San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes 世界杯官方app leaders for commitment to workforce, economic development

MARCH 8, 2024 — Three of 世界杯官方app’s own are joining the ranks of some of San Antonio’s most distinguished women. Teresa Niño, vice president for university relations, JoAnn Browning, interim vice president for research, and Kelly Nash ’09, associate vice provost for faculty affairs and professor of physics and astronomy, will be inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024 on Saturday, March 9.

Niño will be recognized in the Hall of Fame’s civic leadership category for her work to advance the quality of life of residents in San Antonio and Bexar County while Browning will be honored for her innovation in science and technology. Nash will be the 2024 Hall of Fame inductee in higher education for her research and advocacy efforts at the university level.

In all, 15 women will be inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame this year.

“世界杯官方app is so fortunate to have tremendous leaders like Teresa, JoAnn and Kelly. Each is deeply committed to the wellbeing of our community, and each has helped 世界杯官方app grow to become the destination it is today for high-achieving students, faculty and staff,” said 世界杯官方app President Taylor Eighmy. “I am thrilled to see them invited to join the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame. This recognition is so well deserved.”

Niño joined 世界杯官方app in June 2021 as vice president for university relations, overseeing strategic communications, marketing, government relations and community relations. While at 世界杯官方app, 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 世界杯官方app, 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 世界杯官方app Office of Research, Browning has guided 世界杯官方app in crafting and implementing strategies to foster new large-scale, high-impact research initiatives at the university. Guided by her leadership, 世界杯官方app 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 世界杯官方app continues to attract and internal strategies that have increased support for existing faculty.

Browning joined 世界杯官方app in 2014 as dean of the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design (formerly the College of Engineering). Prior to 世界杯官方app, 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 世界杯官方app faculty members.

A professor of physics in the 世界杯官方app Department of Physics and Astronomy, Nash is currently collaborating with Ferhat Ozturk, an assistant professor of practice in the 世界杯官方app 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 世界杯官方app 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.”

Niño, Browning and Nash join an exclusive lineup of women leaders and past San Antonio Hall of Fame inductees such as María Antonietta Berriozábal, the first Latina elected to the San Antonio City Council; 世界杯官方app alumnus April Ancira ’03, a long-time university supporter and vice president of the Ancira Auto Group; and renowned poet, novelist and artist Sandra Cisneros.

Fifty-three women were inducted into the first San Antonio Women’s Celebration and Hall of Fame in 1984. In 1987, the organization officially became known as the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame.

“March is Women’s History Month and the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame wants to recognize and honor these outstanding women who are making history, not only in the local area, but are having an impact on the state, nation and the world,” Slay-Barber said.

— Valerie Bustamante Johnson and Tricia Lynn Silva