New Academic Administration Appointments at A&M International

Texas A&M International University has announced the naming of a new university associate provost and two chairs for departments in its College of Arts and Humanities.

Dr. Faridoun Farrokh has been named associate provost and will assist the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ray Keck.

Dr. Cecilia Garza will chair the department of Psychology and Sociology. Dr. Thomas R. Mitchell will chair the Department of Language, Literature and Art.

Dr. Farrokh, professor of English, has been a member of the university faculty since 1989.

He holds a doctorate in English from Middle Tennessee State University. His MA was earned at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and his BA was earned at Mashad University in Iran.

Prior to joining the university he was a lecturer at Southern Oregon State College in Ashland, Austin Community College and the University of Texas at Austin.

Since joining the university, he has served as department chair, program coordinator, and division director. He has also been a representative-at-large and officer of the Faculty Senate. His research interests include the poet Samuel Johnson and contemporary Iranian literature.

A native Laredoan, Dr. Garza is an assistant professor of sociology and has been a member of the University faculty since 1994.

Prior to joining the University, Garza was a sociology instructor at Laredo Community College and was area operations manager for the Texas Department of Human Services for over 11 years.

She holds her Ph.D. in Sociology from Texas A&M University. Her MA in Sociology was earned at the former Texas A&I University at Kingsville while her BA in Sociology was received from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).

Her research interests include social gerontology, immigration, complex organizations, medical sociology, social work, applied sociology, the culture of Mexican Americans, social stratification and public administration.

Her appointment as chair is effective immediately.

Dr. Mitchell, associate professor of English, joined the University faculty in 1998.

He holds his Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University. His MA and BA were both earned at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe.

Prior to joining the University he was a member of the Laredo Community College faculty since 1973, serving as instructor and division chair.

His research interests include English literature, student writing competency and Nathaniel Hawthorne. His "Hawthorne's Fuller Mystery" was published by the University of Massachusetts Press in December 1998. His appointment as chair will be effective June 1.

In other changes at the University, the Department of Criminal Justice, History and Political Science is now known as the Department of Social Sciences. It is chaired by Dr. Nasser Momayezi, professor of political science.

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326.2180 or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

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