Taking helm of Student Success
An announcement sent on Friday, March 3, named Dr. Maria E. Velez-Hernandez interim Vice President of Student Success, and with this change a new advising model is expected.
Velez is honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve in her new role.
“The staff, faculty and students who work in the Center for Student Success are committed to supporting our students and will continue to work towards the north star: Student Success,” she said. “In this new role, I hope to lead our team in strengthening the services and facilities that serve our student body to continue to support them in their path to graduation.”
The announcement also thanked former Assistant Vice President of Student Success Dr. Shannon Baker for her years of service and the growth she brought to the Center for Student Success.
“Dr. Velez-Hernandez will continue the programs and initiatives already in place. She will be looking for ways to improve our services to students,” interim Provost Darin Hoskisson said.
Velez most recently served as Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and is an Associate Professor of Biology. Since joining the university in 2015, Velez has led several grant-funded programs to enhance undergraduate research experience and create a pathway to graduate and doctoral studies, according to the university. In addition to mentoring students in the classroom and lab space, Velez is the founding faculty adviser of the Women in Mathematics, Engineering and Science student organization.
Hoskisson is hoping Velez can improve advising at the university.
“One area of particular note is in academic advising,” he said. “We are reimagining how advising might work at TAMUK. Dr. Velez will lead the implementation of a new advising model.”
Lastly, Hoskisson wanted to note that the Center of Student Success is vital for students on campus.
“The Center for Student Success is a critical component of the university,” he said. “The services they offer are necessary to ensure students have resources to help them achieve success in the classroom and in their degree program. The university will continue its support of these programs as we move forward under this new leadership.”
Velez plans to make sure the Center for Student Success is just that – successful.
“Working together as a team we will synergistically improve not only the services to our student body, but also the opportunities we give our successful students to become leaders,” she said.