Dr. Richard Nicholas, Vice President of Student Life
Dr. Richard Nicholas holds a Master's degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He has been at TWU since 1996 and has served as Vice President since 1998. TWU is a special place that allows him to serve as leader of a very talented Student Life team and still be able to work directly with many students. Dr. Nicholas has one daughter who presently serves as Dean of Students at another university. He and his wife, Anne, enjoy traveling, collecting antiques and raising African violets.
Dr. Monica Mendez-Grant, Associate Vice President of Student Life
Dr. Mendez-Grant holds a doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration, a masters degree in Counseling, and a bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of North Texas. She has over 18 years experience in various areas of Student Life including Student Access and Success, Student Development, Orientation, and Judicial Affairs. Dr. Mendez-Grant has three main research interests: (1) first-generation college students and best practices for retention (2) increasing the college-going rate of first generation high-school students, particularly Hispanic students and (3) developing best practices in at-risk high schools which will increase the college-going rate of first generation high-school students, particularly Hispanic students. Dr. Mendez-Grant through various partnerships within Student Life actively seeks funds to support outreach efforts within the Dallas and Fort Worth communities. Dr. Mendez-Grant enjoys time with her family, her many animals, and her horses. She is originally from San Antonio, Texas.
Heather Speed, Dean of Students
Heather Speed holds a Master’s degree in History from the University of North Texas and Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sam Houston State University. She has over 13 years of Student Affairs experience including Student Development, Student Leadership, New Student Orientation and Student Code of Conduct. She is working on her dissertation focusing on first-year Hispanic female students and attrition. Heather and her husband have 2 children, a girl and a boy, who enjoy outdoor activities and traveling to Colorado at every opportunity.
Lisa Quinones, Executive Assistant to the Vice President
Lisa Valle, Senior Secretary
Lisa Valle graduated from Texas Woman's University with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. She joined Student Life in 2008, assisting the Dean of Students with the Code of Conduct and Disciplinary process for Academic Dishonesty Hearings. Lisa enjoys cooking and hosting family events. Her hometown is El Paso, Texas.
Kimberly Sparks, Administrative Assistant
Kim Sparks is the Administrative Assistant for the Associate Vice President for Student Life. Specific responsibilities include assisting students with excused absences, Student Life emergency loans and the university withdrawal process. In Kim's spare time, she likes to spend time with her Great Danes and her family which includes one who is a current TWU student.
page last updated 8/19/2009 10:15