In terms of sponsored research, UTSA has reached the levels necessary to participate in the National Research University Fund as well as enter into the highest level of funded research, the Carnegie categorization of “Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity” or R1. The College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) has also been a vital part of these successes, with COEHD faculty consistently listed among UTSA researchers with the largest awards for sponsored research projects in the university.

The College of Education and Human Development stands out for its rich diversity within the university. Our faculty not only represent the widest range of gender, racial, and ethnic backgrounds at UTSA, but they also bring a diverse array of methodological expertise and research interests. COEHD faculty actively seek research funding to create innovative solutions to pressing educational and social issues. They leverage emerging technologies and cutting-edge pedagogies to make a meaningful impact. 

Our groundbreaking research opens up new opportunities for both students and faculty, encouraging the exploration of fresh ideas. By partnering with numerous school districts and community agencies in Bexar County, we strengthen our ties with the community and contribute to societal progress. COEHD faculty are dedicated to culturally-responsive and socially-relevant research, and their efforts have consistently attracted over five million dollars in external funding each year.

Emily Bonner, Ph.D.

Contact

Emily Bonner, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs, Professor, C&I Co-Director, San Antonio Mathematics Collaborative

Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

emily.bonner@utsa.edu

Research and Development Committee

Committee members represent each of the College’s six academic departments and the four Centers and Institutes (ATE, BOA-CAPRI-BHC, UEI, WSI), serving as vital liaisons to faculty regarding research-related matters. They are approachable and dedicated, providing a conduit for faculty and community stakeholders to share concerns or suggest improvements in the College’s research support infrastructure. Whether seeking guidance, raising issues, or proposing enhancements, faculty and stakeholders can connect with these committee members, the Associate Dean for Research, Dr. Emily Bonner, or the Senior Grant Development Manager, Iwan Notowidigdo. Through these collaborative interactions, we ensure our research environment remains supportive, responsive, and continually evolving.

The Research and Development (R&D) Committee at the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) plays a pivotal role in supporting and assisting our vibrant community of educational researchers. As part of a Carnegie R1 very intensive research institution and a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) — or as we prefer, a Hispanic "Thriving" Institution — we recognize the immense potential of collaborative and inclusive research endeavors.

Research Visibility: Ensuring our research is highly visible is crucial for advancing knowledge and practice in education. By making our findings accessible and prominent, we enhance the impact of our work, inspire innovation, and attract further funding and collaboration opportunities.

Faculty Support: Providing robust support to our faculty is essential for fostering groundbreaking research. Offering resources, mentorship, and professional development helps our educators push the boundaries of knowledge, secure funding, and publish in esteemed journals.

Collaborations: Encouraging interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations enriches our research landscape. Such partnerships allow us to tackle complex educational challenges with innovative solutions, reflecting the diverse expertise within our college.

Students as Researchers: Engaging students in research activities is vital for their academic and professional growth. Involving students in meaningful projects not only develops their critical skills but also cultivates the next generation of scholars and practitioners.

Attention to Diversity: Emphasizing diverse perspectives and inclusive methodologies in research is imperative. It ensures our studies address the needs of all communities, particularly within our culturally rich context as a Hispanic "Thriving" Institution.

In 2023-24, the R&D Committee was instrumental in navigating the transition from REDKE to the Office of Research and raising awareness of the Research Support Center’s shift into a College Research Administrators Team. This transformation was designed to strengthen our support infrastructure, enabling us as a college and university to better assist our faculty and students in their pursuit of research excellence.

Through our collective efforts as a professional learning community, we are determined to make a significant difference in the field of education. Together, we can achieve remarkable research outcomes that resonate within and beyond our academic community.

 

Faculty Research Committee

Sharon Nichols, Ph.D.

Sharon Nichols, Ph.D.

Department Chair and Professor, Educational Psychology, Director, Urban Education Institute, Educational Psychology

Iliana Alanis, Ph.D.

Iliana Alanis, Ph.D.

Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Sonya Alemán, Ph.D.

Sonya Alemán, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

María Guadalupe Arreguín, Ed.D.

María Guadalupe Arreguín, Ed.D.

Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Sofia Bahena, Ph.D.

Sofia Bahena, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Emily Bonner, Ph.D.

Emily Bonner, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs, Professor, C&I Co-Director, San Antonio Mathematics Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Placeholder

Richard Boon, Ph.D.

Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Placeholder

Curtis Brewer, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Guadalupe Carmona-Dominguez, Ph.D.

Guadalupe Carmona-Dominguez, Ph.D.

Professor, Executive Director of ConTex, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Felicia Castro-Villarreal, Ph.D.

Felicia Castro-Villarreal, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

Marco Cervantes, Ph.D.

Marco Cervantes, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Martha Sidury Christiansen, Ph.D.

Martha Sidury Christiansen, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Langston Clark, Ph.D.

Langston Clark, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Jennifer M. Cook, Ph.D.

Jennifer M. Cook, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Counseling

Rachel Cruz, Ph.D.

Rachel Cruz, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

John Davis, Ph.D.

John Davis, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Educational Psychology

Samuel DeJulio, Ph.D.

Samuel DeJulio, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Lucila Ek, Ph.D.

Lucila Ek, Ph.D.

Dr. Bertha Perez Distinguished Endowed Professor in Biliteracy, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

C. Alejandra Elenes, Ph.D.

C. Alejandra Elenes, Ph.D.

Department Chair and Professor, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Uchenna Emenaha, Ph.D.

Uchenna Emenaha, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Kathy Ewoldt, Ph.D.

Kathy Ewoldt, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Belinda Bustos Flores, Ph.D.

Belinda Bustos Flores, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Strategic Partnership, Preparation and Growth & Professor, Founder and Director of The Academy for Teacher Excellence, UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools Partner, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Alonzo Flowers, Ph.D.

Alonzo Flowers, Ph.D.

Department Chair and Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Claudia Treviño Garcia

Claudia Treviño Garcia, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Instruction, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Claudia García-Louis, Ph.D.

Claudia García-Louis, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Norma Guerra, Ph.D.

Norma Guerra, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

Placeholder

Janis Harmon, Ph.D.

Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

John Harrichand, Ph.D.

John Harrichand, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Counseling

Mackenzie Hart, Ph.D.

Mackenzie Hart, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology

Kathryn Henderson, Ph.D.

Kathryn Henderson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Rosalind Horowitz, Ph.D.

Rosalind Horowitz, Ph.D.

Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Claudia Interiano-Shiverdecker, Ph.D.

Claudia Interiano-Shiverdecker, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Counseling

Gerald Juhnke, Ph.D.

Gerald Juhnke, Ph.D.

Interim Department Chair and Professor, Counseling, Counseling

Crystal A. Kalinec-Craig Headshot Photo

Crystal Kalinec-Craig, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Michael Karcher, Ph.D.

Michael Karcher, Ph.D.

Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Educational Psychology

Victoria Kim, Ph.D.

Victoria Kim, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Marie Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.

Marie Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology

Gilberto Lara, Ph.D.

Gilberto Lara, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Donghun Lee, Ph.D.

Donghun Lee, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Counseling

María Leija, Ph.D.

María Leija, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Cynthia Lima, Ph.D.

Cynthia Lima, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Kristen Lindahl, Ph.D.

Kristen Lindahl, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Strategic Partnership, Preparation and Growth, Professor, Principal Investigator for Project SELFIES, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Yi-Fan Li, Ph.D.

Yi-Fan Li, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Vittorio Marone, Ph.D.

Vittorio Marone, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Alex Mejia, Ph.D.

Alex Mejia, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Sylvia Mendoza, Ph.D.

Sylvia Mendoza, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Betty Merchant, Ph.D.

Betty Merchant, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Marissa Munoz, Ph.D.

Marissa Munoz, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Bekisizwe Ndimande, Ph.D.

Bekisizwe Ndimande, Ph.D.

Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Leslie Neely, Ph.D.

Leslie Neely, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Director of Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute, Educational Psychology

Juan Manuel Niño, Ph.D.

Juan Manuel Niño, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Placeholder

Araceli Ortiz

Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Marc Perry, Ph.D.

Marc Perry, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Priscilla Prasath, Ph.D.

Priscilla Prasath, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Counseling

Rica Ramirez, Ph.D.

Rica Ramirez, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Derek Robertson, Ph.D.

Derek Robertson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Counseling

Mariela Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Mariela Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Devon Romero, Ph.D.

Devon Romero, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Counseling

Dr. Ann Marie Ryan, Ph.D.

Dr. Ann Marie Ryan, Ph.D.

Department Chair and Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Lilliana Saldaña, Ph.D.

Lilliana Saldaña, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Patricia Sánchez, Ph.D.

Patricia Sánchez, Ph.D.

Department Chair and Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Vanessa Sansone, Ed.D

Vanessa Sansone, Ed.D

Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Howard Smith, Ph.D.

Howard Smith, Ph.D.

Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Jorge Solís, Ph.D.

Jorge Solís, Ph.D.

Professor, Co-Principal Investigator for Project SELFIES, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Jeremy Sullivan, Ph.D.

Jeremy Sullivan, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

John Sutterby Photo

John Sutterby, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Ian Thacker, Ph.D.

Ian Thacker, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology

David Thompson, Ph.D.

David Thompson, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Heather Trepal, Ph.D.

Heather Trepal, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success, Professor, Counseling

Armando L. Trujillo, Ph.D.

Armando L. Trujillo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Placeholder

Karina Vielma

Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Victor Villarreal, Ph.D.

Victor Villarreal, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

Bedrettin Yazan, Ph.D.

Bedrettin Yazan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Co-Principal Investigator for Project SELFIES, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

Timothy Yuen, Ph.D.

Timothy Yuen, Ph.D.

Professor and Assistant Department Chair, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching