Grace Hernandez

Chief of Staff and Vice President for Administration

As Chief of Staff and Vice President for Administration, Grace Hernandez reports directly to the President and serves as the liaison between the President and other members of his senior staff. In addition, Human Resources, the Office of Communications & Marketing, the Title IX office, and the President's Performance Series report to Grace. She has a long history working in higher education and previously served as Chief of Staff to the President and Affirmative Action Director at The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Prior to UMKC, she served as the Director of Diversity & EEO Office at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Grace earned her B.A. in English from UTSA and received a M.A. in Human Resources Development from Webster University. She is also an active member in the Lubbock community and has served on the board of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, the Science Spectrum, United Way and CASA of the South Plains.

Mikki Ross

Executive Assistant to the President

Mikki began her career at the university in 1996 and serves as the Executive Assistant to the President. In 2012, she joined the Office of the President and has supported Presidents and, previously, Vice Presidents in four divisions. As a first-generation college student, she earned a B.A. degree from TTU in 1999. Mikki cherishes time with her husband and two daughters and pursuing their many interests.

Carla E. Lovelace

Executive Assistant to the President

Carla Lovelace is the Executive Assistant to the President in the Office of the President. Carla plans, coordinates, publicizes and implements special events hosted by the President. Carla also represents the President's Office by serving on committees such as the Lubbock Lights committee, the Official Texas Tech University Ornament committee and the Presidential Scholarship committee. Prior to arriving in the President's Office, Carla was Senior Administrative Assistant to the CEO of Texas Tech Physicians at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where she assisted with all operational functions related to the School of Medicine Administration. A former Tech student and a proud Tech parent, she supports functions related to athletic activities, academic enhancement, and direct student involvement in the President's office and personally enjoys both athletics and the academic environment at Texas Tech. Prior to coming to Texas Tech, she had extensive administrative experience in the banking and legal professions. Carla enjoys spending time with family, including her three delightful grandchildren.

Lori Ann Garcia

Executive Associate

Lori supports the Chief of Staff and Vice President for Administration. She has an integral role in the management and function of the office. Lori also supports many administrative functions: human resource processes, the university's preparations for Board of Regents meetings, executive position searches, special committees and other administrative duties. She has previously assisted other administrative leaders in the President's Office. Prior to arriving in the office, Lori supported the Director of Athletics and the Associate Vice President for Operations as well as the office of Quality Service & Professional Development where she began her Texas Tech career in 2008. Her passion is to serve in many capacities related to her faith and other extra-curricular activities. The loves of Lori's life are her husband, two beloved and beautiful daughters, one amazing bonus daughter, her grandson and grand-triplets, and extended family and all her cherished friends.

Laura Martinez

Senior Administrative Assistant

Laura Martinez is a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Office of the President. She aids all suite staff by welcoming guests, answering the President's main phone line as well as providing a range of clerical and administrative duties. Laura supports Dóri Bosnyak, Lead Administrator to the Presidential Lecture & Performance Series, as well as Dr. Kimberly Simón, Title IX Administrator.

Before being employed by Texas Tech University, Laura served as a Lead Station Airline Agent for American Airlines for 5 years. She began her employment with Texas Tech in August of 2019 as a Specialist IV in the Operations Division Call Center. She was also an Administrative Assistant for Custodial/Fuel Services as well as for Grounds Maintenance in the Vehicle Repair Shop before coming to the Office of the President.

Laura is currently studying for her Bachelor's in Business Administration at Arizona State University. She also plans on pursuing her Master's in Public Administration at Texas Tech University. Laura enjoys traveling, spending time with her 3 teenage children, her soon to be husband, Bobby, his 3 children and grandchild as well as extended family and friends.

Ryan Morrow

Senior Administrative Assistant

Ryan Morrow is a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Office of the President. She provides support for all suite staff by serving as one of the first faces to greet visitors, telephone support for the President's main line for incoming calls, as well as a wide range of administrative and clerical duties. Ryan supports the events team with their travel, financial and administrative needs.

Prior to arriving in the Office of the President, Ryan worked at Texas Tech Student Health where she served as a Senior Patient Services Specialist for four years. She loves being part of the Texas Tech community and supporting the Red Raiders. Her passion is her family and soaking in all the time she can with her niece and nephews.

Cathey Durham

Senior Events Coordinator

Isabel Torres

Event Coordinator

Isabel Torres is an event coordinator in the Office of the President. Isabel plans, coordinates, and implements student-focused events sponsored by the Office of the President. Isabel also represents the Office of the President by serving as the Advisor to President's Select Ambassadors. In this role, Isabel advises and assists the President's Select Officers in recruitment for the University, scheduling visits on behalf of the Office of the President, and coordinating presidential events with ambassadors.

Isabel is a proud Texas Tech University alumna. She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor in Business Administration in Information Technology. She also has her Masters in Business Administration from Sul Ross University. Prior to arriving in the President's Office, Isabel was an IT support Specialist at IT Help Central at Texas Tech.

Isabel comes from a large family and enjoys spending time with them, but especially enjoys time spent with her husband and three children. She loves getting to know people and learning about different cultures.

Macey Gerhart

Event Coordinator

Macey Gerhart is an Event Coordinator in the Office of the President. She will work alongside Carla and Isabel to plan, coordinate, and implement special events hosted by the President's Office. Macey is a proud alumna of Texas Tech University, gaining a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2021. In December 2022, Macey will complete a Master of Business Administration from the Rawls College of Business.

Macey enjoys being a part of the Lubbock community, spending time with her family and friends, and is passionate about all things Texas Tech!

Dóri Bosnyák

Lead Administrator to the Presidential Lecture & Performance Series

Dóri Bosnyák is the Lead Administrator to the Presidential Lecture & Performance Series and is thrilled to serve as an arts presenter, offering vibrant and relevant lectures, concerts, dance performances and theatrical experiences by world class artists to the greater West Texas community.

She hails from Budapest, Hungary, which Hungarians consider the “Heart of Europe”. Growing up in such a distinctive cultural & historical hub, she gained an appreciation for the visual and performing arts early on. She made her way to the U.S. in 2011 where she received her two BA degrees in Film, Theatre and Performance Studies and International Studies at Graceland University (Lamoni, IA). After entering the performing arts field in Kansas City, MO, she made her way to TTU after thorough research for the best arts management degree. She is now a proud alumna of TTU's MFA Arts Administration program in the School of Theatre & Dance, which enabled her for success with PLPS through myriad hands-on opportunities and Lubbock connections. She feels incredibly fortunate to have found a home and a growing & inspiring arts community in Lubbock and she is giddy to build upon the PLPS vision.

In her free time, Dóri continues to further develop her long-time passion: solving all the mysteries of arguably the most important Hungarian creation, the Rubik's cube.

She is an active member in the Lubbock art community and is currently serving as President to the Board of Directors for the Outside In Theatre Festival & is as of recent, co-chair to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region VI ASPIRE/Arts Administration track.

Blayne Beal

Director of Centennial Coordination

Blayne Beal serves as Director of Centennial Coordination and in that role, he is responsible for the planning and execution of Texas Tech's Centennial Celebration in 2023. He will be charged with implementing a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy, event management and carrying out the day-to-day charges of the Centennial Planning Committee that is being co-chaired by Chief of Staff and Associate V.P. Grace Hernandez and Honors College Associate Dean/Professor Aliza Wong. He has spent 20 years on the Texas Tech University campus, including 15 years in athletics where he served as Associate Athletics Director for Communications.

Prior to joining the Office of the President, he served as Director of Marketing & Communications for the College of Arts & Sciences. Over the course of his career, he has been honored to receive numerous professional accolades from entities such as the American Advertising Federation, the Football Writers Association of America, The Telly Awards, Texas Tech University and PRSA (Public Relations Society of America). An active member of PRSA, Blayne currently serves the organization on the National Nominating Committee, holds the position of secretary of the District Council and is past chair of the Southwest District.

Blayne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Texas Tech University and a Master of Science in Sports Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He earned his APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) from the Universal Accreditation Board in November 2019.