Message from the Provost 2025

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Zulmaris Diaz has been selected as the next Dean of the Honors College at UTRGV.  Dr. Diaz, a professor in the Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies in the College of Education and P-16 Integration, will start her term as dean on June 16, 2025.  Over the past few months, the search committee for the position conducted a careful and intensive review, which identified Dr. Diaz as a standout for this important position.

Dr. Diaz has been a member of our faculty since 2007 and has served in various academic and administrative roles, including Director of Field Experiences and Associate Chair for the Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies in the College of Education and P-16 Integration.  Across her nearly two decades at UTRGV and one of its legacy institutions, Dr. Diaz has shown her dedicated commitment to student success and academic excellence.   She has been instrumental in developing innovative educational programs and has secured significant external funding to support bilingual education initiatives at UTRGV that have benefited the valley's many communities. Indeed, her close collaboration with the RGV community has established her as a leader in our region.

Dr. Diaz's academic background includes a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and an MEd in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University, as well as a BA in Spanish from The University of Texas. Prior to joining UTRGV, Dr. Diaz held a faculty appointment at Texas A&M University. Dr. Diaz has also been recognized for her contributions to bilingual education and research, having authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and books.

As we approach this transition in the Honors College, I must express my deepest thanks to Dr. Cristina Villalobos for serving as interim dean over the past year.  Dr. Villalobos brought energy and a spirit of innovation to the Honors College, and I am eternally grateful to her.  I am also very thankful for the contributions that interim associate dean Dr. Rosalynn Vega made in her role.  I’m sure we can count on them for their continued support.

Please join me in welcoming Dean Diaz to this new position, extending your well-wishes and support. 

Luis H. Zayas, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs