Monica Christopher was recently installed as the inaugural president of Texas Woman’s University’s Dallas campus in a ceremony at the TWU T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences-Dallas Center in the Southwestern Medical District.

The event spotlighted the institution’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity, TWU said, and celebrated the stability rooted in Texas Woman’s 120-year legacy in Texas, including 70 years in Dallas.

“Today marks an exciting milestone for Texas Woman’s University in Dallas with the installation of Monica,” said Chancellor Carine Feyten, who delivered the keynote address at the event. “Her profound grasp of our educational and research objectives, coupled with her exceptional ability to engage with corporate and nonprofit sectors, positions her as a catalyst for fostering community involvement and shaping a strategic vision for our Dallas campus.”

“With Monica at the helm, I’m confident that our Dallas campus will emerge as a pivotal hub, propelling Dallas into a premier destination for top-tier higher education opportunities,” Feyten added.

Dr Carine Feyten and Monica Christopher [Photo: Leo Gonzalez/TWU]

Other speakers at the event included Dr. Ann Stuart, TWU chancellor emerita, who shared anecdotes of TWU’s history and her instrumental role in establishing the Dallas campus during her tenure as the inaugural chancellor. Dale A. Petroskey, president and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber, expressed enthusiasm for Christopher’s leadership at TWU Dallas and emphasized the pivotal role of innovation in healthcare workforce development.

UT Southwestern President Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky highlighted the impact of TWU Dallas’s presence in the Medical District and its collaborative efforts with UT Southwestern in advancing healthcare research.

At the event, Dallas City Council Member Jaynie Schultz officially designated March 27, 2024, as “Texas Woman’s University Day” in a proclamation from Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.

Dr Kern Wildenthal, Monica Christopher, and Marnie Wildenthal [Photo: Leo Gonzalez/TWU]

Boosting enrollment and community engagement at TWU Dallas

Christopher assumed leadership at TWU Dallas in February. The campus is known for its exceptional academic programs and groundbreaking research initiatives in nursing, allied health professions, and healthcare administration.

TWU said that Christopher’s appointment marks a significant milestone during a period of dynamic growth for Texas Woman’s University, the largest woman-focused university system in the nation.

In 2021, the Texas Legislature granted university system status to Texas Woman’s, which boasts campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. Currently, efforts are underway to appoint an inaugural president for the Houston campus, the system said.

Lottye Brodsky-Lyle (left) and Lucy Billingsley [Photo: Leo Gonzalez/TWU]

TWU’s Dream Big campaign

September marked the launch of Dream Big, Texas Woman’s University’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, the university system said. Set to culminate with the university’s 125th anniversary in 2026, Dream Big seeks to raise $125 million to support the university’s continued pursuit of excellence and innovation.

Christopher is a veteran fundraiser and community affairs strategist whose previous posts include executive and senior leadership roles at Communities Foundation of Texas and The Dallas Morning News/WFAA. She is charged with growing campus engagement and raising the visibility of TWU Dallas, particularly with respect to increased enrollment and expanded partnerships with health care, business, and community organizations.

“I’m deeply honored and filled with excitement to assume the role of the inaugural president of the Dallas campus at Texas Woman’s University,” Christopher said. “The university holds a rich legacy in Dallas, and I’m eager to collaborate with our exceptional faculty, staff, and students to expand the campus, uphold its tradition of excellence, and spotlight the exceptional degree programs it offers.”

Stacie McDavid and TWU Board of Regents Chair Steve Roderick [Photo: Leo Gonzalez/TWU]

Contributing to the healthcare workforce

Texas Woman’s first established a presence in Dallas in 1954, when the nursing program was launched at Parkland Hospital. Today, the T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences-Dallas Center is a 190,000-square-foot facility in the heart of the Southwestern Medical District.

Texas Woman’s has become a notable contributor to the healthcare workforce, graduating an average of 2,000 nursing and allied health professionals each year.

The Dallas campus is also home to the Stroke Center, which provides more than 5,000 hours of clinical, neuro-rehabilitation services annually at no cost to the community.

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