Huitzi Valdez

Victim Services Program Manager

Huitzi Valdez serves as the Program Manager for the University of Texas Police Department's Victim Services Unit, where he leads the department's comprehensive victim services program. He was responsible for developing the unit's operational framework, including establishing policies and procedures, implementing trauma-informed response protocols, building multidisciplinary partnerships, creating outreach initiatives, and developing performance metrics that support continuous program improvement.

Huitzi oversees the delivery of crisis intervention, victim advocacy, criminal justice support, safety planning, and resource coordination for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and members of the campus community. Working closely with patrol officers, investigators, university departments, and community partners, he helps ensure that individuals impacted by crime or crisis receive compassionate support, clear guidance through the criminal justice process, and meaningful access to services that promote healing and recovery.

Huitzi brings more than 20 years of experience in human services, crisis intervention, victim advocacy, and program leadership. Throughout his career, he has served individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries, youth in juvenile detention, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and victims of crime. Prior to joining UTPD, he served for nearly seven years as a Senior Crisis Intervention Specialist with the Travis County Sheriff's Office, where he provided advocacy and crisis response to victims of violent crime, child abuse, family violence, sexual assault, robbery, homicide, and other traumatic incidents. His diverse professional background has shaped a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to service and strengthened his ability to collaborate across disciplines to support individuals during times of crisis.

Huitzi earned his Master of Social Work, with a concentration in Administration and Policy Practice, from The University of Texas at Austin and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Texas State University. After earning his graduate degree at UT Austin, he had the opportunity to return to the Forty Acres to help build and lead the UTPD Victim Services Unit, bringing his career full circle by serving the campus community that helped shape him.

The Victim Services Unit is built on the belief that no one should navigate crisis alone. Guided by the philosophy, "It Takes a Campus," Huitzi believes that meaningful support is made possible through collaboration among campus departments, law enforcement, and community partners. Together, these partnerships help ensure every individual has access to compassionate care, informed advocacy, and the resources needed to heal and move forward.