2025 Provost Office Message Archive

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Parking and Traffic Plan for Summer 2025 Commencement

Texas State University is pleased to honor over 1,300 candidates in three commencement ceremonies to be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025.  The ceremonies will be held in Strahan Arena at the University Events Center (UEC) on our San Marcos Campus.  As graduates, families, and the university community prepare to celebrate, please note the following announcements and recommendations.

Parking at Commencement

Parking is available for all attendees as indicated on the Commencement Parking Map.

Recommended parking for faculty and staff, with shuttle services, include:

• Lots A and B, located by UFCU Stadium, will have shuttle bus service.
• Lot C, located adjacent to the UEC, is restricted to those with Limited Mobility.  Golf cart shuttles will be available to assist individuals in this lot.  This lot should be accessed from Charles Austin Drive via Hopkins Street.

Recommended park and walk lots for faculty and staff include:

• Lot D, across the street from the UEC.
• Garage F, at the corner of Edward Gary Street and University Drive.
• Garage H, at the corner of Pleasant Street and LBJ Drive.

All lots and garages listed above are free to those attending commencement.

Please be aware that if you are traveling southbound on IH35 and exit Aquarena Springs Drive you are advised to turn left on to Thorpe Lane and right on to Robbie Lane in order to access Lots A and B.  Traffic inbound to campus on Aquarena Springs Drive will not be able to make a left turn into Commencement Parking Lot D.

Information on faculty parking, parking maps, the faculty processional, and other details can be found on the commencement website.  

Special Instructions

Faculty and staff who attend commencement should adhere to the Clear Bag Policy and also see the prohibited and allowable items list for more information. 

It is highly recommended that drivers avoid the Sessom Street, Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82, and University Drive roadways between the ceremonies on Saturday.   Every effort should be made to exit the campus and San Marcos using Edward Gary Street, Guadalupe Street, Hopkins Street/Hunter Road, and other routes heading away from the UEC.

Thank you for your cooperation during this momentous time in our graduates’ lives.

Faculty or staff requiring accommodations due to a disability should contact commencement@txstate.edu at least one week prior to the event.

TO:                             Faculty

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Update on the Faculty Senate and SB 37

Dear Colleagues, 

Texas State University’s outstanding academic legacy would not be possible without the consultation and collaboration that constitutes shared governance on our campus. The leadership team at Texas State is committed to the principles of shared governance, not as an abstract value, but because we have seen its benefits and we understand that it is foundational to the American educational system. Shared governance doesn’t come from holding fast to traditional rules about how we elect our members, but from the commitment we have to one another - to genuine consultation and to working together on our most difficult issues.  

As you are no doubt aware, the Texas Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 37 abolishing faculty councils or senates at public higher education institutions that were established before the effective date of the bill. The bill also provides specific instructions for seating a new faculty senate body requiring:  

• At least two representatives from each college or school including: 

o    one member appointed by the president; and 

o    one member elected by a vote of the faculty of the member’s respective college or school. 

To comply with the spirit of the new law, we will hold an election before September 1 to seat a new faculty advisory group that will help us redevelop the Faculty Senate bylaws in compliance with state law. This faculty advisory group will become the new Faculty Senate after presentation by the President to the Chancellor and approval by the TSUS Board of Regents.  

To elect and appoint the faculty advisory group, the current Faculty Senate will utilize the “opt-in” process to identify those faculty members who are willing and able to serve in the new Faculty Senate. In addition, I also encourage faculty members to either nominate themselves or others who are interested in serving in the new Faculty Senate. President Damphousse will be consulting with different stakeholders on campus to identify faculty members to nominate to the Faculty Senate. We are currently working through additional details required by the law in collaboration with the TSUS system, and I will provide an update about the new processes as soon as possible.  

The faculty advisory group will have a crucial role in helping us further implement SB 37 as there are several additional requirements of the bill related to faculty policies that must be in place by January 1, 2026.   

I want to thank the members of the current Faculty Senate who were elected in the spring. Election to the Faculty Senate reflects the trust and confidence your colleagues have in you, and it is both a point of pride and a large responsibility. Neither is diminished by the changes we will now be implementing.  

I also want to thank you for your attention to this issue during the summer and for your help in constituting a new Faculty Senate that continues the important work of shared governance. 

TO:                             Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students

FROM:                       Dr. Andrea Golato

                                    Dean, The Graduate College

SUBJECT:                   The Graduate College’s Outstanding Dissertation Award

It is my pleasure to inform you of the outcome of The Graduate College’s recent Outstanding Dissertation Award competition.

Dr. Mar Moretta-Urdiales, who earned her Ph.D. in Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology, won The Graduate College’s Outstanding Dissertation Award in the Biological and Life Sciences. Her dissertation, Host-pathogen dynamics of the amphibian-killing fungus in mainland Ecuador, was directed by David Rodriguez, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Biology.

Dr. Adam Clark, who earned his Ph.D. in Geography, won The Graduate College’s Outstanding Dissertation Award in the Humanities and Fine Arts. His dissertation, The Role of Cartography and Visualization in Hazard Risk Communication: An Examination of the Houston Chronicle, 1945 to 2020, was directed by Ron Hagelman, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

To learn more about the award winners and the ground-breaking research they undertook, please see our feature story on their accomplishments in the TXST Newsroom. 

As the winners of these competitions, Drs. Clark and Moretta-Urdiales will each receive $1,000 and will be recognized at The Graduate College’s Awards Ceremony next April. We have also entered them into the Council of Graduate School’s national competition for best dissertation in the above-mentioned categories. 

Congratulations to Dr. Clark and Dr. Moretta-Urdiales on their outstanding work! I would also like to acknowledge Professors Hagelman and Rodriguez for their exemplary mentorship and commitment to their students.

If you have questions about the dissertation awards, please contact Dean Andrea Golato at agolato@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   University Humanities Research Excellence Award

It is my distinct honor and pleasure to announce the 2025 recipient of Texas State University’s University Humanities Research Excellence Award. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Joseph P. Laycock, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy. 

The University Humanities Research Excellence Award is designed to recognize and reward superior accomplishments, to provide models of excellence for fellow faculty, and to encourage all faculty to continue to perform, improve, and advance their research, scholarship, and creative activity, and service. The award acknowledges humanities research and scholarly activities as defined by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Humanities Alliance, and the National Humanities Center. 

Dr. Laycock has earned an international reputation for his work in the study of new religious movements. He has published 44 book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, seven scholarly monographs, and four edited or co-edited volumes. He is also co-general editor of the journal Nova Religio and is a member of the programming committee for the American Academy of Religion.  

In recognition of his remarkable and unwavering commitment to humanities scholarship at the highest level, we recognize Dr. Joseph P. Laycock as the recipient of the 2025 University Humanities Research Excellence Award.

Please join me in celebrating Dr. Laycock and his significant contributions!

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Associate Vice Provost for Institutional Accreditation and SACSCOC Liaison

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Loraine Phillips as Associate Vice Provost for Institutional Accreditation and SACSCOC Liaison, effective August 1, 2025.

Dr. Phillips earned a B.S. in Education from Indiana University, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Ph.D. in Educational Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University. Dr. Phillips currently serves as the Associate Provost for Academic Effectiveness at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she founded and leads the Office of Academic Effectiveness and serves as the institution’s SACSCOC Liaison. In this role, she has aligned institutional goals with strategic planning efforts and implemented effective measures for tracking progress. 

Dr. Phillips brings extensive experience in SACSCOC accreditation and in managing institutional assessment and accreditation processes. At Texas State University, she will serve as the principal officer responsible for leading institutional assessment, accreditation, and related efforts to evaluate outcomes. We are pleased that Dr. Phillips will lead us through the accreditation process.

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Dr. Phillips on her appointment.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Director, School of Health Administration

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Cristian Lieneck as the Director of the School of Health Administration, effective August 1, 2025.

Dr. Lieneck holds a bachelor’s degree in Natural Science from Xavier University as well as a Master of Health Administration and a PhD in Adult, Professional, and Community Education, both from Texas State University. He joined Texas State as an Assistant Professor in the School of Health Administration in 2010 and has been serving as an Associate Professor since 2016. Before his academic career, Dr. Lieneck held several physician practice leadership roles in healthcare management, including those with the U.S. Army, Austin Radiological Association, and a large physiatry/pain management physician group operating across Central Texas.

Since March 2024, Dr. Lieneck has served as Interim Director, providing steady leadership and continuing to advance the school’s academic and professional mission.

His research focuses on the outpatient and ambulatory care sector within the healthcare industry, with an emphasis on leadership, professional education, and financial management. In 2022, Dr. Lieneck published a healthcare financial accounting textbook, now utilized by numerous undergraduate and graduate programs nationwide. He has over 50 peer-reviewed publications and has delivered more than 100 conference presentations and workshops, primarily focusing on healthcare financial management and related industry trends. 

Dr. Lieneck received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Medical Group Management Association in 2021, the Teaching Excellence Award in Practice Management and Ambulatory Care from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration in 2023, and the Presidential Distinction Award for Teaching at Texas State in 2023. He actively engages in professional service, continuing to educate mid to senior-level healthcare professionals as an instructor for the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Since 2014, he has been a faculty representative on the Texas State Honor Code Council, serving as council chair since 2017.

 Please join me in congratulating Dr. Lieneck on his appointment as Director of the School of Health Administration.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Interim Chair, Department of Health and Human Performance

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Matt McAllister as Interim Chair of the Department of Health and Human Performance, effective July 1, 2025. 

Dr. McAllister earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Exercise Science from the University of Memphis and a Ph.D. in Nutrition from Mississippi State University. He served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Mississippi State University for three years before joining Texas State University in 2018. He earned tenure and was promoted in 2022 and has served as Associate Chair of the department since 2023.

Dr. McAllister has demonstrated strong leadership in his role as Associate Chair, contributing to curriculum innovation aimed at enhancing student success, boosting enrollment, and preparing students for their careers. He maintains an active research agenda focused on improving cardiometabolic health and physical performance in tactical populations (firefighters, law enforcement officers, military personnel). He is the Director of the Metabolic and Applied Physiology lab in the Department of Health and Human Performance and is an affiliated faculty researcher with the ALERRT Center at Texas State University. His research examines the relationship between occupational stressors and biomarkers of cardiometabolic disease risk. He has also studied the effectiveness of exercise, nutritional, and breathing interventions on biomarkers of stress and cardiometabolic disease risk. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has secured funding from both federal agencies and industry partners.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. McAllister on his appointment as Interim Chair of the Department of Health and Human Performance.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Vice Provost for Faculty Success

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ron Williams as Vice Provost for Faculty Success in the Office of the Provost effective July 1, 2025.

Dr. Williams holds a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science and a M.Ed. in Health Promotion from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and a Ph.D. in Public Health Education and Health Promotion from the University of Alabama.  Since 2022 he has served as the Chair of the Department of Health and Human Performance and previously served as the coordinator of the M.S. in Public Health Education and Promotion at Texas State University.  His research agenda focuses primarily on the social ecology of substance abuse and sexual violence prevention among adolescent and young adult populations. He has secured over $2.3 million in funding for community health and prevention research projects from organizations such as the Texas Department of State Health Services, U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Missouri Foundation for Health. Dr. Williams’ research has been featured in leading substance abuse prevention journals such as Substance Use and Misuse, the American Journal on Addictions, the Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, and the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Other Drugs. Additionally, he has published in top public health journals including the Journal of American College Health, Journal of Community Health, American Journal of Health Promotion, and Health Promotion Practice. As a Certified Health Education Specialist® and a Certified in Public Health practitioner, Dr. Williams has expertise in program evaluation and a as lead evaluator for several substance abuse prevention and treatment programs. In addition, he has served as an evaluation consultant for the U.S. Center for Substance Use Prevention’s Service to Science Initiative.

With over eight years of administrative experience at both the program and department levels in areas such as faculty hiring strategies, supporting faculty retention, and leading efforts to recognize and celebrate faculty excellence, he is well-prepared for this role of supporting faculty success by providing clear guidance and expertise in pathways for faculty advancement, recognition, development opportunities and successful onboarding.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Williams on his appointment as Vice Provost for Faculty Success.

Dr. Jie Zhu, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Vice Provost for Academic Success

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Andrew Hamilton as Vice Provost for Academic Success in the Office of the Provost effective July 1, 2025.

Dr. Hamilton holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Berea College, a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Boston College and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego. He brings over two decades of academic and administrative experience, including faculty appointments at Arizona State University and the University of Houston. Currently, he serves as Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he previously held the role of Associate Vice Provost for Student Success. 

Dr. Hamilton’s accomplishments in scholarship, program development, and academic leadership are well aligned with Texas State’s mission of fostering student-centered innovation and academic excellence. His interdisciplinary expertise, extensive administrative experience, and strong commitment to student success and collaborative academic advancement position him to make a significant contribution to the faculty.  

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Dr. Hamilton on his appointment as Vice Provost for Academic Success.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jorge Figueroa as Vice Provost for Academic Innovation (VPAI) and Success effective August 4, 2025.

Dr. Figueroa earned a Master of Arts in TESOL and Bilingual Education from the University of Findlay and a Doctor of Philosophy in Professional Studies in Education from Capella University. Dr. Figueroa currently serves as the Vice Provost for Curriculum and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Woman’s University where he has led university-wide initiatives in curriculum development, program approval, accreditation compliance, and strategic academic innovation as well as carrying out a lead role in planning and executing the Provost’s key academic strategic initiatives. This experience will assist Dr. Figueroa as he will be responsible for ensuring the academic quality of all programs across the university, including programs for credit and noncredit in all modalities. He will promote and support the integration of academic innovation practices across the entire institution. The VPAI will also advance the goals of Texas State University by providing leadership for the following areas: curriculum and academic program development and approval, commencement, general education core curriculum and program accreditation and assessment.

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Dr. Figueroa on his appointment.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Chief of Staff

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Anna Finn as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Provost effective July 1, 2025. 

Dr. Finn earned her bachelor’s degree in literature and philosophy from American University and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees in English from the University of California, Irvine. As a proud native Texan, she brings her experience as associate chancellor and chief of staff at the University of California, Santa Cruz as well as Special Assistant to the Provost at University of California, Riverside to Texas State University. Her skill set includes strategic organizational planning, project management, executive advising and communication support. 

In her new role, Dr. Finn will support the provost in overseeing academic operations and advancing strategic initiatives and special projects. She will also provide critical support to the provost’s leadership team in their work across the university.

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Dr. Finn on her appointment as Chief of Staff. 

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Dean, College of Applied Arts

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Angela Ausbrooks as Dean of the College of Applied Arts effective June 1, 2025.

Since August 2023, Dr. Ausbrooks has served as interim dean, leading and guiding the college with effective leadership especially through an academic program organizational review.  Prior to her interim dean role, Dr. Ausbrooks was Professor/Director of the School of Social Work as well as other leadership positions including dual appointments as the Assistant Director and MSW Program Director in the School of Social Work from 2016 to 2019. 

Dr. Ausbrooks brings over 25 years of higher education experience to this role.  Dr. Ausbrooks earned a Ph.D. in Social Work and a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Texas.

Dr. Ausbrooks’ research interests, publications, and international/national conference presentations have focused on resilience in the areas of child welfare, children and youth in schools, trauma, cultural competence, and social justice.  She has received several College of Applied Arts teaching awards and has engaged in service activities at the community, professional, and university levels.  Dr. Ausbrooks’ university service has included being a member of several university-level teams at Texas State which include the President’s Student Health and Well-Being Task Force and the Student Success Advisory Council to name a few.  Previously, Dr. Ausbrooks chaired the Faculty and Staff Morale Workgroup and the Student Affairs Mental Health Advisory Council; participated as a member of several university search committees; served as Vice Chair of the Council of Chairs and Directors; and served on academic program review teams for the School of Art and Design and the Counseling Center.   

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Ausbrooks on her appointment as Dean of the College of Applied Arts.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Chair, Department of Biology

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Peggy Biga as the Chair of the Department of Biology, effective June 2, 2025.

Dr. Biga earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in animal science from Angelo State University as well as a Ph.D. in Animal Physiology from the University of Idaho. Following her doctoral studies, she served as a post-doctoral scientist in the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, MA and a Research Associate at Great Lakes WATER Institute, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University prior to joining the Department of Biology at University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2012, where she was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor in 2019.

Dr. Biga has served in various leadership capacities in her field. From 2019 to 2021, Dr. Biga served as Science and Technology Policy Fellow for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, USDA, Chief Scientist Office in Washington, DC. She currently serves as a member of the editorial board of Marine Biotechnology. Dr. Biga’s research lies at the crossroads between genetics, development, physiology, and evolutionary biology. Using integrative approaches and transdisciplinary training her research focuses on answering one broad question: what molecular mechanisms regulate organismal growth in animals? Her work primarily uses skeletal muscle as a model to understand continual and pre-determined growth using comparative genomic, epigenomic, and cell biology approaches. Her research utilizes several animal models, including many fish species, insects, and rodents to tackle understanding various aspects of organismal growth regulation. Her published body of work includes 39 peer-reviewed journal articles, two book chapters, and numerous conference presentations. She has directed 13 doctoral dissertations and master’s theses, and over 40 undergraduate research projects. Dr. Biga is the recipient of multiple grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Agriculture, and American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Biga on her appointment as Chair of the Department of Biology.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Coffee with the EVPs

The Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs), Provost Dr. Pranesh Aswath and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Eric Algoe, are pleased to invite you to “Coffee with the EVPs.”

This event offers faculty and staff the opportunity to share questions, comments, and concerns with the EVPs in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Join the conversation and learn more about what’s happening on the San Marcos and Round Rock Campuses. 

‘Coffee with the EVPs’ will be held on the Round Rock Campus on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in the Willow Hall Conference room. 

You are encouraged to register and submit your questions before the event by using the Coffee with the EVPs RSVP Form. 

Space is limited, so please RSVP online, and don’t forget to add “What’s on your mind.”
 

Kind Regards, 

The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs provost@txstate.edu 

The Office of the Executive Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer fss@txstate.edu

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Chair, Department of Management

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Steven Rayburn as the Chair of the Department of Management, effective immediately.

Since August 2024, Dr. Rayburn has served as interim chair, guiding the department through a period of transition with exceptional leadership and vision. During his tenure, he fostered a culture of trust, collaboration, and positivity among faculty and staff, positioning the department for continued growth and success. His thoughtful and decisive approach, combined with strong relationships across the college and with external partners, has been invaluable to the McCoy College community.

Dr. Rayburn brings extensive experience to this role. He holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University and joined Texas State University in 2013. Before entering academia, he built a successful career managing front-line employees in service, retail, and sales organizations. He is also recognized for his leadership as Director of the Service-Learning Excellence program at TXST and his research in organizational frontline management, leadership, and employee well-being.

Under Dr. Rayburn’s leadership, the Department of Management is well-positioned to advance student success, program innovation, research, and alumni and industry engagement. I am confident that, under his guidance, the department will reach new heights of excellence and impact.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Steven Rayburn on his appointment as Chair of the Department of Management.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Promotion and Tenure

I am pleased to announce the following promotions and elections to tenure. Please join me in celebrating the accomplishments of these individuals.

PROMOTIONS 

From Associate Professor to Professor  

Dr. Stephanie Ames Asbell, School of Music

Dr. Alejandro Barcenas Pardo, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Sarah A. Blue, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Dr. Ivan Castro-Arellano, Department of Biology

Dr. Stephanie L. Dailey, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Rebecca G. Deason, Department of Psychology

Mr. Henry Hehmsoth, School of Music

Dr. Barbara A. Hewitt, Department of Health Informatics and Information Management

Dr. Sangchul S. Hwang, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Michael L. Ippolito, School of Music

Dr. Eric W. Leake, Department of English

Dr. Holly M. Lewis, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Ivan Marquez, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Kimberly M. Meitzen, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Dr. Kathleen M. Melhuish, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Michael Mileski, School of Health Administration

Dr. David Dominguez Navarro, Department of World Languages and Literatures

Dr. Wilhelmina J. Pizzini, Department of Accounting

Dr. Astrid N. Schwalb, Department of Biology

Dr. Leah Schwebel, Department of English

Mr. Jack A. Smith, School of Theatre, Dance, and Film

Dr. Lucia S. Summers Rodriguez, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Dr. Jeffrey A. Todd, Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. Hiroko K. Warshauer, Department of Mathematics

From Assistant Professor to Associate Professor

Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Ahmed, Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. Thomas E. Alter II, Department of History

Dr. Andrea Banzatti, Department of Physics

Dr. Jeremy W. Bohonos, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Laure K. M. Brimbal, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Dr. Andrea N. Brown, Department of English

Dr. Yun-Wen Chan, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Shinwoo Choi, School of Social Work

Dr. Kelly L. Clary, School of Social Work

Dr. Jennifer M. Clegg, Department of Psychology

Dr. Sarah R. Coleman, Department of History

Dr. Stacey L. Cropley, St. David’s School of Nursing

Dr. Merritt L. Drewery, Department of Agricultural Sciences

Ms. Dienitha M. Fontenot, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Keisuke Ikehata, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Tanzima Z. Islam, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Alex M. Kroeger, Department of Political Science

Dr. Chul Ho Lee, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Xiangping Liu, Department of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Jason P. Martina, Department of Biology

Dr. Ana L. Martinez, School of Theatre, Dance, and Film

Dr. Jose M. Martinez Hinestroza, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Yoichi Miyahara, Department of Physics

Dr. Reem A. Muharib, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Franziska B. Newell, Department of Political Science

Dr. Jennifer L. O'Donnell, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Manusheela Pokharel, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Tracy J. Raulston, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Rachel M. Rolfe, Department of Health and Human Performance

Ms. Kimberly A. Rosenbaum, St. David’s School of Nursing

Ms. Jessica L. Smith, Radiation Therapy Program

Dr. Mikhail Sterin, Department of Accounting

Dr. Austin B. Talley, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Hiroaki Tanaka, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Lei Xie, Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies

Dr. Muxin Zhai, Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. Ren Zhang, Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. Cheng Zhu, Department of Information Systems and Analytics

Dr. Jie Zhu, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

TENURE 

Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Ahmed, Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. Thomas E. Alter II, Department of History

Dr. Andrea Banzatti, Department of Physics

Dr. Bradley M. Beauvais, School of Health Administration

Dr. Jeremy W. Bohonos, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Laure K. M. Brimbal, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Dr. Andrea N. Brown, Department of English

Dr. Yun-Wen Chan, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Shinwoo Choi, School of Social Work

Dr. Kelly L. Clary, School of Social Work

Dr. Jennifer M. Clegg, Department of Psychology

Dr. Sarah R. Coleman, Department of History

Dr. Merritt L. Drewery, Department of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Theresa J. Garcia, St. David’s School of Nursing

Dr. Keisuke Ikehata, Ingram School of Engineering

Dr. Tanzima Z. Islam, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Alex M. Kroeger, Department of Political Science

Dr. Chul Ho Lee, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Xiangping Liu, Department of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Jason P. Martina, Department of Biology

Dr. Ana L. Martinez, School of Theatre, Dance, and Film

Dr. Jose M. Martinez Hinestroza, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Yoichi Miyahara, Department of Physics

Dr. Reem A. Muharib, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Franziska B. Newell, Department of Political Science

Dr. Jennifer L. O'Donnell, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Manusheela Pokharel, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Rohit Pradhan, School of Health Administration

Dr. Tracy J. Raulston, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Rachel M. Rolfe, Department of Health and Human Performance

Mr. Jack A. Smith, School of Theatre, Dance, and Film

Dr. Mikhail Sterin, Department of Accounting

Dr. Hiroaki Tanaka, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Lei Xie, Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies

Dr. Muxin Zhai, Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. Ren Zhang, Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. Cheng Zhu, Department of Information Systems and Analytics

Dr. Jie Zhu, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Success

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Daniel Thompson as Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Success effective July 1, 2025.

Dr. Thompson received his B.A. in theology and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, his A.M. degree in religious studies and his Ph.D. degree in Theology from The Divinity School at The University of Chicago. He has served in leadership roles for 20 years including department chair at St. Mary’s University and department chair at the University of Dayton, where he currently serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies.  Dr. Thompson has experience in improving student success by promoting the pedagogical and professional development of faculty and has worked to develop programming for faculty capabilities for teaching and professional success. This experience will assist Dr. Thompson as he works closely with the Office of Faculty Development to design and evaluate professional development programs for faculty as well as identify faculty of distinction for excellence in teaching, research, service, and mentoring through state, national and international awards.

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Dr. Thompson on his appointment.

TO:                             Current Undergraduate Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Heather C. Galloway

                                    Dean, Honors College

SUBJECT:                   19^th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference Poster Showcase

The Honors College, the IDEA Center, and the Division of Research are pleased to announce the URC Poster Showcase award winners:

• 1^st place: Isabella Mavourneen, The Behavior of Relatedness Between Dorymyrmex smithi Ants, Supervisor: Dr. Joshua Gibson, Biology, Georgia Southern University, Summer 2024 NSF REU
• 2^nd place: Daniel Gonsalez, Yordanos Kinfe, Internal Attention During a Wakeful Rest Period Promotes Memory Consolidation, Supervisor: Dr. Carmen Westerberg, Psychology
• 3^rd place: Chloe Downey, Metalinguistic Explanations for Social Preferences in Monolingual and Bilingual Children and Adults, Supervisor: Dr. Katherine Warnell, Psychology 

Honorable Mentions

• Jesse Flynn, From Code to Culture: How Algorithms Shape Representation of African American Music, Supervisor: Dr. Nico Schüler, Music
• Andrea Iturbe, Mikayla Forge, Hydrogels vs. Bacteria: Potential Applications of Hydrophilic Polymers in Chronic Wound Treatments, Supervisors: Dr. Tania Betancourt, Biochemistry and Dr. Robert McLean, Biology
• Jacquelyn Burrer, From Caudillos to Congress: Tracing the Rise of Antipolitics in the United States, Supervisor: Dr. Ellen Tillman, History
• Maria Castro Doumolin, Validating Two Subadult Stature Estimation Methodologies: FORDISC 3.1 & KS: Stature, Supervisor:  Dr. Elaine Chu, Anthropology

Please join us in congratulating these students for their outstanding research work!

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Associate Vice Provost for Academic Advising and Transitions

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gabriel O. Bermea as Associate Vice Provost for Academic Advising and Transitions, effective May 1, 2025.

Gabriel Bermea has been a dedicated advocate for student success throughout his career. Over the last 10 years, he has served as Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Director of the Academic Advising Center at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, and Assistant Vice President of Student Success at Tarleton State University.   

In his previous roles, Bermea demonstrated his ability to foster academic excellence and student success as evidenced by the following outcomes:

• Contributed to 20% increase in transfer student enrollment and record setting 80% first year retention rate with implementation of new academic advising model.  And implemented a campus-wide Early Warning System pilot resulting in 62% faculty engagement and over 75 advising appointments for students identified at-risk at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley.
• Increased the first time in college retention rate by 5% and increased institutional enrollment by 6.16%, both within a one-year timeframe at Tarleton State University.
• Created four new academic recovery intervention programs for up to 2,500 undergraduate learners resulting in a 10% increase in student persistence and enhanced exploratory major students' success with implementation of a new advising model which resulted in an 88% retention rate — 22 percentage points higher than the 66% retention rate for those who did not seek guidance at University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Dr. Bermea holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University. He has continually showcased a commitment to professional development and collaborative leadership in the field of academic advising and transitions. Additionally, he has consistently contributed to the academic advising literature through his active research agenda. His academic expertise and vision will play a vital role in supporting students as they navigate their educational journeys and in enhancing academic advising practices across campus.

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Dr. Bermea on his appointment as Associate Vice Provost for Academic Advising and Transitions. 

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Sanjay Ramchander

                                    Dean, McCoy College of Business

SUBJECT:                   TXST Economic Roundtable: Demystifying Global Trade and Tariffs

The McCoy College of Business invites you to an insightful TXST Economic Roundtable: Demystifying Global Trade and Tariffs—an event designed to decode the complexities of international trade, tariffs, and their real-world impact.

Date:              Monday, April 21
Time:             4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location:      McCoy Hall 124

Join a distinguished panel of faculty experts as they explore the fundamentals of global trade, the intricacies of tariffs, and their influence on business, financial markets, and the economy at large. Whether you're a student eager to expand your knowledge or a faculty member looking for fresh perspectives, this session promises valuable insights into the emerging landscape of global commerce.

This event is open to the entire Texas State University community—we look forward to seeing you there!

For more details, please contact Dr. Haiyong Liu at bmo44@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Parking and Traffic Plan for Spring 2025 Commencement

Texas State University is pleased to honor over 4,300 candidates in 8 commencement ceremonies to be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, May 8, 9, and 10, 2025.  The ceremonies will be held in Strahan Arena at the University Events Center (UEC) on our San Marcos Campus.  We are pleased to honor the following individuals with the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa: Mr. Richard Castro and Mr. Jack Martin on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., Mr. Taylor Sheridan on Thursday at 6:00 p.m., and Mrs. Nathali Parker Weisman on Friday at 6:00 p.m.  As graduates, families, and the university community prepare to celebrate, please note the following announcements and recommendations.

Parking at Commencement

Parking is available for all attendees as indicated on the Commencement Parking Map.

Recommended parking for faculty and staff, with shuttle services, include:

• Lots A and B, located by UFCU Stadium, will have shuttle bus service.
• Lot C, located adjacent to the UEC, is restricted to those with Limited Mobility.  Golf cart shuttles will be available to assist individuals in this lot.  This lot should be accessed from Charles Austin Drive via Hopkins Street.

Recommended park and walk lots for faculty and staff include:

• Lot D, across the street from the UEC.
• Garage F, at the corner of Edward Gary Street and University Drive.
• Garage H, at the corner of Pleasant Street and LBJ Drive.

All lots and garages listed above are free to those attending commencement.

Please be aware that if you are traveling southbound on IH35 and exit Aquarena Springs Drive you are advised to turn left on to Thorpe Lane and right on to Robbie Lane in order to access Lots A and B.  Traffic inbound to campus on Aquarena Springs Drive will not be able to make a left turn into Commencement Parking Lot D.

Information on faculty parking, parking maps, the faculty processional, and other details can be found on the commencement website.  

Special Instructions

Faculty and staff who attend commencement should adhere to the Clear Bag Policy and also see the prohibited and allowable items list for more information. 

To alleviate the traffic, wait time, and congestion that is anticipated between the conclusion of the 2:00 p.m. ceremony and the start of the 6:00 p.m. ceremony, the following procedures are in place for employees:

Early Release – Thursday and Friday, May 8 and 9, 2025

To ease traffic congestion, supervisors may elect to release selected staff at 3:00 p.m.  However, all university offices must remain open until 5:00 p.m. or the normal closing time.  Staff members who leave early are expected to use vacation, compensatory, or flex time arrangements approved by supervisors.

Vehicles in the JCK Area

The rear gate at the back of the JCK parking lot will be barricaded from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Vehicles that normally exit on to Sessom Drive will be directed back to the one-way service drive and should exit the back parking lot going the wrong way towards Woods Street or Moon Street.  No vehicles will be allowed to access the back parking area starting at 3:00 p.m.  A parking guard will be stationed at the service drive at the front parking lot to restrict vehicles from entering the back parking lot.

Vehicles in Other Campus Areas

It is highly recommended that vehicles avoid the Sessom Street, Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82, and University Drive roadways between the ceremonies on Friday and Saturday.  Every effort should be made to exit the campus and San Marcos using Edward Gary Street, Guadalupe Street, Hopkins Street/Hunter Road, and other routes heading away from the UEC.

Thank you for your cooperation during this momentous time in our graduates’ lives.

Faculty or staff requiring accommodations due to a disability should contact commencement@txstate.edu at least one week prior to the event.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Heather Galloway

                                    Dean, Honors College

SUBJECT:                   Spring 2025 Undergraduate Research Conference   

The Honors College and the IDEA Center are pleased to announce the 19^th annual Undergraduate Research Conference—a showcase event for achievements in undergraduate research and creative activity at Texas State University. 

URC Poster Showcase: Wednesday, April 23, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., LBJSC Ballroom

URC Capstone Presentations: Friday, April 25, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Trauth-Huffman Hall

Please join us!

If you have questions, please email ugresearch@txstate.edu or contact us by phone at (512) 245-2266.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Barrett Bryant

                                    Dean, College of Science and Engineering

SUBJECT:                   Announcing the winners of the 2025 TXST STEM Conference Student Poster Presentations

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2025 TXST STEM Conference Student Poster Presentations, held under the theme "Bridging Minds and Building Futures – Paths to Sustainability." This year’s conference saw a record number of 133 student presentations, showcasing the innovative and impactful research being conducted by our students alongside dedicated faculty and staff mentors.

We are deeply grateful to our event sponsors – College of Science and Engineering, Generación STEM, The IDEA Center, and Quanta Services – for their generous support. We also thank the post-doctoral researchers, faculty, and staff who served as poster presentations judges and contributed to the success of this event.

Below are the 2025 TXST STEM Conference Student Poster Presentation Award Winners: 

Graduate Student Poster Presentations:

• 1st Place: Fereshteh Rahmani and Wilson Espinoza – Characterization of Shale Anisotropy for Optimized Hydrocarbon Extraction (Department of Engineering Technology, Texas State University)
• 2nd Place: Md Shah Mominul Islam Momin, Eunsang Cho, Eunsaem Cho, Subasish Das – High-Resolution Hydrodynamic Modeling for Coastal Flood Hazard Mapping for Galveston Island (Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University; Hydrological Sciences Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland)
• 3rd Place: Prabeshika Khanal and Wilson Espinoza – Sustainable Mortar with Biochar Addition (Department of Engineering Technology, Texas State University; Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program, Texas State University) 

Undergraduate Student Poster Presentations:

• 1st Place: Mikayla Forge, Andrea Iturbe, Jessica Peterson, Robert J.C. McLean, Tania Betancourt – Hydrogels vs. Bacteria: Potential Applications in Chronic Wound Treatments (Department of Biology, Texas State University; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University)
• 2nd Place: Dillon Gee, Jessica Peterson, Tania Betancourt – Creating a Degradable Hydrogel System that Activates Under Oxidative Stress (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University; Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program, Texas State University)
• 3rd Place: Aleah White, Jesus A. Jimenez, Francis A. Mendez Mediavilla, Abhimanyu Sharotry – Automation of Time Studies (Ingram School of Engineering; McCoy College of Business, Texas State University)

People’s Choice Poster Presentations:

• 1st Place: Kathryn Giordano, Patricia Garza, Skyler Ramdeen, Ndoese Usoro, Adeyemi A. Olanrewaju, PhD – Discovery of Novel Vaccines/Therapeutics Against Dengue Virus (Medical Laboratory Science Program, College of Health Professionals, Texas State University)
• 2nd Place: Yazmin Montes and Merritt Drewery – Calf Grimace Scores and Their Relationship to Pain - Improving Livestock Welfare (Department of Agricultural Sciences, Texas State University)

Congratulations to all the award winners, and a sincere thank you to everyone who made this event a success.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Presidential Seminar Invitation - Dr. Daniel Wescott

Presidential Seminar (2025)

Dr. Daniel Wescott, Professor, Department of Anthropology

Friday, April 18, 2025

Flowers Hall 341

Presentation and Reception: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Title: “Show Me Your Femur: What I Can Tell from Your Skeleton” 

In this presentation, Dr. Wescott will discuss how bone size and shape is influenced by activity and behavior and how anthropologists use this information to develop the biological profile, a key tool in identifying unknown decedents.  

Dr. Danny Wescott is a biological anthropologist and the Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University. He earned his master’s degree from Wichita State University in 1996 and his doctorate in anthropology from the University of Tennessee in 2001. His research focuses on developing methods for forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology and includes locating clandestine remains, estimating the postmortem interval, interpreting skeletal trauma, and developing a biological profile from human skeletal remains. As Director, Dr. Wescott strategically leads multi- and inter-disciplinary research teams that include international researchers. He has been principal or co-principal investigator on 15 externally funded grants at Texas State totaling over $4,500,000. He has published more than 80 research articles, 147 technical reports, and authored or co-authored approximately 100 professional conference papers and posters. Dr. Wescott has also mentored over 40 graduate students and served as a member on more than 50 thesis and dissertation committees. He is an expert in human skeletal morphology and forensic taphonomy, and he is regularly consulted on medicolegal death investigations. 

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff in the Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Vedaraman Sriraman

              Senior Vice Provost

SUBJECT:                   Annual Course Review

The course calendar for the Course Information Management (CIM) system provides an opportunity for faculty across campus to review the course proposals from all academic units.  The faculty review period for this cycle ends on April 21, 2025. 

At this time, all faculty and Academic Affairs staff are invited to review the proposed course additions, changes, and deletions that are located in the CIM system.  For the current cycle, there are 103 additions, 158 changes, and 8 deletions.  Faculty and staff who are interested in more details about the course proposals can visit the CIM system. 

Per Academic Affairs PPS 02.01.01, “faculty who have comments or concerns regarding any course addition, change, or deletion should submit those comments or concerns in writing to their department chair or school director who will be responsible to confer with the originating department chair or school director.”

Should you need additional information, please contact the Office of Curriculum Services at curriculum@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   Free Tickets to Two Concerts

(2) FREE PREMIUM PERFORMANCES

Download ticket by utilizing TXST STUDENT or FACULTY / STAFF price types.

Log on at Texas State Presents to download tickets 

From SUPPLE MUSIC SERIES

Double Vision is dedicated to transforming jazz into a vibrant, collaborative experience that inspires and connects audiences around the globe. 

Visit their website: Double Vision Jazz Band 

MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­FREE for TXST Students, Faculty, and Staff

Download tickets

From UNIVERSITY PERFORMING ARTS 

Fueled by a passion for community, The Tiarras' music is a conduit for spreading positive energy and empowering messages. Their tracks, like "Soy Chingona" and "Let Love Free," resonate far and wide, gaining recognition on prestigious platforms including NPR World Cafe, Mitú, Grimy Goods, and Latin Alt. Radio. 

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 at 7:30 P.M.

LIVE AT ELLIOTT PAVILION by Elliott Hall

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­FREE for TXST Students, Faculty, and Staff

Download tickets at www.txstatepresents.com

Provost Seminar Presents

Dr. Subra Suresh

Innovation 4.0 for Humanity 4.0

April 23, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

JCK 11^th Floor Ballroom

RSVP via Microsoft Forms

Innovation is catalyzed at an ever-accelerating pace by advances across a wide spectrum of intellectual disciplines and nurtured across sectors by academia, industry, philanthropy, and government. It provides the foundation for translating ideas, scientific discoveries, and human creativity into products, processes, and services that benefit individual ecosystems for responsible innovation will be examined, with examples from the perspectives of historical evolution, best practices, policy development, and societal impact. We also examine the unprecedented opportunities and challenges at the intersections of technology and humanity.

Deep Learning from Nature & Machines

April 23, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

JCK 11^th Floor Ballroom

RSVP via Microsoft Forms

We show in three broad areas of science and technology, materials science, plant science, and medical science, how appropriate combinations of experimental observations, computational modeling, and imaging, can be combined with physics- informed neural networks and biomimetics to improve the design, properties and performance of materials or clinical applications. A processing route to produce sustainable and nature-derived materials is presented whereby the building blocks can be tailor-made to produce digitally modulated structures, soft robotic components, and biocompatible substrate materials for wearable devices. For biomedical applications, novel approaches that integrate microfluidic platforms with static and dynamic data and images from clinical settings are also discussed to demonstrate how deep learning approaches can offer new possibilities to improve patient outcomes in disease diagnostics, therapeutics, and treatment. Specific cases considered here include: metallization of nanoscale diamond for tunable electronic properties; design of plant-based materials for soft robotics and sustainability; multi-fidelity machine learning algorithms; and artificial intelligence velocimetry to probe diabetic retinopathy and blood disorders.

Biography

Dr. Subra Suresh is President of the Global Learning Council of the Villars Institute, Switzerland, where he also serves as a member of the Board of Villars Institute Foundation. He is a Professor at Large at Brown University and Vannevar Bush Professor Emeritus at MIT. He previously served as President of Carnegie Mellon University, President of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Dean of Engineering at MIT. He has also served as the Director of The National Science Foundation (NSF), a position to which he was nominated by President Obama and unanimously confirmed by the US Senate.

Elected as a fellow of all three US National Academies of Engineering, Science and Medicine, Dr. Suresh has been recognized by three US Presidents. He is a recipient of the National Medal of Science, the highest honor accorded to an American Scientist by the White House. He has also been awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, the highest recognition from the President of the Republic of France and the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian honors from the President of India.

Dr. Suresh has been awarded 20 honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions around the world. He other awards include: honorary fellowship of St. Hugh’s College at Oxford University, the Benjamin Franklin Medal from the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. He has authored 3 books, over 300 research articles and 30 patent applications.

The NSF I-Corps Program was designed and created by Dr. Suresh while serving as the NSF Director is now widely regarded as one of the most impactful programs in helping to translate scientific discoveries into technological innovation and societal benefits. He created the Global Research Council and served the inaugural Chair while serving as Director of NSF.

Dr. Suresh has served as a member of the Board of Directors and/or a member of science and/or technology advisory boards of public and private companies, including HP Inc. (Palo Alto), Siemens AG (Germany) and Applied Materials (Santa Clara, CA).

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Sanjay Ramchander

                                    Dean, McCoy College of Business

SUBJECT:                   San Antonio Spurs CEO R.C. Buford on April 2, 2025

Branding and the Entrepreneurial Mindset: The Winning Formula featuring R.C. Buford, CEO of the San Antonio Spurs

Join us on April 2, 2025, for a conversation with R.C. Buford, CEO of the San Antonio Spurs, and Lawrence Norman, former General Manager at Adidas Basketball. Buford, voted Executive of the Year twice, will talk about the five-time champion Spurs, their unwavering winning vision, core values, and relentless entrepreneurial mindset. Norman will discuss his 20-year career at Adidas, how the brand became a global powerhouse, as well as how students can bolster their own brand by becoming better storytellers.

Details:

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

3:00 p.m.
Alkek Library Teaching Theater

Registration Link: R.C. Buford and Lawrence Norman Event

For more information, contact Teresa Quinn, director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at quinnt@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Presidential Seminar Invitation – Ms. Daveda Karanas

Presidential Seminar (2025)

Ms. Daveda Karanas, Associate Professor, School of Music

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Performing Arts Center Recital Hall

Presentation:           5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

Reception:                6:15-7:00 p.m.

In “Divine, Dark, and Discarded: Portraits of Powerful Women in Opera” Daveda will discuss her artistic journey, both on and offstage, as well as enlighten the audience on opera, specifically dramatic mezzo-soprano roles. 

DAVEDA KARANAS (mezzo-soprano) serves as Coordinator of Vocal Studies and Associate Professor of Voice at Texas State University. In 2019, she made her Carnegie Hall debut, performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Athens Philharmonic, and her Spanish debut at Teatro Real as Liese in The Passenger, a role she has also performed with Florida Grand Opera, Detroit Opera, The Israeli Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Her performances of The Passenger at Teatro Real led to her becoming a recording artist with Deutsche Grammophon, with the album released in January 2025. Her major role debuts include Kundry in Parsifal at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Ježibaba in Rusalka at Arizona Opera, Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde at Canadian Opera Company, Amneris in Aida at Arizona Opera, Azucena in Il Trovatore at Opera Grand Rapids, and both Waltraute and Second Norn in Götterdämmerung at San Francisco Opera. She made her German debut as Marfa in Khovanshchina at Oper Frankfurt and her European debut as Judit in Bluebeard’s Castle at Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Ms. Karanas is committed to performing new and unknown works, particularly in recital and orchestral settings, where she premieres compositions and collaborates with composers to bring bold, contemporary music to the stage. A 2008 Grand Prize Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (now Laffont Competition), Ms. Karanas continues to enjoy a distinguished career as a celebrated artist and educator.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Mary Brennan

                                    Dean, College of Liberal Arts

SUBJECT:                   Night of Ideas at Texas State University

Join for a NIGHT OF IDEAS on Friday, April 4, 2025, co-organized with the Embassy of France. 

Bringing in more than 75 speakers and artists, the evening begins at 3:30 p.m. in The Wittliff Collections with a talk about story telling with archives with documentary filmmaker Hannah Shepard—whose father’s own papers are archived there.

The evening will continue until midnight, featuring six film screenings with Q&As with documentary filmmakers coming from Paris, Madrid, London, New York, and beyond. Catch performances by Grammy-winning vocalist Mela Sarajane Dailey, Michael Alexandersson (The Voice), LOUD HOUND, Tristan Lake Leabu, The Trips, and numerous other local musicians. Several industry experts will join Texas State faculty, alumni, and students to discuss issues related to the theme of “Technology, Democracy, and the Planet.” There will also be a photo exhibition, portrait studio, and workshops featuring local and international photographers. 

Check out the line-up here and RSVP. Free and open to the public but space is limited.

Contact Dr. Louie Dean Valencia (LValencia@txstate.edu) with any questions.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Dean of the College of Applied Arts

We are excited to announce that the search for the next Dean of the College of Applied Arts is now officially open and accepting applications from internal candidates. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the Job Opportunities portal via PeopleAdmin. 

Dr. Michael O'Malley, Dean of the College of Education, will serve as chair of the search committee. We are confident that this process will result in the selection of a strong and well-qualified leader for the College of Applied Arts.

Please note that the application close date is April 10, 2025. We will keep you informed with updates as the search progresses.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Invitation to a Special Presentation by Dr. Alain-Philippe Durand

I am pleased to invite you to a special presentation by Dr. Alain-Philippe Durand on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 3:00-4:15 in the LBJ Student Center, Room 323. 

Dr. Durand is a leading advocate for the role of the humanities in innovation, entrepreneurship, and career readiness, and his talk will explore the transformative impact of humanities education across disciplines.

In his talk "Breaking Down Silos. How Applied Humanities, Business, Engineering, and Science are Partnering to Transform Education and the Global Economy" Dr. Durand addresses how the humanities, business, engineering, science and other disciplines are partnering to prepare people to be among our most thoughtful actors in the community, our most imaginative leaders in the global economy, and our most empathic and change-oriented participants in the public sphere. 

This lecture will present how to successfully position the Humanities at the core of education in close collaboration with our colleagues from other disciplines such as Business, Engineering, Science, Medicine, and Architecture, among others. The lecture will explain how these transdisciplinary partnerships are major players in solving the grand challenges of today’s global economy through the concept of Applied Humanities. 

Dr. Durand serves as the Dorrance Dean of the College of Humanities, Professor of French, and affiliated faculty in Africana Studies, Applied Intercultural Arts Research, Latin American Studies, LGBT Studies, and Public and Applied Humanities at the University of Arizona. He is the author of The Entrepreneurial Humanities: The Crucial Role of the Humanities in Enterprise and the Economy, which challenges the misconception that entrepreneurship belongs solely to the tech sector, demonstrating instead how humanities graduates are successfully launching businesses and shaping industries.

This event is open to all faculty, students, and staff interested in interdisciplinary teaching and research, career preparation, and the future of humanities education.

We look forward to seeing you there for this insightful conversation!

Date:              Thursday, March 20, 2025
Location:      LBJ Student Center Room, 323
Time:              3:00 – 4:15

Link to RSVP

For any questions regarding the event, please email Dr. Alexandra Perkins at agperkins@txstate.edu. 

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   Faculty/Staff Appreciation: Free Tickets

While the semester is in full swing, here’s an opportunity for a nice entertainment break. Joining us from Chicago are the Hiplet Ballerinas, a group that combines hip-hop with ballet!  They have performed across the country as well as on America’s Got Talent, at The Paris Fashion Show, and other venues.

We are offering free tickets for TXST faculty and staff.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

EVANS AUDITORIUM 627 N. LBJ St., San Marcos 78666­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

TXST faculty, staff, AND your guests FREE

When downloading tickets, utilize the Faculty/Staff price type for you and your guests.

More Information

Hiplet (pronounced HIP-LAY) started as "The Rap Ballet" in the 1990s, developed by Ballet Master, Homer Hans Bryant. Soon after its development, the Rap Ballet was featured at several schools in the Chicago area while working with Urban Gateways.  After being asked by the UniverSoul Circus for one of his dancers to perform "rap ballet" type movement for the circus to Eminem’s violent piece, “Lose Yourself”, on the violin, Homer thought, "I can’t call this rap anymore. What are we going to call this"?  His answer...."Ballet & Hip Hop---Hiplet"!!!!  In 2009, Homer obtained the trademark on the word “Hiplet.”

Today the Hiplet Ballerinas are "WOWING" audiences all over the globe with their fiery performances and amazing skill. In the words of Founder and Artistic Director, Homer Bryant, "Hiplet is important. It is Afro-centric. We are pulling from your urban communities, and we put in the Jazz, Latin, and African, but we stick to the classical Ballet discipline. We have been to Germany, Seoul, South Korea, France, Spain, and the Virgin Islands, New York and California a dozen times. It’s just amazing what has happened. With a heart to create space and a platform for all, Homer states, "A lot of normal people have been deterred from dancing because they were a little too big and a little too busty. Hiplet ballerinas look like normal people".

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Service-Learning Showcase

Dear Texas State Community, 

We are delighted to invite you to the upcoming Service-Learning Showcase, a celebration of the remarkable work being done across our university through service-learning. Please join us on April 4, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Minifie Atrium (4^th floor) of the McCoy College of Business as we highlight the innovative teaching, impactful research, and outstanding student projects that exemplify the spirit of service-learning at Texas State University.

This showcase is a unique opportunity to:

• Explore impactful projects led by our students that address real-world challenges.
• Learn about creative teaching approaches from faculty who are driving innovation in service-learning.
• Engage with research that strengthens the connection between academic excellence and community impact.

Whether you are a faculty member, student, staff, or community partner, this event offers inspiration, collaboration, and a chance to celebrate the contributions that make Texas State a leader in engaged learning. 

Light refreshments will be provided, and we encourage you to stop by and support your colleagues and peers.

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the vibrant work of our university community.

TO:                             Current Undergraduate Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Heather Galloway

                                    Dean, Honors College

SUBJECT:                   Spring 2025 Undergraduate Research Conference

The Honors College and the IDEA Center are pleased to announce the 19^th annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC)—a showcase event for achievements in undergraduate research and creative activity at Texas State University. This year, the conference will be held on Wednesday, April 23 and Friday, April 25, 2025, and will include a poster session on Wednesday in the LBJSC Ballroom and Honors Capstone panel sessions on Friday in Trauth-Huffman Hall.

Undergraduate students from all academic areas are encouraged to submit poster proposals by Monday, March 3, 2025. Poster presentations are eligible to win prizes.

Applications to present your poster at the URC are now available. 

If you have questions, please email ugresearch@txstate.edu or call us (512) 245-2266.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   Spring Performing Arts Events

Here is a sampling of spring performing arts events, performed both by Texas State University students and Guest Artists; start times, specific venues, and ticket prices as well as more events and other venues are available on the Texas State Presents website. 

Spring 2025 Events in the Performing Arts Center

February 4-9                                    Romeo & Juliet 

February 5                                        Daveda Karanas (mezzo) and Michael Ippolito (piano) 

February 22                                     TEDx Texas State University "Legacy" 

February 27-March 2                    "L'enfant" (2 short operas)

February 24                                     Jazz Orchestra

March 3                                            Jazz Ensemble

March 5                                            Jazz Lab Band

March 18                                          Dance presents CIM TEYA: STREAM in Motion 10.0 

March 20-22                                   Merge Dance Co. presents "CineDanse" 

March 31                                          Double Vision (Jazz) (Supple Music series)

April 12                                             Tenor / Bass Choir & Treble Choir 

April 12                                             TXST University Singers 

April 13                                             TXST Chorale 

April 14-19                                       Guys & Dolls 

April 16                                             Jazz Orchestra 

April 21                                             Jazz Ensemble 

April 22                                             Jazz Lab Band 

May 3                                                Feria de Mariachi 

Spring 2025 Events in Evans Auditorium

February 2                                        TXST Symphony Orchestra

February 7                                        TXST Division of Jazz presents 22^nd Eddie Durham Jazz Celebration

February 8                                        TXST Division of Jazz presents 37^th Butch Miles Jazz Festival

February 21                                     Hiplet Dance Co. (University Arts event)

February 26                                     TXST Concert Band

February 27                                     TXST Symphonic Winds

March 6                                            TXST Wind Symphony

March 19                                          Latin Music Studies presents Noche de Mariachi

March 27-29                                   Student Dance Concert

April 5                                                Choir Ensemble Composers Concert

April 9                                                Latin Music Studies presents Salsa Tribute

April 14                                             TXST Symphony Orchestra presents Orchestra Camerata 

April 23                                             TXST Concert Band

April 24                                             TXST Symphonic Winds

April 25                                             TXST Wind Symphony

April 27                                             TXST Symphony Orchestra

For a full list of events or to download tickets, please visit the Texas State Presents website.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Transfer Center Relocated to Enhance Student Support

Effective February 2025, the Transfer Center has moved from the Division of Academic Affairs to the TXST Global Division. As part of this reorganization, the Transfer Center will be housed within the Office of Strategic Initiatives, a key department of TXST Global focused on expanding the university’s impact through strategic partnerships with community colleges and universities. This move is consistent with the recent relocation of the enrollment management function to the Global division. By incorporating the Transfer Center into the TXST Global Division, Texas State aims to expand support for transfer students and further develop transfer pathways and articulation agreements.

The center was initially created in 2022. Since its inception, the Transfer Center has served prospective and continuing transfer students through transfer pathway development, transfer navigation, transfer-specific programming, and the development of an online tool called the TXST Transfer Planner. 

The Transfer Center will continue to build and enhance transfer articulation agreements and pathways. Further, it will expand its services to include supporting students who plan to transfer into regional co-enrollment programs such as TXST Local at Collin College. For more information about the Transfer Center and its services, please contact the Transfer Center via email at transfercenter@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Coffee with the EVPs

The Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs), Provost Dr. Pranesh Aswath and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Eric Algoe, would like to extend an invitation to attend “Coffee with the EVPs.”

This event invites faculty and staff to share questions, comments, and concerns with the EVPs in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Join the conversation and learn more about what’s happening on the San Marcos and Round Rock Campuses. 

“Coffee with the EVPs” will take place on the San Marcos Campus on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in the Faculty and Staff Lounge in Jones Dining Center. A similar event will take place on the Round Rock Campus during the summer of 2025.  

You are encouraged to register and submit your questions before the event by utilizing the “Coffee with the EVPs” RSVP Form”. You are welcome to submit questions from other departments or students as well, to better inform discussions and satisfy your curiosity. 

Space will be limited, so please RSVP online, and don’t forget to add “What’s on your mind.”

Kind Regards, 

The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

provost@txstate.edu 

(512) 245-2205

The Office of the Executive Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer

fss@txstate.edu

(512) 245-2244

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Barrett Bryant

                                    Dean, College of Science and Engineering

SUBJECT:                   Registration Now Open & Call for Poster Presentations 2025 TXST STEM Conference

Texas State University is proud to host the third annual TXST STEM Conference on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the TXST LBJ Student Center.

The focus of the TXST STEM Conference will be on recognizing the accomplishments of our students and trainees across various STEM fields. These individuals represent the future contributors and leaders of the STEM workforce.

The 2025 conference theme, "Bridging Minds and Building Futures - Paths to Sustainability," inspired by the principles of UNESCO’s mission. This conference theme underscores the importance of global cooperation in education, culture, science, and communication to drive sustainability. Although not affiliated with UNESCO, the theme reflects similar values—advancing education, preserving cultural heritage, promoting scientific progress, and ensuring access to knowledge. Participants will explore innovative strategies to build a future founded on shared understanding, respect, and environmental responsibility.

We are pleased to announce that registration for the conference is now open. Moreover, we invite the submission of abstracts for students (undergraduate and graduate) and postdoc poster presentations. The deadline for abstract session proposals is February 21, 2025.

For comprehensive details regarding the 2025 TXST STEM Conference, including the call for registration, abstract submission, exhibitor registration, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit the conference webpage.

Your participation in this institutional event will contribute to the advancement and collaboration within the STEM community at TXST. We look forward to your involvement.

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff

                                    Graduate Teaching Assistants/Doctoral Teaching Assistants

                                    Graduate Instructional Assistants/Doctoral Instructional Assistants

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Policies Related to Teaching and Instruction

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and information related to teaching and instructional responsibilities, student records, students with disabilities, and classroom materials. All employees serving in instructional roles, including teaching assistants and instructional assistants, are asked to visit the websites linked below and to talk with their department chairs/school directors about specific questions regarding these policies and practices. Please forward this message to new instructors, as hiring processes occur daily.   

Faculty-Authored Teaching Material

Approval is required before a faculty member may require any textbook, notebook, manual, or other materials written or prepared by a member of the Texas State University faculty for which a charge is required. The policy AA/PPS 02.03.30, Faculty-Authored Teaching and Instructional Material describes the procedure for faculty to obtain approval for the use of materials authored or prepared by Texas State University faculty, even if the materials are used in classes taught by other instructors. Instructors may only require materials that meet instructional goals and student learning outcomes of the course. The faculty member must submit a request form to the department chair/school director, dean, and provost. The deadlines to submit a request to use faculty-authored teaching materials are July 1 (fall semester), November 1 (spring semester), and April 1 (summer sessions). Please complete the Request for Authorization to Prescribe Materials Form via the Dynamic Forms platform. Please visit our Dynamic Forms web page for more information.

Inadvertent Release of Student Education Records: Updated with Secure Communication Instructions

This is a reminder of your obligation to guard against the inadvertent release of student education records as stipulated in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). UPPS 01.04.31, Access to Student Records Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, addresses this law and faculty and staff obligations.   

Examples of inadvertent releases of student education records include emailing student grades, grade point averages, test scores or posting grades by student ID numbers, social security numbers, or other numbers that make student identities easily traceable. These actions violate federal law and university policy. A list of frequently asked questions is available for additional information. 

Please review File and Data Sending and Receiving information standards as well as best practices for Data Classification (confidential, sensitive, or public) from the division of Information Technology. To securely send and receive confidential student education records per FERPA regulations, use the TXST (secure) File Transfer system.

Faculty and staff may login to the Bobcat Family Portal to verify a student has granted someone access to their records.

Attendance Roster Certification

AA/PPS No. 02.03.01, Conduct and Planning of Courses, Section 06.01 – Faculty will certify attendance rosters. Students must attend or be academically engaged by the census date, to avoid being marked as Not Attending their classes and being administratively dropped.

Reminders:

1. Importance of Attendance: Regular class attendance is essential for learning and performance. Absence policies are usually set by academic departments or individual instructors, but the university recognizes valid excuses such as medical issues, immediate family bereavement, university-sponsored activities, required field trips, military service, and official religious holy days.
2. Roster Certification: Faculty members will be required to certify their census rosters (4th class day for summer semesters and 12th class day for fall and spring semesters). These records will be permanently retained by the Office of the University Registrar. Special care should be taken to certify rosters for courses where faculty and students have not yet had face-to-face interaction by the census date. These may include courses taught via online or hybrid instruction. In these cases, certification of the roster will require documentation of active academic engagement by the student in the course by the census date.
3. Attendance Announcements: Instructors are encouraged to share their attendance policies on the first day and include them in the syllabus.
4. Exceptions and Changes: Classes should not deviate from the schedule around holidays, and any faculty absence must be communicated to the department for appropriate arrangements.

Regular and Substantive Interaction in Distance Learning

Regular and substantive instructor and student engagement in distance learning courses improves student learning outcomes and student satisfaction and aligns with Texas State’s long-held commitment to quality teaching and learning. In addition, the university’s continued eligibility to award federal financial aid depends on the ability to provide evidence that this engagement takes place in a timely way and within certain regulatory guidelines. Instructor-initiated actions, feedback, and oversight are expected to be timely, ongoing, focused on the course subject and assignments, and integral to the course plan and learning outcomes. Instructors should plan to retain records of student engagement in academic activities that occur on or before each semester’s census day to document student engagement for financial aid purposes. More information may be found in G/PPS 02.03, Distance Education Courses and Programs.

Students with Disabilities

Texas State complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended. Disability Services (DS) will provide both the student and the instructor with an accommodation letter which identifies the accommodation the student has requested for the course. DS staff are available to assist instructors who may experience difficulties in providing requested accommodation or believe the accommodation would result in a fundamental alteration or undue burden. Instructors should consult with DS by calling (512) 245-3451 or emailing ods@txstate.edu as soon as possible to discuss their concerns and explore whether alternative accommodations are appropriate.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities 

Texas State University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. If a student experiences barriers to education due to a disability or think they may have a disability, please encourage the student to contact Disability Services (DS) at (512) 245-3451, by email at ods@txstate.edu, or visit the Disability Services web page.  

Disabilities may include, but are not limited to attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, communication, or chronic medical conditions. Please let all students know that they are encouraged to discuss their disability related needs with the DS staff and their instructors as soon as possible.

Honor Code Procedures: Faculty Member Responsibilities 

This is a best practices list of basic steps to assist faculty members who suspect that a student has violated the Honor Code Policy. The faculty member may consult with their department chair or school director to determine an appropriate academic penalty. 

In compliance with the UPPS 07.10.01, Honor Code, the faculty member will:

1. Contact the student verbally or in writing (i.e., in person, virtually, via phone, or email) to discuss the alleged violation, supporting evidence, and academic penalty to be imposed as defined in Section 02.02 of the Honor Code policy.

2. Clearly communicate your observations and the prescribed penalty to the student and consider their evidence/explanation. If the student fails to respond regarding the violation within three business days, move forward with the Honor Code Review Form. A hold will be placed on the student's academic record until the matter is resolved.  
3. After conferring with the student, if it is still suspected the student violated the Honor Code, advise the student that a report will be filed, and they will be contacted by the AVPEAI office and given the option to accept or not accept the decision. 
4. Complete the Honor Code Review Form, attaching supporting documentation and/or evidence. Texas State NetID and login credentials will be required. 

5. The student will be sent an email and asked to 1) accept the faculty member's determination and waive their right to a hearing, or 2) not accept the determination and request a hearing with the Honor Code Council to review the case. If a student does not respond to the email within three business days, a hold will be placed on their academic record until the matter is resolved. 
6. If the student accepts, the case is closed. If a hearing is requested, a Hearing Officer will be in touch with the next steps. 

For detailed descriptions of violations and additional Honor Code policy information, refer to UPPS 07.10.01, Honor Code.

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff in the Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Policies Related to Ethics and Compliance

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and other information related to ethics and compliance following university, state, and federal regulations and policies. This message addresses required ethics and compliance training, dual/outside employment, reporting of relatives working at Texas State University, and mandatory notices to employees. Specific questions regarding these policies and practices may be addressed to supervisors. 

University Ethics and Compliance Program

Texas State is committed to ensuring that our institution maintains the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity throughout all aspects of operations. As public servants, university faculty and staff are guardians of the resources entrusted to it and have a responsibility to students, parents, alumni, donors, and the citizens of Texas to ensure those resources are used efficiently and for their intended purpose. Several reporting tools are available that provide a confidential avenue for reporting concerns about potential waste, fraud, and abuse of resources; the lack of compliance with laws, regulations, and/or University Policy and Procedure Statements; or violations of the Texas State University System’s Code of Ethics. We encourage you to report such issues through one of the following tools:

• reports can be made anonymously via this website: Texas State University System Hotline.
• Texas State University Office of Internal Audit Hotline at (512) 245-1707.
• you may also call the TXST Office of Internal Audit main line, (512) 245-2533, during business hours to report information directly to the audit staff. 

Note: Starting this year, the university will implement a fixed training schedule and compliance period. All Texas State University employees, with the exception of certain new hires, are required to complete assigned mandatory training by the end of the compliance period. The training compliance period will begin in February, and employees will have approximately one (1) month to complete the required training.

Employees who do not complete the mandatory training within the defined period will be ineligible for merit increases and subject to disciplinary action within the discretion of the University. New hires who begin after a specific date will follow a separate training schedule during their onboarding process and will transition to the fixed schedule in the following annual cycle. 

These changes are designed to offer greater clarity and consistency regarding training compliance deadlines. Human Resources will provide more detailed information soon.

Please review the following training requirements:

1. Ethics and Compliance Training: The Tools for an Ethical Workplace course is offered online via the employee learning management tool, Success Factors (SF) Learning. All employees are required to complete the online course every two years to meet the requirement mandated by TSUS. Employees will receive email reminder(s) when their training is due.     
2. EEO and Title IX Training: The Preventing Harassment and Discrimination course is offered online via the employee learning management tool, Success Factors (SF) Learning. All employees are required to complete the online course every two years to meet the requirement mandated by the State of Texas. Employees will receive email reminder(s) when their training is due.    
3. Cybersecurity Training: To combat the growing threat of cyberattacks, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3834 in the 2019 legislative session, which requires certain state and local government employees to complete a cybersecurity training program certified by the state’s Department of Information Resources (DIR). All employees must complete the Cybersecurity Training available within Success Factors (SF) Learning annually. Employees will receive email reminder(s) when their training is due. 
4. Clery Act and Campus Security Authorities: The Clery Act is a federal law that requires the institution to provide accurate and timely information about crime and campus safety to the university community as well as prospective students and their families. The act requires the identification of individuals and organizations that meet the definition of a campus security authority (CSA). While many faculty members are not designated as CSAs, based on their position, those who serve as advisors to student organizations or program trip leaders will be CSAs. Employees designated as CSAs will be notified by the Clery Act Compliance Coordinator and are required to complete the CSA Clery Training Course available within Success Factors (SF) Learning annually. Employees will receive an email reminder when their training is due.

Online Reporting of Dual/Outside Employment and Activities 

UPPS 04.04.06, Outside Employment and Activities defines outside employment as any compensated employment, consulting, or service performed by the employee outside of the employee’s employment relationship with Texas State for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee or the organization serviced. Outside activities that involve non-compensated services are not always reported. However, there are special provisions for holding public office. Outside employment or activities must not interfere or create a conflict of interest or commitment with any employee’s duties and responsibilities at Texas State.  

Outside employment, financial conflict of interest (FCOI), conflict of commitment (COC), and inappropriate foreign influence may be related topics that potentially present challenges in managing overlapping dimensions. This is particularly important for faculty and staff involved in federal grant awards and sponsored programs. To encourage and support the research community, the division of Research will continue to develop and disseminate information and guidance regarding disclosures to internal and external entities, including funding agencies. Contact Sean Rubino, Director, Research Integrity and Compliance, via email at srubino@txstate.edu for questions or more information in this regard. 

Annual approval is required for 1) any outside employment or consulting prior to beginning such outside employment or consulting; 2) any employment with another state agency, community college, or school district (regardless of the faculty member’s FTE at Texas State); 3) any employee holding public office (elected or appointed to serve for a federal, state, or local government entity including school districts, cities, and towns); or 4) non-compensated activities where the employee or supervisor believes there may be a conflict of interest or interference with the employee’s university duties and responsibilities, or if the outside activities will take place during or interfere with the employee’s normally scheduled work hours.

If the outside employment is with another State of Texas entity, Texas law requires that all state employees must inform their state agencies or institutions of higher education before accepting an additional employment with another agency or institution. See section 03.02 of UPPS 04.04.06. 

Annual reporting is required. Thus, outside employment approved from a prior academic year must be reported for the current year if the employment is ongoing. The current reporting academic year is 9/1/24 – 8/31/25. Employees are also required to report any changes that may occur during the academic year (e.g., additional outside employment throughout the year or change in outside employment workload). Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Portal under the “Self-Report” tab. At least one supervisor in the approval workflow, such as a department chair/school director, director, assistant or associate vice provost, dean, or vice provost, must document there is no conflict of interest or commitment with outside employment before the request flows to the Office of the Provost.   

Note: Honorariums need not be reported.

Online Reporting of Relatives Working at Texas State University 

An online form is available for employees to report certain relatives also working at Texas State University. With centralized records, Human Resources and Faculty and Academic Resources will be able to better manage potential conflicts and provide accurate reports as required by state law and The Texas State University System Regents’ Rules and Regulations. The governing policy is UPPS 04.04.07, Nepotism and Related Employment.  

Note: If you have already reported relatives working at Texas State and there are no changes, no action is required. After your initial certification, you must report any changes as they occur.

If needed, please take action now and provide complete information, including hours worked per week and other details that aid reviewers in decision-making. Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Portal under the “Self-Report” tab. Instructions for Self-Reporting of Relatives at Texas State are available. The records will be reviewed by Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources against the organizational structure in SAP. If there is a potential conflict, Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources staff will contact the department head for resolution. Faculty-related questions may be directed to Faculty and Academic Resources at (512) 245-2786.

Employee Notices 

While a variety of policies and laws are provided to new employees at orientation sessions, employee notices are important reminders for all employees and supervisors. These notices include information on State of Texas employee policies, sexual misconduct in the workplace, workplace accommodations, campus security, and other matters.  

Thank you for your commitment to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. Please forward this email, as appropriate, to ensure all employees in Academic Affairs are aware of these commitments and requirements.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. John Fleming

                                    Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

SUBJECT:                   TEDx Tickets

The TEDxTexasStateUniversity leadership team and the Department of Communication Studies invite you to our in-person TEDx event on Saturday, February 22 in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. This event runs from 12:30-4:30 p.m. We are just one month out from this year's event, so mark your calendars and join us for a great day of conversation and performances! You can purchase tickets at the Texas State Presents website.

We are excited to offer complimentary tickets to students interested in attending. To claim your student ticket, click the link above and login using your Texas State University netID and password. General admission for faculty and the public is $25. VIP tickets are $100 and include preferential seating, a TEDx t-shirt, and entry into the after party to celebrate our speakers. Food and entertainment will be provided at the after-party for our VIP ticket holders.    

This year, our event will feature six speakers who will be discussing various subjects surrounding the theme legacy, focusing on the legacy and impact of education. This theme commemorates the signing of the Higher Education Act signed in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson on our campus sixty years ago.  

• David Vela, Retired Director of the National Park Service and Author of Hola Ranger, My Journey Through the National Parks – Mr. Vela’s talk will showcase the impact that the Higher Education Act had on him and his journey through education, focusing on all the opportunities it opened up for him along the way.
• Dr. Judy Oskam, Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State – Dr. Oskam will discuss the necessity of experiential learning in higher education and what we can do to help students learn outside of a traditional classroom.
• Dr. Omar Lopez, Professor in the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies – Dr. Lopez’s talk will discuss how higher education can overcome inequalities in the STEM workforce by ensuring that students graduate with the essential competencies required to compete in the global labor market. 
• Dr. Aitiana Sanchez-Garciaguirre, Assistant Professor in Department of Health and Human Performance – Dr. Sanchez-Garciaguirre’s talk will focus on how resilience can be cultivated, passed down, and strengthened across generations. 
• Segio Carvajal-Leoni, Doctoral student in the Adult, Professional, and Community Education program at Texas State – Mr. Carvajal-Leoni’s talk will highlight the power of intergenerational learning and how we can use digital tools to collect and preserve the stories of our elder family members.  
• Dr. Zach Thomas, School Improvement teacher and educator – Dr. Thomas will focus on how using creativity and imagination in education allows students and teachers to cultivate learning environments and outcomes far beyond the confines of current standardized systems.

The event will also include audience activations, snacks during breaks, and entertainment by Texas State students and local artists. Some of this year’s performers include: 

• VocaLibre – a gifted and auditioned choral group who perform a wide range of genres including traditional choral music and pop and R&B covers
• Mesal Quartet – a lively trombone quartet that is a student led group of musicians who are also members of the Texas State Trombone Studio 
• Doral Drama Club - a talented group of children from the Doral Academy Charter School who act in on stage-performances

What is TEDx?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. This year's speakers will explore the legacy of education, the limitless possibilities within education, and the promising future of education. We invite you to join us for a day of conversation as we honor and celebrate legacy. 

For more information or questions email us at TEDxTXST@txstate.edu or visit the TEDxTexasStateUniversity webpage.  

TEDx Leadership Team

Dr. Alan Grant, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Kristen Farris, Department of Communication Studies

Mr. Mark Paz, Department of Communication Studies

Ms. Hannah Collazo, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Prisca Ngondo, School of Journalism and Mass Communication 

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Mary Brennan

                                    Dean, College of Liberal Arts

SUBJECT:                   University Writing Center

Welcome to spring 2025! The University Writing Center opens on January 21, and we're excited to share how we can help you and support your students this semester.

HOW WE HELP STUDENTS  

Our peer and faculty consultants are ready to support writers from all disciplines at any stage in their writing process. We offer:

•          25- or 50-minute appointments with an option to repeat weekly 

•          two weekly writing groups: Write Time and Creative Writers’ Circle 

•          help formatting theses and dissertations for Vireo submission  

•          writing guidance for pre-law students  

•          drop-in support on Writing Wednesdays (Round Rock only)  

•          annual essay contest recognizing excellence in student writing 

•          support for writing beyond the classroom, including personal statements, essays for scholarships, conference proposals, and more  

HOW WE SUPPORT FACULTY

We also provide resources to support your teaching and scholarship: 

•          class tours: Book an in-person or virtual tour to introduce students to our space and services. 

•          in-class workshops: Request sessions on style guides (MLA, APA, etc.), essay writing, managing writing anxiety, and more. 

•          proof-of-visit forms: Verify a student attended their consultation by asking them to request a proof-of-visit at the end of their appointment.  

•          statement for your syllabus: Share information about our services with your students by including this statement in your syllabus. 

•          consultations for faculty: Make an appointment to work on your own writing, too (e.g., revising for publication, grant writing, conference papers, personal projects, and more).

HOURS, LOCATIONS, AND SCHEDULING 

To book an appointment, request a service, or learn more, visit our website, contact us by email at writingctr@txstate.edu or by phone at (512) 245-3018. You can find us in person in ASBN 100 (San Marcos) and Avery 206 (Round Rock) or virtually on Zoom. Hours for each location are available on our website.  

Thank you for all you do to support Bobcats' writing development. We look forward to working with you and your students this semester!

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff in the Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Vedaraman Sriraman

                                    Senior Vice Provost

SUBJECT:                   Course Review

The course calendar for the Course Information Management (CIM) system provides an opportunity for faculty across campus to review the course proposals from all academic units. The faculty review period for this cycle ends on January 20, 2025. 

At this time, all faculty and Academic Affairs staff are invited to review the proposed course additions, changes, and deletions that are located in the CIM system.  For the current cycle, there are 265 additions, 405 changes, and 114 deletions. Faculty and staff who are interested in more details about the course proposals can visit the CIM system. 

Per Academic Affairs, PPS 02.01.01, “faculty who have comments or concerns regarding any course addition, change, or deletion should submit those comments or concerns in writing to their department chair or school director who will be responsible to confer with the originating department chair or school director.”

Should you need additional information, please contact the Office of Curriculum Services at curriculum@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Pranesh B. Aswath

                                    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Information to Include in Spring 2025 Course Syllabi

As we quickly approach the spring 2025 semester and prepare for an exciting array of classes, activities, and events, the following message provides guidance on course syllabi and implementation. This message also provides information about emergency management and the reporting responsibility of faculty and staff who learn of sexual misconduct. Extensive information on course syllabi and classroom procedures is found in AA/PPS 02.03.01, Conduct and Planning of Courses. Please pass this message along to new faculty and teaching assistants, as new hire transactions occur daily. 

Health and Wellbeing 

The Dean of Students Office manages Here to Help to assist students experiencing crises or emergencies or displaying concerning behaviors. Submissions are received directly by the Dean of Students Office’s CARE Center. This process takes an individualized and holistic approach to assessing submissions and determining an appropriate course of action or referral based on the information provided in the submission. 

The Counseling Center provides counseling, telemental health, and educational workshops and videos for students. For students, the Student Health Center provides evaluation and medical management of these common mental health issues and others. 

Bobcat Balance serves the legal, financial, and mental health needs of faculty and staff.  LinkedIn Learning is available to all faculty, staff, and students and includes resources on well-being, career development, time management, and other skills and knowledge. 

Student Absences and Absence Notification

Faculty have discretion in managing student absences, including those due to illness. Faculty members determine appropriate arrangements for students who miss class. Please refer to UPPS 02.06.03 and UPPS 02.06.01 for absences related to student participation in university-sponsored events and religious holy days.  

For faculty who ask students requesting excused absences to contact the Dean of Students Office, students should be directed to the information available on the Dean of Students’ Absence Notifications webpage. Students should only be referred to the Dean of Students Office if they are unable to complete the on-line request due to access limitations or emergencies/crises.For questions, contact the Dean of Students Office at (512) 245-2124. 

Syllabus Content Reminders (see section 5 of AA/PPS 02.03.01 for all syllabus requirements)

1. Required class materials, access to materials, use of Canvas, and/or instructional strategies.
2. Technology or software needed for the class, including getting support from ITAC.
3. Exams, assignments, grading rubrics, assessment and testing, and due dates.
4. Office hours. 
5. Attendance policy and record-keeping procedures.
6. Assessment and testing strategies to enhance academic integrity.
7. Disability Statement (text included below)

Class Instruction Modes and Substantive Interaction

Classes will be fully implemented in the instruction mode that appears on the spring 2025 Schedule of Classes in Catsweb. In all courses, faculty members provide regular and substantive interaction with students. This interaction is instructor-driven, content-oriented, frequent, and consistent throughout the semester. 

Statement on Civility in the Classroom and Instructional Settings

Civility in instructional settings is fundamental to an effective educational process and is everyone’s responsibility. The university’s shared values, sense of community, and collective commitment to respect, civil dialogue, and the free exchange of ideas are the cornerstones of successful teaching and learning. If students have questions about appropriate behavior in a particular class, they should address them with their instructor first. Although rare, disciplinary procedures may be implemented for refusing to follow an instructor’s directive, disrupting classroom activities, or disregarding university policies. For more information regarding conduct in the classroom, please review policies at AA/PPS 02.03.01, Section 03: Courteous and Civil Learning Environment, and Code of Student Conduct, number II, Responsibilities of Students, Section 2.02: Conduct Prohibited.   

Academic Integrity and Student Conduct

Information regarding academic integrity and student code of conduct may be found at the links indicated below.

Code of Student Conduct 

The Honor Code 

Instructor Absences

Faculty who are absent from class coordinate with their department chairs/school directors to ensure continuity of instruction. In some cases, a faculty member teaching face-to-face may transition to remote learning for a brief period by using Zoom, Teams, Canvas, or other tools. For extended absences, another faculty member may be asked to assume responsibility for the class. Deans and chairs/directors may contact the Office of the Provost for support or guidance. Provisions for faculty sick leave are found in UPPS 04.04.30, Section 03, Sick Leave Procedures. 

Emergency Management 

In the event of an emergency, students, faculty, and staff should monitor the Safety and Emergency Communications web page. This page will be updated with the latest information available to the university, in addition to providing links to information concerning safety resources and emergency procedures. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to sign up for the TXState Alert system.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (SB17)

During the 88^th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 17 was passed and signed into law, effective January 1, 2024. SB 17 addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public higher education institutions. For an explanation of SB17's provisions along with questions and answers, please visit the Texas State University System’s General Counsel Guidance on Implementation of Senate Bill 17.  

Sexual Misconduct Reporting (SB 212) 

Effective January 2, 2020, state law (SB 212) requires all university employees, acting in the course and scope of employment, who witness or receive information concerning an incident of sexual misconduct involving an enrolled student or employee to report all relevant information known about the incident to the university's Title IX office. According to SB 212, employees who knowingly fail to report or knowingly file a false report shall be terminated in accordance with university and system policy. Please access the webpage of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX for more information. 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Texas State University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. If you experience barriers to your education due to a disability or think you may have a disability, please contact Disability Services (DS) at (512) 245-3451, by email at ods@txstate.edu, or visit the Disability Services web page.   

Disabilities may include, but are not limited to: attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, communication, or chronic medical conditions. All students are encouraged to discuss their disability related needs with the DS staff and their instructors as soon as possible.

Thank you. I greatly appreciate your ongoing dedication to student success and excellence in all teaching and learning activities.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Kristy Daniel

                                    Chair, University Lecturers Committee

SUBJECT:                   Invitation to Submit Proposals to Sponsor Guest Lecturers for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026

The University Lecturers Committee (ULC) acts as a steward for a student activities fund that assists colleges, schools, departments, and campus organizations in sponsoring outstanding speaking engagements at Texas State University. In the current submission cycle, limited funds are available on a competitive basis to bring distinguished speakers to our campuses for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.  

Proposals must be submitted by e-mail to facultysenate@txstate.edu by 5:00 p.m. the first Friday in February. Before submitting a proposal, please contact the speaker or speaker’s agent to determine availability and fees.

Awarded funds cannot be transferred to a replacement speaker. University Lecturers Series funds should be used only for speaker fees, and if needed, travel and accommodations up to a maximum request of $3,000. Receptions, incidentals (such as printing, food, flowers), and other costs will not be funded by the University Lecturers program but may be funded by co-sponsors.

The ULC will review proposals and assign a priority ranking to each based on the following considerations. The evaluation rubric has been updated and we encourage all intending to submit a proposal to review the four rating categories and the percentages assigned to them.

Interest/Anticipated Attendance (26.32%) 

• Anticipated Number of Attendees (expectations of attendance adjusted for the Round Rock campus)
• Relevancy of Topic
• Broad Interest
• Scope of Attendees
• External Reach 

Topic/Speaker Involvement (26.32%) 

• Active Scholarly Dialog
• Speaker Involvement Beyond Lecture
• Opportunities for Continued Reflection
• Connections to University Mission and Shared Values
• Speaker Biography 

Event Logistics (26.32%) 

• Event Planning
• Established Contact with Speaker
• Tentative Commitment by Speaker 
• Marketing Plan 
• Details Recruitment Plan for Attendees 

Collaboration/ Budget (21.04%) 

• Budget Justification 
• Collaboration 
• Co-Sponsorship 
• Committed Funding 

Proposals judged to merit funding will be approved in ranked order until funds are exhausted. In order to support as many speakers as possible, awards are limited to no more than $3,000.

The application form, instructions, evaluation rubric, and lists of past awards are available on the University Lecturers Series web page. Please note that only proposals submitted on the PDF proposal form will be accepted.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Kristy Daniel, ULC Chair, or GG Mortenson, Administrative Assistant to the Faculty Senate, 5-8323.

We look forward to receiving your proposals. The University Lecturers Series offers a valuable opportunity for stimulating scholarly discussion at Texas State. We anticipate notifying successful applicants by email no later than May 1, 2024.