Posted on June 2, 2026 by
June 2, 2026 —UT San Antonio Graduate School leadership has named William Land, PhD, professor of kinesiology, as associate dean for strategic initiatives. In this role, Land will oversee strategic initiatives and academic program development for The Graduate School, collaborating with university staff and leaders to strengthen graduate education and advance student success.
“We are delighted to welcome our new associate dean to The Graduate School,” said Heather Trepal, PhD, vice provost for graduate and postdoctoral studies and dean of The Graduate School. “Their distinguished experience, commitment to academic excellence, and passion for graduate student success make them an outstanding addition to our leadership team. We look forward to the positive impact Dr. Land will have on our graduate roadrunner community.”
With more than a decade of experience at UT San Antonio, Land brings a strong record of leadership in graduate education and strong institutional knowledge. Since 2019, Land has served as graduate advisor of record for kinesiology, guiding the program through transitions, leading new program proposal development and serving on the UT San Antonio Retention Task Force to better understand graduate student challenges.
As a Next-Gen Faculty Leadership Fellow, Land worked closely with the Graduate School leadership team to increase the number of institutional training grants awarded to UT San Antonio and supported faculty in navigating complex training grant applications. Land's six years of service on multiple graduate committees, including the Graduate Faculty Committee executive task force, have contributed to improved graduate student mentorship by establishing faculty best practices.
Land’s extensive background in graduate education, dedication to student success and experience leading key initiatives will be valuable as the Graduate School continues to enhance graduate education, resources and retention efforts.
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-Giselle Villalpando
