M.Ed. Adult and Higher Education | University of Houston-Victoria, 2023
BS, Business/Corporate Communication | University of Houston-Downtown, 2015
Grace Avila joined UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry in 2015 and is the senior administrative manager in the Office of Student and Academic Affairs.
In her role, Mrs. Avila is actively involved in the planning and execution of a variety of signature events and programs at or on behalf of the School of Dentistry, including commencement ceremony, white coat ceremony, student and resident orientation, and other special events, such as senior awards, scholarship awards, and dental prom.
As the primary administrative liaison to UTHealth Houston, she also works closely with Professional Billing Services to resolve administrative issues at the dental school related to student services, scholarship verification, tuition, billing, and compliance.
Mrs. Avila has consistently demonstrated exceptional organizational abilities, acute attention to detail, and strong leadership qualities throughout her career. Her expertise in managing complex administrative tasks, overseeing operational efficiency, and fostering collaborative work within UTHealth Houston has contributed significantly to the success of the Office of Student and Academic Affairs, the advancement of education at the School of Dentistry, and the overall success of the university.
She diligently works to streamline processes, optimize resources, and drive results. Her noted interpersonal skills and ability to forge strong relationships with colleagues, faculty, staff, and students have enabled her to effectively navigate complex organizational structures and facilitate open lines of communication.
In addition to her duties, Mrs. Avila is a frequent mentoring program participant, sharing her knowledge to aid in the professional growth of others.
At UTHealth Houston, Mrs. Avila serves as the program manager for the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP), a free, six-week, career-enrichment program for pre-dental, pre-med, and pre-nursing students held from late May to early July in partnership between the School of Dentistry, McGovern Medical School, and Cizik School of Nursing. The program is designed to improve underrepresented and minority students’ chances of becoming successful applicants to health professional schools. UTHealth Houston was recognized in 2018 for its SHPEP experience video.
Mrs. Avilla is the current chair of the university’s Organization for Multicultural Employees and past chair of the Organization for Women.
As a Native Houstonian, Mrs. Avila received her bachelor’s degree in business and corporate communications from the University of Houston-Downtown in 2015. Committed to continued growth and learning, she completed a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Houston-Victoria in 2023.