ASU Trio Honored with 2025-26 Rodgers Distinguished Awards

SAN ANGELO, TX - Angelo State University employees Gustavo "Manny" Campos, Brit Heppler and Dr. David Bixler have been selected to receive the 2025-26 Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards honoring outstanding ASU faculty, staff and administrators.

Campos, senior instructor in political science, received the Distinguished Faculty Award. Heppler, digital media specialist in the Office of Communications and Marketing, received the Distinguished Staff Award. Bixler, dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, received the Distinguished Administrator Award. Each also received $2,500.

They, along with 30 other nominees, were honored during a recent ceremony in the Houston Harte University Center.

A two-time ASU alumnus and 13-year faculty member, Campos is one of the more recognizable figures on campus. Rarely seen not wearing ASU blue and gold, he teaches core political science courses and is known across campus as an engaging and empowering presence in the classroom. He also enjoys connecting with students off campus as an in-person dual credit instructor at San Angelo Lake View High School. In addition to his teaching roles, he serves as the assistant Hispanic Serving Institution coordinator and as a faculty advisor for the Association of Mexican American Students and ASU's chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Outside his academic roles, he regularly volunteers at Admissions recruiting events, helping prospective students and their families feel welcomed and connected to ASU. He spends much of his remaining "free" time acting as the faculty athletic associate for the Rams baseball team, often also singing the national anthem prior to home baseball games. His commitment to ASU also extends into the community, where he uses his musical talents as the frontman for the Manny Campos Band to raise funds for various university causes, including support for the Rams baseball team, Ram Rugby club team and Ram Family Student Scholarship Program. Campos has also been previously honored for his service by the ASU Alumni Association.

An ASU alumna and a staff member since 2019, Heppler was a student photographer in the Office of Communications and Marketing before being hired as a marketing assistant and later promoted to digital media specialist. Her role includes management of large-scale projects on the ASU website, the university's No. 1 marketing tool. She works tirelessly to not only promote the university accurately online, but to ensure all state and federal laws are followed as they pertain to digital content accessibility. Further, she serves as the primary trainer for website content creators across campus, teaching and guiding them on web and accessibility best practices. She has overseen 97 web projects, launched the Angelo State Blog a full 18 months ahead of schedule, and coordinated a remarkable increase in the search engine optimization of the ASU website. Also vice chair of the Staff Senate, she is a graduate of the President's Leadership Academy and Leadership San Angelo, and is now participating in the Texas Tech University System Emerging Servant Leader Development Program. In the community, she is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, San Angelo Road Lizards and Redeemer San Angelo Church, as well as the owner of Brit Raley Photography. Heppler is also a regular at many ASU athletics and campus events, as well as the leader of her office's Fun Police committee.

At ASU since 1998, Bixler carries an unprecedented leadership role at the university as dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, interim dean of the College of Science and Engineering, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, director of the Innovation Hub, research integrity officer and a professor of physics. Additionally, he has served on the Dean's Council since 2022 and the Innovation Focus Group since 2025, and has been leading the faculty searches for ASU's new AI Center of Excellence. As dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, he has overseen record enrollment growth, and he exemplifies exceptional leadership by prioritizing the needs of students, faculty and the university while tackling complex challenges in his many other roles. Additionally, he initiated and hosts various major campus events, including Research Security Conferences and the Faculty Research Expo. Outside of his regular duties, he serves as science director of the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) and directly engages with the City of San Angelo, Chamber of Commerce and other external partners to promote ASU's growing Innovation Hub, as well as internship opportunities for ASU students in many different industries and fields. Throughout his time at Angelo State, Bixler has showcased his ability to inspire growth, build trust and achieve results in a demanding academic landscape.

The Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards were created by San Angelo native and former ASU student Gary Rodgers and his wife, Pat. Because of their association with many ASU employees over the years, the couple recognized the roles that faculty, staff and administrators perform to help ASU fulfill its mission to prepare students to be responsible and productive citizens. The Rodgers also provide $2,500 for each award recipient and have fully endowed the Rodgers Awards through the ASU Foundation so they will continue in perpetuity.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Faculty Award were Yo-Rong Chen, Health Science Professions; Brook Dickison, Curriculum and Instruction; Jessica Garza, Physics and Geosciences; Kinsey Hansen, Curriculum and Instruction; Jaime Hyatt, Health Science Professions; Eduardo Martinez, Security Studies and Criminal Justice; Jesse McIntyre, Health Science Professions; Simon Pfeil, Mathematics; Chelsea Procter-Willman, Health Science Professions; and Paige Trubenstein, Psychology.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Staff Award were Jody Casares, Physics and Geosciences; Angela Dunham, Health Science Professions; Angela Eaton, Security Studies and Criminal Justice; Mary Escobar, Financial Aid and Scholarships; Brooke Flores, Admissions; Haley Hawley, Enrollment Management; Cecilia Hernandez, Admissions; Rudy Jaques, Health Science Professions; Dru Kure, Financial Aid and Scholarships; Jacque Marques, Financial Aid and Scholarships; Kate Ramoneda, Financial Aid and Scholarships; Wendy Sklenarik, College of Education; Peggy Speetzen, Counseling Services; Mayra Torres, Visual and Performing Arts; and Jayden Walker, Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Administrator Award were Karl Havlak, Mathematics; Sandra Mohr, Digital Learning and Instruction; Kyrie Villa, Counseling Services; Ashley Warren, Office of the President; and Kristi White, Health Science Professions.