CapMetro CEO Dottie Watkins to Deliver Keynote at the St. Edward’s University December 2025 Commencement
AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University will celebrate the achievements of more than 200 graduates earning doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees during the December Commencement ceremony on Friday, December 12.
The university welcomes alumna Dottie Watkins ‘03 back to the hilltop to address the graduating class as the keynote speaker. Watkins, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro), is recognized among Austin’s most influential women. With a career spanning more than 30 years in the transit industry, her visionary leadership continues to shape the future of public transportation in Central Texas.
Prior to earning her Master of Business Administration degree from St. Edward’s in 2003, Watkins served as a part-time bus driver for CapMetro while pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating from the hilltop, she went on to serve in numerous roles before becoming the visionary leader for Austin’s regional public transportation provider in 2023, including the agency’s Vice President of Bus Operations and Maintenance, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Deputy CEO.
A native Austinite and lifelong CapMetro rider, Watkins brings a personal connection to the communities she serves. Under her leadership, CapMetro has expanded service to more than 70,000 weekday riders and continues to spearhead initiatives that enhance access to public transportation across the region. Through her commitment to fostering diversity and empowering future transit industry leaders, Watkins serves on numerous boards, including the Texas Transit Association, the Bus Coalition and Dress for Success Austin.
About St. Edward’s University December 2025 Commencement
St. Edward’s will host its December Commencement ceremony at the Recreation and Athletic Center (RAC) at 3 p.m. Guests will be required to present a ticket for entry. Following the ceremony, graduates and their families will join a celebratory toast and take part in the beloved Hilltopper tradition — the Legacy Walk.
Candidates for Graduation
Doctoral Degrees
Master Degrees
- Master of Arts in Counseling
- Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Accounting Analytics
- Master of Science in Digital Marketing & Analytics
Baccalaureate Degrees
- School of Behavioral and Social Sciences
- The Bill Munday School of Business
- School of Arts and Humanities
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Natural Sciences
The ceremony will also be available to stream on the university’s YouTube channel.
About St. Edward’s University
St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,000 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 55 undergraduate, seven master’s degree programs and a doctorate program. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 22 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2026 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #5 in the Best Regional Universities in the West.