Heather Snow

As Higher Education (HE) institutions become more diverse and dynamic, fostering connections and promoting engagement can pose a significant challenge for Student Affairs teams. Smaller campuses often have advantages to this end, offering unique opportunities to ensure students feel seen, supported, and valued.

Assistant Vice President (AVP) and Dean of Students at Texas Woman’s University (TWU), Heather Snow, took the time to speak with Co-Host of The Interview, Jack Eagle, about how TWU has built a culture of connection among students through meaningful relationships and holistic support.

Heather’s Journey

Jack: Let’s start with a brief introduction to yourself and your institution… 

I’m Heather Snow, and I’ve worked in Student Affairs for 23 years. After taking on roles at the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University, I spent the majority of my career at the University of Texas, Arlington (UTA). Then, in March 2024, I was afforded the tremendous opportunity to work as Assistant VP and Dean of Students at TWU.

We’re located in Denton with secondary campuses in Houston and Dallas, and we have around 16,000 students. As the largest American university system that is wholly focused on and primarily serves women, we’re something of a hidden gem. We’re a designated Hispanic serving institution, and are tied first according to US News & World Report for ethnic diversity among our undergraduate students, with a large Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander presence on campus. We’re also ranked first in America for students with children, second in Texas, and 45th in the nation for adding value to students’ learning potential, and hold a military-friendly designation. On top of all that, we have a powerhouse Division 2 athletic program, including nine women’s teams that all advanced to post-season play last year.

Jack: Following your move from Arlington, how have you found your first year at TWU?

UTA and TWU share a lot of similarities, both serving a diverse student body with a focus on social mobility and providing opportunities at a low cost. However, we’re drastically different from UTA because we serve a smaller number of students, and much of our learning takes place on campus. That makes it much easier to develop meaningful relationships with students, and I’ve absolutely loved being part of such a close-knit community.  

Jack: What drew you to a career in Student Affairs? 

Like many Student Affairs administrators from my generation, I never thought I would have the opportunity to attend university. Fortunately, I had a fantastic high school teacher, Ms. Claypool, who pushed me to apply and walked me through the process. I started my journey at Spalding University as an elementary education major and had a lot of administrators who took me under their wing when I was feeling lost. Eventually, I realized that a career in the classroom wasn’t the best fit for me, and those mentors encouraged me to explore a role in Student Affairs by explaining the profound impact we can have. That ability to change students’ lives was what initially drew me to the role, and it’s kept me coming back for 23 years. 

Jack: As a first-generation student yourself, how do you create a sense of belonging among TWU’s students?

Amid new federal and state laws that impact our work, it’s vital that students feel they genuinely belong here. Good relationships with staff members can be the difference maker in that regard, so we’ve focused on ensuring all students have opportunities to connect with their faculty or members of the administration in meaningful and profound ways. Our students want someone to see them for the person they are rather than just as a student, so I try to get to know them personally and, hopefully, act as that meaningful connection for at least a handful. 

In terms of campus culture, last year we opened our Center for First Generation Students with an outstanding team who focus on creating community from orientation through to graduation. They fill in knowledge gaps, provide resources, and go out to nineteen local high schools where they meet potential first-generation students and assist with their college applications. We’re also launching a laptop-loaner program this spring, enabling students to rent a laptop for the entire semester, and complete their assignments without needing to commute to campus. All of these initiatives were designed to meet students’ needs, and reinforce that they’ll always have a supportive community here. 

Jack: How do you ensure students engage with these resources and initiatives?

Creating a culture of engagement starts from the moment students join us, and much of my first six months here was spent reimagining our extended orientation program, Pioneer Camp. Previously, students would complete a series of learning activities as a class-based cohort, but we felt there wasn’t enough emphasis on the sense of belonging, pride, and tradition that promotes engagement. After extensive changes, we now have a day dedicated to what it means to be a Pioneer and part of TWU’s history, so students learn the fight song, the alma mater, and some of the stories behind our traditions. We also partnered with a company called Playfair to create an intensive networking day, helping students find common ground, build connections, and start forming their community. The final day of Pioneer Camp focuses on wellbeing and academic success, ensuring students leave with a clear understanding of the resources available to support them. Above all, we want them to know that, no matter what challenges they may face, there’s always a safety net that they can take advantage of if they need it.

‍Jack: What’s the best advice you’ve received during your career?

My first VP shared with me what he called the 80/20 rule. Essentially, if you ever reach a place where you’re not enjoying at least 80% of the work, it’s time to move on. The caveat is that you may not like how the current political climate affects your campus, you may struggle to work with a particular supervisor, or you may hate answering emails as much as I do. But new students will arrive, that difficult colleague will leave, and you’ll overcome the issue of the moment. Getting through that tough 20% is much easier if you still truly enjoy and have a passion for the majority of your work. I’m blessed to continue to have such a passion and love for my work and serving students even after 23 years.