Lisa L. Kirkpatrick

Dr. Lisa L. Kirkpatrick serves as Vice President for Student Affairs and Administration at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, reporting to the president and serving on the president’s cabinet. She supervises associate vice presidents for Student Affairs, University Operations, Business Services, the Dean of Students, and directors of Athletics and Human Resources. Her portfolio includes Residence Life, Student Involvement, Health & Counseling, Recreation & Wellness, University Police, and Facilities. With over 30 years of experience at St. Edward's, she also leads the Crisis Management Team, Behavioral Intervention Team, and Title IX Team.

Dr. Kirkpatrick's educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Public Relations from Ohio University (1991)
• Master of Education in College Student Personnel from Ohio University (1994)
• Ph.D. in Education from Texas State University (2015), with a dissertation titled "Elders in Assisted Living: Excavating Hospitality from Within"

Her scholarship focuses on the integration of Catholic mission and social thought in higher education, particularly in student affairs. She explores how Catholic hospitality informs the co-curriculum and student development, fostering inclusion and community. As co-editor of "Student Life in Catholic Higher Education: Advancing Good Practice" (2017), she has contributed to advancing good practices in Catholic institutions. Her presentations cover leadership, diversity, spirituality, and feminism in Catholic higher education contexts, reflecting a commitment to social justice and student thriving.

Dr. Kirkpatrick's publications reveal a consistent theme of hospitality across contexts. The 2014 article "Catholic Hospitality in the Co-Curriculum" examines how Catholic values shape student experiences beyond the classroom, while her 2015 dissertation-turned-article applies similar principles to elder care in assisted living. These works demonstrate her interdisciplinary approach, bridging higher education theory with practical applications in community building and care. Her research underscores hospitality as a transformative framework for institutional mission and student development.

While not noted for scientific awards, Dr. Kirkpatrick has engaged in extensive professional development, including the Harvard University Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (2006), the Council for Independent Colleges' Senior Leadership Academy (2015), Leadership Austin (2009), and the ACPA Institute Leading with a Racial and Social Justice Lens (2019). She is also trained in dispute resolution, interfaith dialogue, and Title IX coordination.

As an adjunct instructor for St. Edward's University's online Ed.D. in Leadership and Higher Education and Texas State University's master's program in Student Affairs, Dr. Kirkpatrick mentors graduate students in higher education leadership. She has led significant campus initiatives, such as the development of six new residence halls and three apartment communities, though specific grant funding details are not provided in the source material.

Dr. Kirkpatrick chairs multiple university teams including the Crisis Management Team, Behavioral Intervention Team, and Title IX Team. She facilitates workgroups for undocumented students, food insecurity, and space management. Additionally, she serves as chair of the Board of Governors of the Holy Cross Institute and is an active board member of the Association of Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASACCU), contributing to national dialogues on Catholic higher education.