EL PASO, Texas — A national organization continues to recognize outstanding leaders at Texas Tech Health El Paso.
Araceli Moreno, M.Ed., is part of a vital team in the University’s Student Affairs and Student Engagement Office that helps students get on the path to success.
Moreno, associate director of financial aid and veterans affairs coordinator, was recently selected for a prestigious nine-month leadership development program sponsored by AACRAO (American Association of College and Admissions Offices).
Moreno is one of 10 scholars selected from across the nation to participate in the 2024-2025 ASCEND program, which aims to prepare mid-career professionals from historically underrepresented backgrounds for leadership positions in enrollment management, a field dedicated to student success in higher education.
“Participating in this program is an incredible opportunity to not only improve my professional skills but also contribute more effectively to the success and well-being of students,” Moreno said. “I look forward to using the knowledge and insight I gained to make a meaningful impact at Texas Tech University Health Paso and further my career in higher education administration.”
ASCEND provides scholars with curriculum, coaching and mentoring experiences while teaching the concept of Strategic Enrollment Management, known as SEM, a comprehensive process that focuses on the entire higher education journey: student attraction, enrollment and retention, and graduation.
Moreno describes SEM as a holistic approach to managing students’ higher education experience.
“For the university to reach its enrollment goals and, most importantly, support student success, collaboration across multiple departments, including admissions, financial aid, student services and student affairs, is necessary,” she said.
ASCEND provides countless learning and networking opportunities for Moreno and the other program scholars, as they participate in two-hour virtual classroom sessions three times a month led by AACRAO’s team of SEM faculty and coaches representing universities across North America.
Scholars will also attend events and conferences across the country to learn from experienced SEM professionals and mentors. Visits will include AACRAO’s 34th annual SEM conference in Boston in November and the organization’s 110th annual meeting in Seattle in March 2025.
Moreno looks forward to using the knowledge she gained from this program and the valuable connections she has made in the higher education field to enhance student success at Texas Tech University El Paso. As an ASCEND Scholar, Moreno will serve in a leadership role in the Student Affairs and Student Engagement Office.
“The ASCEND Leadership Development Program will equip me with valuable skills in team management, decision-making, and mentorship so I can more effectively inspire and lead my teams,” said Moreno. “Honest these leadership competencies will enable me to more effectively support student success through strategic planning, fostering a supportive environment, and advocating for academic and personal growth.”
About Texas Tech University El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso is the only health science center on the U.S.-Mexico border, serving 108 historically underserved counties in West Texas. Designated a Title V Hispanic Serving Institution, the center is developing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom are Hispanic and often first-generation students.
Founded as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a diverse, unique and innovative home for education and research.
With a mission to remove barriers to health care and create life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, Texas Tech Health El Paso has produced more than 2,400 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade and is on track to add dentists to its graduating class beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.
