Stephanie Santorico, PhD

Endowed Chair for the Dean of Sciences

Dean and Professor, College of Sciences

Stephanie A. Santorico serves as Dean of the College of Sciences and Professor of Mathematics at The University of Texas at San Antonio. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, she has built a career dedicated to strengthening research universities, advancing student success, and fostering collaborative academic communities.

As dean, Santorico leads one of the university's largest academic units, overseeing seven departments, more than 280 faculty members, and over 4,400 students. She is responsible for advancing the college's strategic vision, supporting research growth, strengthening graduate and undergraduate education, and building partnerships that connect scientific discovery to regional and societal impact.

Santorico says her personal journey — from a first-generation college student in rural Oklahoma to a renowned scholar in statistical genetics — exemplifies the transformative power of public higher education and inspires her commitment to expanding opportunities for students.

Her research is in statistical genetics with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and practical applications. She has secured over $33 million in research funding, primarily from the National Institutes of Health, and mentored numerous students and faculty. Her work bridges academic and real-world impact, fostering partnerships with organizations like the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Crime Laboratory.

Prior to joining UT San Antonio in 2025, she held several senior academic leadership roles at the University of Colorado Denver, including Interim Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning and Associate Dean for Research and Creative Activities. She is an alumna of the American Council on Education Fellows Program and serves on the Board of the ACE Council of Fellows. Santorico is also a Fellow of the International Genetic Epidemiology Society.

Santorico earned a PhD in Statistics with a concentration in Genetics and an MS in Statistics, both from North Carolina State University, and a BS in Mathematics with minors in physics and computer science from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma.