Meet Muriel Warren, a UTRGV Unsung Hero
Text by Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa
Muriel Warren, assistant dean for Accreditation at the UTRGV School of Medicine, plays a critical behind-the-scenes role in ensuring the university’s M.D. program meets the highest standards. For the past four years, she has overseen the rigorous accreditation and continuous quality improvement process, working closely with faculty, staff, and leadership to spotlight strengths and enhance areas of growth.
Warren, a first-generation college graduate with more than two decades in higher education, says one of her favorite parts of the job is collaborating with people across the university. “Accreditation isn’t just about compliance,” she said. “It’s about striving for meaningful improvement and serving our students and community better every day.”
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT UTRGV?
I oversee the accreditation and continuous quality improvement process for the M.D. degree program at the School of Medicine.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?
I have worked at UTRGV for four years.
DESCRIBE YOUR AVERAGE DAY:
My average day varies. During an accreditation cycle, the day begins with preparing for meetings that focus on compliance with accreditation standards and elements, as prescribed by our medical school accrediting body. I work with a dedicated faculty member who serves as the Faculty Accreditation Lead. Preparation for an accreditation visit involves a wide range of activities, including data collection, writing, and reviewing materials to ensure we present the strengths of our program and develop plans to improve areas that need attention.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
I love that I get the chance to work with a variety of people, faculty, staff, students, and clinicians. I also appreciate the continued support from leadership and from Dr. Shupala, who oversees UTRGV institutional accreditation.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY OR STORY ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE?
One of my favorite memories is having lunch with my then-supervisor, SJ Sethi, at Chili’s. A gentleman walked in whom she knew. After some small talk, she wished him luck, and he left. That gentleman was Ramiro Garza Jr., who was elected mayor of Edinburg the very next day.
TELL US SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU:
Two things:
- I am a first-generation college graduate.
- I have worked in various roles in higher education for the past 22 years.
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UTRGV COMMUNITY?
My goal is to become more deeply involved with the UTRGV community. I am currently a mentee in the Mentoring U program, and my mentor is Dr. Maggie Hinojosa. I already feel that my life has been enriched just by hearing her story. I hope to become a mentor myself within the next year or so. I also hope to educate the UTRGV community about medical school accreditation and how it is more about continuous self-improvement than simply checking a box for compliance.
