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Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship

Division of Academic Affairs

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The Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship promotes student success and catalyzes innovation, knowledge discovery, and economic development in South Texas, Northern Mexico, and beyond.

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The Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship promotes student success and catalyzes innovation, knowledge discovery, and economic development in South Texas, Northern Mexico, and beyond.

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Department of Economics

Department of Finance

Hospitality and Tourism Management Program

Department of Information Systems

Department of International Business and Entrepreneurship

Department of Management

Department of Marketing

School of Accountancy
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The UTRGV Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship conducts research to promote economic development through its policy-oriented research and analysis on the Texas-Mexico, RGV, border.

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Center for Border Economic Studies

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Our state-of-the-art facility houses the latest and greatest equipment, as well as the smartest and brightest entrepreneurial talent in the region

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Explore a comprehensive array of resources at UTRGV's Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship. From internships, student organizations like AMA and Enactus, to the Vackar Student Scholars Program, students have diverse opportunities for research engagement and career development. Faculty and staff benefit from career development, mentorship through VOICE, and access to extensive policy documents, bylaws, and strategic plans. For degree planning, class registration, and admissions, utilize our advising services. Discover interactive enrollment statistics with the Enrollment Explorer, and explore various student organizations for academic and professional growth. Access all these resources and more to ensure your academic and career success at UTRGV's RCVCOBE.

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Welcome to the online directory for the Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship!

Dean's Office


Giorgio Gotti, Ph.D. Dean giorgio.gotti@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3311 ECOBE 114 or BMAIN 2.542	Jerald Hughes, Ph. D. Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies / Associate Professor j.hughes@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3388 ECOBE 114J	Christian Sobngwi, Ph .D. Associate Dean for Graduate/ Professional Program, Accreditation & Assessment/ Associate Professor christian.sobngwi@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7936 ECOBE 124E	Andre Mollick, Ph. D. Associate Dean for Research and Faculty / Professor andre.mollick@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7136 ECOBE 114D

Michael Ramos College Administrator michael.ramos01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3267 ECOBE 114B	Shana Mettlach Program Manager shana.mettlach@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-4057 ECOBE 114	Ismael Marquez Assessment and Accreditation College Administrator ismael.marquez01@utrgv.edu ECOBE 226A	Magda Martinez Accreditation Liaison Support magdalena.martinez@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-5828 BMAIN 2.504

Bianca Hammond Program Coordinator bianca.hammond@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3599 ECOBE 124	Luis Leal Director of Development luis.leal@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3270	Carolina Hernandez Naya Financial Analyst carolina.hernandeznaya01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2633 ECOBE 230	Chong Hong Tan Systems Analyst II chonghong.tan01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3022 ECOBE 229

Ph.D. Programs


Andre Mollick, Ph. D. Associate Dean for Research and Faculty / Professor andre.mollick@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7136 ECOBE 114D	Xiaojing Sheng, Ph.D. Ph.D Program Director xiaojing.sheng@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3317 ECOBE 211D	Bianca Hammond Program Coordinator bianca.hammond@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3599 ECOBE 124B

Graduate Programs


Christian Sobngwi, Ph .D. Associate Dean for Graduate/ Professional Program, Accreditation & Assessment/ Associate Professor christian.sobngwi@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7936 ECOBE 124E	Gisela Saldana, MBA Graduate Program Coordinator / Staff Teaching Part-Time gisela.saldana01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3313 ECOBE 124C	Annabel Muniz Graduate Program Coordinator annabel.muniz@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-8996 ECOBE 124D	Linda Acevedo, MAcc Master of Accountancy Program Director linda.acevedo@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2089 ECOBE 120H

Maroula Khraiche, Ph.D. MBA Director maroula.khraiche@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3391 ECOBE 216D	Marco Garza, Ph.D. Master of Human Resource Management / Graduate Program Coordinator marco.garza@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-4651 ECOBE 222H	Murad Moqbel, Ph.D. Master of Science Business Administration- Artificial Intelligence / Graduate Program Coordinator murad.moqbel@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3314 MAGC 3.310	Michael Flores Master of Marketing / Graduate Program Coordinator michael.c.flores01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7359 ECOBE 211K

Bryan Kerrick Master of Global Commerce / Graduate Program Coordinator bryan.kerrick@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3392 ECOBE 124F

Vackar Office of Involvement and Center for Engagement Staff


Persephonie Martinez VOICE Program Manager persephonie.martinez01 @utrgv.edu ECOBE 122	Vivian Vargas Program Coordinator vivian.vargas01@utrgv.edu ECOBE 122	Brandon Melchor Integrated Academic Support Specialist Brandon.melchor01@utrgv.edu ECOBE 122	Jerome Wiggins Business Career Advisor jerome.wiggins01@utrgv.edu ECOBE 122

Business Advisor


Amanda Galvan Lead Academic Advisor amanda.galvan@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7120 ECOBE 114	Christian Llanas Academic Advisor christian.llanas@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2826 ECOBE 120A	Maggie Vasquez Academic Advisor maggie.vasquez@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-5131 ECOBE 120	Laura Hernández Academic Advisor laura.hernandez@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-7484 BMAIN 2.416

Societal Impact and Sustainability

Maria Leonard

Maria Leonard
Assistant Professor of Practice/Director of Societal Impact and Sustainability
maria.leonard@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-4068
ECOBE 120I

Center for Innovation and Commercialization


Laurie Simmons Director laurie.simmons@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3908 or (956) 357-0167 307 E. Railroad St. Weslaco, TX	Stephanie L. Mendez, M.B.A. Manager Center for Innovation and Commercialization stephanie.mendez01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3915 WCIC 1.121	Natalia De La Garza, M.B.A. Program Coordinator natalia.delagarza02@utrgv.edu

School of Accountancy


Akinloye Akindayomi, Ph.D. Director akinloye.akindayomi@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7936 ECOBE 220E	Rebecca Gonzalez Administrative Assistant II rebecca.gonzalez04@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-8860 ECOBE 220	Jiajia Fu, Ph.D. Associate Professor/Associate Director jiajia.fu@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3753 ECOBE 220A	Haiyan Zhou, Ph.D. Professor haiyan.zhou@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3334 ECOBE 218F

John Darcy, Ph.D. Professor john.darcy @utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7316 ECOBE 218E	Andrew Anabila, Ph.D. Associate Professor andrew.anabila@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-8084 ECOBE 220C	Yun-Chia Yan (Anderson), Ph.D. Associate Professor yunchia.yan@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7230 ECOBE 220B	Arno Forst, Ph.D. Associate Professor arno.forst@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-5783 BMAIN 2.516

Sedat Erdogan, Ph.D. Assistant Professor sedat.erdogan@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-5105 ECOBE 218G	Jose Elias Almeida, Ph.D. Associate Professor joseelias.almeida@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-8073 ECOBE 220D	John "Bob" Sparger Clinical Assistant John.sparger@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-7207 BMAIN 2.528	Andres Bello, MBA/MAcc/Ph.D. Senior Lecturer andres.bello01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3385 ECOBE 226C

Linda Acevedo, MAcc MACC Program Director(GPC) linda.acevedo@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2089 ECOBE 120H	Jimmie Limon, MBA/MAcc Lecturer II jimmie.limon@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-7326 BMAIN 2.542C	Delia Sanchez, MAcc Lecturer II delia.sanchez@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2883 ECOBE 212F

Economics


Gautam Hazarika, Ph.D. Department Chair/Associate Professor gautam.hazarika@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-8953 BMAIN 2.438	Bethzabel Santos Administrative Assistant II bethzabel.santos@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-5809 BMAIN 2.542	Andre Mollick, Ph.D. Professor andre.mollick@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7136 ECOBE 216B	Diego Escobari, Ph.D. Professor diego.escobari@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3366 ECOBE 218D

Salvador Contreras, Ph.D. Professor and Associate Dean - Graduate College salvador.contreras@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2827 ECOBE 131C	Maroula Khraiche, Ph.D. Associate Professor maroula.khraiche@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3391 ECOBE 216D	Jean-Baptiste Tondji, Ph.D. Associate Professor jeanbaptiste.tondji@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2825 ECOBE 216A	Levent Kutlu, Ph.D. Associate Professor levent.kutlu@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3108 ECOBE 211G

Armando Lopez-Velasco, Ph.D. Assistant Professor armando.lopezvelasco @utrgv.edu ECOBE 226B	Xi Mao, Ph.D. Assistant Professor xi.mao@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-8863 BMAIN 2.522	Elisa Tavares Pena, Ph.D. Assistant Professor elisa.taveraspena@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-5835 BMAIN 2.542D	Bruno Arthur, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer bruno.arthur@utrgv.edu Phone: (956)-665-3368 ECOBE 130B

Finance


Dave Jackson, Ph.D. Chair dave.jackson@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7358 ECOBE 218C	Marina Rodriguez Administrative Assistant II marina.rodriguez@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3354 ECOBE 216	Monika Rabarison, Ph.D. Professor monika.rabarison@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3338 ECOBE 216F	Yu Liu, Ph.D. Associate Professor yu.liu@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7913 ECOBE 216C

Incheol Kim, Ph.D. Associate Professor incheol.kim@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2669 ECOBE 216E	Siamak Javadi, Ph.D. Associate Professor siamak.javadi@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-8858 BMAIN 2.432	Ahmed Elnahas, Ph.D. Associate Professor ahmed.elnahas@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2380 ECOBE 218B	Nam H. Nguyen, Ph.D. Associate Professor namhoang.nguyen@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7471 ECOBE 120C

Suin Lee, Ph.D. Assistant Professor suin.lee@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-5802 BMAIN 2.524	Ghada Ismail, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor ghada.ismail@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2830 ECOBE 131B	Damir Tokic Clinical Assistant Professor damir.tokic01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3354 ECOBE 216

Hospitality and Tourism Management


Aj Singh, Ph.D. Director/Professor arjun.singh@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-5021 ECOBE 124A	Chef Marcel Lecturer marcel.fortuin@utrgv.edu Phone: N/A EHABW 2.114	Chang Huh, Ph.D. Adjunct Faculty chang.huh@utrgv.edu	Rex Warren, Ph.D. Adjunct Faculty rex.warren@utrgv.edu

Justin Bragiel. J.D. Adjunct Faculty N/A

Information Systems


Bin Wang, Ph.D. Department Chair/Professor bin.wang@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-5087 MAGC 3.114	Nora Ramirez Administrative Assistant II nora.e.ramirez01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3353 MAGC 3.302	Qinyu Liao, Ph.D. Professor qinyu.liao@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-5825 BMAIN 2.510	Jun Sun, Ph.D. Professor jun.sun@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2850 MAGC 3.338

Francis Andoh-Baidoo, Ph.D. Professor francis.andohbaidoo@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3397 MAGC 3.322	Hong Qin, Ph.D. Professor hong.qin@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2035 MAGC 3.318	Jerald Hughes, Ph.D. Associate Professor j.hughes@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3388 ECOBE 114J	Punit Ahluwalia, Ph.D. Associate Professor punit.ahluwalia@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2843 MAGC 3.314

Nan Xiao, Ph.D. Associate Professor nan.xiao@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3352 MAGC 3.326	Sunyoung Cho, Ph.D. Associate Professor sunyoung.cho@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3360 MAGC 3.334	Murad Moqbel, Ph.D. Associate Professor murad.moqbel@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3314 MAGC 3.310	Xuan Wang, Ph.D. Associate Professor xuan.wang@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2019 MAGC 3.306

Geng Sun, Ph.D. Assistant Professor geng.sun@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2801 EMAGC 3.316	Ahasan Harun, Ph.D. Assistant Professor ahasan.harun@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3336 MAGC 3.324	Ehsan Ghasemi, Ph.D. Assistant Professor ehsan.ghasemi@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2822 EMAGC 3.328	Sergio Garcia, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor sergio.garcia03@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3929 EMAGC 3.212

Massara Alazazi, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor massara.alazazi01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 822-5831 BMAIN 2.508	Ying Wang, Ph.D. Lecturer III ying.wang01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7428 MAGC 3.222	David Alvarado, Ph.D. Lecturer II david.alvarado@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7429 MAGC 3.212	Mingming Du Lecturer II mingming.du@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-8959 EMAGC 3.212

Oscar Ramos Lecturer II oscar.ramoschacon01 @utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3907 WRCIC 213	Samer Takieddine, Ph.D. Lecturer I samer.takieddine01@utrgv.edu (956) 882-5726 BMAIN 2.532	Ana Canedo Lecturer I ana.gironrubio@utrgv.edu Phone: 956-665-2053 EMAGC 3.222

International Business and Entrepreneurship


Russell Adams, Ph.D. Chair/Associate Professor russell.adams@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-7654 BMAIN 2.504D	Jacqueline Trujillo Administrative Assistant II jacqueline.garza@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-5812 BMAIN 2.504	Mark Kroll, Ph.D. Professor mark.kroll@utrgv.edu (956) 665-4045 WRCIC 2.212	Jaime Ortiz, Ph.D. Professor jaime.ortiz@utrgv.edu (956) 882-6597 BMAIN 2.504F

Edith Galy, Ph.D. Associate Professor edith.galy @utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-7301 BMAIN 2.434	Sam Sale, Ph.D. Associate Professor ryan.sale@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-7336 BMAIN 2.440	Esi Elliot, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor esi.elliott@utregv.edu (956) 665-2570 ECOBE 124D	Leon Schjoedt, Ph.D. Assistant Professor leon.schjoedt@utrgv.edu (956) 665-3392 ECOBE 124F

James Gleason, J.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Practice james.gleason@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3905 WRCIC 2.223	Sylvia Robles, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Practice sylvia.robles@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-8992 BMAIN 2.430	Blanca G. Marquez, Ph.D. Part-Time Lecturer blanca.gomezmarquez @utrgv.edu Phone: (956)-882-5812 BMAIN 2.542	Janis Balda, Ph.D. Part-Time Lecturer janis.balda@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-5729 BMAIN 2.422

Jaime Pena, J.D. Lecturer I jaime.pena@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3695 ECOBE 227	Bryan Kerrick Lecturer I bryan.kerrick@utrgv.edu Pending ECOBE 212C	Robert Katusak Lecturer I robert.katusak@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-5814 BMAIN 2.520	Ancelmo Naranjo Lecturer I ancelmo.naranjo01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-8664 BMAIN 2.542B

Management


Jorge Gonzalez, Ph.D. Chair/Professor jorge.gonzalez@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2831 ECOBE 222D	Sarah Rees Administrative Assistant II sarah.rees01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3351 ECOBE 222	Hale Kaynak, Ph.D. Professor hale.kaynak@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7460 ECOBE 222F	Joo Jung, Ph.D. Professor joo.jung@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7137 ECOBE 222E

Sibin Wu, Ph.D. Professor sibin.wu@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3559 ECOBE 222D	Michael Abebe, Ph.D. Professor michael.abebe@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-5225 ECOBE 213A	Wanrong Hou, Ph.D. Professor wanrong.hou@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3387 ECOBE 213B	Jennifer Welbourne, Ph.D. Associate Professor jennifer.welbourne@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3382 ECOBE 222A

Lei Wang, Ph.D. Associate Professor lei.wang@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-8759 ECOBE 222J	Steve Lovett, Ph.D. Associate Professor steve.lovett@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-7382 BMAIN 2.426	Pingshu Li, Ph.D. Associate Professor pingshu.li@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2569 ECOBE 222B	Marco Garza, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor marco.garza@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-4651 ECOBE 222H

Azucena Herrera, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor azucena.herrera@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7317 ECOBE 228	Maria Leonard, MBA Assistant Professor of Practice maria.leonard@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-4068 ECOBE 120I	Irma Pye Visiting Assistant Professor irma.pye@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3351 ECOBE 222	Martha Lovett, MBA Lecturer I martha.lovett@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-7135 BPOB1 1.101D

Debjani Ghosh, Ph.D. Lecturer I debjani.ghosh@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-8760 ECOBE 213A

Marketing


Peter Magnusson, Ph.D. Chair/Professor peter.magnusson@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3889 ECOBE 211B	Brenda Castillo Administrative Assistant II brenda.castillo01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-5007 ECOBE 211	Fuat Firat, Ph.D. Professor fuat.firat@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2092 ECOBE 211C	Chiquan Gao, Ph.D. Professor chiquan.quo@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7339 ECOBE 211F

Xiaojing Sheng, Ph.D. Professor xiaojing.sheng@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-3317 ECOBE 211D	Reto Felix, Ph.D. Associate Professor reto.felix@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-2579 ECOBE 211A	Deniz Atik Ozgun, Ph.D. Associate Professor deniz.atik@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-8617 BMAIN 2.504F	Michael Flores Lecturer II michael.c.flores01@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-7359 ECOBE 211K

Jesse Jones Lecturer jesse.jones@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 882-7508 BMAIN 2.542C	Eloy Garza Lecturer jose.garza2@utrgv.edu Phone: (956) 665-5007 ECOBE 211C

Contact Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship

Brownsville

BMAIN 2.504
956-882-5828

Edinburg

ECOBE 114
956-665-3311

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