UHD President Loren J. Blanchard

Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and ongoing commitment to excellence throughout our search for the Vice President of Student Success and Student Life (3SL). Today, I am pleased to announce that Lisa Joyner has accepted this position and will officially join our UHD family on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023.

In this position, Ms. Joyner will lead our continued development of strategies that enhance access, optimize learning, improve student life, and increase retention and graduation rates. She will work collaboratively across campus to implement innovative and holistic approaches to student success that cultivate dynamic academic environments and nurture students to their full potential.

Ms. Joyner joins us from Arizona State University where she currently serves as Dean of Students. She has more than 16 years of experience in health and well-being, student engagement, and student conduct across public and private universities. Throughout her career, Ms. Joyner has focused on the holistic well-being of underrepresented populations with an emphasis on affinity building, engagement, and access. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Community Health and a Bachelor of Science in Health Education. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California. Her doctoral research on predictive analysis and early intervention; her work with universities, state, and local agencies; and her experience in diverse settings make her an ideal fit for the unique needs of our student body.

As I bring this letter to a close, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Alonzo for leading the Division of Student Success and Student Life during this extended search, to the 3SL staff for its continued commitment to excellence, to the search committee members for their dedication throughout this process, and to those in our UHD community who provided feedback on our two finalists. Your support of the University’s mission and commitment to student success is what keeps us Gator strong.

 Please join me in welcoming Lisa Joyner to the University of Houston-Downtown.

Sincerely,

Loren J. Blanchard, Ph.D.
President, University of Houston-Downtown