Presentation: From Ideas to Action: Embedding Project Management in Student Success Initiatives
Abstract: Turning ideas into measurable outcomes is a challenge for every organization. At UT San Antonio, Academic Affairs tackled this by creating the Ruby Team, a cross-functional leadership group focused on student success. A key innovation was to embed project managers directly into leadership structures.
This session explores the framework that powers the Ruby Team’s work and shows how coordinated project management can transform collaboration and accountability. Through real examples, you’ll see how this approach improved student retention and completion rates—and how the same principles can apply to any sector.
Key takeaways include:
- A proven framework for aligning leadership, strategy, and execution
- Practical insights on embedding project managers for maximum impact
- Transferable lessons for managing complex initiatives and portfolios
PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working
Biography: Katie Meersman currently serves as Chief of Staff and Associate Vice Provost for Academic Operations and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Texas at San Antonio. As a member of the Academic Affairs leadership team, she serves as a senior advisor to the provost and provides overall direction, administration, planning, and project management for strategic academic initiatives. Prior to joining UT San Antonio, she worked at UNC-Chapel Hill for nine years in various roles related to project management in online learning and instructional design.
She holds a PMP certification and a master’s degree in technical and professional communication.
