Diana Natalicio

1998 Inductee
Education

Dr. Diana Natalicio has long served with honor and distinction in the field of education. Her career began when she won a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has since continued to demonstrate a strong commitment in engaging people from various communities to promote education as one of their most cherished ideals.

Dr. Natalicio became president of The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in 1988. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Natalicio served as vice president for Academic Affairs, dean of Liberal Arts and chair of the Modern Languages.

One of Dr. Natalicio’s most significant achievements is her ability to encourage minority students to pursue higher education, as well as fostering stronger, more compassionate relationships among all students where differences are welcomed and celebrated. Under her leadership, the student population of UTEP grew, and now working students, working parents and single parents are able to find schedules that meet their needs.

In addition to her duties as UTEP president, Dr. Natalicio served on numerous boards and commissions, including the National Science Board, Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, Citizen’s Committee on Property Tax Relief and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.

Dr. Natalicio’s numerous awards and honors include the Harold W. McGraw, Jr., Prize in Education.