TxGAP Regional PD Session
February 13, 2026 | Rice University | Houston TX
One-Day Professional Development Session
This year, we’re bringing the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras to our impactful 2026 TXGAP Regional Professional Development Session on February 13, 2026. Join colleagues from across the state for a festive day of connection, learning, and inspiration on Rice University’s beautiful campus. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned professional, you’ll leave energized with fresh ideas, practical tools, and new relationships to strengthen your work with students.
Details
Date: February 13, 2026 | 8:30 AM - 2 PM
Location: Rice University
Cost: $75 (Includes Parking Pass, Breakfast, and Lunch)
Schedule Overview
8:30 AM – 9 AM: Check-In/Breakfast
9 AM – 9:10 AM: Welcome
9:15 AM – 10 AM: Presentation # 1: Beads, Balance, and Best Practices: Licensed Counselor-Dr. Jessica Davis Mental Health/Well-being
10:15 AM – 11 AM: Presentation #2: Let the Good Processes Roll: Graduate Admissions Speaker-Fitzgerald Smith
11 AM – 12 PM: Lunch
12:15 PM – 1 PM: Networking and Round Table Discussion
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM: Presentation #3: Big Easy, Big Impact: Growing Graduate Enrollment Together: Graduate Recruitment Speaker-Rebeca Perfecto
Recommended Hotels
Hilton Houston Plaza Medical Center
Houston Marriott Medical Center/Museum District
The Westin Houston Medical Center/Museum District
Hotel Zaza: Houston Museum District
Call the hotel directly to check if Rice University rate is available. Rate depends on occupancy.
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Description
Explore evidence-based strategies for mental health, wellness, and professional development. This presentation offers practical tools, research-driven interventions, and institutional best practices designed to enhance graduate student success and well-being.
Speaker
Dr. Jessica Davis, a licensed clinical counselor, supervisor, consultant, and professor, brings over 20 years of experience serving diverse populations in residential, outpatient, forensic, academic, and community settings. As Assistant Dean of the Graduate School and Full Professor at Texas Southern University, she leads academic initiatives and teaches advanced courses in trauma counseling, ethics, and clinical practice.
Dr. Davis owns Jessica Davis & Associates, offering psychotherapy, diagnostic assessments, clinical supervision, and program consultation. Her expertise includes trauma-informed care, co-occurring disorders, crisis intervention, and culturally responsive counseling. She holds multiple credentials, including LPC-S, LSOTP, LCDC, NCC, and CART, and is recognized for her training in trauma, ethics, and risk management.
A dedicated scholar-practitioner, Dr. Davis has presented at national conferences and contributed research on trauma, minority mental health, and counselor development. She serves as President of the Houston Counseling Association and actively participates in professional organizations, including NBCC, ACA, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Davis is committed to advancing trauma-informed, culturally grounded mental health practices.
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Description
Efficient Management of a Multifunctional Graduate Admissions department
We will take a look into the operations of a central graduate admissions department which serves several functions including issuance of I-20s to international students as well as foreign transcript evaluations. Is it more efficient to have these processes done by admissions? What does this means for students? How does this compare to the admissions department at your university?
Speaker
Bio: Fitzgerald Smith is the Director of Graduate Admissions at the University of Houston Graduate School, a department of the Office of the Provost. In this position Fitzgerald serves as the central administrator who facilitates the graduate admissions process for all graduate college programs with the exception of Law, Nursing and Medicine. His role involves maintaining graduate school policy for admissions, developing and overseeing admissions processes, directing graduate admissions staff as well as training new and current users of the graduate application software. Fitzgerald has been with the University of Houston for 10 years and involved in higher education for 13+ years. He carries a Master of Science in Management and Administration of Educational Programs.
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Description
Beyond Silos: Building Faculty Partnerships That Drive Recruitment Success
Featuring three case studies on successful faculty–recruitment collaboration
Recruitment is most effective when it is not confined to a single office. This session explores how intentional, sustained partnerships between faculty and recruitment teams can significantly strengthen enrollment outcomes and the prospective student experience.
Using three real-world case studies, we will examine practical strategies for building and strengthening faculty relationships, aligning roles and expectations, and leveraging faculty engagement across key recruitment touchpoints. Topics include effective collaboration for information sessions, maximizing the impact of one-on-one faculty appointments with prospective students, and creating scalable engagement models that respect faculty time while driving measurable results.
Participants will leave with concrete approaches to break down silos, foster trust and shared ownership, and design faculty-recruitment partnerships that are both sustainable and high-impact.
Speaker
Bio: Rebeca Perfecto serves as Director of Admissions and Recruitment at UNT Health Science Center, where she leads centralized recruitment efforts across multiple health professions programs, including nursing, pharmacy, public health, biomedical sciences, and allied health disciplines.
With extensive experience in strategic enrollment management, Rebeca specializes in building data-informed recruitment strategies, optimizing applicant funnels, and integrating advanced CRM systems, predictive analytics, and AI-supported workflows to modernize outreach, improve yield, and enhance the prospective student experience.
Rebeca collaborates closely with faculty, academic leadership, and external partners to develop pipeline programs, coordinate large-scale recruitment events, and align enrollment goals with institutional mission and workforce needs. She is particularly focused on transparent admissions practices and scalable systems that support sustainable growth.
In addition to her professional work, Rebeca frequently advises on recruitment strategy, admissions operations, and the use of emerging technologies in higher education. She is passionate about reimagining how institutions connect with students and how data and storytelling can work together to support informed decision-making.
2026 Session Topics
Refund Policy:
Registration fees are non-refunable. This policy applies to all registrants, regardless of the reason for cancellation or withdrawal.
NOTE: You may transfer your registration to another colleague at your institution. Notification must be given to and acknowledge by TxGAP.
Exceptions:
In exceptional circumstances, such as documented medical emergencies or unforeseen extenuating circumstances, the organization may consider refund requests submitted after the February 1st deadline on a case-by-case basis. Such requests must be accompanied by relevant documentation and will be reviewed at the discretion of the management team.
How to Request a Refund:
To request a refund, please contact our board by email at info@txgap.org. Refund requests must be made by the registered participant or an authorized representative.
Processing Time:
Refund processing times may vary depending on the method of payment and the volume of requests. Please allow up to 7-10 business days for refunds to be processed.
Questions:
If you have any questions regarding our refund policy or need assistance with a refund request, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help.
