Dr. Diana Natalicio

President, The University of Texas El Paso

Diana Natalicio was named president of The University of Texas at El Paso in 1988. During her long and distinguished career with the University, she has served as vice president for academic affairs, dean of liberal arts, and chair of the modern languages department. During her tenure as president, UTEP’s enrollment has grown to more than 22,600 students, its annual budget has increased from $65 million to more than $395 million, research expenditures have grown from $6 million to more than $70 million per year, and doctoral programs from one to 19 during this same period.

She has served as member and vice chair of the National Science Board, on the boards of Trinity Industries, the U.S.-Mexico Foundation for Science, the Sandia Corporation and Internet2.  Her current appointments include the boards of the Rockefeller Foundation, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, and the American Council on Education. 

Dr. Natalicio was recognized in 2011 by the President of Mexico with the Orden Mexicana del Aguila Azteca, the highest honor bestowed on foreign nationals.  She is the recipient of the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education, was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame and was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award at The University of Texas at Austin.  She is the recipient of honorary doctoral degrees from Georgetown University, Smith College and the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon.  A graduate of St. Louis University, Dr. Natalicio earned a master’s degree in Portuguese and a doctorate in linguistics from The University of Texas at Austin.