2026 Board of Directors Election Ballot

Nominees:

Director of Governance

Elizabeth Gorman

I am pleased to nominate Elizabeth Gorman for the position of Director of Governance. As the Director of Student Accessibility Services, she brings 12 years of experience in higher education, with eight years directly assisting students with disabilities. This type of leadership experience, deep knowledge of accessibility in higher education, and a strong commitment to professional service – all traits needed for the Director of Governance position. Liz possesses many of the skills essential for success in this role. Her experience as a director has required her to manage complex processes, maintain compliance with policies and procedures, facilitate productive meetings, and ensure accurate documentation—all directly aligned with the governance responsibilities of this position. In Liz’s current position, she has to be organized, detail-oriented, and dependable, qualities that are critical for a Board of Directors position with AHEAD in Texas. In addition, her collaborative leadership style would serve the Affiliate well in working with board members, membership, and national partners such as AHEAD. I wholeheartedly recommend Liz Gorman for the Director of Governance, and thank you for the opportunity to nominate her.

Director of Membership

Kayla Canis

I am seeking the opportunity to serve as Director of Membership because I am deeply committed to the mission of AHEAD in Texas and believe my experiences have prepared me to contribute meaningfully to the growth of our organization. My goal in this role is to be of service to the organization by expanding engagement and helping ensure that our work reflects the full network of professionals who support students with disabilities across higher education. My background reflects consistent leadership in membership engagement, communication, and program coordination. In my current role as a graduate research assistant for the inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disability at the University of North Texas, I collaborate daily with campus partners, employers, families, and community stakeholders while leading efforts to improve program systems and student outcomes. This work requires managing communication across multiple groups and responding to stakeholder needs to support student success, skills that directly align with serving as the primary liaison between an organization and its membership. I also mentor undergraduate staff and coordinate employment supports, further strengthening my ability to manage people and ongoing workforce development efforts. My service experiences reflect consistent, hands-on involvement in strengthening professional communities through both leadership and operational contributions. At the national level, I have served as a conference proposal reviewer for the Association on Higher Education and Disability and the Council for Exceptional Children, as well as a scholarship reviewer for the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. At the state level, in my role as Membership and Engagement Co-Chair for the Texas Council for Exceptional Children, I actively support member outreach, engagement initiatives, and communication efforts aimed at strengthening connection across professionals. Additionally, I have presented at numerous national and state conferences and served as a moderator. Institutionally, I serve as a Graduate Student Ambassador and as a member of the President’s Student Advisory Committee at the University of North Texas, roles in which I represent student perspectives, support outreach and recruitment efforts, and contribute to initiatives that enhance campus engagement and community-building. These experiences position me to effectively assist in developing a strong, organized conference program. Beyond the operational responsibilities, I believe I bring a perspective that can strengthen the direction of AHEAD in Texas. My work spans inclusive postsecondary education, secondary transition, and workforce development, and I have collaborated with professionals across each of these areas. Through this, I have seen a clear need to more intentionally connect professionals across disability support networks…within higher education and beyond. Universities are uniquely positioned as a central hub in this work, and AHEAD in Texas has the potential to lead in bringing together professionals to better support students entering, navigating, and exiting higher education. I see this as a strength that allows me to approach this role with both responsiveness and intention, ensuring that our systems reflect the needs and experiences of our members. I believe my combination of leadership in membership engagement, experience managing communication and programming, and deep involvement across research, practice, and professional organizations positions me to contribute to this role. More importantly, I am eager to use these experiences in service of AHEAD in Texas, strengthening our membership, and helping expand the impact of our organization across the state.

Alyssa Gutierrez

I am interested in serving on the AHEAD in Texas Board of Directors to support the organization’s mission of advancing access and equity for students with disabilities across the state. As the Director of the Center for Accommodations and Support Services at The University of Texas at El Paso, I work closely with students, faculty, and administrators to implement ADA‑compliant practices, support institutional accountability, and promote inclusive campus environments. I am particularly interested in the Director of Membership role as a meaningful way to engage with members, strengthen connections across institutions, and support professional growth within our affiliate. I value relationship‑building and collaboration and would welcome the opportunity to help expand member engagement, support retention, and ensure members feel connected to AHEAD in Texas’s work and leadership. Serving on the Board would allow me to contribute my experience in disability services leadership while continuing to learn from colleagues across the state. I am committed to being an active and reliable board member and supporting the organization in any capacity that benefits its members.

Director At-Large

Bryan Wilson

I am pleased to nominate Bryan Wilson for the position of Director At-Large. He is a dedicated disability professional, committed to supporting accessibility and student success. Bryan’s active involvement in our AHEAD in Texas organization reflects his genuine investment in the Affiliate’s growth and success. Bryan is especially well-suited to the flexible, service-oriented nature of the Director At-Large Nominations role. He is personable, observant, and responds thoughtfully to emerging needs—qualities that are essential for a position designed to support the Board across governance, communications, growth within the organization, and conference initiatives. I have interacted with Bryan at every Affiliate spring conference for the last few years, and I believe him to be the perfect addition to the AHEAD in Texas Board of Directors. A bonus is that Bryan was a social media coordinator (in another life) and might also be helpful with catering and event planning – think spring conference. I am confident Bryan will bring energy, professionalism, and versatility to this DAL – Nominations position, and I strongly support his nomination for this important role.

2026 Board of Directors Election Ballot

This ballot is for the election of members to the Board of Directors. Eligible members in good standing may vote for one candidate per position listed below. Please review candidate statements prior to submitting your vote. All votes are confidential and will be tabulated in accordance with the organization’s bylaws.

Director of Governance
The Director of Governance serves as the recording officer of the Affiliate and the official liaison to AHEAD (national). This position is responsible for supporting effective board operations, maintaining compliance with Affiliate bylaws, and ensuring continuity of Affiliate status. The Director collaborates with board members to establish meeting agendas, presides over board and membership meetings as appropriate, and maintains accurate meeting records. This role also oversees election procedures in accordance with Affiliate bylaws, verifies membership eligibility for nominees and voters, supports online voting processes, and assists with membership communications. In addition, the Director coordinates CEU documentation and certificate distribution, supports conference and professional development programming, and performs related duties to advance the mission and governance integrity of the Affiliate. This office is elected for a two-year term, alternating with the Director of Finance.
Director of Membership
The Director of Membership serves as the primary communication liaison between the Affiliate and its general membership. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate membership records, facilitating consistent and timely communication, and supporting member engagement and recruitment efforts. The Director manages the Affiliate list-serv and membership database, responds to membership inquiries, and assists with volunteer coordination for the annual conference. In collaboration with the Director of Professional Development, this position supports conference planning by maintaining exhibitor and vendor records, managing proposal submissions, communicating accessibility needs, and assisting with development of the conference program. The Director also helps promote and administer scholarships and stipends available to members. This office is elected for a two-year term and runs concurrently with the Director of Professional Development.
Director At-Large
The Director At-Large serves as a general board officer responsible for duties assigned by the Board to support the effective operation of the Affiliate. This role provides flexible leadership across governance, communications, and conference initiatives. The Director At-Large serves as Parliamentarian, maintains and updates the Affiliate website and related forms, and manages the organization’s general email account by directing inquiries to appropriate board members. This position may oversee committees as needed to advance Affiliate priorities. In support of the annual conference, the Director At-Large coordinates exhibitor and vendor engagement, manages shipping and logistics for displays and materials, oversees the Silent Auction in collaboration with the Director of Finance, and assists in designing and implementing the conference program booklet with the Conference Program Committee. This office is elected for a two-year term and runs concurrently with the Director of Finance.
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