Academic Affairs Committees

Membership
Membership consists of at least two faculty from each college chosen by academic deans and approved by the Provost.
Chair
There is no chair; members are convened by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs as and when required.
Term
2- and 3-year terms, staggered
Function
The function of the committee is to serve as a pool from which members of a Grievance Panel may be drawn in case of an appeal against faculty termination.

List of 2026-2027 Members

Chris Turner, assistant professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts (2028)
James Rowe, associate professor, College of Health Professions (2027)
TBD, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2026)
Marigold Hudock, assistant professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2028)
Keilea Sumrall, assistant professor, College of Health Professions (2029)
Kwame Antwi-Boasiako, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2028)
Linda Levitt, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2028)
Robert Allen, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2029)
TBD, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2026)
TBD, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture (2026)
Rebecca Kidd, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture (2029) 
TBD, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2026)
Stephen Kosovich, professor, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2028)
Chris McKenna, professor, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2029)
Istiaq Hossain, assistant professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics (2028)
Scott Shattuck, professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts (2028)
Kimberly Deaton, associate professor College of Sciences and Mathematics (2028)

Membership
Membership consists of three faculty members from each college.

Chair
There is no chair; members are convened by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs as and when required.

Term
2- and 3-year terms, staggered

Function
The function of the committee is to serve as a pool from which members of a Hearing Committee may be drawn in case of an appeal as described in HOP policy 02-320. If chosen through procedures laid out in the policy or student appeal, members may also serve on a Review Board to consider complaints under HOP policy 01-305.

List of 2026-2027 Members

TBD, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts (2026)
John Michael Mehaffey, associate professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture (2028)
Shaun Roberts, associate professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts (2027)
Perry Moon, instructor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2028)
TBD, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2026)
Neal Cox, associate professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts (2028)
TBD, College of Sciences and Mathematics (2026)
Pushkar Ogale, associate professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics (2027)
Amy Mehaffey, lecturer, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2028)
TBD, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2026)
Hannah Wich, assistant professor, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2027)
TBD, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2026)
Tracey Hasbun, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2028)
TBD, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2026)
Pat Stephens-Williams, professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture (2028)
Suhuba Deol, assistant professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture (2029)
Mike Read, lecturer, College of Sciences and Mathematics (2027)
George Day, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2028)

Membership
Academic Advisors from the college the student plans to major in will serve on the respective appeal.

Chair
The chair is appointed by Enrollment Management.

Term
One-year term

Function
The function of the committee is to review credentials of students who fail to meet admission standards and petitions for variances. The committee recommends appropriate action to the director of admissions and provost/vice president for academic affairs. The committee will review credentials of students who apply for the Academic Opportunity Program and make recommendations to the provost and vice president for academic affairs; review guidelines for acceptance into AOP; and advise the director of the AOP on course selection and course load for students admitted to the program.

List of of 2026-2027 Committee Members

Janet McLeroy, programs director, Enrollment Management
ex officio
Billy Harris, advisor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Jason McIntosh, assistant professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciencess
Trina Menefee, advisor, College of Sciences and Mathematices
Jacob Pratscher, assistant professor, College of Sciences and Mathematices
Tiffany Rivers, director, Disability Services

Membership
Members are appointed by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; one faculty representative from the six academic colleges and, as ex officio members: the director of the Office of Strategic Analytics and Institutional Research and a representative of the Provost Advisory Council.

Chair
The chair is appointed by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Term
Two-year

Function
The Core Curriculum Committee provides faculty oversight of the core curriculum. Functions include review of course applications for addition to the core curriculum as part of the curriculum modification process, recertification of existing core courses for core eligibility, and design and implementation of assessment of student attainment of core curriculum objectives.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

Joyce Johnston, associate dean, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2028)
chair
Claire Murphy, assistant professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts (2027)
Clint Richardson, associate professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics (2027)
Lucia Sigmar, associate professor, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2027)
Louise Stoehr, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2028)
Gabriela Miranda-Recinos, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2027)
TBD, Office SAIR
John Kidd, instructor Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture (2028)

Membership
Membership is appointed by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and consisting of six elected, full-time faculty members, one from each academic college. Elections will be held within each college.

Chair
Provost convenes and attends first meeting of the academic year, when there is no chair. The committee then elects the chair at this meeting.

Term
Two-year, staggered

Function
To make recommendations on applications from full-time faculty members for Faculty Development Leave, for additional study or research and writing, for a period of either one semester at full pay or a full year at half pay.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

• Ben Dixon, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2027)
• Greg Miller, professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics (2027)
• TBD, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2027)
• Ying Lu, assistant professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture (2027)
  chair
• TBD, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2026)
• Bob Eason, assistant professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts (2027)

Membership
Appointed by the provost and vice president for academic affairs and consisting of one faculty member from each undergraduate college, recommended by the academic deans. The executive director LLC and director CTL will serve in ex officio positions and provide committee support.

Chair
The Center for Teaching and Learning will convene the first meeting of the academic year. 

Term
Three-year term

Function
The function of this committee is to promote the recognition and celebration of faculty excellence at SFA. The committee will help coordinate three faculty from each college in the fields of: teaching excellence, scholarly excellence, service excellence. Specifically, the committee will be involved in the annual Excellence Award Convocation for award winners. Planning will include communication of criteria and dates with the college deans so that each college chooses winners in a timely manner; campus-wide communication about the convocation; invitations for the event; arrangements (room, food and entertainment) for the convocation; and coordination of presentations at the convocation. The CTL will serve as the coordinating entity for the committee.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

Sharon Brewer, executive assistant, Division of Academic Affairs
co-chair
Megan Weatherly, executive director, Lumberjack Learning Commons
co-chair
Jose Carbajal, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2027)
TBD, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2026)
Jane Long, professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics (2026)
Nikki Shoemaker, professor, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2028)
Cindy Kilpatrick, director, Center for Teaching and Learning
ex officio
Ying Lu, assistant professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture (2029)
Cody Hunter, professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts (2027)

Membership
Appointed by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and consisting of representation from each of the undergraduate colleges; admissions office, computer center, scholarship office, and as ex officio, the director of financial aid who shall provide staff support to the committee.

Chair
Director of Financial Aid will chair the committee.

Term
Three-year

Function
The function of the committee is to select recipients of scholarships for all endowed scholarships which do not stipulate an alternate selection procedure; to encourage the development of academic excellence through the scholarship program; and to make recommendations concerning policies governing scholarships, student loads and student employment.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

• Tammy Mitchum, interim director, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (2026)
  chair
• Jessica Glasscock, associate professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture (2027)
• Casey Hart, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2028)
• Ben Kramer, assistant professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts (2026)
• Yuan He, clinical instructor II, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences (2026)
• Jamie Derrick, lecturer, Nelson Rusche College of Business (2028)

Membership
Membership consists of ten elected and appointed full members of the graduate faculty. Six members of the council, one from each academic college, are elected from the full members of the graduate faculty. Three members are appointed by the chair of the council, subject to the principle of proportionate representation from each academic college on the basis of full and associate members of the graduate faculty in the respective colleges and subject further to the approval of the provost/vice president for academic affairs. Serving as ex-officio are the dean of the library, registrar, chair-elect of the faculty senate and a graduate student. Appointed members of the council serve three-year terms. Upon expiration of a term, the council member is ineligible for re-election or reappointment to the council until the lapse of three years. A vacancy on the council is filled either by election or appointment, whichever is applicable to the position vacated.

Chair
The dean of research and graduate studies chairs the committee and convenes meetings as needed.

Term
Three-year

Function
To recommend policies and procedures relative to graduate student admission and programs, graduate faculty membership, graduate curriculum, graduate theses and dissertations, and other matters pertaining to graduate education at the university level.

List of 2026-2027 Council Members

Forrest Lane, dean, Office of Research and Graduate Studies
chair
Vacant, graduate student representative (2025-2026)
Jonathan Mitchell, associate professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics (2026-2028)
TBD, member of Provost Advisory Council
Mickey Diez, registrar, Office of the Registrar
Micki Gunter, program director, Office of Research and Graduate Studies
Perky Beisel, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Jonathan Helmke, director, Steen Library
Chrissy Cross, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Rachel Jumper, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Neal Nghia Nguyen, associate professor, College of Health Professions
Brian Oswald, professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture 
Jason Reese, dean/associate professor, Nelson Rusche College of Business
Jamie Weaver, associate professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts 

Membership

Chair
The director of the School of Honors chairs this committee and convenes meetings.

Term
One year

Function
The function of the committee is to serve as an advisory group to the director of the School of Honors and participate in Honors' scholarship review and recommendations.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

Michael Tkacik, director, School of Honors
chair
Justin Blount, professor, Nelson Rusche College of Business
Linda Bobo, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Dana Cooper, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Russell Franks, assistant professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics
Sheryll Jerez, professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry & Agriculture
Michael Martin, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Elizabeth Spradley, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Amber Wagnon, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Jacob Walburn, assistant professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts

Membership
Membership appointments are made by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. The IACUC will consist of a minimum of five (5) members, including:

• at least one faculty member representing an academic department utilizing vertebrate animals for research, testing, or training;
• one member from a department that does not utilize animals in research;
• one doctor of veterinary medicine;
• one member of the community not associated with the university.

Term
Members have indefinite terms.The committee meets at least twice per year and on an as-needed basis to review faculty research proposals that involve vertebrate animals and complete any additional tasks required by law.

Function
Responsible for the review of research and teaching activities that involve vertebrate animals. The IACUC has the responsibility and the authority to approve, withhold approval, or require changes in research activity and methodology of research involving vertebrate animal subjects.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

Jessica Glasscock, assistant professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, ext. 5984
chair
Erin Brown, professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, ext. 4433
Brent Burt, professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics, ext. 2482
Kelly Koinm, veterinarian
Rebekah Raney, compliance coordinator, Office of Research and Graduate Studies, ext. 1067
Christopher Sams, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences, ext. 2005
Tamara Wood, non-affiliated

Term
This is an ad hoc committee. Members serve for indefinite terms.

Function
It is the role of the IBC to review, approve/reject, and provide oversight and guidance to individuals at the university, or that use property owned by the university, who seek to use or possess rDNA and/or biohazardous materials for teaching or research.

List of 2026-2027 Council Members

Kevin Langford, associate professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics
chair
Ronald W. Havner, lab coordinator, College of Sciences and Mathematics
Alexandra Martynova-Van Kley, professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics
Erin Brown, professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture
Rebekah Raney, compliance coordinator, Office of Research and Graduate Studies
Jason M. Richards, veterinarian
James E. Van Kley, professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics
Tamara Wood, external community member

Membership
The IRB will have at least five members with varying backgrounds to promote complete and adequate review of research activities commonly conducted at the institution. Appointments to the IRB are made by the president of the university. The membership of the IRB is based on the following criteria:

• at least one member whose primary concerns are in scientific areas and at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas;
• at least one member who is not otherwise affiliated with the institution and who is not part of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the institution;
• an ex-officio, non-voting representative from the Office of Research and Graduate Studies (ORGS);
• invited, non-voting individuals at the discretion of the IRB who have competence in specialized areas of research.

Chair
The IRB chair is appointed by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs from among the faculty members of the IRB. Whenever possible, the chair of the IRB will be granted reassigned time equivalent to one three-hour course each semester.

Term
Members serve for indefinite terms.

Function
The IRB at SFA has the responsibility and authority to review, approve, disapprove, or require changes in research activity and methodology of research involving human subjects.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

Emmerentie Oliphant, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences, ext. 2291
chair
George Day, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciencess, ext. 3948
Caroline Garner, non-affiliated, president of United Way, ph: 936-554-1802
Rebekah Raney, compliance coordinator, Office of Research and Graduate Studies, ext. 1067
Pat Stephens-Williams, professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, ext. 2196
Todd Whitehead, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciencesn, ext. 1462
Allison Younger, assistant professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics, ext. 7747

Alternate Members

José Carbajal, associate professor, College of Liberal and Applied Arts, ext. 3726
James Rowe, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, ext. 2098

Function
Approved medical appeals may be granted for mental and physical conditions that prevent the student from completing the semester. Medical appeal requests will be considered by a committee comprised of university officials. The committee's charge will be to consider the merit of the appeal based on all documentation provided by the student. Once a decision has been made, the Registrar's Office personnel will notify the student and any university officials necessary to process the appeals that are granted.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

Daphne Curl, director, Testing Services
Tricia Lance, academic advisor, Student Success Center
Marianne Payne, academic support coordinator, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences - Student Services and Advising
Sabrina Delaney, academic advisor, Office of SAIR
Tiffany Rivers, director, Disability Services

Membership
Members are appointed by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and consist of at least one representative recommended by the academic deans, from each of the six colleges. Term positions will begin and end in May.

Chair
The first meeting of the academic year will be convened by the provost and executive vice president if there is no chair, and a chair will be appointed at that meeting by the committee.

Term
Three-year: staggered.

Function
The function of this committee is to develop, implement, and assess a year-long orientation program for new faculty members that will help promote and maintain a strong sense of intellectual and social community at SFA. The program is meant to welcome new faculty, introduce them to SFA, and help them acclimate and integrate successfully and effectively into the SFA community.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

Joyce Johnston, associate dean, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
chair
Jim Adams, assistant professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics, 2027
TBD, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, 2026
TBD, Nelson Rusche College of Business, 2026
Kim Odems, human resources manager, Office of Human Resources, 2027
Alyssa Landreaux, lecturer, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences, 2027
Cord Eversole, assistant professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, 2026
Elizabeth Gloyd, associate professor, College of Liberal and Applied Arts, 2029
Allison Younger, assistant professor, College of Health Professions, 2028
Megan Weatherly, executive director, Lumberjack Learning Commons
ex officio

Membership 
Membership consists of up to 12 elected members of the tenured and/or tenure-track faculty with no more than two members from each of the six colleges. Upon expiration of a term, the council member is ineligible for re-election to the council until the lapse of one year. 

Non-voting members include:

• Dean of ORGS (or their designee)
• Representative from Faculty Senate
• Representative from Chairs’ Forum
• Any SFA employee actively involved in research (unlimited)

Chair
A faculty member is elected from within the voting membership and serves a one-year term.

Term
Each elected council member serves a 3-year term with a staggered rotation schedule. 

During the inaugural year, members will be elected for one-, two-, and three-year terms. Those RAC members who are elected to serve in one-year terms will be immediately eligible to serve a new three-year term, if selected by their college; the one-year waiting period will not apply to these one-year, inaugural term RAC members.

In the event of a tie, the Dean of ORGS (or their designee) will serve as the tie breaker. 

Function
The function of the committee is to advance the research capacity of the university and to elevate research volume and advance research visibility by a) advocating for university resources, university-wide policies, and university-wide procedures to enhance research and the visibility of research on campus; b) advocating for promoting faculty research collaboration and engagement; c) advocating for expanding student research opportunities; and d) advocating for expanding support for obtaining external funding for research. 

2026-2027 Council Members

Dr. Flora Farago, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
chair
Dr. Reuber Antoniazzi, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture
Dr. Joe Mask, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture
Dr. Lauren Brewer, College of Health Professions
Dr. Keith Hubbard, College of Sciences and Mathematics
Dr. Kefa Onchoke, College of Sciences and Mathematics
Dr. Gina Fe Causin, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Dr. Heather Olson Beal, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Inga Meier, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts
Jenna Sehman, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts
Dr. Rebecca Davis, Nelson Rusche College of Business
Dr. Hannah Wich, Nelson Rusche College of Business
Dr. Forrest Lane, ex-officio
Dr. Bidisha Sengupta, Provost Advisory Council representative
Ronald (Phil) Reynolds, Library representative

Membership
Seven selected members. Six members of the Executive Committee will be professional academic advisors or a staff/faculty member with advising duties, with one member elected from each college. The seventh member will be a staff member from the Student Success Center with advising duties. This committee will also serve as the EAB/Navigate Advisory Committee

Chair
Executive Committee members will elect a chair, subject to Provost approval, for a term of two years.

*Chair will be one of the Executive Committee Members and will coordinate monthly meetings and manage the PAAC email distribution

*This committee will plan the yearly Advising Retreat in May and will select a chair for this event.

*This committee serves in an advisory capacity to the EAB/Navigate administrators.

Term
Each of the members of PAAC Executive Committee serves a two- or three-year term. A vacancy on the council is filled by the selection process for the respective college.

Function
To recommend policies and procedures, inform, and encourage initiatives to improve professional advising and the advising community at SFA.

List of 2026-2027 Committee Members

Billy Harris, academic advisor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences 
Abby Coker, coordinator, Student Success Center 
retreat chair
Kristina Taylor, academic advisor, Nelson Rusche College of Business
chair-elect
Crystal Deckard, academic advisor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
retreat chair-elect
Amy Neal, academic advisor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture
Laura Turner, academic advisor, College of Sciences and Mathematics
Trenton Birdwell, academic advisor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts
chair
Raquel Skidmore, Student Success Center
ex officio

Membership

Chair
The dean of James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences

Term
Ad-hoc

Function
The function of this committee is to discuss policies and processes and make recommendations to the dean of education regarding preparation of teachers.

List of 2026-2027 Council Members

Dustin Knepp, dean, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
co-chair
Christina Sinclair, associate dean of assessment and accountability, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
co-chair
Adam Akerson, professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Daniella Anyabine, program analyst, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Mihae Bae, program coordinator, College of Health Professions
Carrie Baker, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Lisa Bentley, lecturer, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Erin Childress, lecturer, Jacks Teach-biology
Brian Church, assistant professor, JacksTeach-math
Chrissy Cross, assistant chair, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Bonnie Fyffe, sr. secretary, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Beth Gound, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Dana Solomon, director, charter school
Aubrey Jones, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Lindsey Kennon, assistant chair, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Summer Koltonski, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Jane Long, professor and director, JacksTeach
Caitlin Luna, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Jennifer Malmberg, lecturer, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts
Mike Martin, professor, English, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Ronda McClain, assistant professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Melanie Mercer, certification coordinator, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Michelle Miller, clinical experience coordinator, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Mark Montgomery, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Heather Munro, assistant professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Claire Murphy, assistant professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts
Jannah Nerren, chair, education studies, James I. Perkins College of Education
Bill Nieberding, associate professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts
Wycliffe Njororai, chair, College of Health Professions
Barbara Qualls, superintendent cert, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Susan Reily, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Heather Samuelson, associate professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts
Brian Uriegas, principal program coordinator, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Amber Wagnon, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Leslie West, coordinator, JacksTeach
Tingting Xu, data analyst, assessment and accountabiltiy, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences

Members
Membership consists of seven elected members of the tenured or tenure-track faculty. Six members of the council, one from each academic college, are elected from the tenured or tenure track members of the faculty of that college. One member is elected to represent the Library. The dean of research and graduate studies will be an ex-officio member of the URC to facilitate the administrative functions of the Research Enhancement Fund and provide proper oversight.

Chair
A faculty member, separate from the other members of the council, is to be appointed by the provost and executive vice president to chair the URC for a term of 1 year. The council will make a recommendation on the new chair annually, with preference given to faculty members having previously served on the URC.

Term
Each of the members of the URC serves a three-year term. Upon expiration of a term, the council member is ineligible for re-election to the council until the lapse of three years. A vacancy on the council is filled by election.

Function
The function of the committee is to recommend policies and procedures to encourage research activities and to improve the research environment of the university; to develop and recommend university research policies based upon state and federal laws and regulations; to recommend adjudication to variances to policies and procedures; and to develop guidelines for, and recommendations of, awards for internal university research grants.

List of 2026-2027 Council Members

Tingting Xu (Chair), Professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Joe Mask, Assistant Professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture
Nandhu Radhakrishnan, Assistant Professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Samantha M. Inman, Associate Professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts
George Day, Associate Professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Brannon Gary, Professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics
Wenjing Li, Associate Professor, Nelson Rusche College of Business

Membership
Membership is appointed by the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and consists of one faculty representative elected from each undergraduate college and, as ex-officio, registrar; and representatives from Institutional Research and the Office of Academic Affairs.

Term
Three-year term

Function
The function of the committee is to review and make recommendations concerning proposed changes in the undergraduate curriculum; the Curriculum Committee will review and recommend approval or disapproval of all curricular requests. The committee will attempt to ensure (1) that academic quality is maintained in programs and courses, (2) that redundancy is minimized in the curriculum, and (3) that changes are consistent with academic policies and with the role and scope of the department, college and university.

List of 2026-2027 Council Members

Lisa Mize, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences, 2028
chair
Dan Brecht-Haddad, assistant professor, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, 2028
Liane Stevens, assistant professor, College of Sciences and Mathematics, 2028
Yanli Zhang, professor, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, 2028
Spencer Willardson, associate professor, James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences, 2027
Marcus Cox, associate professor, Nelson Rusche College of Business, 2027
Mickey Diez, registrar, Office of the Registrar
ex officio
TBD, associate provost, Division of Academic Affairs, 
ex officio