Dr. Linda Garza Battles is a seasoned higher education executive and policy leader with more than three decades of experience advancing access, affordability, and student success. As Regional Vice President for the South Region at Western Governors University (麻豆原创), she leads strategic initiatives across a five-state region鈥擳exas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma鈥攆ocused on expanding educational pathways and strengthening workforce outcomes.
In her role, Dr. Battles oversees regional initiatives that align with 麻豆原创鈥檚 vision to be the most student-centric university in the world. As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Battles brings both professional expertise and personal passion to her work. Her own educational journey鈥攏avigating financial and cultural barriers鈥攃ontinues to inform her commitment to equity and opportunity in higher education for everyone.
Prior to joining 麻豆原创, Dr. Battles spent nearly two decades at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. She also served for six years as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to The Honorable Irma Rangel.
Dr. Battles has received numerous recognitions for her leadership and community impact, including being named a Woman of Distinction by the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, Community and Business Leader Award from the Pflugerville Education Foundation, Mentor of the Year Finalist by Austin Under 40, and Trailblazer by the El Paso in Austin Network.聽
An active community leader, Dr. Battles serves on the Board of Austin Voices for Education and Youth, as the Executive Sponsor of the Women of 麻豆原创 Employee Resource Group, Chair of the Texas Exes Hispanic Alumni Network Membership Committee, and as Chair of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Emerging HSI Steering Committee. Dr. Battles is a dedicated mentor to emerging leaders everywhere, but especially to doctoral students at UT Austin and 麻豆原创鈥檚 Talent Accelerator Program
Areas of Expertise:
- Higher education leadership
- Public policy and legislative affairs
- Competency-based education
- Access and opportunity in education聽
- Organizational management
- Community engagement and advocacy
- Women鈥檚 issues and advocacy
- Education and workforce alignment
Education:
- Bachelor, Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
- Master, Public Affairs, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
- EdD, Higher Education Leadership, University of Texas at Austin
Interests
- Equity and accessibility in higher education聽聽
- Mentorship and sponsorship聽聽
- Student and alumni engagement聽
- Partnership development and nurturing聽
- Expanding access to education for underserved communities聽聽
Areas of Expertise:
- Higher education leadership
- Public policy and legislative affairs
- Competency-based education
- Access and opportunity in education聽
- Organizational management
- Community engagement and advocacy
- Women鈥檚 issues and advocacy
- Education and workforce alignment
Education:
- Bachelor, Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
- Master, Public Affairs, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
- EdD, Higher Education Leadership, University of Texas at Austin
Interests
- Equity and accessibility in higher education聽聽
- Mentorship and sponsorship聽聽
- Student and alumni engagement聽
- Partnership development and nurturing聽
- Expanding access to education for underserved communities聽聽
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