Profile for

Elsa Villarreal, Ph.D.

• Faculty

Assistant Professor, Principal Certification Coordinator Department of Educational Leadership

Elsa Villarreal, previously served as a program coordinator for a master's program and school enhancement program within a multi-million dollar research Supporting Effective Educator Development grant awarded to Texas A&M University from the U.S. Department of Education. This project supports a cohort of 110 aspiring principals over four years.

In addition, Villarreal dedicated 15 years in Lamar CISD with seven years as a teacher and eight years as an administrator. She taught Spanish in a Title I high school and partnered with the local YMCA to provide leadership experiences for at-risk students in The Leadership High School Program. As a high school assistant principal, she coordinated the English as a Second Language, Career and Technology Education, Special Education, and English Language Arts programs. As head principal, Villarreal implemented the first district-wide night school program. She collaborated with the city mayor and city council to make home visits and communicated with Spanish-speaking parents of students who were at risk of dropping out of high school. These night school students consisted of teenage parents, former gang members and homeless students.

A Conversation with Dr. Villarreal

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?

East Texas A&M provides a unique opportunity to earn a top-quality education with a personal touch. Students attending larger university campuses may feel isolated or ignored. At East Texas A&M, we establish authentic relationships with our students and maintain a solid alumni network.

What motivates you in your role as an assistant professor?

As an assistant professor, I am motivated to work with teachers who aspire to become leaders as principals. My greatest satisfaction is to see a teacher, who may not have previously seen themselves in a leadership role, realize their own potential to lead. In turn, these future leaders will impact the success of our K-12 students.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Educational Administration, Texas A&M University-College Station, 2021
• M.Ed., Educational Administration, University of Houston-Victoria, 2003
• B.A., Spanish, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 1999

Research Interests

• Principal Preparation Programs
• Latina Principals
• Leading Campuses with English Learners

Awards and Honors

• Distinguished Honor Graduate, Texas A&M University Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, College Station, TX, 2021
• T.M. Stinnett Fellowship Award, Texas A&M University Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, College Station, TX, 2019
• Dr. Paul L. Stevens ’42 Endowed Memorial Scholarship, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 2016-2017
• Barbara Jackson Scholar, University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), Charlottesville, VA, 2015-2017
• Mary Frances and Mance L. Park Endowed Fellowship, Texas A&M Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, College Station, TX, 2015-2016
• Strategic Scholarship Award, Texas A&M University College of Education and Human Development, College Station, TX, 2015-2016
• Emerging Scholar Scholarship, Texas A&M University College of Education and Human Development, College Station, TX, 2014-2015