Rockdale ISD graduate gets named University of Houston vice president

Rockdale native Daniel Villanueva has been named the University of Houston-Downtown’s new vice president of enrollment management. He will assume the role Feb. 1.

Villanueva will oversee the offices of Admissions, the Registrar, Scholarships and Financial Aid, Transition Programs, Student Communications and Testing Services.

“I am thrilled that Daniel Villanueva will be taking on the role of vice president of enrollment management here at UHD,” said Dr. Eric Carl Link, senior vice president for academic and student affairs and provost. “He has been a vital member of our enrollment team, and is an outstanding leader with an unrivaled commitment to the students of UHD.”

Villanueva, currently UHD’s associate vice president of enrollment management, joined the university in 2017. Prior to his current role, he served as assistant vice president of enrollment management and registrar.

“I’m humbled and honored to accept this opportunity,” Villanueva said. “Inter im President Dr. Antonio D. Tillis and Provost Link are two phenomenal leaders whom I’m excited to work with in leading UHD’s enrollment.”

He will succeed Dr. Jimmy Jung, who is departing the institution to join Rowan University in New Jersey.

Villanueva’s professional higher education experience began at Blinn College, where he served as Director of Student Affairs. He later served as Dean of Student Services & Enrollment Management for Lone Star College.

He is currently a doctoral candidate in higher education administration at Texas A&M University. He holds a master’s degree in psychology from Texas Christian University and a bachelor’s degree political science from Texas Tech University. He graduated from Rockdale High School in 2000.

“I am looking forward to working with him over the coming months and years, and under his leadership I expect that our enrollment at UHD will continue to grow and thrive,” Link said. “He is an administrator with dedication and drive, and I am confident that he is the right choice for leading UHD into the future.”