The Institute is an independent organization within the UT System and therefore ultimately governed by the UT System Board of Regents. The executive director reports directly to the Chancellor. An Advisory Council, comprised of university, business, foundation, education, and community leaders, provides advice and support to IPSI. In addition to the executive director (Marina Walne), the management team includes four directors (Tammy Kreuz, Karen Nelson, Matt Orem, and Heather Zavadsky), an Associate Director of Research & Evaluation, several project coordinators and program managers, and a business manager.
Dr. Marina Walne, Executive Director, is responsible for overseeing current and future public education projects, including TRACK and related projects, Early College High School projects, Texas Reading First, the TEA-UT System liaison, and pending proposals, if funded.
Dr. Tammy Kreuz, Director for Educator Quality Initiatives, is responsible for the successful implementation of the Texas Teacher Advancement Program (TAP), a $25 Million Teacher Incentive Fund grant from the US Department of Education, and a state-level technical assistance program aimed at supporting Texas school districts who are implementing an educator performance pay program.
Karen Nelson, Director of Academic Foundation Initiatives, manages the implementation of support and professional development for the 700 Reading First schools in Texas, supervising five Project Managers and 64 Reading Technical Assistance Specialists. In addition, Karen supports other statewide initiatives in pre-K through 5th grade.
Matt Orem, Director of College Access Initiatives, is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the early financial aid estimator, TexasCollegeMoney.org, and the National Association of State Land Grant Colleges College Costs Calculator for the Voluntary System of Accountability. He leads the Café Con Leche parent support network and UT Volunteer Corps for College outreach and public awareness programs and is also the Director for the College for Texans Web Portal development at Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Dr. Heather Zavadsky, Director of Policy & Communication, is responsible for working with UT System and its 15 institutions to create the infrastructure, tools, and products to connect and inform educators and policymakers on college readiness, access, and success.
Dr. E. Michael Bohlig, Associate Director for Research & Evaluation, is responsible for working with all divisions to design and oversee evaluations of all grant programs in IPSI and publications of evaluation and research reports. Dr. Bohlig is also serving as the interim manager of the high school TRACK project.
Cecilia Arias-Boze, Business Manager, manages the department’s fiscal operations, ensure compliance within the purchasing, accounting and contracts/grants functions for all center funding sources. In addition, Ms. Arias-Boze maintains a system of internal controls with specific attention to risk assessment, track and review operating budgets, provide budget forecasts, oversee maintenance of records, preparation of financial reports, oversee billing of receivables, payables/reimbursements and purchasing.
Dr. Marina Walne |
Executive Director |
|
Dr. Tammy Kreuz |
Director of Educator Quality Initiatives |
512-322-3757
|
Karen Nelson |
Director of Academic Foundation Initiatives |
512-499-4245
|
Matt Orem |
Director of College Access Initiatives |
512-499-4266
|
Dr. Heather Zavadsky |
Director of Policy and Communications |
512-499-4355
|
Dr. E. Michael Bohlig |
Associate Director for Research & Evaluation |
512-499-4373
|
Cecilia Arias-Boze |
Business Manager |
512-499-4737
|
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Cecilia Arias-Boze |
Business Manager |
|
Elizabeth Barkowski |
Project Coordinator, Educator Quality Initiatives |
512-499-4562
|
Tracie Barrs |
Project Coordinator |
512-499-4592
|
Nicole Bevilacqua |
Executive Master Teacher, Educator Quality Initiatives |
512-499-4720
|
E. Michael Bohlig |
Associate Director of Research and Evaluation |
512-499-4373
|
Stephanie Barry |
Administrative Associate, Educator Quality Initiatives |
512-499-4248
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Roxanna Gonzalez |
Program Specialist, Reading First |
512-322-3799
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Pat Heisler |
Administrative Associate |
512-499-4246
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Tammy Kreuz |
Director, Educator Quality Initiatives |
512-322-3757
|
Marsha Loyd |
Project Manager, Reading First |
512-322-3750
|
Chris Lyons |
Administrative Assistant, Reading First |
512-499-4629
|
Margaret McCaughtry |
Project Manager, Reading First |
512-499-4327
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Keri McDonald |
Program Specialist, Educator Quality Initiatives |
512-499-4720
|
Daryl Michel |
Project Manager, Reading First |
512-579-5031
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Karen Nelson |
Director, Academic Foundation Initiatives |
512-499-4245
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Matt Orem |
Director, College Access Initiatives |
512-499-4266
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Erich Pelletier |
Program Manager, Web-based Products |
512-579-5181
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Tricia Perez |
Project Manager, Reading First |
512-322-3751
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Ruby Rivera |
College Access Outreach Coordinator |
512-499-4364
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Anissa Rodriguez |
Executive Master Teacher, Educator Quality Initiatives |
512-499-4694
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Sarah Rondinelli |
Administrative Associate, IPSI |
512-579-5072
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Joanna Taylor |
Project Manager, Reading First |
512-322-3751
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Marina Walne |
Executive Director, IPSI |
512-499-4672
|
Emily Vasile |
Graduate Research Assistant, Reading First |
512-579-5060
|
Emily Watson |
Program Specialist, College Access Initiatives |
512-579-5020
|
Anette Yanez |
Administrative Assistant, Reading First |
512-499-4705
|
Heather Zavadsky |
Director, Policy & Communications |
512-499-4355
|
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