University Councils and Committees for 2025-2026

Appointments to Standing University Councils and Administrative Committees

Councils and Committees Reporting to:

The President

Administrative Council

Contact Office: President
Membership: The council is comprised of the president, vice presidents, senior vice provost, deans, athletic director, chief marketing and communications officer, chief information officer, chair of the academic department head council, faculty senate president, student body president, staff council president, and the budget users group coordinator. Meets on an as-needed basis.
Function: Serves as the principal executive body of the university. It is responsible for the administration of the university, planning its work, and managing its resources.

2025-2026 Membership

Clery Committee

Contact Office: President
Membership: Appointed by the President
Function: The primary role of the Clery Committee is to ensure compliance with the Clery Act. The committee's functions include reviewing data that is Clery Act reportable, to create and submit the annual Clery Act report, and communicate about the report in accordance with the law.

2025-2026 Membership

Ethics and Compliance Committee

Contact Office: President
Membership: The committee is chaired by the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and consists of subject matter professionals appointed for their expertise. The committee meets quarterly.
Function: The purpose of the University Ethics and Compliance Committee is to maintain a compliance plan, approved by the University President and the A&M System Ethics and Compliance Officer, in accordance with System Regulation 16.01.01. This plan recognizes how the university systematically addresses risks, identifies emerging risks, and monitors the effective mitigation of risks identified.

2025-2026 Membership

Executive Ethics and Compliance

Contact Office: President
Function: The Executive Ethics and Compliance is chaired by the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and is responsible for executive level oversight of the risks identified by the University Ethics and Compliance Committee

2025-2026 Membership

Executive Team Committee

Contact Office: President
Membership: Membership is comprised of the president, vice presidents, chief of staff, director of athletics and chief marketing and communication officer. The committee meets twice a week.
Function: The Executive Team is responsible for development and dissemination of the mission, vision, and guiding principles, oversight of strategic planning and financial and human resources for the university, as well as review and approval of university procedures and rules to ensure compliance with A&M System policies and regulations.

2025-2026 Membership

Space and Facilities Advisory Committee

Contact Office: President
Function: Committee members serve as subject matter experts to provide their expertise in developing recommendations for the appropriate allocation and utilization of university building spaces, including offices, classrooms, and laboratories. Their primary responsibility is to ensure optimal space usage in accordance with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's policies and procedures.
see procedure 51.99.99.R0.01

2025-2026 Membership

Staff Council

Contact Office: President
Membership: Membership is comprised of full-time, non-faculty, university staff from the following university divisions/operating units. Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Finance and Administration, Student Affairs, Philanthropy and Engagement, Research and Economic Development, Athletics, Compliance, Marketing Communications and the President's Office
Function: The mission of the Staff Council is to serve as a representative voice for all university staff and upper administration. The council strives to support university staff and to improve the sense of community among employees.

2025-2026 Membership

Title IX Stakeholder Committee

Contact Office: President
Membership: Members are not limited and are representatives from across campus.
Function: The Civil Rights/Title IX Stakeholders Committee supports the university Civil Rights Administrator/Title IX Coordinator in advancing the institution's Title IX compliance initiatives. The committee promotes awareness and education regarding Civil Rights and Title IX compliance within the campus community, helps identify and address areas for improvement, and collaborates to develop effective preventive measures to address sexual misconduct.

2025-2026 Membership

Visual Art Committee

Contact Office: President
Membership: Members of the committee are appointed by the president and shall include: a faculty member from the Department of Art, a representative from Philanthropy and Engagement, a campus operations representative, a student representative, a Commerce community representative, and two university faculty and/or staff members. The procedure 51.03.99.R0.01 gives direction in the acceptance and placement of visual art objects.
Function: The primary function of the Visual Art Committee is the acquisition and setting of visual art objects.

2025-2026 Membership

Academic Affairs

Advisory Committee

Contact Office: Provost
Membership: The Advisory Committee is a standing committee of faculty who are nominated and elected by their peers. Elections are held in September of each year.
Purpose: The council advises the Vice President and Provost for Academic Affairs and/or the President on matters relating to faculty appeals and/or grievances.
Rule: University Rule: 12.01.99.R1, Academic Freedom and Responsibility

2025-2026 Membership

Core Curriculum Committee

Contact Office: Provost
Membership: The Core Curriculum Committee consists of full-time faculty who are nominated from across all academic colleges. (The committee consists of two full-time faculty from the College of Business, College of Education and Human Services, College of Science and Engineering, and College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, and one full-time faculty from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the College of Innovation and Design.)
Purpose: The Core Curriculum Committee evaluates proposed courses based on specific criteria to ensure they meet the general education expectations set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Rule: University Procedure 11.06.99.RO.01, Core Curriculum Program

2025-2026 Membership

Faculty Development Leave Committee

Contact Office: Provost
Membership: Faculty Development Leave Committee is a standing committee of faculty representing each of the academic colleges, who are nominated and elected by their peers.
Purpose: Reviews and scores applications submitted by faculty who request development leave to begin the following academic year.
Rule: University Procedure 12.099.01.RO.01, Faculty Development Leave

2025-2026 Membership

Graduate Council

Contact Office: Graduate School
Membership: The Graduate Council formulates and recommends policies and procedures related to graduate education of the University President.
Purpose: Faculty membership on the Graduate Council shall be limited to members of the graduate faculty. Student membership shall be limited to those graduate students who are classified as full-time resident students as defined by university procedures.
Rule: University Procedure: 12.04.99.RO.03, The Graduate Council

2025-2026 Membership

Hearing Committee

Contact Office: Provost
Membership: The Hearing Committee is a standing committee of faculty who are nominated and elected by their peers. Elections are held in September of each year.
Purpose: The Hearing Committee is one of two standing committees that review cases involving faculty grievances that cannot be resolved by reasoned discussion within normal administrative channels of the university. Depending on the nature of the grievance, the reviewing body will either be the Advisory Committee or Hearing Committee.
Rule: University Rule: 12.01.99.R1, Academic Freedom and Responsibility

2025-2026 Membership

Hearing Committee

Contact Office: Provost
Membership: Colleges conduct an annual election for membership. Members are elected and voted on by tenured and tenure-track faculty in each college.
Purpose: Each college will have a Tenure and Promotion Committee to review all requests for sixth-year probationary reviews for tenure, fourth-year probationary reviews as well as promotions.
Rule: University Rule: 12.01.01.R1: Implementing Faculty Tenure and Promotion

2025-2026 Membership by College

College of Business

• Chris Myers
• Malik Zaki
• Celine Hoe
• Shiyou Li
• Lirong Liu
• Stephanie Pane
• Hongmei Jia (Alternate)
• Ruiliang Yan (Alternate)

College of Education and Human Services

• Tami Morton
• LaVelle Hendricks
• Elizabeth Wachira
• Tony Lee
• Lacy Krueger
• Gracie Brownell
• Peter Williams
• Dimitra Smith (Alternate)
• Mei Jiang (Alternate)

College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts

• Ozum Yesiltas, Chair
• Zachary Palmer
• Chris Beaty
• Cynthia Ross
• Josh Ege
• Rebecca Worley
• Joshua Ege
• Karen Roggenkamp
• Joe Daun (Alternate)
• Williams Kuracina (Alternate)

College of Science and Engineering

• Lin Guo
• Allan Headley
• Yuehua Wang
• Eddie Oh
• Nikolay Sirakov
• Bao-An Li

College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources

• Jose Lopez
• Bob Williams
• Desire Djidonou

Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee (UAAC)

Contact Office: Provost
Membership: Faculty member recommended by the dean from each college; Director of Financial Aid: Texas Success Initiative staff, Director of Student Success Teams. (Associate/assistant dean from each college serves in an ex officio role.)
Rule: University Procedure 13.99.99.RO.41, Undergraduate Academic Probation, Suspension, Appeal, and Readmission

2025-2026 Membership

Faculty Advisory Council Committee

Contact Office: Provost
Membership: (pending)
Rule: (pending)

Finance and Administration

Digital Accessibility Committee

Contact Office: Vice President for Finance and Administration
Membership: Committee members meet at least two times a year and serve a staggered two-year term; membership is comprised of the university's chief information officer (CIO), the Digital Accessibility officer, and members from various departments across the university.
Function: The Digital Accessibility Committee coordinates efforts to improve the accessibility of the university's web resources, digital course content, and any other electronic information resources, as well as to integrate accessibility standards for East Texas A&M University.

2025-2026 Membership

• Jeremy Gamez, Chair
• Lydia Harke
• Lanee Dunlap
• Tom Estlack
• Carrie Williams
• TBD

Enterprise Risk Management

Contact Office: Vice President for Finance and Administration
Membership: Committee members meet quarterly each year and serve a staggered two-year term; membership is comprised of the university's Risk and Insurance Manager, the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, and members from various departments across the university.
Function: The Enterprise Risk Management committee coordinates efforts to proactively address potential risks and associated changes to ensure continuous operations of East Texas A&M University.

2025-2026 Membership

• Howard Pierson, Chair
• Katelyn Severance
• Sarah Aly
• Sarah Baker
• Paige Bussell
• Ray Dittrich
• Jeremy Gamez
• Andrea Graham
• Autumn Johnson
• Arlana Martin

Parking Committee

Contact Office: Vice President for Finance and Administration
Membership: Committee members meet monthly and serve a staggered two-year term; membership is comprised of representatives from various departments appointed by the Vice President for Finance and Administration and CFO, as well as two student representatives.
Function: The university Parking Committee is responsible for reviewing and determining final decisions regarding appeals on parking citations submitted by employees, students, and third parties. The committee may also provide feedback to the VPFA regarding parking and permits.

2025-2026 Membership

• Ryan Horne, Chair
• Bryan Vaughn (ex-officio)
• Molly Baur
• Jessica Gossett
• Tyler Mattson
• Kim McCarty
• Sarah Northam
• Kendra Saunders
• Makiyah Solomon, Student
• Student Senator – TBD

Student Affairs and Dean of Students

ADA Compliance

Contact Office: Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students
Function: The function of the ADA Compliance Committee is to ensure adequate communication and coordination for university efforts related to ADA Compliance. The committee will identify areas of improvement and coordinate efforts for both physical accessibility concerns and digital accessibility concerns.

2025-2026 Membership

• Katelyn Severance, University Ethics and Compliance, Chair
• Carrie Williams, Student Disability Services
• Lanee Dunlap, Academic Affairs and Library
• Tom Estlack, Marketing and Communications
• Jeremy Gamez, Center for Information Technology Excellence
• John Harris, Facilities and Construction
• Tammi Thompson, Human Resources
• Student Affairs Representative, TBA
• Faculty Representative, TBA
• VPFA Representative, TBA

Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee

Contact Office: Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students
Function: The purpose of the AOD committee is to target and document ETAMU's prevention efforts. The committee's focus should review the scope and effectiveness of campus prevention programs. As a university team, it is critical to create a comprehensive effort in promoting a healthy environment for the campus community, and the enforcement of regulations for prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.

2025-2026 Membership

International Student Advisory Committee

Contact Office: Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students
Function: The Study Abroad Scholarship Committee is responsible for reviewing and evaluating student applications for study abroad scholarships. The committee makes merit-based recommendations for students participating in both university approved faculty-led study abroad programs and students participating in direct enroll academic programs. The committee works to ensure access to the transformative experience that study abroad offers to all East Texas A&M University students.

2025-2026 Membership

• Tracy Nakajima, International Programs, Chair
• Ezinne Arizor, International Programs
• Janeen Mills, International Programs
• Cindy Rios, Student Engagement
• Amy Horton, Student Advocacy and Success
• Academic Affairs Representative, TBA

Study Abroad Scholarship Committee

Contact Office: Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students
Function: The International Student Advisory Committee raises awareness of the international student experience at East Texas A&M University and seeks to ensure that our students' voices are heard when decisions are made and new processes developed. It serves to promote communication amongst university offices that serve the international student community. Overall, the committee works to establish a welcoming experience for international students.

2025-2026 Membership

• Tracy Nakjima, International Programs, Chair
• Ezinne Arizor, International Programs
• Amy Horton, Student Advocacy and Support
• Tina Yang, Counseling Center
• Niki Petit, Money Management Center
• Tony Lee, Higher Education and Learning Technologies Department

Enrollment Management

Commencement Committee

Contact Office: Vice President for Enrollment Management
Function: The purpose of the commencement committee is to organize and oversee the planning and execution of graduation ceremonies that take place at the conclusion of the Fall, Spring, Summer terms. This committee typically includes representatives from various departments and stakeholders across the institution. The committee's responsibilities include: Event Planning, Program Development, Logistics Management, Communication, Protocol and Etiquette, Safety and Security, Feedback and Evaluation.

2025-2026 Membership

Financial Aid Appeals Committee

Contact Office: Vice President for Enrollment Management
Function: The purpose of the University Financial Aid Appeals Committee is to review and render a final decision on students' third and final financial aid appeals. The committee ensures that each case is considered thoroughly and fairly, while taking into account the individual circumstances presented by the student.

2025-2026 Membership

• Charles Robnett, Financial Services, Chair
• Molly Baur, Registrar Office
• Tina Lancaster, College of Innovation and Design/Faculty Senate
• Hattie Powell, Secondary Partnerships and Initiatives
• Amanda Horne, Student Engagement and Operations

Philanthropy and Engagement

Commencement Committee

Contact Office: Philanthropy and Engagement
Membership: A representative from each academic college, three distinguished alumni
Function: The committee's role involves vetting the Distinguished Alumni and Gold Blazer nominations, and making recommendations to the university president for final approval. Nominations are for recognizing alumni who have made significant achievements in their careers and service to the university.

2025-2026 Membership

Gift Acceptance Committee

Contact Office: Philanthropy and Engagement
Membership: Members of the Gift Acceptance Committee include:
Foundation Vice-Chair, Finance and Audit
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement
Foundation Chairman
Foundation Vice-Chair, Governance
Function: The Gift Acceptance Committee will review any gift that falls outside the parameters of these Gift Acceptance Procedures or requires an exception to these Procedures not otherwise provided. The Gift Acceptance Committee will determine when the advice of legal counsel is required and will ensure that University and System policies are followed in regards to gift acceptance; for example, a gift of real estate.

2025-2026 Membership

• Devin Girod, Chair
• Tammi Vacha-Haase
• Tina Livingston
• Scott Wheeler
• Scott Stahl
• Steve Ragland

Homecoming Committee

Contact Office: Philanthropy and Engagement
Membership: Members represent each key division of the university, including Student Life, Facilities Management, University Police Department, Greek Life, Residential Living and Learning, as well as faculty, staff, alumni, and other members of the university community.
Function: The Homecoming Committee is responsible for planning and executing all aspects of Homecoming Week, ensuring that preparation and organization are carried out efficiently and in a timely manner.

2025-2026 Membership

Research and Economic Development

Export Control Committee

Contact Office: Research and Economic Development
Membership: The Export Control Committee is comprised of representatives from offices across campus with responsibility for administering components of the export control compliance program and is chaired by the Empowered Official. The committee meets biannually to consider matters related to export control compliance at the University.
Function: Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: regular reviews of the Export Control Compliance Manual; oversight of the export control program; perform routine monitoring of export control procedures and practices; assist in the development of export control processes and guidelines; and assist in disseminating export control information to the university community.

2025-2026 Membership

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

Contact Office: Research and Economic Development
Membership: The IACUC chair and board members are appointed by the university Vice President for Research and Economic Development in staggered three-year terms. The committee meets once a month during the academic year.
Function: The IACUC reviews and approves all teaching and research activities involving animals. This includes but is not limited to: 1) reviewing all animal use protocols that are submitted at the university; 2) conducting two semi-annual reviews of the program and facilities; 3) ensuring all staff and faculty working with animals have completed their required training.

2025-2026 Membership

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

Contact Office: Research and Economic Development
Membership: The IBC chair and board members are appointed by the university Vice President for Research and Economic Development in staggered three-year terms. The committee meets once a month during the academic year.
Function: The IBC reviews and approves all research activities involving agents or materials including but not limited to: 1) Pathogens or potential pathogens; 2) Materials potentially containing human pathogens; 3) Recombinant DNA and RNA; 4) Selected agents and toxins. In addition, it conducts lab inspections for BSL 1 & 2 research laboratories, and ensures that all staff and faculty involved in these projects have completed their required training.

2025-2026 Membership

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Contact Office: Research and Economic Development
Membership: The IRB chair and board members are appointed by the university Vice President for Research and Economic Development in staggered three-year terms. The committee meets once a month during the academic year.
Function: The Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted under the auspices of the university. The East Texas A&M University IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in, or disapprove all research activities that fall within its jurisdiction as specified by both federal regulations and local institutional policy. All research involving human subjects are required to be reviewed and approved by the university IRB prior to initiation of data collection.

2025-2026 Membership