Dear Colleagues,
It is my pleasure to extend an invitation for you to join us for the 2009 TACUSPA conference scheduled for October4-6, 2009 in El Paso, Texas.
This year’s conference will be located at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) with convenient hotel accommodations at UTEP’s on-campus Hilton Garden Inn. You get the best of both worlds… the convenience and service of a nationally-recognized hotel chain and the excitement and energy of being on a university campus!
I am especially excited to announce the three featured speakers for this year’s conference.
- George Kuh –Chancellor’s Professor of Higher Education at Indiana University and a leading voice in student engagement and university cultures.
- Diana Natalicio– President of The University of Texas at El Paso and a dedicated advocate for providing access to higher education for all students.
- Laura Rendón –Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Iowa State University and a nationally recognized researcher in the areas of access, retention and graduation of low-income, first-generation students.
In addition to this wonderful slate of speakers, the conference will include 25+ breakout sessions, a New Professionals Institute, and expanded experiences for graduate students. Detailed information on all of these activities can be accessed through the links provided on this website.
Don’t forget to include some fun in your trip! El Paso is the 21st largest city in the United States and the largest border city in the world. I encourage you to come in a day early to join us on one of the exciting excursions we have planned for TACUSPA members. These include a golf outing, a shopping excursion and a football tailgate party (it’s UTEP’s Homecoming Game!).
Lots of great programming and fun! This year’s TACUSPA conference is shaping up to be the best ever. I can’t wait to meet you in El Paso.
Gary Edens
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
The University of Texas at El Paso