Meet our Team

Brett Last serves as Texas State University’s Chief Human Resources Officer and is responsible for leading and supporting functions and services that enhance the employee experience. He provides strategic direction and development for the HR team, shaping HR strategy and delivering services in the areas of staff employee relations, benefits administration, well-being, data management, talent acquisition and development, HR communications, and classification and compensation. | "Texas State is a community of proud and engaged employees- the positive energy is contagious!"

Patty Cano, She/Her/Hers, Senior Administrative Assistant, Human Resources | 512-245-2557
Patty provides high-level administrative support for the Office of Human Resources Associate Vice President, senior management, and the HR team as a whole. She manages the departmental budget, travel, and individual and group calendar events, amongst many other strategic day-to-day tactical expertise in her role. | "The best thing about being a Bobcat employee is working with leaders who lead to succeed!"

Selma oversees time and leave management, including time administrator and supervisor training, reports, and policy compliance. Selma manages Family and Medical Leave (FMLA), sick leave pool, and donated sick leave requests. She also assists with insurance benefits and New Employee Welcome (NEW) I. | "My favorite thing about being a Bobcat employee is meeting new people on a daily basis."

Leah Cuellar, She/Her/Hers, HR Analyst  | 512-245-2572
Leah assists Texas State employees with retirement plan-related questions and New Employee Welcome I. She is the point of contact once employees are ready to retire and works with retirees to complete all necessary paperwork. Leah received her Bachelor's in Communication from Texas State. | "My favorite part of being a Bobcat employee is enjoying this beautiful campus during my daily wellness walks!"

Alexandra coordinates insurance for all Texas State employees and assists with benefits-related questions. She is responsible for the facilitation of New Employee Welcome (NEW) I, prior state service processing for new employees, and maintenance of employee personnel records within SAP. | "I enjoy helping fellow Bobcats throughout their employment journey with TXST and building relationships through day-to-day interactions."

Elisha assists the HR Benefits team with calculating prior state service, onboarding employees during New Employee Welcome (NEW) I, and assists customers with insurance and benefit-related questions. Elisha received her BBA and MBA from Sul Ross State University. | "My favorite thing about working at Texas State is enjoying the beautiful campus and being able to help people. I've found there are endless ways to serve the people around me."

Rose Trevino, M.A., She/Her/Hers, Well-Being Program Manager | 512-245-1390
Rose partners with campus leaders to design and implement effective well-being programs and monitor the daily operations of these programs. She also manages the relationships with healthcare providers and vendors to contribute to the greater health of the campus community. | "My favorite part of being a Bobcat employee is wellness release time, I can focus on my well-being"

Jess Youngs, She/Her/Hers, Well-Being Representative | 512-245-1268
Jess supports the well-being coordinator by helping with outreach and promoting well-being resources like WellCats. Jess studied Exercise Science at Pennsylvania Western University and has a personal training certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. | "My favorite thing about being a Bobcat is us - we are what's NEXT, and I'm excited for the future Bobcats are building together!"

Alicia F. Barthel, M.Ed., PHR She/Her/Hers/Ella, Executive Director, Talent Strategy | 512-245-3199 

Alicia manages the Talent Acquisition team, supports the strategic development of community partnerships, and assists in creating talent pipelines to secure a diverse talent pool. She supports applicant tracking, career fairs, and employment eligibility verifications. Alicia is working on an MSIS with a focus on Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies from TXST. | "I love working at TXST because I get to do what I love while being part of the bigger picture."

Michelle Aguilar, She/Her/Hers, Senior Administrative Assistant, Human Resources | 512-245-6626
Michelle provides administrative support to the Director of Talent Strategy through a variety of administrative tasks related to the oversight of Talent Acquisition, and Talent Development & Communications. | "The best things about being a Bobcat employee are the wonderful people I have met and worked with over the years."

Deana Townsend, She/Her/Hers, Talent Acquisition Strategist | 512-245-6172
Deana manages the Talent Acquisition team, supports the strategic development of community partnerships, and assists in creating talent pipelines to secure a robust and qualified talent pool. She assists with applicant tracking, career fairs, and employment eligibility verifications. She provides training for hiring managers on PeopleAdmin, posting jobs, interviewing, and hiring best practices. | "The best thing about being a Bobcat employee is being able to be a student and work full-time. I feel like I am getting the full experience."

Sebastian Reyes, He/Him/His, Talent Acquisition Recruiter | 512-245-2290
Sebastian assists with all the hiring needs of the various departments across Texas State University. Always ensuring to be available and provide a high level of customer service to any and all hiring managers. Sebastian received his Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University. | “I love working at TXST because I love getting to work with such knowledgeable leaders.”

Justin Mirelez, He/Him/His, Talent Acquisition Recruiter | 512-245-1644
Justin works with tenure-line and non-tenure-line faculty hiring. He works on quality control of job postings, recommendations for hires, and every facet of the University's hiring policy. Justin advises and makes recommendations to search chairs on best practices and policies related to hiring. Just received his BA in Criminal Justice from American Military University, and is working on a Master of Human Resource Management. | "My favorite thing about working at TXST is the sense of belonging that comes from being a member of a small team with a big mission for the university."

Katrina Meadors, She/Her/Hers, Talent Acquisition Recruiter | 512-408-2497
Talent Acquisition Recruiter Katrina helps lead the recruitment efforts for exceptionally skilled faculty at TXST. Her responsibilities include ensuring adherence to the university's hiring guidelines at every step and providing guidance and suggestions to the search committee on optimal hiring practices and policies. | “The culture and campus — both are beautiful aspects of an amazing institution.”

Blake Bissing, Manager, Compensation | 512-245-4359
Blake manages the compensation section and oversees the university’s pay plan and compensation and classification processes to help Texas State University attract, retain, and reward Bobcat employees. He supports position management, state reporting, internal equity, and market compensation analyses. | "The best part of being a Bobcat employee is being a part of the university that serves so many first-generation students."

Elizabeth Cruz, Human Resources Analyst | 512-245-2071
Elizabeth is responsible for providing analyses related to staff compensation, classification, FLSA overtime status, maintaining the University pay plan, conducting job audits, assisting with the annual salary review process, and related activities. Elizabeth received her BBA in Management with a Human Resources Concentration from Texas State University.

Tammy Coyle, Manager, Employee Relations | 512-245-2735
Tammy oversees the Employee Relations area and Performance Management process for staff employees. Employee Relations services include consultation, facilitation, mediation, workplace investigations, and training. Tammy also provides consultation and training regarding the performance management process. | "I enjoy the customer service aspect of being in Human Resources."

Cynthia (Cindy) Keilers, Employee Relations Specialist | 512-245-3061
Cindy conducts workplace investigations, provides guidance for the grievance process, promotes conflict resolution, and other ER services in order to advance the concerns of staff employees at Texas State. This includes collaborating with university partners, conducting research, tracking, analyzing, and reporting data. Cindy also supports the new Performance Management process. | "I love being a part of the big picture, not just a department within the university."

Ernesto (Ernie) Rendon, Employee Relations Specialist | 512-408-8416
Ernie conducts workplace investigations and provides advice on all employee relations topics. This includes maintaining positive employee relationships and ensuring compliance with employment laws. Ernie handles employee records, facilitates training, and provide guidance on HR policies and procedures. | “Helping people is my business, and business is great!”

Katie Bonner, Manager, HRIS | 512-245-2673
Katie has been with the Texas State University HR team since 2011, starting on the Benefits Team and transferring to the HRIS Team in 2013. Now the Manager of the HRIS Team, she oversees all HRIS functions, including personnel change requests, SAP Organizational Management, and SAP HR Security. Katie is also responsible for University Longevity Pay, managing HR data for the Salary Allocation Pool, supervising HR audits, employment verifications, open-records, and handling subpoenas and court orders. Additionally, she leads HR technology projects and SAP support pack testing.

Teresa Duggins, She/Her/Hers, Sr. HRIS Analyst | 512-245-2733
Teresa maintains the University’s SAP organizational structure for staff, student workers, and non-academic department graduate students; this includes creating new positions and updating positions (costing and reclassification information). She processes Non-Student Non-Regular Staff PCR’s, Supervisor Change Requests, and SAP HR Security Requests for non-academic divisions. Teresa graduated from Texas State in '87.

Lisa Gonzalez, HRIS Analyst | 512-245-4602
Lisa is a member of the HRIS Team, responsible for processing all hourly student worker and student task worker appointments (PCRs). She also assists with processing PCR appointments for staff employees. | “I love being a Bobcat employee! Texas State University has been my place of employment for over 30 years! This is a great place to work!”

Lori Kinser, She/Her/Hers, HRIS Analyst | 512-245-2732
Lori, who earned her BS in Applied Sociology from Texas State University, is responsible for processing personnel actions (PCRs) for faculty and Academic Affairs graduate students. She also compiles and sends HRIS data to state oversight agencies. Additionally, Lori assists with processing actions for other students and staff employees and maintains the university’s organizational structure within SAP. | “I love our beautiful campus!”

Virginia Sierra, Systems Support Specialist I | 512-245-2557
Virginia provides technical support to the department by maintaining all technology resources for the Office of Human Resources. She is part of the HRIS Team and participates with HR SAP support pack testing, technology-related charters or projects, and assists with HR SAP security requests and audits. | "I love working at such a beautiful campus."

Derek Tanner, HRIS Representative | 512-408-1320
Derek, who holds a B.A. in Political Science from Texas State (2010) and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Public History Studies, is a member of the HRIS team. Derek's primary duties include employee record-keeping, verifying employment, and managing subpoenas, open-records requests, and court orders related to university staff, student workers, and non-Academic Affairs graduate students. Derek also provides support for PCRs, SAP organizational management, HRIS People Admin, and data entry for numerous university employees.

AJ Arredondo, He/Him/His, HRIS Analyst | 512-408-8676
AJ, who holds a BSBA in IT Management and is currently pursuing an MBA in IT Management, is responsible for processing faculty and Academic Affairs graduate student appointments (PCRs) and supports full-time and student staff appointments. AJ also works with HRIS state reporting and serves as a backup for SAP Organizational Management. | "My favorite thing about being a Bobcat employee is the opportunity to work with so many talented students and colleagues."

Jessie Ortiz, She/Her/Hers, HRIS Representative | 512-408-8986
Jessie is responsible for fulfilling requests for employee records, including routine employment verifications, open records requests, and court orders. Additionally, Jessie supports a range of processes for staff, ensuring efficient handling of these requests and contributing to the smooth operation of HR functions. | "My favorite thing about being a Bobcat Employee is our beautiful campus!"

Dani Dalrymple, M.A., She/Her/Hers, Manager, Talent Development & Communications | 512-245-6810
Dani leads the Communications and Development team through initiatives focused on employee growth, engagement, and retention. Dani received her M.A. in Communication Studies from Texas State University in 2015 and has certificates in both Corporate Communication Training & Development and Mediation & Dispute Resolution. | "My favorite thing about being a Bobcat employee is that TXST feels like home. I have loved watching TXST grow and evolve over the years."

Danielle administers educational support programs and facilitates diverse avenues for professional growth, contributing to a culture of continuous learning. Her commitment aligns perfectly with Texas State's emphasis on nurturing both professional and personal development among its staff and faculty. As an alumna, Danielle appreciates the university's unwavering commitment to promoting lifelong learning and providing a conducive atmosphere for professional growth. She plays a vital role in shaping a vibrant and dynamic learning community at the university.

Judy Herington, She/Her/Hers, Talent Development Representative | 512-245-1833
Judy supports the Talent Development & Communications team with administrative tasks and provides logistical and back-end support for development and community-building initiatives. She leads the employee recognition and awards programs, along with providing TXST employees with front-line customer support with SuccessFactors Learning. | "My favorite thing about being a Bobcat employee is that I have met so many wonderful people over the years across campus. I love helping people however I can and I love seeing our students learn, grow, and pursue their dreams."

Georgia Zaborowski, She, Her, Hers, HR Communications Representative II | 512.408.5982
Georgia oversees communication strategies for various HR functions that engage and inform Bobcat employees. She leads the development of mass HR communication through diverse media channels to deliver a strong and engaging brand message. Georgia received her B.S. in Public Relations at the University of Texas at Austin. | "My favorite thing about being a Bobcat is working on a team with people who have a passion and care about their community."

Asanti S. Wiley, She/Her/Hers, HR Communications Representative I | 512.408.6289
Asanti strategically cultivates Texas State HR messaging through innovative communication initiatives. Her role includes creating engaging content, enhancing employee engagement, supporting HR initiatives, and assisting the HR Communications Representative II with overarching projects. Additionally, she maintains the HR blog and website, and manages all HR photo needs. Asanti holds a BS in Advertising from Texas State University. | "I love Texas State's vibrant sense of community, collaborative spirit, and shared commitment to creating a supportive environment."