Meet the Senior VP of Student Affairs
Dr. Becky Spurlock is the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at The University of Texas Permian Basin. Dr. Spurlock's portfolio includes the Enrollment Management teams, comprised of Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, and Registrar. In addition, she leads the Student Affairs, Student Success, and the Shepperd Leadership Institute teams. She also holds an appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership in the College of Education.
Prior to joining UT Permian Basin, she served in several leadership roles at public and private universities in both Texas and Tennessee. As a first-generation college student, she believes in the transformational power of higher education.
An educator, sought after speaker and leader in the field of Student Affairs, she regularly teaches, speaks, and consults on developing community, leadership, strategic planning, and assessment. Dr. Spurlock has more than 25 years of experience in Student Affairs. A high-energy speaker, Dr. Spurlock is known for her ability to engage audiences, address difficult topics, and connect through humor.
Trained in narrative analysis and as a qualitative researcher, Dr. Spurlock uses stories to connect, teach, and deepen relationships. Dr. Spurlock has a Ph.D in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M University as well two degrees from Texas State University, a B.S. in Recreational Administration, and an M.Ed in Counseling and Guidance. In 2017, Dr. Spurlock completed the Management and Leadership Education Program Certificate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Dr. Spurlock has been named as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Education in 2023 by Women We Admire. Dr. Spurlock was named a Pillar of the Profession in 2022. She has served on the NASPA Board of Directors, is the Past Region III Director, and served two terms on the NASPA Center for Women Board of Directors. Dr. Spurlock is the past director for the NASPA Region III/SACSA Mid-Manager’s Institute. She serves as a member of the Student Affairs on Campus Editorial Board. She is also the recipient of the John Koldus Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA Region III. NASPA is the leading voice for the Student Affairs Profession worldwide.
Fun Facts about Dr. Spurlock
Lightning round:
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- Favorite book: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
- Favorite movie: The Nativity! (a British comedy)
- Favorite music: 1980’s dance music
- Favorite food: Breakfast tacos
We hear you love to decorate for the holidays. Which is your favorite and how many bins does it take to store all your goodies?
I love, love, love, to decorate every room in the house for Christmas. Last year, we had 5 Christmas trees! I have a 20 bins of decorations not counting all the trees.
What do you like most about West Texas?
The beautiful sunsets
What are your favorite activities to do with your family?
Travel! We love to travel near and far to explore museums, libraries, cultures, and historical sites.
What advice would you give your college self?
Worry less. Keep working hard and you’ll have opportunity. The worry keeps you small when you can dream big.
What do you value most about UT Permian Basin?
UT Permian Basin makes getting a college degree possible for many students. Getting a college degree changes the economic future of someone’s life. More than that though, it changes how someone approaches their life and the ways they give back. I really value getting to spend my time working in a place that is changing lives.