Dr. Vida Named Dean of University's College of Education
Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, Professor of Education, has been named Dean of the College of Education at Texas A&M International University effective September 1.
President J. Charles Jennett said that Dr. Vida's selection comes after an exhaustive national search.
"Dr. Vida was the unanimous choice of our Search Team after its review of a highly select national pool of eminent scholars. She is a remarkable educator with a sterling reputation among her peers. Her research and service to this community gave her candidacy additional relevance. She is a dynamic and gifted leader whose service to this University has been most impressive. We are honored to have her provide the leadership that will lead the College of Education into the 21st Century and beyond," Dr. Jennett said.
Vida said she is honored by her selection and is looking forward to the challenge.
"This is an exciting time to be an educator and I am honored to be selected to lead this community of scholars in educating an ever- growing number of our region's educators," she said.
Vida said that changes in education create new demands for the preparation of future educators.
"New models of leadership and changes in education come to the fore daily. Today's educator must be proficient on multiple fronts: from cutting-edge computer technology and relevant research to issues of diversity and cultural sensitivity. This University enjoys the distinction of working closely with its service area to develop its curriculum to mirror the needs of our communities. I am looking forward to leading this College's service to these communities and others," she explained.
Vida, who joined the University's faculty with the then-Laredo State University in 1982, holds the Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin. She also holds two Master's degrees, one in Elementary Education from Texas A&I University-Laredo and one in Administration/Management from Laredo State University. Her BS in Secondary Education was earned at Texas A&I University-Kingsville.
While with the University, she has served as an assistant professor of education, associate professor of education, director of the University's Self-Study for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Chair of the Department of Professional Programs, professor of education and as interim dean since March 1996.
A prolific researcher, presenter and writer, her numerous publications include selections for Tempo and the Journal of Research and Development in Education. Her areas of research focus include gifted and talented education and educational administration.
She is a member of a number of honor societies and professional organizations, including Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Kappa Delta Pi, the Texas State Teachers Association, National Association for Bilingual Education, Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented and Texas Professors of Educational Administration, to name a few.
She is Commissioner of the Texas Catholic Conference Accreditation Commission, and member of the boards of the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA), Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo, Pan American Round Table and the Superintendent Advisory Council for Laredo Independent School District. She was recently selected to the Blue-Ribbon Advisory Council for the United Independent School District.
In 1996, she was appointed Commissioner for the Laredo Commission for Women by Mayor Saul Ramirez. Additional honors include being named an Outstanding Woman, Education Division, by the Asociacion de Medicas de Nuevo Laredo; receiving the President's Merit Award from WBCA; the School Bell Award by the Laredo Chamber of Commerce; receiving the Laredo Boys and Girls Club's Presidential Award for Distinguished Service and Who's Who in the South and Southwest, among others.
She is the daughter of Laredoans Eloy and Ana Maria Ramirez and is married to Frank Vida, local customs broker. The couple has three children: Frank Jr., 16, Tony, 13 and Mariana, 8.
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