Biography and education
Dr. Michael Nava has over 25 years of experience as a leader in the areas of student development, college-readiness, academic advising, academic success support programs, assessment, and retention programs. Currently Michael is the Faculty Director and Associate Professor of Practice for the Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership Program at The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to this role, Michael was the Executive Director of Student Success Initiatives at UT-Austin. Between 2011 to 2020, Michael worked at Texas State University as Associate Dean for Student Services. He also held the positions of Assistant Dean and Director of the Texas Success Initiative Program with Texas State.
He has designed and implemented successful data-driven academic support programs and services, and through his professional career he has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to serving first generation, low income, transfer, and underserved students. He has received numerous awards for his work, including recognition for the STEM Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program by Excelencia in Education in 2019 as one of the “Programs to Watch.”
Michael is a two-time Longhorn graduate, having earned his PhD in Higher Education Administration and a BA in Psychology from UT Austin. His UT connections also include serving previously as Executive Director for TRIO Programs in the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. He has been active with Project MALES (Mentoring to Achieve Latino Educational Success) since 2010 and is currently Chair of the Texas Education Consortium for Male Students of Color.
He has designed and implemented successful data-driven academic support programs and services, and through his professional career he has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to serving first generation, low income, transfer, and underserved students. He has received numerous awards for his work, including recognition for the STEM Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program by Excelencia in Education in 2019 as one of the “Programs to Watch.”
Michael is a two-time Longhorn graduate, having earned his PhD in Higher Education Administration and a BA in Psychology from UT Austin. His UT connections also include serving previously as Executive Director for TRIO Programs in the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. He has been active with Project MALES (Mentoring to Achieve Latino Educational Success) since 2010 and is currently Chair of the Texas Education Consortium for Male Students of Color.
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Brown, Daniel A (Principal), Percent Contribution: %5, Nava, Michael E (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %5, Bolch, Kambra Kae (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %0. Project Maestros: Growing the Teacher Education Pipeline at Texas State University, U.S. Department of Education, Federal, $2445878. (Funded: October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2023). Grant.
- Brown, Daniel A (Principal), Nava, Michael E (Co-Principal), Bolch, Kambra Kae (Co-Principal), Cortez, Laura J (Co-Principal). IMPACTing STEM Success at Texas State University, U.S. Department of Education HSI STEM and Articulation Program, Federal, $5810032. (Funded: October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2021). Grant.
- Brown, D. (Principal), Nava, Michael E (Co-Principal). Career and Financial Education (CAFÉ): A Graduation Success and Career Readiness Initiative at Texas State University and Del Mar College, U.S. Department of Education, Office of post-Secondary Education, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program, Federal, $3200000. (Funded: October 2015 - September 2020). Grant.
- Brown, Daniel A (Principal), Nava, Michael E (Co-Principal). Career and Financial Education (CAFE) at Texas State University and Del Mar College, U.S. Department of Education Title V Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions Program, Federal, $3296975. (Funded: October 1, 2015 - September 30, 2020). Grant.
- Brown, Daniel A (Co-Principal), Nava, Michael E (Principal). Minority Males Initiative, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, State, $100000. (Funded: October 1, 2015 - September 30, 2017). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Brown, D. A., Janik, J., Nava, M. E., Marsden, M. B., & Ramirez, A. (2016). Implementing, assessing, and reporting career focused QEP’s at distinct institutions.
- Brown, D. A., Nava, M. E., & Bolch, K. K. (2016). PACE Yourself: Why the First Year Matters.
- Brown, D. A., & Nava, M. E. (2016). Personalized Academic & Career Exploration: A student success QEP at Texas State University.
- Brown, D. A., Nava, M. E., & Barrera, A. M. (2013). Implementing a holistic professional advisor model at a large research university.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Outstanding Dissertation Competition Finalist, American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) and Educational Testing Services (ETS). 2011
- Award / Honor Recipient: Certificate of Merit: Outstanding Advising Program Award Recipient, Longhorn Link Program at The University of Texas at Austin, National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). 2011
Featured service activities
- Member
Continuing, Professional, and Online Education (CP&OE) Leadership Council
- Member
The Executive Research Planning Committee
- Member
Personalize Academic and Career Exploration (PACE) Council
- Member
Orientation Planning Committee
- Member
PAWS Preview Committee
- Member
Academic Advising Council