Ms. Denise Lujan, M.Ed.
Director of Developmental Math
Department of Developmental Math
Office of Undergraduate Studies
UT El Paso
Helping students succeed in higher education is my mission. I have two overarching philosophies that drive everything I do. First, any student can be successful, given the right “tools.” It is finding those tools, unique to each student that drives me. Secondly, developmental students are developmental for more than just content. By being a compassionate listener and proactive advocate, I can help identify barriers to their success and help students navigate their challenges. It allows me to help them overcome what gets in the way of their success. My proudest moments are when I see students believe in themselves and know they can succeed at college.
Denise Lujan is both a lecturer for and Director of the Developmental Math Department at the University of Texas at El Paso. Since 2001, Lujan has taught developmental math to underprepared students who enter UTEP. She stepped into the director role in 2007 and has since transformed the department to one where student success is at the heart of its mission. In recognition of this, the department received the coveted Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Star Award in 2014. Additionally, she was awarded the Developmental Educator of the year for Texas College Reading and Learning Association in 2016, the Entering Student Faculty Outstanding Advocate for Entering Students in 2019, and the ROTA Award in 2019. Lujan is involved in both state and national organizations focused on developmental education holding board positions for both the Texas Association for Developmental Education, TADE, and the National Association for Developmental Education, NADE. She is currently the president of the National Organization for Student Success, NOSS and will hold that office until 2022. She travels the country, presenting on developmental education. She received her bachelors in Math and Physical Science from West Texas A&M University and her master's in Higher Educational Leadership from UTEP. She is currently working on her doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership at Ferris State University in Michigan with an expected completion date of December 2020. On a personal note, Lujan has been married for 23 years to Saul Lujan, and they have three children: Markos, Ally, and Jake all of whom are attending UTEP. She loves to travel both for work and pleasure, and her next adventure is traveling to Prague.
