INTRODUCTION

 I am excited about the future of our South Texas Universities, and the challenges we are faced with in the field of education, both in the public schools and in higher education.

In May 2002, I received a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The focus for both the Master in Public Administration and my doctorate was on higher education administration. My dissertation entitled, Learning communities in action: A case study of the faculty and student experiences in the First Year Program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi allowed me to do an in-depth literature review of higher education reform in the United States. Findings from my work provided supporting evidence that helped gain TAMU-CC national recognition for its learning communities program.

Employed at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for nineteen years with fourteen of those years working for the College of Education where I direct student services, finances and direct GEAR UP/STAR Faculty Fellows, I have held progressively responsible positions in higher education administration. The following are highlights:

As the College of Education's Director of Student Services, College Finances & GEAR UP/STAR Faculty Fellows, I lead a team of seven (academic advisors and budget support personnel) in providing excellent advising services for over 2,000 students at this Hispanic Serving Institution. In this position, I have gained six years of professional experience with, and knowledge of, students from culturally diverse backgrounds. I have worked side-by-side with faculty and academic advisors to recruit prospective students, from first generation first-year undergraduates to doctoral students of all races and creeds. In the role of GEAR UP/ STAR Faculty Fellows Director, I oversee six faculty assigned to South Texas school districts that are mentoring teachers and students, team-teaching, and helping students become better prepared for their postsecondary education or careers. The federally funded GEAR-UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness of Undergraduate Programs) project in South Texas is called STAR (Students Training for Academic Readiness). The STAR Project addresses the unique needs of first-generation college-going students whose access to higher education is greatly increased through participation in rigorous coursework, expanded opportunities to learn about postsecondary educational opportunities and financing options, and strong partnerships between school districts, colleges, and community support groups.

Since 1999, I have served as adjunct faculty, teaching both undergraduate and doctoral courses. For over five years I have taught, "Student Affairs in Community Colleges and Universities," a doctoral class in the higher education track of the Educational Leadership program. I also teach another doctoral class, "Community Leadership Development for the Department of Educational Administration and Research. Excellent ratings on my course evaluations demonstrate my teaching capability.

In my faculty role, I advise students and serve on dissertation committees where my expertise in higher education leadership and student services is a benefit. I am experienced in creating and teaching blended and online classes at a distance, most recently for doctoral students employed by Alamo District Community Colleges, Victoria, Coastal Bend and Del Mar Colleges.

In addition I have acquired considerable experience developing and managing grants. I have collaborated in grant writing and have prepared all budgets for all grants awarded in the College of Education since 1994. During the fall 2006 semester, I was a guest lecturer in a graduate level grants writing course and continue to advise students and faculty on writing and managing successful grant supported programs. In 2008, I was awarded and will implement a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board High School Summer Bridge Learning Communities Program for 11th and 12th grade students from partner school districts.

I've been active in reorganizing and cross-training professional personnel in academic advising, developing new policies and procedures, supervising and evaluating employee performance, coordinating student recruitment, peer mentors for students, and other related student services.

I am particularly interested in research related to student assessment, learning outcomes, collaboration between student affairs initiatives and academics, and between higher education institutions, public schools and community organizations. I have advanced skills in qualitative and quantitative research and data management.

Committed to students, and teaching excellence, grounded firmly in research, I have the personal qualities, abilities and experience to be a role model and facilitator for collaborative university-public school programs as I continue my commitment to excellence in education. I believe there are infinite possibilities for the present and the future, as I challenge others through my example, and help them to overcome obstacles that we so often face.