Sara Lujan Donatto: Assistant Vice Chancellor/Assistant Vice President, Local Relations and Strategic Initiatives

Sara Lujan Donatto serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Assistant Vice President for Local Relations and Strategic Initiatives, where she leads both the operational strategy and community relations efforts for the Department of Government and Community Relations. She brings over a dozen years of experience in higher education and decades 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. Most notably, Sara, alongside the Executive Steering Committee, led the University of Houston’s successful effort to achieve the prestigious Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a national designation recognizing the University’s deep commitment to community engagement. 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. In addition, Sara is leading the strategic vision and operational direction of the Judy Cook Building, positioning it as a premier community engagement hub and a front porch to the University. 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 the Community Relations Alliance (CRA) in 2022, an initiative that unites 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. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including Texas Executive Women’s 2024 Woman on the Move, the 2025 Female Executive Award from the East End Chamber of Commerce, and recognition by Houston Woman Magazine as one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2025, and most recently Top 30 Influential Women of Texas of 2026. 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: Senior Director, Community Relations

Ximena Mondragon is the Senior 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. 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 and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the University of Houston. She serves on League of Women Voters of Houston Board as a Trustee at Large and on the Greater Northside Chamber Board of Directors.

Sydney Valentine-Parris: Judy Cook Building Operations Manager

Sydney Valentine-Parris serves as the Judy Cook Building Operations Manager at the University of Houston, within the Office of Government and Community Relations. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Judy Cook Building, a community engagement hub connecting the University with campus and community partners. She leads facility operations, including programming, event coordination, staff supervision, and customer service, ensuring the building remains a welcoming and accessible resource for the communities it serves.

Sydney brings years of experience in higher education operations and student-facing environments. Prior to returning to the University of Houston, she served as a student housing professional at Texas Southern University, overseeing residential operations, staff development, facility coordination, and large-scale programs and events. During her previous tenure at UH, she managed a large first-year residential community, supporting staff, summer conferences, and program operations.

Sydney began her higher education career at the University of North Texas, developing foundational skills that continue to shape the professional she is today. An active presenter within the higher education profession, Sydney has received the Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers’ Top 5 Program Award and Most Impactful Presentation Award. Her presentations have focused on leadership development, conflict management, student success, and the significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at regional conferences across the Southwest.

A Dallas-Fort Worth area native, Sydney earned both a Master of Education in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies from the University of North Texas. She and her wife, Ja’Meriya Valentine, both UNT alumnae, have made Houston a home away from home alongside their dog, Roti, whose name is a nod to Sydney’s Trinidadian heritage.