Arts and Humanities Faculty Additions Named at A&M International

The addition of new faculty members to Texas A&M International University's College of Arts and Humanities has been announced by College dean Dr. Jerry Thompson.

"We're delighted to welcome these faculty members to our University. Their addition will enable us to continue our program growth and expansion and better serve the needs of our growing region," Dr. Thompson said.

Thompson noted that the faculty additions are a highly diverse and talented group selected from exhaustive and competitive national searches.

The faculty additions are scheduled to begin teaching duties this Fall at A&M International. They include:

Mohammed Ben Ruwin - assistant professor of political science. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Politics and International Relations from the University of North Texas. Additional degrees include an MS in Urban Planning and an MPA in Public Administration, both from Portland State University, and a BA in Management from the University of Gharyouns, Libya.

Lila Lisa Canizales - assistant professor of English. The Laredo native holds a Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University. She also holds an MA in English from the University of Texas-Pan American, an MS in Education from the former-Laredo State University and a BS in Education, also from LSU. Prior to joining the University, she taught at Laredo Community College.

Sean M. Chadwell - visiting assistant professor of English. He earned a Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University and MA and BA degrees in English from West Virginia University. His most recent teaching appointment was at Texas A&M University.

Carlos Cuellar - assistant professor of History. The Laredo native recently completed his Ph.D. in history at Texas Christian University. Additional degrees include an MA in History from the former Laredo State University and a BBA in General Business from the University of Texas at Austin. While completing his Ph.D., he was an instructor at A&M International.

Enrique Fernandez - assistant professor of French and Spanish. A native of Spain, he recently completed his Ph.D. in Spanish Literature at Princeton University. He holds a MA in Spanish Literature from the University of Calgary, Canada, a degree in pedagogy of languages from the Instituto de Ciencias de la Educacion in Oviedo, Spain and a licenciado with honors in Latin and Greek philology from the Universidad de Oviedo in Spain. He also holds a Diplome de Langue de la Alliance Francaise in French. Prior to joining the University, he taught at Princeton University. His addition makes the provision of French courses at the University possible for the first time.

Fritz Gechter - assistant professor of piano/music. He is in progress on a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin. He also holds a Master of Music from UT-Austin and a Bachelors of Music from Central Washington University. Prior to joining the University, he taught at Laredo Community College. He has performed as a pianist, cellist or vocalist with the Laredo Philarmonic Orchestra, the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, theKloster Andechs in Munich, Germany, the Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble and the Spokane Symphony Orchestra.

Hamid R. Kusha - associate professor of Sociology. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Kentucky. Additional degrees include an MA in History, also from UK and a BA in Management from the Abadan Institute of Technology in Abadan, Iran. He most recently served on the faculty of Minor State University in Minot, North Dakota.

Bede L. Leyendecker - assistant professor of dance. A Laredo native, she holds an M.Ed., from the University of Houston and a BS in education, also from UH. Prior to joining the University, she was a popular dance instructor at Laredo Community College and directed three performance troupes.

Ramiro Martinez Jr. - assistant professor of psychology. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Texas. He also holds an MA in Clinical Psychology, also from UNT, an MA in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a BA in Psychology, also from UTSA. He has most recently completed supervised clinical experience in a private practice setting in San Antonio.

Thomas R. Mitchell - associate professor of English. He holds a Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University.Additional degrees include an MA in English from Northeast Louisiana University and a BA in English, also from NLU. Prior to joining the University he taught at Laredo Community College. His Hawthorne's Fuller Mystery is forthcoming from the University of Massachusetts Press.

Stephen Walters - associate professor of Sociology. He earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Montana. He also holds an MA in Sociology from Utah State University and a BS in Socilogy from Southwest Missouri State University. He most recently served as a member of the faculty at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.

For additional information, please contact the office of the dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at 326 - 2460.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu