August 1, 2025
By Villa Communications Staff

We’re proud to announce that Ruth Villalonga, our Founder and CEO, has been named Executive in Residence at East Texas A&M University for the 2025–2026 academic year. 

This initiative brings seasoned leaders from industry into the classroom to mentor students, lead faculty workshops, and help shape a modern curriculum grounded in real-world relevance.

“This residency is a valuable opportunity to prepare students for a world where influence, culture, and business growth are intertwined,” said Villalonga. “I’m honored to contribute to a university that’s investing in workforce readiness and culturally intelligent leadership.”

Why This Matters

East Texas A&M has emerged as a national innovator in Competency-Based Education (CBE), a fully online, flexible, and affordable program structure tailored for working professionals and aligned with most corporate tuition reimbursement policies. It’s an approach rooted in real-world skills, not seat time.

With more than 11,500 students and a growing presence across both Commerce and Dallas, ETAMU is leveraging public-private partnerships to connect academic learning to workforce realities. Ruth’s residency aligns with this vision and underscores Villa’s commitment to investing in future-ready leadership.

Read the full press release here.

For more on Ruth’s speaking engagements, classroom collaborations, or media availability, reach out at press@villacomms.com

Learn more about ETAMU’s CBE programs: www.etamu.edu/competency-based-education