Dear UHD Community,

As you are aware, our institution is undertaking national searches to identify candidates for two very important leadership roles. Both Dr. Michael Fields, dean of the Marilyn Davies College of Business, and Dr. Chris Birchak, dean of the University College, recently announced their respective retirements.

Search committees for these deans’ positions are now organized. To identify prospective candidates, both committees are working with the firm Greenwood/Asher.

We have assembled a strong base of faculty, staff members, students, alumni and community partners to participate in these searches. I have the utmost confidence in both committees and look forward to receiving feedback on their progress.

See below for a list of members serving on each committee:

Dean, Marilyn Davies College of Business Search Committee

Dr. Akif Uzman, dean, College of Sciences and Technology (Chair)

Dr. David Ryden, associate dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)

Dr. Marvin Williams, department chair, Marilyn Davies College of Business

Dr. Rahul Verma, associate professor, Marilyn Davies College of Business

Dr. Lucille Pointer, professor, Marilyn Davies College of Business

Dr. Steven Coy, professor, Marilyn Davies College of Business

Dr. Margaret Shipley, professor, Marilyn Davies College of Business

Dr. Kurt Stanberry, professor, Marilyn Davies College of Business

Carmen Cuevas, assistant dean, Marilyn Davies College of Business

Lori Ramirez, alumna and Master of Business Administration student

Jonathan Lack, principal for ROI Ventures

W. David de Roode (’03), Partner and Senior VP, Lockton and Companies

Hannah Hartland McNair (‘07), Community Volunteer

Dean, University College Search Committee

Dr. Leigh Van Horn, interim dean, College of Public Service (Chair)

Dr. William Waller, associate dean, University College

Dr. Ryan Pepper, department chair, College of Sciences and Technology

Dr. Chynette Nealy, professor, Marilyn Davies College of Business

Dr. Tammis Thomas, professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)

Dr. Rachna Sadana, associate professor, College of Sciences and Technology

Dr. Heather Goltz, associate professor, College of Public Service

Dr. Karen Kaser, program director, University College

Sylvia Medellin, associate director, Academic Advising

Dr. Mari Nicholson-Preuss, director, Honors Program

Reyna Romero, director, CHSS Advising Services

Samuel Santos, dean of students, Student Affairs

Dr. Laura Murillo, community representative and CEO for the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Rick Cruz, community representative and HISD chief of major projects

Adriana Mendoza, student representative

Leonard Nelson, alumnus and learning, development manager at Neighborhood Centers Inc.

I am grateful to have these two well-rounded committees leading these searches. Likewise, I am appreciative of the service Dean Fields and Dean Birchak have provided to UHD. I wish both of them luck in their future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz
UHD President