Director of Student Learning Assistance Center Shines with Triple Honors

Dr. Carol Dochen, director of the Texas State University Student Learning Assistance Center (SLAC), was presented the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award at the 39th Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience in Washington, DC, February 21-24. The award recognizes ten individuals from across the nation whose efforts make them an advocate for first-year students, and who make an impact on the culture of their institution.  

That is the latest in a string of awards for Dr. Dochen. Earlier in February, Dr. Dochen received the Texas State University System Foundation Staff Excellence Award from the Board of Regents, in recognition of outstanding staff from TSUS’s seven member institutions. 

In May 2019, Dr. Dochen was awarded her 40th Year of Service award. In August 2019, she was presented the Mariel M. Muir Excellence in Mentoring Award, a Texas State honor recognizing those who demonstrate exceptional commitment to assisting those with less experience in growing in their professional and educational pursuits.

Dr. Dochen’s career at Texas State began in 1979. In addition to serving as director of SLAC, she is also the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) coordinating prelaw advisor for Texas State, and part-time faculty in University College and the College of Education. A respected author and administrator, Dr. Dochen actively participates in state, regional, and national professional organizations for both developmental education and prelaw advising as a mentor, presenter, and consultant. She earned a B.S. in Psychology/Guidance Studies and an M.Ed. in School Psychology from Texas State before earning a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, with a minor in Educational Psychology, from The University of Texas at Austin.