Community Relations Profiles
Jason Smith: Vice President
Jason Smith is the Vice President of Government and Community Relations for the University of Houston. Jason leads the University of Houston’s Community Relations team, where he oversees key university-wide initiatives that strengthen UH’s connection to the broader Houston community. His leadership includes organizing and supporting major events like the annual Mayor’s Back 2 School Fest, which helps thousands of area students start the academic year with essential school supplies, health screenings, and immunizations, made possible through collaboration with multiple UH colleges and community partners.
Jason and his team also serve as a resource for community engagement leaders across the UH System, working to align and elevate efforts that advance public partnerships and civic impact throughout the region. He directs and encourages his team to build partnerships rooted in reciprocity, believing that this approach of shared benefit form the foundation of meaningful, sustainable relationships with the community. His work ensures the University maintains a visible and effective presence in addressing community needs while supporting institutional goals. To learn more about Jason Smith, click here.
Sara Donatto: Executive Director of Operations and Local Relations
Sara Lujan Donatto serves as the Executive Director of Operations and Local Relations,
where she leads both the operational strategy and community relations efforts for
the Department of Government and Community Relations. With over 12 years on the team,
she brings nearly 15 years of experience in higher education and 20 years in leadership
roles.
During Sara’s tenure on the Government and Community Relations team and with her leading the department’s operational efforts the department has experienced exponential growth both physically and programmatically. Under her guidance, the department expanded its footprint in the Houston office and successfully launched its Washington, D.C. office, significantly enhancing its presence and capabilities at the local, state, and national levels. These milestones are a direct reflection of Sara’s strategic leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to advancing the University's mission.
In her pivotal role, Sara ensures the seamless operations of the department across offices in Houston, Austin, and Washington, D.C. She also collaborates closely with community relations leaders from across the UH System, serving as both a resource and a partner to align efforts and maximize impact. She is known for steering established processes with precision while also forging new paths to strengthen the University’s connection with the broader community.
Sara approaches her work with a deep belief that successful partnerships are built on reciprocity. Guided by this philosophy, she founded Community Relations Alliance (CRA) in 2022, an initiative that unites other community engagement focused faculty and staff across campus to exchange ideas, share best practices, and foster more meaningful and coordinated engagement. CRA has become a powerful vehicle for institutional impact and community collaboration.
Her leadership extends well beyond the department. Sara has spearheaded multiple university-wide initiatives and is consistently driven by a commitment to excellence. Her unique ability to navigate operational complexity while cultivating deep community relationships makes her a dynamic force in advancing the mission of both the department and the University.
Committed to continuous growth, Sara successfully graduated from the Leadership Houston Program (Class XLI) and is a graduate of the prestigious Governor’s Executive Development Program at the University of Texas LBJ School. In 2024, Texas Executive Women honored her as a Woman on the Move. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the East End Chamber of Commerce and several other boards across Houston. Her longstanding involvement in the Junior League of Houston, volunteer work with Child Advocates, and mentorship of emerging leaders through partner organizations reflect her passion for service and leadership development.
Sara holds a BBA and an Executive MBA from Sam Houston State University and proudly considers herself an honorary UHS alumna after more than a dozen years of dedicated service to the UH System. Her passion for government and community relations is evident in her unwavering commitment to the success of the department, the University, and the UH System.
Sara and her husband, Adam Donatto, are the proud parents of two amazing sons, Alec and Amir and their beloved boxer, Juan Carlos.
Ximena Mondragon: Community Relations Director
Ximena Mondragon is the Community Relations Director at the University of Houston.
In this capacity she serves an essential role in fostering and developing reciprocal
partnerships with local businesses, educational institutions, civic groups and community
stakeholders. As a native Houstonian, Ximena has focused her career in helping uplift
communities through advocacy, public policy, government relations and coalition building.
Prior to this role, she was a Policy Analyst for the Government Relations Department at the Houston Independent School District. In this role, she collaborated with local, state, and federal elected officials to bring forth legislation, statutes and regulations that enhance public education opportunities for the students, teachers and staff. Before joining the Houston Independent School District, Ximena served as the Manager of Civic Engagement at BakerRipley. She focused on increasing advocacy and civic engagement in the Northside, East End and Third Ward by coordinating special projects with community partners, government offices and external stakeholders. Ximena was also the former District Director for Texas State Representative Christina Morales, she established the Texas House District 145 office as a trusted resource for the community and key stakeholders. She coordinated food distributions, vaccine clinics, townhalls, job and career fairs and other events that addressed the needs of the communities in Texas House District 145.
Ximena earned a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from St. Mary’s University. She serves on League of Women Voters of Houston Board as a Trustee At Large and as a board member of the IGNITE Executive Board.
Ilze Benavides: Administrative Operations Coordinator
Ilze Benavides serves as the Administrative Operations Coordinator and brings over
twenty-two years of experience in her field to the Government and Community Relations
Department. As a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, she holds a BA in
General Studies with a minor in Child and Adolescent Development. Ilze worked with
Conroe ISD as an administrative assistant, where she honed her skills in office management
and operational efficiency. Ilze is an integral part of the team, ensuring the smooth
and efficient day-to-day operations of the department. With a keen eye for detail
and strong organizational skills, she oversees the management of contracts, processes
payments, and coordinates scheduling across all three office locations. Her role also
includes supporting event planning and execution, ensuring that every detail is in
place for successful outcomes. She consistently upholds internal protocols, ensuring
compliance with university standards, while also streamlining administrative processes
to improve overall operational efficiency.
Bianca Hernandez: Community Relations Intern
As a sophomore accounting major at the University of Houston, Bianca Hernandez currently
serves as a Senior Community Relations Intern in the Office of Government and Community
Relations. In this role, she applies her communications and analytical skills to support
the Carnegie Writing application and is focused on enhancing community engagement.
Bianca Hernandez is responsible for coordinating logistics for events, gathering sponsorship
information, and ensuring effective planning for various community outreach initiatives.
Her work helps to strengthen the relationship between the university and the community
while contributing to impactful collaborations that align with both the university’s
and the office’s goals.
Ella Warren: Administrative Assistant Intern
Ella Warren is an intern at the Government and Community Relations department. She
is a Sophmore Computer Information Systems major in the Cullen College of Engineering-
Technology Division. As a Administrative Assistant Intern, she ensures smooth administrative
operations through her work in executing contracts, voucher requisitions, procurement,
and other administrative responsibilites under the supervision of Ilze Benavides,
the Administrative Operations Coordinator. She is thrilled to have this opportunity
and is excited to learn more about administrative operations at the executive level!
Fariha Adil: Web and Content Developer Intern
Fariha Adil is an intern at the University of Houston’s Office of Government and Community
Relations. She is a freshman in the Computer Science program, working toward her Bachelor
of Science degree in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. As a Web and
Content Developer Intern, she supports the office’s digital presence by managing web
content through Cascade CMS, HTML scripting, and other technical tasks under the supervision
of Ximena Mondragon, the Community Relations Director. Fariha is thrilled to gain
hands-on experience in web development and community engagement and looks forward
to furthering her technical and professional skills in this role.
Kimora Kent: Administrative Assistant Intern
Kimora Kent is an intern at the University of Houston’s Office of Government and Community
Relations. She is a freshman at the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, working
toward her degree in Economics. As an Administrative Assistant intern, she acts as
a point of contact for vendors, administration, and suppliers via email, over the
phone, and in person, under the supervision of Ilze Benavides, the Administrative
Operations Coordinator. Kimora is thrilled to gain hands-on experience in government
relations and administrative operations and looks forward to pursuing her degree with
opportunities and support of the Office of Government and Community Relations here
at UH!