Lisa Dvorak is a retired Assistant Chief of Police from San Marcos, TX , home of Texas State University. She has more than 32 years of municipal police experience, beginning as a dispatcher and rising through the ranks to command the department’s Operations Division including patrol, investigations, and specialized unit functions. During her tenure, Chief Dvorak initiated a collaborative community-wide problem-solving effort to mend strained town and gown relations, reduce disorder-related police calls for service, and improve quality of life in neighborhoods and purpose-built student housing.
Upon retirement, Chief Dvorak transitioned to a civilian position as Community Liaison working for almost a decade with the City of San Marcos and Texas State University implementing results-driven solutions to the common impacts of studentification. Her creative leadership style integrated cultural development, a values-based map, relationship building to navigate through chaos, and making the leap from concept to reality. The umbrella program of the City/University collaboration, ACT San Marcos, became a nationally and internationally recognized effort highlighting the shift from enforcement to shared responsibility in resolving conflict and disorder.
Lisa is a former president of the International Town and Gown Association. She is a graduate of Texas State University, the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute, and holds a Master’s in Wisdom Studies from Ubiquity University. She enjoys spending time in nature with family and friends, exploring the outdoors, staying active and learning.