New Faculty Join A&M International This Fall

New additions to the faculty and professional library staff at Texas A&M International University this Fall number 30.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ray Keck said that Texas' fastest growing University is impressed with the latest additions to its gifted faculty.

"These individuals are the result of broad regional and national searches for gifted faculty who are eager to become part of a dynamic learning environment with motivated students eager to succeed. We are highly impressed with the caliber of this new faculty. Each has remarkable teaching experiences, relevant research in their field and notable real-world activities. We know that their role in the University's continued growth and development will be formidable and we welcome them to our University and our community," Dr. Keck said.

Colleges and their respective new faculty members follow:

College of Arts and Humanities

Deborah L. Blackwell, Assistant Professor of History -- Holds Ph.D. in American History from the University of Kentucky. Also holds an M.A. in American History from North Carolina State University and a B.A. in History and Government from The College of William and Mary. Prior to joining A&M International, was a visiting assistant professor of history at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Kimberly A. Folse, Assistant Professor of Sociology -- Holds Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Alabama. Also holds an M.A. in Education from Oregon State University (OSU) and a B.S. in Home Economics from OSU. Prior to joining A&M International, was an assistant professor in the department of sociology at Southwest Texas State University.

Terence P. Hannigan, Assistant Professor of Psychology -- Holds Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the Teachers College of Columbia University. In addition, holds an M.A. in Philosophy, also from Columbia, an M.S. in Counseling in Higher Education from Long Island University, an M.A. in Spanish from New York University and the Instituto de Cultura Hispanica of Madrid, and a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish from New York University. Currently a postdoctoral psychology resident with Deer Oaks Mental Health Associates.

Sweety Law, Assistant Professor of Communication -- Holds Ph.D. in Interpersonal Communication from Ohio State University's School of Interpersonal Communication. Also holds an M.A. in Communications Management from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California and an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Calcutta, India. Has also earned a B.Ed. and a B.A. in English Literature, also from the University of Calcutta. Prior to joining A&M International, was a teaching associate at Ohio University.

Jose P. Miranda Jr., Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology -- Holds Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. His M.S. in Vocational Rehabilitation Services Administration was earned at North Texas State University as was his B.A. in Psychology. Dr. Miranda is a licensed psychologist in private practice. Prior to joining A&M International, he was a licensed psychologist for the Gonzales Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital.

William J. Nichols, Assistant Professor of Spanish -- Holds Ph.D. in Spanish from Michigan State University (MSU). Also holds an M.A. in Spanish from the University of Notre Dame (UND) and a B.A. in Anthropology/Spanish, also from UND. Prior to joining A&M International, was a visiting instructor at MSU.

James A. Norris, Associate Professor of Political Science - Holds Ph.D. in Politics from Texas Tech University. Also holds an M.S. in Human Resources Management from Chapman University (California), an M.S. in International Relations from Troy State University (Alabama) and a B.A. from Kent State University. He most recently served the University as a visiting assistant professor of political science.

Allen Wiseman, Instructor of English -- Holds an M.A. in English and a B.B.A., both from the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. He most recently served the University as an adjunct instructor of English.

Richard B. Wright, Assistant Professor of Art -- Holds a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Virginia (UVA). Also holds an M.A. in Art History, also from UVA and a B.A. in Art History from Wesleyan University. Prior to joining A&M International, was an assistant professor of art history at Austin College in Sherman.

College of Business Administration

Oscar R. Flores, Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems -- Holds Ph.D. in Business Computer Information Systems from the University of North Texas. Also holds an M.S. in Management Information Systems from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. Most recently was a member of the faculty at the University of Texas-Pan American. Previously served A&M International as a visiting assistant professor from 1991-1995.

Soongoo Hong, Assistant Professor of Information Systems -- Holds an M.A. in Business Administration-Management from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL) and a B.B.A. from Youngnam University in Korea. Will receive Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from UNL in December. Prior to joining A&M International, was a graduate teaching assistant at UNL.

Rolando Peña Sanchez, Visiting Assistant Professor of Management-- Holds Ph.D. in Statistics from Rice University. Also holds an M.S. in Applied Statistics from Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, also from UANL. Most recently a member of the department of mathematics faculty at UANL.

F. Eduardo Rivera-Porto, Visiting Professor of Information Systems -- Holds Doctor of Computer Engineering from the National Polytechnic Institute, Grenoble, France. Also holds an M.S. in Computer Science from the Scientific University, Grenoble and a B.S. in Physics from the National University of Mexico. Most recently a professor at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico in the Graduate Program in Educational Computing.

Yolanda Ruiz-Vargas, Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics/Finance -- Holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) at Mayaguez and a B.S.B.A. in Accounting, also from UPR. Currently in progress on a Ph.D. in International Business-Finance expected in 2000 from the University of Texas-Pan American (UT-Pan Am). Prior to joining A&M International, was a teaching assistant at UT Pan Am.

David W. Yoskowitz, Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance -- Holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Texas Tech University (TTU). Also holds an M.A. in Economics from TTU and a B.S. in Economics and Finance from Bentley College. Prior to joining the University, was a visiting assistant professor at TTU.

College of Education

Ana Maria Rojas, Visiting Instructor of Early Childhood -- Holds an M.A. in Education from Texas A&M International University and, from the University of Texas, a B.A. in Bilingual Education and Elementary Self-Contained Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood.

Rafael Romo, Instructor of Kinesiology -- Holds an M.Ed. from Texas A&M International University and a B.A. in Physical Education from St. Mary's University. Holds additional certifications in physical education and Spanish. Prior to joining A&M International, was Head Softball Coach for J.W. Nixon High School and a former football coach at Martin High School.

Claudio Salinas, Associate Professor of Education -- Holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Oklahoma. Also holds an M.S. in Supervision from the former Texas A&I University at Kingsville and a B.S.in Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining A&M International, his work experience spanned a broad range of public education posts including teaching, serving as principal and, most recently, as interim superintendent for the Asherton Independent School District. Has also been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas-Pan American.

College of Science and Technology

Bertha A. Barba, Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry -- Holds Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Universidad de la Laguna in Tenerife, Spain. Also holds an M.S. in Organic Chemistry from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) and a B.S. in Chemistry from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey. Most recently served the University as a visiting assistant professor of Natural Sciences and assistant professor of chemistry at ITESM.

Charlotte Chase, Associate Professor of Nursing -- Holds Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from Washington University. Also holds an M.S. in Nursing from University of California, M.A. in Social Anthropology from New York University and B.S. in Nursing and Sociology from Texas Christian University. Most recently associate professor, department of Nursing at King College, Seattle.

Habib Far, Instructor of Mathematics -- Holds an M.S. in Mathematics from Sam Houston State University and a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Houston. Most recently, has been a member of the department of mathematics faculty at Laredo Community College.

Guadalupe Garza, Visiting Instructor of Biology -- Holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon School of Medicine in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico and completed a postgraduate internship at the UANL Hospital Universitario. Has most recently been serving the University as a visiting instructor in Biology.

Rohitha Goonatilake, Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics -- Holds Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Kent State University (KSU). Also holds an M.A. in Applied Mathematics from KSU, and a B.Sc., in Mathematics from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Will be recipient of an M.A. in Actuarial Science from Ball State University later this year. Most recently served as a teaching assistant in Ball State University's Department of Mathematical Science.

Francisco Guajardo, Instructor of Biology -- Holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Universidad de Monterrey Medical School and completed an internship at the Hospital San Jose de Monterrey. Has previously served as an adjunct faculty member in biology at A&M International.

Mary Alice Guerrero, Assistant Professor of Nursing -- Holds M.S. in Nursing from University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Also holds an M.S. in Education from Laredo State University, a B.S. in Nursing from Corpus Christi State University and an Associate in Nursing from Laredo Junior College. Prior to joining the University, was affiliated with the Gateway Community Health Center as a Diabetes Educator and was a long-time faculty member at Laredo Junior College.

Curtis Neal McReynolds, Assistant Professor of Biology - Holds his Ph.D. in Ecology/Evolution from Vanderbilt University. Also holds a B.S. in Biology from Purdue University. Previously served as an assistant professor of Biology at Blue Mountain College in Blue Mountain, Miss.

Ma. de Jesus Mena, Assistant Professor of Nursing -- Holds an M.S. in Nursing from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a B.S. in Nursing from Corpus Christi State University, and an Associate Degree in Nursing and a Licensed Vocational Nursing Certificate from Laredo Junior College. Prior to joining the University, was the owner/administrator of Helping Hands, Inc., a home health agency.

Julio Valladares, Assistant Professor of Chemistry -- Holds a Ph.D. In Interdisciplinary Physical Chemistry from The University of Western Ontario (UWO), Canada. Also holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Chemistry from UWO and an M.Sc. in Physics and Chemistry from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM). Has also been a post-doctoral Fellow at Florida International University's Drinking Water Research Center and most recently served as a research associate at UWO's Siebens-Drake Research Institute.

Joining the University's Killam Library professional staff are Darcy Carrizales and Renée J. LaPerrière.

Darcy Carrizales, Reference/Government Documents Librarian -- Holds an M.L.S. from Indiana University, an M.A. in International Affairs from Ohio University, and a B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Area Studies from the University of Minnesota. Previously worked with the Indiana University School of Library and Information Science.

Renée J. LaPerrière, Reference/Special Collections Librarian -- Holds an M.Mus. in Music History and Literature from Texas Tech University, an M.A. in Librarianship and Information Management from the University of Denver (DU), an M.A. in History/Archives, also from DU, and a B.Mus. In Music History and Literature from the University of Colorado. Prior to joining the University, was a reference librarian/music coordinator with the Newton Gresham Library at Sam Houston State University.

For more information, contact the Provost's Office at 956. 326. 2240 or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Room 329.

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

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