Tawney's Transformational Tenure
Dr. Andrea Tawney to Depart Texas Tech Health El Paso After Seven Years of Transformational Leadership
Nearly $70 million raised under Tawney’s leadership to support students, community health, and biomedical research
Andrea Tawney, Ph.D., vice president of Institutional Advancement at Texas Tech Health El Paso, will depart the university on Sept. 30, 2025, after seven years of visionary leadership and service to the institution and our Borderplex .
Since joining Texas Tech Health El Paso in 2018, Dr. Tawney has been instrumental in advancing the university’s mission to improve health care access and educational opportunities in our region. Her strategic efforts made a lasting impact across West Texas and Southern New Mexico.
Under her leadership, the Office of Institutional Advancement has raised nearly $70 million in philanthropic support for the university. These funds have strengthened endowments, created scholarships, and supported critical community health programs and biomedical research. Thanks to her skills and experience in building donor relationships, Texas Tech Health El Paso is helping more students achieve their dream of becoming the next generation of physicians, dentists, nurses and researchers. Additionally, children, older adults and other vulnerable members of our community are accessing mental health services, dental care, and cancer education and screenings because of her development work over the past seven years.
Reflecting on her time at the university, Dr. Tawney said, “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve our Borderplex and help grow an institution that truly belongs to this community. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’ll always carry this mission and this region in my heart.”
As she looks ahead, Dr. Tawney plans to spend more time with family and focus on building capacity for others through her consulting work.
Dr. Tawney also spearheaded strategic marketing and communications efforts that significantly elevated the university’s presence across the state and nation. Under her leadership, the university embraced authentic storytelling that connected with the hearts and minds of donors, students and community members — deepening trust and amplifying the mission of Texas Tech Health El Paso. Among her many achievements, she played a pivotal role in securing millions in funding for the upcoming Fox Cancer Center — an initiative that will bring vital cancer services to a region in need and support the recruitment of world-class cancer specialists to lead this effort.
“Andrea has been a passionate and tenacious advocate for our students, patients and community members,” said Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A, president of Texas Tech Health El Paso and dean of the Foster School of Medicine. “Her impact is felt not only through the dollars raised and the programs launched, but in the culture of generosity and excellence she helped create.”
In addition to her institutional achievements, Dr. Tawney is widely recognized as a dedicated mentor, community leader and champion of our Borderplex. Her unshakable commitment earned her admiration both on campus and across the region. She has represented our community on numerous state and national boards, helping attract resources and elevate the region’s voice on key issues. In 2023, she was named a Woman of Impact by El Paso Inc.
Dr. Tawney earned a Ph.D. in higher education studies from Texas Tech University, with a focus on the predictors of academic success for first-generation college students. She holds a Master of Education in justice systems, policy and planning from Northern Arizona University. She also served four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
With a focus on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,600 professionals over the past decade. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.