Donna Asher, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for People & Culture
Dr. Donna Asher is a visionary and strategic executive with over three decades of progressive leadership experience in higher education in the areas of human resources, finance, and academic administration. She currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of People and Culture at the University of North Texas System, where she leads the strategic development and operational execution of human capital and workplace culture initiatives across the enterprise. In this role, Dr. Asher provides counsel to senior leaders and spearheads system-wide strategies focused on talent management, employee engagement, total rewards, and organizational culture.
Holding a Ph.D. in Information Science, an MBA in Human Resources Management, and a BS in Accounting, Dr. Asher combines academic rigor with practical insight and experience. She holds two national professional HR certifications of Senior HR Professional (SPHR) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). She has led major organizational transformations, implemented enterprise technologies, and developed award-winning onboarding and talent development programs. Her leadership has been recognized for creating high-performing cultures and aligning operational practices with organizational goals.
Previously, Dr. Asher served in a variety of senior roles, including Associate Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration/Business Services, where she led the first shared services unit that included procurement, accounts payable, payroll, human resources, information systems, budget planning, policy management, and process improvement; and Associate Vice Chancellor and Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, where she expanded HR service offerings and significantly improved operational efficiencies. Her earlier leadership roles at UNT also included Vice Provost for Academic Resources serving as the chief academic human resources and budget officer managing a budget of $200m and developing and championing innovative faculty support programs and space planning initiatives.
With a strong foundation in human resources, academic administration, and financial management, Dr. Asher is deeply committed to cultivating people-centered workplaces that promote excellence, drive continuous growth, and align with the educational mission—while ensuring fiscal responsibility.
1112 Dallas Dr. Ste. 4200, Denton, TX 76205 | Campus Phone: 940.369.5600
Donna.Asher@untsystem.edu
UNT System HR Staff
Katy McDaniel, Deputy Chancellor of People and Culture, Katy.McDaniel@untsystem.edu
Campus Chief HR Officers
UNT: Alayne Sewick, Alayne.Sewick@untsystem.edu
HSC: Dennis Burns, Dennis.Burns@untsystem.edu
UNT Dallas: Sherelle Shaw, Sherelle.Shaw@untsystem.edu
UNT System Administration Director
Angela Bennett-Engele, Angela.Bennett-Engele@untsystem.edu
Compensation & Performance Management
Melinda Lilly, Melinda.Lilly@untsystem.edu
Talent Acquisition
Jane Gray, Jane.Gray@untsystem.edu
Elizabeth Armenta Saavedra, Elizabeth.Armentasaavedra@untsystem.edu
Tiffany Weems, Tiffany.Weems@untsystem.edu
Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
Nnaemeka Onuoha, Nnaemeka.Onuoha@untsystem.edu
Sowmya Chama, SowmyaReddy.Chama@untsystem.edu
Uzma Malik, Uzma.Malik@untsystem.edu
Benefits
John Adair, John.Adair@untsystem.edu
Andrew Windham,Andrew.Windham@untsystem.edu
Organization Development & Engagement
Dwan Bryan, Dwan.Bryant@untsystem.edu
Alyssa Balderas, Alyssa.Balderas@untsystem.edu
Erinna Hinds, Erinna.Hinds@untsystem.edu
Halimat Ipesa-Balogun, Halimat.Ipesa-Balogun@untsystem.edu
Office of Equal Opportunity
Wanda S. Boyd, Wanda.Boyd@untsystem.edu
Employee Engagement
Ashley Reyes, Ashley.Reyes@untsystem.edu
Operations
Nicole Eleazar, Nicole.Eleazar@untsystem.edu
Karissa Johnmeyer, Karissa.Johnmeyer@untsystem.edu