Dear COEHD faculty and staff,

Thank you for contributing to a great kick-off meeting. My sincere hope is that you left feeling invigorated and inspired to take on new challenges. I deeply appreciate the input and feedback you shared relative to our strategic plan. I sensed high energy and engagement across the packed room, which revealed to me how much all of you are invested in COEHD’s shared goals and aspirations. Making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in our community and the world is what fuels our scholarship in COEHD. It was a marvelous showing by the way -- nearly 100 people!

Now to the Mentimeter activity:

I asked what you wished to accomplish this year. I fully expected the normal fare of responses like publish and get students finished but I was struck by the number of comments that revolved around personal wellbeing. To survive, improve health, de-stress, restore and reconnect, rest and be happy were terms frequently shared that point directly to the stress and pressures of the job that can truthfully wear us down in different ways. I encourage all of you to find time to catch your breath and give yourself grace. Taking your mind off the daily grind is essential: spend time with your loved ones, exercise, meditate/reflect, go for a walk, cook, listen to music, read, paint, etc. I’ll ask all of you to offer suggestions as to how the college can help better support the wellbeing of our community members. My advice in the meantime: find an activity that renourishes you. Thanks for being so candid.

Over the next weeks, the COEHD leadership team will review the feedback regarding the strategic plan and share next steps. Lots of excellent information to work with.

I also want to extend congratulations to COEHD faculty who were recently awarded major federal grants.

• Dr. John Davis (PI) and Dr. Leslie Neely (Co-PI)
• US Department of Education Disability Innovation Fund Workforce Development grant titled Workforce Development for Neuro-developmental Disability (WD-NDD): Employer-Focused Practices to Facilitate Neurodiversity in the Workforce
• Total: $9,012,187
• Dr. Lorena Claeys (PI), Dr. Heather Trepal (Co-PI) and Dr. Belinda Flores (Co-Pi)
• US Department of Education August F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence (Hawkins) Program grant titled Culturally Efficacious Signature Teacher Residency
• Total: $2,861,470
• Dr. Cynthia Lima (Co-PI)
• NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) grant titled Biomedical Engineering Superheroes Health Science, Engineering, and Data Science Elementary Curriculum Development & Outreach for $245,444 and
• Dr. Belinda Flores also serves as Co-PI from COEHD on the NIH SEPA grant for a similar amount
• Dr. Cynthia Lima (Co-PI)
• US Department of Energy grant titled Online DSA-IBR: Online Dynamic Security Assessment for IBR-Rich Power Systems
• Total: $277,180

It feels like we’re breaking new ground as a college in the area of grant funding. Keep up the outstanding work.

Apologies for all the inconveniences and frustration caused by the AC issue on the downtown campus, namely the Frio and Buena Vista buildings. Our facilities management team has assured me the situation has been resolved and fully expect the conditions to normalize over the next few days. They also pledge better-advanced communication. I appreciate your patience.

Important community activities:

• COEHD Faculty & Staff Appreciation
• Free Tamales and Coffee
• October 02, 2024 - 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Main Campus, MB 3.304, COEHD Conference Room
• Free Tacos and Coffee
• October 02, 2024 - 12 p.m.-1 p.m.
• Downtown Campus, FS 3.412, COEHD IT Lab
• Alumni Tailgate
• November 02, 2024 (TBD)

What a banner 5 weeks it has been for UTSA COEHD! The future is bright. I immensely appreciate your commitment to our college.



Dean Mario Torres

College of Education and Human Development

UTSA College of Education and Human Development | UTSA Main Campus | San Antonio, TX 78249 US

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