Matthew Meeks, Ed.D. serves as the executive director of the Texas Health Education Service (TXHES). In this role, Dr. Meeks, provides oversight of the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS), which serves twenty Texas dental, medical, and veterinary member institutions as well as the pre-health population. Dr. Meeks also oversees the administration of the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), which provides a path for socioeconomically disadvantaged Texans to matriculate to participating medical schools in Texas to become a physician. Dr. Meeks is a Texas native from Fort Worth. He earned his doctorate in organizational behavior and learning from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, and focused his research on increasing participation in international study abroad programming among underrepresented populations. Dr. Meeks also holds multiple degrees from Dallas Baptist University, including a masters degree in Educational Instruction and History. In addition, he has also received a certificate in Strategic Communications from The University of Texas School of Continuing Studies.

Nichole Castillo is the associate director of the Texas Health Education Service (TXHES). She joined the organization in 2017 as part of the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS). Nichole currently provides business and administrative service to the TXHES, TMDSAS, and JAMP teams and supports the professional development of the department. In her work, she participates in the strategic planning and organizational improvement of TXHES. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a B.A from the University of Texas at University of Texas at Austin. When she’s not working, Nichole loves spending time with her husband and daughter, trying her hand at new recipes, and falling down Buzzfeed article rabbit-holes.

Dr. Gonzalez is an experienced program manager with leadership spanning higher education and various Texas state agencies. She has worked for KIPP Texas Public Schools, the Texas Education Agency, RMC Research Corporation, The University of Texas System, The University of Texas at Austin, and the Austin Independent School District. She brings experience in critical mission focus areas such as change management, financial compliance, resource coordination, and legislative experience. Dr. Gonzalez earned a doctoral degree in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. She received her master's degree from Texas State University in Elementary Education and her bachelor's from The University of Texas at Austin in Psychology. She volunteers with Impact Austin, an Austin-based women’s collective giving organization, funding Central Texas nonprofits, as a Grant Review Committee member.

Gustavo Nieto is the director of IT Initiatives for the Texas Health Education Service (TXHES) and technical support for the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) and Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP). Gustavo is currently forming a team to overhaul the application enterprise for TMDSAS and JAMP while supporting 21 member institutions. Gustavo holds a B.A. from The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Outside of work, Gustavo enjoys chess, gardening, and spending time with his family.