025), and likely thereafter. Timelines, milestones, and expectations for Working Groups will be defined in respective charters.
Stakeholder Advisory and Working Groups
Stakeholder Advisory and Working Groups — consisting of representatives from our stakeholder constituencies — will help shape our communications strategy and dissemination, providing input at critical junctures. These groups will evolve with the process.
- Faculty
- Staff
- Students
- Alumni
- Academic Affairs
- Business Affairs
- Development
- Athletics
- Government Relations
- Research
- Marketing
- Media
- Web
Task Force Members
Task Force Co-Chairs
Kimberly Maldonado
Associate Vice President for Strategy and Executive Communications
Heather Adkins
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Members
UTSA
Debra Del Toro
Senior Director, Strategic Messaging and Academic Support
Jennilee Garza
Senior Director, Strategic Communications for Donor Engagement
Joe Izbrand
Chief Communications Officer and Associate Vice President, University Strategic Communications and External Affairs
Anne Peters
Chief Marketing Officer and Associate Vice President for Marketing and Special Projects
Liz Rockstroh, EdD
Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Communications for Business Affairs
UT Health San Antonio
Jennifer Horton
Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications and Media
Lety Laurel
Senior Director, Communications
Monica Taylor
Senior Director, Public Relations
Eve White
Assistant Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Lizette Yanes, PhD
Senior Director, Marketing, Communications and Media
Kristen Zapata
Communications Specialist-Senior
Working Groups
UTSA
Jenny Gonzalez
Web Developer
Alyssa Luna
Digital Communications Specialist
Kimberly Maldonado
Associate Vice President for Strategy and Executive Communications
Anne Peters
Chief Marketing Officer and Associate Vice President for Marketing and Special Projects
Shashi Pinheiro
Director, Web Services
David Rodriguez
Director, Digital Communications
UT Health San Antonio
Heather Adkins
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Rene Echavarri
Manager, Web Initiatives
Kevin Howell
Senior Director, Web and Digital Strategy
Lety Laurel
Senior Director, Communications
Kristen Zapata
Communications Specialist-Senior