New faculty uphold UTSA’s commitment to student success

AUGUST 12, 2024 — UTSA begins the academic year with more than 90 new full-time faculty joining its ranks. This year’s new tenured, tenure-track and full-time fixed-term-track faculty are poised to advance the university’s research mission and provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their careers.

• Get to know this year’s new faculty cohort at the UTSA New Faculty showcase site.

Within this cohort, 83% of the 40 incoming tenured and tenure-track (T/TT) faculty received their terminal degrees from Carnegie R1 institutions. Additionally, 58% of the incoming T/TT faculty earned their degrees from the Association of American Universities (AAU) member institutions. These premier institutions include Indiana University Bloomington, New York University, the University of Arizona, the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Notre Dame, The Ohio State University, Rice University, and Washington University at St. Louis.

“We are honored to welcome our new faculty members, whose unique expertise and perspectives will inspire our students and propel UTSA forward,” said Heather Shipley, UTSA Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Their contributions and innovation will play a pivotal role in advancing student success and scholarly excellence, affirming UTSA’s position as a leading institution in higher education and research.”

“We are honored to welcome our new faculty members, whose unique expertise will inspire our students.”

When asked why they chose UTSA, many of the new faculty members shared their enthusiasm to be part of the university’s collaborative research community, passion for ensuring the success of all students and an appreciation for the university’s focus on developing career-ready graduates.

Adam O’Riordan, a new assistant professor in the UTSA Department of Psychology, said he was drawn to both the career-engaged learning focus at UTSA and the collaborative and innovative research environment within the university’s College for Health, Community and Policy.

“I was impressed by UTSA’s commitment to hands-on learning, which aligns with my values,” O’Riordan said. “For instance, I design all my classes in a way that allows students to engage with the topic content rather than simply consuming the material. I also highly value and enjoy providing laboratory research experience to both graduate and undergraduate students.”

Jennifer Smith, a professor of instruction within the Interdisciplinary School for Engagement in the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA), will support the institution’s rapidly growing Film and Media Studies program. She brings a wealth of industry experience in creative film and television production, specifically in writing, directing and producing.

“I have experience developing and building programs and am excited for the opportunity to be a part of shaping, strengthening and growing the new film and media studies major,” Smith said. “I am also a native Texan, and it is wonderful to be supporting such talented students here at home.”

Notably, eight of the new T/TT faculty were hired through the university’s strategic faculty hiring programs, which allow the institution to attract and hire promising, accomplished and diverse faculty in key areas to advance UTSA’s excellence in student success and research.

Herta Montoya ’18, joins UTSA as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. She was hired through the Rising Star strategic hiring program, which helps UTSA recruit faculty who show extraordinary promise early in their careers. Montoya is enthusiastic to return to her alma mater, where her work toward a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering ignited her passion for solving engineering problems.

“I decided to join UTSA because it is an institution thriving in research and academic excellence, providing a top-class platform to create an impact on its student community and tackle grand challenges around us,” Montoya said. “I am eager to join the fantastic UTSA transdisciplinary research community and promote higher education for underrepresented groups.”

Also among this cohort is Emilie Amrein, who joined UTSA earlier this summer as the founding executive director of UTSA Arts and as associate dean for community engagement in COLFA. Additionally, the University College welcomes Lt. Col. Gilberto Malavé as the new chair of the Army ROTC program.

The group participated in the New Faculty Academy: Bold Beginnings at Roadrunner Nation program from Thursday, August 1, through Thursday, August 8. The event was an intensive development opportunity designed to welcome and onboard new faculty to the university.

The program started with an orientation to UTSA and continued with daily sessions where the new faculty participated in discussions about trends in teaching and learning and the university’s knowledge enterprise. The new faculty members also took part in hands-on activities to help them build a toolkit of best practices for teaching and conducting research at UTSA.

UTSA has over 1,500 faculty members who are at the forefront of the institution’s academic and research excellence.

— KC Gonzalez