Women’s History Month Spotlight: Susan Rose

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Texas Tech Foundation is highlighting Susan Menelaides Rose.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Texas Tech Foundation is highlighting Susan Menelaides Rose.

Rose served on the Texas Tech Foundation Board of Directors from 2011 to 2019. During her time on the board, she served as a director, and held leadership positions as the Audit Committee chairman and as secretary of the board.

Rose graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1976. Rose has many memories from her time at Texas Tech, including going to football games, living in the dorms, and meeting lifelong friends. 

After graduating from Texas Tech, she began her remarkable career at Deloitte, the largest accounting firm in the world. Later, she moved to New York City, where she spent six years working at the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts. The next step in her career was a move to Chicago, where she worked at a small accounting firm. Rose finished her career at Deloitte where she worked until she retired six and a half years ago. 

One of Rose’s greatest career accomplishments is the work that she did at the accounting firm in Chicago. She helped them rebuild their firm and regain their reputation. Throughout this phase in Rose’s career, she learned the importance of leadership and being a mentor to others. She utilized these skills during her service on the board.

Throughout her time on the Texas Tech Foundation, Rose learned many things about Texas Tech.

“I learned so much about the university that was just was amazing to me, and it only enhanced my pride in being a Texas Tech graduate,” Rose said.

Students were Rose’s top priority while serving on the board. 

“It really is about the students and that’s vitally important to me,” Rose said. “If we ever lose sight of that then we lose our way. At the end of the day, it was always about making sure our students have the best experience and that our alumni remain proud graduates of Texas Tech.”

Those [relationships] will nourish your soul as you go through your career and then you’ll eventually become that mentor to somebody else and be that person to others and that just adds a lot of meaning to my life.

A reoccurring theme in Rose’s life and career is connections. She emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships and building professional and peer networks. 

“Those [relationships] will nourish your soul as you go through your career and then you’ll eventually become that mentor to somebody else and be that person to others and that just adds a lot of meaning to my life,” Rose said.

Rose’s career and experience on the board speak for themselves. She has empowered others and given back to her community. She is an exceptional example of what it means to be a Red Raider – she has pride in Texas Tech and is driven to better the experiences of our students and alumni.