Faculty Committees
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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:
- advise the University Librarian on policies of the University Library;
- provide input on allocation of resources for the departmental requests for new resources; and
- 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |