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Faculty Senate
University Library 2.111A
Edinburg Campus
Email: faculty.senate@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7000
Phone Alt: (956) 882-6590

Faculty Committees

Committee of Counsel on Academic Freedom and Responsibility

Purpose.

To study problems in this area of concern; to advise on such problems or issues referred to it by any member of the faculty, the provost, the president, the chancellor, or the Board of Regents.

Co-Chairs: Dr. Cynthia Cripps & Dr. Lucia Carreon Martinez

College Department Current Member Title
RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship Marketing A. Fuat Firat Professor
College of Liberal Arts  History George Diaz Associate Professor
College of Science Biology Lucia Carreon Lecturer II
College of Fine Arts School of Music Cynthia Cripps Professor

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee

Purpose.

The Faculty Senate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will focus on developing appropriate faculty responses and recommendations related to diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, and recommending topics for introductory and ongoing cultural competency faculty professional development.

 

The FSDEI committee will review institutional communications, policies, and procedures actively promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices for ensuring a safe, welcoming community climate that values and honors inclusivity with respect for diversity in its broadest definition (including but not limited to culture, linguistic heritage, ability, age, national origin, religious beliefs, ethnicity, race, gender, social economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression).

Chair: TBD

College Department Current Member Title
College of Fine Arts  Creative Writing Emmy Perez Professor
College of Liberal Arts School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement Stephanie Alvarez  Associate Professor
College of Liberal Arts Writing and Language Studies Tela Hawkins Assistant Professor

Education Policy Committee

Purpose.

To study and evaluate proposals on educational policy and possible alternatives and to present recommendations on such matters to the Faculty Council. The committee shall actively seek advice from students.

Chair: Dr. Kip Austin Hinton

College Department Current Member Title
College of Education and P-16 Integration  Bilingual & Literacy Studies  Kip Austin Hinton  Associate Professor 
College of Liberal Arts Criminal Justice Robert Michael Magee  Lecturer II
College of Liberal Arts Literatures & Cultural Studies  Amy Cummins Professor 
College of Science  School of Mathematics & Statistical Sciences Salma Mahmood Lecturer III
College of Health Professions  Physician Assistant Diana Paz  Clinical Assistant Professor 
College of Engineering & Computer Science  Civil Engineering  Jorge Vidal  Assistant Professor in Practice 

External Awards Committee

Purpose and Responsibilities.

The purpose of the External Awards Committee is to oversee the selection of nominees for external awards.

The External Awards Committee has the responsibility to:

  • establish criteria and procedures for the selection processes of external awards; and
  • conduct the selection processes in a timely manner. To avoid the potential appearance of conflicts of interest, faculty who serve on this Council and are nominated or apply for any award under this committee shall inform the Committee Chair and recuse himself or herself from all committee activities or meetings related to that particular award.

Chair: TBD

College  Department Current Member  Title Term Date 
RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship  Marketing  Arturo Vasquez Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Engineering & Computer Sciences  Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering  Kye-Hwan Lee Professor August 31, 2022
College of Education & P16 Integration  Teaching & Learning  Angela Chapman  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Fine Arts  School of Music  David Sadlier Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Liberal Arts  History  Kristine Wirts  Associate Professor  August 31, 2023
College of Health Professions  Physician Assistant Studies  Juliann Garza Castillo  Clinical Associate Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Science  Physics & Astronomy  Hyun-chul Lee  Senior Lecturer August 31, 2023
School of Nursing  School of Nursing  Melinda Rodriguez Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022
School of Social Work  School of Social Work  Romeo Escobar  Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022
University College  University College  Jaime Mancha  Lecturer III August 31, 2024
University Library  University Library  John Ferris  Research & Instruction Lab  August 31, 2023
Center for Teaching Excellence  Alyssa Cavazos  Director  EX-OFFICIO
Office of Provost-Non-Voting  Shawn Saladin  Associate VP for Faculty Affairs  EX-OFFICIO 

Faculty Advisory Committee on Budgets

Purpose.

The committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the president and provost. The committee will review University budgets and make appropriate recommendations.

Interim Chair: John Luna

College Department Current Member Title
College of Liberal Arts  Public Affairs & Security Studies  Aziza Zemrani Professor 
College of Science  School of Earth Environmental & Marine Sciences  Owen Temby  Associate Professor 
College of Health Professions  Occupational Therapy  John Luna  Assistant Professor 
College of Science  Physics & Astronomy  Mircea Chipara Professor 

Faculty Committee on Committees & Councils

Purpose.

The purpose of the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees & Councils is to recommend appointments to standing committees, ad hoc and technical committees at UTRGV.

President: Dr. Karin Lewis

College Department Current Member Title
College of Engineering & Computer Sciences   Mechanical Engineering  Dumitru Caruntu Professor 
College of Education & P-16 Integration  Teaching & Learning Karin Lewis  Associate Professor 
College of Education & P-16 Integration Bilingual & Literacy Studies  Kip Austin Hinton  Associate Professor 
College of Fine Arts  School of Music  Cynthia Cripps  Professor 
College of Liberal Arts  Philosophy Cynthia Paccacerqua Associate Professor 
College of Health Professions  Human & Health Performance  VACANT
College of Science  Physics & Astronomy  Volker Quetschke Professor 
School of Medicine  Human Genetics  Sarah Williams-Blangero Professor 
School of Nursing  School of Nursing  Nancy Nadeau  Clinical Associate Professor 
School of Social Work  School of Social Work Sonja Arredondo  Lecturer III
University College  University College  Manuel Saldivar  Lecturer II
University Library  University Library  Joel Chirinos  Head Research & Instruction Services  
RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship International Business & Entrepreneurship  Ryan Sam Sale  Associate Professor 

Faculty Development Council

Purpose and Responsibilities.

The purpose of the Faculty Development Council is to recommend policies, programs and grant awards related to faculty development.

The Faculty Development Council has the responsibility to:

  • recommend policies and guidelines in the area of faculty development;
  • review the applications for faculty development leave and make recommendations to that;
  • review and recommend grants awards for faculty development in teaching, professional achievement and service. To avoid the potential appearance of conflicts of interest, faculty who serve on this Council and intend to apply for funding through this program shall inform the Council Chair and recuse himself or herself from all Council activities or meetings during that particular award cycle.

Chair: TBD

College  Department  Current Member  Title  Term Date 
RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship  Management  Michael Abebe Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Engineering & Computer Sciences  Electrical & Computer Engineer  Paul Choi  Associate Professor  August 31, 2023
College of Education & P16 Integration  Bilingual & Literacy Studies  Sandra Musanti  Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Fine Arts  School of Music  James Arthur Brownlow Professor  August 31, 2023
College of Liberal Arts  Psychological Science   Ruby Charak Associate Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Health Professions  Health & Biomedical Sciences  Sue Ann Chew  Associate Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Science Chemistry  Mohammed Jasim Uddin  Associate Professor  August 31, 2023
School of Nursing  School of Nursing  Susamma Thomas  Clinical Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
School of Social Work  School of Social Work  VACANT  August 31,2022
University College  University College  Dagoberto Ramirez Lecturer III  August 31, 2023
University Library  University Library  Andrew Portner  Research & Instruction Lab  August 31, 2022
Office of the Provost (Designee, Non-Voting) Shawn Saladin  Associate VP for Faculty Affairs  EX-OFFICIO 

Faculty Welfare Committee

Purpose.

To consider and propose modifications to University policies that would improve faculty welfare; to study all proposed legislation concerning faculty welfare and submit recommendations to the Faculty Council.

Chair: Dr. Linda Belau

College Department Current Member Title
College of Education & P-16 Integration  Human Development & School Services Vejoya Viren Associate Professor 
College of Engineering & Computer Science  Mechanical Engineering  Dumitru Caruntu  Professor 
College of Fine Arts  Creative Writing  Emmy Perez Professor 
University College  Learning Framework Program  Sandra Atkins  Lecturer II
College of Liberal Arts Literatures & Cultural Studies  Linda Belau Professor 
College of Health Professions  Health & Human Performance  Ulku Karabulut Associate Professor 

General Education Committee

Purpose and Responsibilities.

The purpose of the General Education Committee shall be to review and make recommendations on matters of importance to the general education requirements for undergraduate students.

The General Education Committee shall review and make recommendations on the curriculum, assessment, and other matters of importance to the general education requirements. Committee recommendations will be forwarded through the Dean of the University College to the Office of the Provost for appropriate administrative review and action.

Chair: TBD

College  Department Current Member Title  Term Date 
RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship  Economics & Finance  Maroula Khraiche Assistant Professor  August 31, 2023 
College of Engineering & Computer Sciences  Mechanical Engineering  Isaac Choutapalli  Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Education & p16 Integration  Bilingual & Literacy Studies  Christian Zuniga  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Fine Arts  School of Music  Brendan Kinsella  Associate Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Liberal Arts  Philosophy  Alex Stehn Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Liberal Arts  Sociology  Dean Kyne  Associate Professor  August 31, 2023
College of Health Professions   Health & Biomedical Sciences Upal Roy  Assistant Professor  August 31, 2024 
College of Science   Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Salma Mahood  Lecturer III  August 31, 2022 
School of Nursing  School of Nursing  Juanita Acevedo  Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022 
School of Social Work   School of Social Work  Susheelabai Srinivasa Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022 
University Library University Library John Asbell  Serials & Electronic Res Lib August 31,2023 
University College   University College Sofia Montero  Lecturer III  August 31, 2023 
Office of the Provost (Designee, Non-Voting) Jonikka Charlton  Associate Provost/ Dean  EX-OFFICIO 

General Faculty Rules and Governance Committee

Purpose.

To consider and propose changes in the rules of procedure and governance structure of the General Faculty and the Faculty Council and changes to the voting rights of the General Faculty; to study all proposed changes in and additions to the rules of procedure of the General Faculty and the Faculty Council; and to submit recommendations to the Faculty Council. If the recommendations concern the Faculty Council, the committee will report also to the president, as the head of the General Faculty. In addition, this committee's Purpose.  is to make the final ruling in any election dispute or on any election matter not covered by the rules; to handle questions of interpretation of rules; and to determine questions of jurisdiction arising between the Faculty Council and the General Faculty.

Co-Chairs: Dr. Marcela Hebbard & Dr. Cynthia Paccacerqua

College  Department  Current Member  Title 
College of Liberal Arts Philosophy  Cynthia Paccacerqua Associate Professor 
College of Liberal Arts  Writing & Language Studies Marcela Hebbard Lecturer III 
College of Liberal Arts Psychological Science Grant Benham Professor
College of Science  Biology Robert Gilkerson  Associate Professor 
College of Science  School of Mathematics & Statistical Sciences Eleftherios Gkioulekas Professor
College of Health Professions  School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling  Rene Gonzalez Associate Professor 
School of Social work  School of Social Work  Sonja Arredondo  Lecturer III 

Graduate Committee

Purpose and Responsibilities.

The purpose of the Graduate Committee shall be to review and make recommendations on matters of importance to graduate education.

The Graduate Committee shall review and make recommendations on graduate academic policies and standards related to curriculum, admissions, fellowships and assistantships and other matters of importance to graduate education. Committee recommendations will be forwarded through the Dean of the Graduate College to the Office of the Provost for appropriate administrative review and action.

Chair: Dr. Nancy Razo

College  Department  Current Member  Title  Term Date 
RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship  Management  Wanrong Hou Associate Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Engineering & Computer Sciences  Mechanical Engineering  Mataz Alcoutlabi Associate Professor August 31, 2022
College of Education & P16 Integration  Human Development & School Services  Nancy Razo  Professor of Practice  August 31, 2022
College of Fine Arts  School of Music  George Amorim  Associate Professor August 31, 2023
College of Liberal Arts  Communication  Kimberly Selber  Associate Professor August 31, 2024
College of Health Professions  Health & Biomedical Sciences  Lisa Salinas  Clinical Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
COS  Biology  Rupesh Kariyat  Associate Professor  August 31, 2024
SOM Internal Medicine  Helen Krouse  Professor  August 31, 2023
SON School of Nursing Lilia A. Fuentes  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
SSW School of Social Work  Leyla Feize  Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022
University Library  University Library  Charles Roush  Assessment Librarian  August 31, 2023
Office of the Provost (Designee, Non-Voting) Laura Saenz  Associate Vice President  EX-OFFICIO
Office of the Provost (Designee, Non- Voting)  Graduate College  Sandra Hansmann  Interim Dean  EX-OFFICIO

Library Committee

Purpose and Responsibilities.

The primary purpose of the Library Committee is to advise the University Librarian on matters of general library policy and development of library resources.

The Library Committee has the responsibility to:

  1. advise the University Librarian on policies of the University Library;
  2. provide input on allocation of resources for the departmental requests for new resources; and
  3. advise on services to support students, faculty, staff, and other Library patrons.

Chair: Mr. Jorge Canchola

College  Department  Current Member  Title  Term Date 
RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship  School of Accountancy  Andrew Anabila  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022 
College of Engineering & Computer Science  Civil Engineering  Mohamed Abdel Raheem  Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Education & P16 Integration  Counseling  Javier Cavazos  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Fine Arts  School of Art & Design  Donald J. Lyles  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Liberal Arts  Psychological Science  Maria Romero- Rodriguez   Lecturer III  August 31, 2022
College of Health Professions  Rehab Svcs & Counseling  Saara Grizzell   Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Science  Biology  Jorge Canchola   Lecturer I  August 31, 2022
School of Nursing  School of Nursing  Liji Mathew  Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022
School of Social Work  School of Social Work  Lin Jiang (Helen) Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022
University College  University College  Deborah Ashley  Lecturer I  August 31, 2022
University Library  University Library  Jesus Resendez  Research & Instruction Lab  August 31, 2022
Library Committee  Paul Sharpe Dean of Libraries  EX-OFFICIO
Office of the Provost (Designee, Non-Voting) Parwinder Grewal  EVP Research & New Program  EX-OFFICIO 

Research Policy Committee

Purpose.

To advise the Faculty Council and the president on matters relating to the research mission of the University and the relationship between it and other aspects of the University's overall mission; to provide for wider dissemination of information concerning the research mission of the University, how that mission is being discharged, and how it might be enhanced.

Chair: Dr. Sergey Grigorian

College Department Current Member Title
College of Engineering and Computer Science Electrical and Computer Engineering Sanjeev Kumar Professor
College of Fine Arts School of Art and Design Paul Valadez Assistant Professor
College of Liberal Arts  Political Science  William Sokoloff Associate Professor 
College of Liberal Arts  Psychological Science Michiyo Hirai Professor 
College of Liberal Arts  Anthropology William Yaworsky Professor 
College of Science School of Mathematics & Statistical Sciences  Sergei Grigorian  Associate Professor 
College of Science School of Earth Environmental & Marine Sciences  Abdullah F. Rahman  Professor 
College of Science Physics & Astronomy Volker Quetschke Professor 
College of Health Professions  Health & Human Performance  Ulku Karabulut  Associate Professor 
School of Medicine  Human Genetics  John VandeBerg Professor 

Technology-Enhanced Education Oversight Committee

Purpose.

To evaluate and formulate policy on technology-enhanced education and make recommendations on such matters to the Faculty Council. To ensure that initiatives in technology- enhanced education further the University’s mission to be a University of the first rank by reviewing the following:

  • programmatic proposals
  • technology-enhanced courses and curricula offered by the University and certificates and degrees associated with such
  • academic quality of other on-line resources
  • use of on-line materials for credit toward University degrees (including transfer credits and dual credits)
  • overall impact of such offerings on workload, intellectual property, and promotion/tenure issues for faculty and instructional staff
  • student issues, such as privacy

Co- Chairs: Dr. Randall Monty & Dr. Rachel Mann

College Department Current Member Title
College of Fine Arts  School of Music  Rachel Mann Assistant Professor 
College of Fine Arts School of Art and Design Elizabeth Berger Associate Professor
College of Liberal Arts  Communication  Louis Falk  Professor 
College of Liberal Arts  Writing & Language Studies  Randall Monty  Associate Professor 
College of Liberal Arts Literatures and Cultural Studies Jacob McDonie Associate Professor
School of Medicine  School of Medicine  Stephanie Sharpe Staff 
School of Nursing   School of Nursing  Sharon Helsley McGinley Clinical Associate Professor 
IT Academics & Support Services  Robert Allen Executive IT Director Academic
Center for Online Learning & Teaching Technology  Jessica Sanchez  Associate Director Research Innovation 

Undergraduate Committee

Purpose and Responsibilities.

The purpose of the Undergraduate Committee shall be to review and make recommendations on matters of importance to undergraduate education.

The Undergraduate Committee shall review and make recommendations on undergraduate academic policies and standards related to curriculum, admissions, retention, graduation and other matters of importance to undergraduate education. Committee recommendations will be forwarded through the Deputy Provost to the Office of the Provost for appropriate administrative review and action.

Chair: TBD 

College  Department  Current Member Title  Term Date 
RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship  Economics & Finance  Ahmed Elnahas  Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022 
College of Engineering & Computer Sciences  Electrical & Computer Engineer  Mounir Ben Ghalia  Professor  August 31, 2023
College of Education & P16 Integration  Bilingual & Literacy Studies  Janine Schall  Professor  August 31, 2023
College of Fine Arts  School of Art & Design  Robert Gilbert  Associate Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Liberal Arts  Criminal Justice  Lucas Espinoza  Assistant Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Health Professions  School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling  Fidencio Mercado  Clinical Associate Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Science  Physics & Astronomy  Nicolas Pereyra  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
School of Nursing  School of Nursing  Betty John  Clinical Assistant  Professor  August 31, 2022
School of Social Work  School of Social Work  Noelia Alonzo  Lecturer I  August 31, 2022
University College  University College  Marilyn Hagerty Lecturer II  August 31, 2024
University Library  University Library  Justin White  Scholarly Communications Librarian  August 31, 2024
Office of the Provost (Designee, Non-Voting)  Laura Saenz  Associate Vice President  EX-OFFICIO 

University Tenure and Promotion Committee

Purpose and Responsibilities.

The purpose of the University Tenure and Promotion Committee shall be to review all applications for tenure and promotion and provide an independent review or assessment of the candidate’s professional record and achievements.

The University Tenure and Promotion Committee shall

  • evaluate the candidates’ dossiers,
  • assess the candidates’ performance including the strengths and weaknesses in the areas of teaching, research and service;
  • use the department’s discipline-specific criteria for tenure or promotion as the basis upon which to evaluate a faculty member;
  • provide a recommendation on whether or not to promote or tenure.

Chair: TBD 

College  Department  Current Member  Title  Term Date 
RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship  School of Accountancy  John Darcy  Professor  August 31, 2022
 RCV College of Business & Entrepreneurship Economics & Finance  Monika K. Rabarison  Associate Professor  August 31,2023
College of Engineering & Computer Sciences  Mechanical Engineering Yingcheng Yang Professor August 31, 2024
College of Engineering & Computer Sciences Mechanical Engineering  Karen Lozano  Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Education & P16 Integration  Human Development & School Services  Vejoya Viren  Associate Professor  August 31,2023
College of Education & P16 Integration Teaching & Learning  Zhidong Zhang  Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Fine Arts  School of Music Justin Writer  Professor  August 31, 2024
College of Fine Arts  School of Music  Krista Jobson  Associate Professor  August 31, 2023
College of Liberal Arts  Literatures & Cultural Studies  Marci McMahon  Professor   August 31, 2023
College of Liberal Arts Communication  Louis Falk  Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Liberal Arts Interdisciplinary Program & Communication Engagement   Paul Jorgensen  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Health Professions  Rehab Services & Counseling  Jerome Fisher  Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Health Professions  Health & Human Performance  Juanito Gonzalez  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Science  Mathematical & Statistical Sciences  Anahit Galstyan  Professor  August 31, 2022
College of Science  Physics & Astronomy  Soma Mukherjee Professor  August 31, 2023
School of Medicine  Human Genetics Michael Manhaney Professor August 31, 2024
School of Medicine  Human Genetics  Sara Williams- Blangero  Professor  August 31, 2022
School of Nursing  School of Nursing  Maria Diaz  Associate Professor  August 31, 2022
School of Nursing  School of Nursing  Eloiza Tamez  Professor  August 31, 2022 
School of Social Work  School of Social Work Susy Villegas Associate Professor August 31, 2024
Office of the Provost (Designee, Non-Voting)  Shawn Saladin  Associate VP for Faculty Affairs  EX-OFFICIO 

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