Leticia G. Acosta

Director, Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders

Leticia G. Acosta became Program Director of Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leader and the Hispanic Leadership Initiative at the McCombs School of Business in January 2012; however, she is no stranger to The University of Texas or to the Subiendo Academy. A native of Bay City, TX, she graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government.

Acosta worked for 10 years in various leadership roles with the Texas Exes, an independent alumni association for The University of Texas at Austin, including Director of Alumni Relations and Deputy to the Executive Director. She managed the association’s legislative advocacy program of 1600 alumni and friends, whose mission was to advocate on behalf of UT with the state legislature, worked with the Board of Directors on governing matters for the Exes, and had oversight of the university’s domestic and international chapters around the world.

From 1997-2001, she served as chief of staff to then Speaker Pro Tempore and Dean of the Texas House of Representatives, D.R. Tom Uher, where she was able to work closely on higher education policy.

Acosta has served on the Board of Directors for the Young Texan’s Society of the UT Club, an officer with the Texas Exes Hispanic Alumni Network, and executive officer with the Hispanic Faculty and Staff Association at UT Austin. In 2007, Acosta was honored by the Texas Exes Matagorda County Chapter with the Distinguished Alumnus Award and a “Key to the City” from the Mayor of Bay City.

Catherine Rodarte

Program Coordinator, Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders

Catherine, a native of El Paso, TX attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in International Relations & Global Studies. While at UT, Catherine was involved in multiple student organizations like ALPFA, UT Service Scholars, and Kappa Delta Chi National Sorority, Inc. As a student, Catherine also had the opportunity to both study abroad in Paris, France and intern at the Texas State Capitol during the 83rd Legislature.

Upon graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in 2013, Catherine began her career in higher education by serving as a College Advisor with the Advise TX College Advising Corps. Through that role, she was able to assist the students of El Dorado High School with the college application and financial aid process, and promote college access and higher education throughout the school community. Catherine eventually made her way back to her alma mater when she accepted a position as an Admissions Counselor with UT’s Office of Admissions. Throughout the nearly three years she spent in Admissions, Catherine held various admissions and financial aid roles, and recruited students from the Central TX and El Paso territories.

Catherine’s current role as Program Coordinator for Subiendo continues to allow her to work with rising college students in their leadership and student development. Catherine strives to stay involved in her community by serving as a steering committee member for the El Paso in Austin Network, a member of the Texas Association of College Admissions Counselors, and was elected to serve as the Public Relations Officer for the Hispanic Faculty Staff Association at UT. In addition, Catherine is excited to begin her Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration at The University of Texas at Austin this Fall.