HRD PhD Ambassador: Laura Waits

Laura Waits
2nd year PhD Student
Bullard, TX
Email: lwaits@patriots.uttyler.edu
LinkedIn

Profile

Higher education has been at the center of both my professional and academic journey. Working at UT Tyler has given me a firsthand view of how leadership decisions shape institutional growth, student success, and organizational culture. Those experiences inspired my research interest in university presidents and the leadership pathways that prepare individuals for the presidency. As a member of the program's inaugural cohort, I have valued the opportunity to learn alongside faculty and colleagues who are deeply invested in advancing higher education.

Education

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Personnel Management, Loyola University Chicago
• Master of Business Administration Strategic Marketing and Leadership, Texas A&M Victoria

Current Position

I serve as Assistant Vice President for Marketing at The University of Texas at Tyler, where I am responsible for advancing the university's digital infrastructure through web governance, accessibility compliance, and strategic initiatives that improve how students and stakeholders interact with the university online.

Why I chose UT Tyler?

I chose UT Tyler's Higher Education Leadership program because I believe the best leaders never stop learning. The program combines timely, relevant coursework with opportunities to immediately apply new concepts in practice. What sets the experience apart is the faculty's genuine investment in student success. Their mentorship and encouragement have challenged me to grow as a scholar and practitioner, ultimately making me a stronger leader and contributor to higher education.

Fun Fact

I’m a LEGO enthusiast who believes “everything is figureoutable.” Fittingly, my first job was buying toys for a national retail chain. When I’m not working or studying, my husband, a retired cop, and I love traveling the world and planning our next adventure.