Director to Fuel Further Growth at EPPS

Tricia Barnett has recently joined UT Dallas as director of development for the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.

In her new position, Barnett will work to build a network of support for EPPS.

“What we do here has the potential to change Texas and the nation,” said Tricia Barnett, the new director of development for the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences at UT Dallas.

Barnett’s long-term development goals are to raise major gifts to secure endowment support for scholarships, fellowships and faculty positions.  In the short term, she will focus on building relationships, engaging people and creating opportunities for them to get involved in the school’s activities.

“We are delighted to have a development officer for the first time,” said EPPS Dean Brian Berry.  “Tricia will help us build better bridges to our alumni and to the world of foundations and donors who are interested in the progress of the school and the University toward Tier One status.”

Barnett is very familiar with higher-education development.  She spent 12 years at Southern Methodist University, where she served as the executive director of development for Dedman College, director of major gifts and director of corporate and foundation relations.

Most recently Barnett worked with the Baylor Health Care System Foundation as the vice president of development.  She has prior experience in public relations and communications and has worked in the White House and for the United Way of America.  She started her career at the Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

Barnett holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UT Austin and a master’s in liberal arts from SMU.  As a product of the UT System, Barnett found the opportunity to contribute to UT Dallas appealing.  “It’s exciting to join a young, growing university.  What we do here has the potential to change Texas and the nation,” she said.  “I also like the fact that UT Dallas serves a diverse student body.  It’s an affordable opportunity for bright, motivated Texans.”

The school’s explosive growth should help Barnett in her role.  During the past four years, EPPS has seen undergraduate enrollment increase by 64 percent, and graduate enrollment has more than doubled, with the addition of new doctoral programs in economics, public policy and political economy, political science, public affairs, geospatial information sciences and criminology.

Also, in following the University’s emphasis on focused excellence, EPPS has developed new research projects and centers which will further its public service role.  These include:

• Center for Behavioral and Experimental Economic Research.
• Center for Global Collective Action.
• Center for the Study of Texas State Politics.
• Center for Urban Economics.
• Institute for Public Affairs.
• The Negotiations Center.
• Texas Education Research Center and Texas Schools Project.

The school’s growth shows no signs of slowing and with the assistance of a development director, the excitement and momentum surrounding EPPS should spread to alumni and the Dallas community. “With Tricia’s help, the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences can become a significant player in the University’s campaign for development,” said Dean Berry.