Rachael brings over 15 years of experience in higher education leadership, most recently serving as the Senior Director of TRIO Programs at Texas State University. In this role, she provided strategic oversight and direction for 10 federally funded TRIO programs, managing a team of eight directors and overseeing a $3.2 million annual budget. She also directly led two Student Support Services programs focused on traditional and STEM students, offering high-impact services that support retention, academic success, and graduation.
A proud first-generation college graduate and current doctoral candidate in Adult Professional Community Education at Texas State University, Rachael is deeply committed to access and student empowerment. She has been a key leader in cross-campus First-Generation initiatives, serving on the First Gen Proud and Academic Services committees, where she helped implement data-informed programming to improve outcomes for first-gen students.
Her background also includes extensive experience in financial management, human resources, federal compliance, and staff development across the nonprofit, manufacturing, and public sectors. She is a trained Title IX adjudicator and brings additional expertise in ADA, civil rights, and employment law.
Rachael is passionate about mentoring, collaborative leadership, and using research to advance student belonging and success. Her appointment signals a continued commitment to expanding support for first-generation students across Tarleton State University.
Ms. Elizabeth Gorman has 12 years of experience in higher education, with eight years directly assisting students with disabilities. Throughout her professional career, Elizabeth has driven faculty and staff initiatives focusing on the development of educational workshops, advocacy for students, and creating conducive learning environments through cultural change at the university level. She strives to create an affirming, supportive, and inclusive learning environment drawing on critical components when interacting with students. Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Northern Iowa, her Masters of Art in Vocational Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from The University of Iowa and is earning her Doctorate of Educational Leadership in Higher Education from Tarleton State University.
Ms. Gorman has been an active partner with various community and secondary educational resources assisting individuals with disabilities and a member of AHEAD, ILLOWA AHEAD for over five years and TX AHEAD.
Dr. Florencio U. Aranda III, (He/Him/His/Él ) obtained a B.A. in Spanish & Political Science, M.A. in Romance Languages, M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Texas Tech University (TTU) and a Master’s in Legal Studies from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Dr. Aranda III serves as the Director of Student Global and Community Connections within the Division of Global, Community, and First-Gen Initiatives at Tarleton State University.
Most recently, Dr. Aranda III served as the Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Texas Christian University (TCU). Prior to TCU, Dr. Aranda III worked as the Multicultural Latino/a/x Retention Advisor in the Office of Multicultural Affairs at South Dakota State University (SDSU). Prior to SDSU, he served as the Assistant Director of Safety Interventions for the TTU College of Education's East Lubbock Promise Neighborhood Grant.
In terms of volunteer and leadership experience, Dr. Aranda III serves as the Immediate Past State President of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE), Co-President of the Texas Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (TADOHE), and as Vice-President of the Mexican American College Education Fund, Inc. (MACE).
Dr. Wallace holds a bachelor of business administration in marketing and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stephen F. Austin State University where she was an Alumni Scholar. Elizabeth completed her doctorate of education in higher education at Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Wallace’s dissertation, How Christian students’ academic, emotional, spiritual, and social experiences impact their spiritual identity and development at a secular institution; a grounded theory approach focused on college student identity development.
Dr. Wallace began her work at Tarleton State University in 2006 as the Chief Housing Officer and served as the Director for Personnel & Resident Learning at Baylor University where Dr. Wallace received the prestigious Pillar of Baylor award and an honorary degree (Alumni By Choice.) Additionally, Elizabeth previously held positions at Stephen F. Austin State University including beginning her career in Financial Aid.
Elizabeth served as the Region III Representative for the Spirituality and Religion Knowledge Community for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and multiple professional committees. Her most recent publications include,
● Helvie-Mason, L. B., Maben, S. K., Endres-Parnell, P., Harris Bozer, A., Jones, N., Reynolds, M., Smith, M., Tabors, C., Wallace, E. (2021). Women’s Mentoring Network — From the Keyboards of Intentional Women. Journal of Texas Women School Executives. Vol. 6, 1-24.
● Wallace, E. (2017). How do christian students' academic, emotional, spiritual, and social experiences impact their spiritual identity and development at a secular institution: A grounded theory approach. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research. Vol. 12, 3-74.
● Wallace, E. (2015). How do christian students' academic, emotional, spiritual, and social experiences impact their spiritual identity and development at a secular institution: A grounded theory approach (Order No. 3715898). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1709048291). Retrieved from https://zeus.tarleton.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1709048291?accountid=7078.
● Tull, A., & Wallace, E. (2014). Strategic Planning and Assessment for Student Affairs in the Community College. The Handbook for Student Affairs in the Community College. Herndon, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Elizabeth lives in Stephenville, Texas with her husband, Raymond. They have two daughters, Holly who lives in McGregor, Texas and Joshlyn, also a Stephen F. Austin alumna, and lives in Nacogdoches, Texas while pursuing her Master of Arts in Counseling.
Dr. Fitzpatrick comes to post-secondary education after a 20-year career in K-12, culminating in a key leadership role as a school district administrator. She brings with her expertise in long range program planning, community outreach, and curriculum development.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Chicago State University, a master’s in both educational technology and educational administration from Concordia University-Chicago, and a doctorate in philosophy from Texas State University. Her dissertation was titled Namaste in Teaching: How Yoga Affects Novice Teacher Resilience.
Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, she and her family relocated to Texas in 2013. Dr. Fitzpatrick currently lives in Stephenville, TX with her husband and four dogs. She enjoys yoga, crafting, traveling, and visiting museums.