Past Agenda

My name is James F. Howell, and I have been a proud member of the Texas A&M faculty since the fall of 2019, and have had the privilege of representing the College of Arts & Sciences in the Faculty Senate since 2022. As a faculty member and a senator, I have taken every opportunity presented to me to engage with and to serve my colleagues and the students throughout the university. Currently, I am serving as the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Global Languages & Cultures, Chair-Elect of the College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Instruction Committee, and the Co-Chair of the Faculty Senate's Core Curriculum Council. In all of these roles, I have witnessed the level of passion, dedication, and expertise that makes Texas A&M the amazing place to work and study that it is, and I am committed to continuing to contribute to that spirit of community and excellence. I am confident that my background in multiple areas and levels of service gives me the knowledge and perspective necessary to be an effective advocate and representative during these times of transition and change.

Secretary

Heather F. Adair

Heather F. Adair ‘90 is an Associate Librarian with the University Libraries where she focuses on teaching and learning and curricular integration of information literacy and critical thinking skills to support the success of all Aggies. When I joined Texas A&M in fall 2023, I brought five years’ experience as tenure-track faculty at an r2 and 20+ years in k12 teaching and instructional leadership. Throughout my career I have served on campus, college, district, and department committees and leadership teams committed to improving the teaching, learning, and overall culture of the institution and its members. In 2024-25, I served on the faculty senate academic affairs committee with additional service across campus. Each of these experiences has contributed to a strong appreciation for the collaborative spirit that guides institutional success. Recently we have observed or been part of difficult conversations about the academy and shared governance. As the landscape continues to evolve, faculty senate provides a vital forum for us to share our expertise, provide voice for varied perspectives, and deliberately yet respectfully dialog to contribute to policy development and advocacy for all Aggies. I look forward to serving as secretary to aid in ensuring the conversation continues.

Shelley Holliday

I am proud to submit my nomination for Faculty Senate as Secretary/Treasurer or executive committee. I am a dedicated, collaborative faculty member who is deeply committed to enhancing both the academic environment and our faculty,/staff/student experience. My extensive contributions to teaching at A&M for 25+ years, and dedicated service, including over 10 years on faculty senate reflect my strong passion for shared governance fostering a supportive, and forward-thinking academic community. In addition to teaching, I actively participate in departmental/college and university-wide committees, demonstrating a strong will to listen, engage, and advocate for my colleagues. My collaborative approach to problem-solving and clear communication skills make me an effective advocate for my colleagues, something I take immense pride. I am proud to champion interests of my colleagues, with a goal of giving them a voice, absolutely ensuring their voices are heard. My passion for education, commitment to faculty welfare, and proactive approach to university service, shows my commitment to my faculty colleagues. I am confident being a Faculty Senate secretary/treasurer or Executive Committee member will have positive impact. My nomination is an opportunity to bring my years of teaching and service to our faculty voice with hope to drive meaningful change.

Reza Sadr

Dr. Reza Sadr is a professor in the mechanical engineering program at Texas A&M university at Qatar (TAMUQ), where he has been a faculty member since 2008. Prior to joining TAMUQ, he held positions as a Research Scientist at Georgia Tech Atlanta and as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech Savannah. At TAMUQ, he established the Micro Scale Thermo Fluids (MSTF) Laboratory, fostering interdisciplinary research in experimental thermo-fluid sciences.

Dr. Sadr has demonstrated a strong commitment to shared governance and institutional service. He has served as both a member and Chair of the Faculty Advisory Committee and the Council of Principal Investigators at TAMUQ, advocating for faculty interests and advancing research support structures. Between 2017 and 2020, he was stationed at the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering in College Station, actively contributing to cross-campus initiatives and academic alignment within the Texas A&M University System.

His experience across multiple campuses and leadership roles has given him a broad institutional perspective and a collaborative mindset. A fellow and life member of ASME and APS, Dr. Sadr brings a deep commitment to academic excellence, faculty advocacy, and inclusive governance — values he aims to continue promoting as a member of the University senate.

David Tarvin

Dr. Dave Tarvin is an instructional professor in the Department of Communication & Journalism. He teaches courses focused on intercultural communication and rhetorical theory. He serves as the department coordinator for education abroad and is a strong advocate for the life-changing impact of global learning. His courses reflect this international focus, incorporating Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects connecting students with peers and professors across the globe. His commitment to student development has earned him numerous awards, including the Wells Fargo Honors Faculty Mentor of the Year Award (2025), the A&S Undergraduate Mentoring Award (2024), the Director’s Award for Outstanding Service to Honors Programs (2023), the Faculty Advocate Award (2023), and the Aggies Celebrate Teaching Award (2020). He’s also been named a namesake for both Fish Camp and Transfer Camp.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Tarvin contributes to the A&M community through his dedicated service. He is the current President for the Texas A&M Chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. This year, he has served as the Secretary of the Faculty Senate and Co-Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. He is running for a second term on the Executive Committee to contribute to the continued success of our university.

Heather F. Adair

Zoran Budimlic

Dr. Zoran Budimlić is an instructional associate professor and the director of undergraduate studies in computer science at the Galveston campus. He has been instrumental in building the Computer Science program in Galveston from its inception in 2022 and remains committed to advancing its academic excellence and student success. He currently serves as a Faculty Senator and has been a member of the Senate Core Curriculum Committee since 2024. His extensive service record in the department includes co-chairing the apt faculty search committee, participating in the advising committee to the department head and the APT Faculty Evaluation Committee. Outside of the department, Dr. Budimlić has been a member of the Faculty Advising Committee for the Dean of the Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies College, and a member of the Academic Affairs Committee at the Galveston campus. He also mentors four faculty members in Galveston, supporting their professional development. With a strong commitment to shared governance and inclusive leadership, Dr. Budimlić brings valuable experience in curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and cross-campus collaboration. He seeks to serve on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to further advocate for faculty interests and contribute to the continued growth and integrity of the Texas A&M University.

Mark Burge

Mark Burge is a passionate believer in the values of university shared governance and academic freedom and on promoting those values through constructive dialogue and persuasion. Mark is a professor with the School of Law, where he teaches contracts, commercial law, and legal skills courses. His research and scholarship focus on commercial law and on legal education pedagogy, including on bringing legal education outside its traditional realm of lawyers. He is a past president of the Central States Law Schools Association and a contributing editor for the Hawkland Uniform Commercial Code treatise and for the ContractsProf Blog. Mark has been in legal education since 2005 and on the faculty of Texas A&M University since 2013. He has twice been chosen by students as Legal Analysis, Research, and Wring Professor of the Year and received the Texas A&M Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award – College Level for 2023-2024. Mark currently serves on the Faculty Senate Legislative Affairs Committee and would cheerfully bring a lawyer’s perspective—along with his faculty perspective—as an at-large member of the Executive Committee.

Adam Haney

I am running again for the executive committee because of my dedication to help protect the academic freedom of all faculty, and the function of the university overall. The uncertainty of this precarious political environment means we need someone who can stand up for faculty without being intimidated into compliance. This does not mean perpetual confrontation, as I personally strive to find common ground, but it does require being persistent in striving to uphold the aggie core values. This means we hold each other accountable in a way that is fair and minimizes the potential for abuse of rules, codes, and policies at large. The free exchange of ideas is paramount to a healthy society. This often means that things may be said that discomfort others, but as long as we remain open and honest in our investigations this should not preclude discussion or research of any topics. Academia is meant to push boundaries towards new discoveries and improve or redefine narratives. Attacks on research and classroom teaching have to be defended against. I would appreciate your continued support for this position.

Shelley Holliday

I am running again for the Executive Committee because of my dedication to help protect the academic freedom of all faculty, and the function of the University overall. The uncertainty of this precarious political environment means we need someone who can stand up for faculty without being intimidated into compliance. This does not mean perpetual confrontation, as I personally strive to find common ground, but it does require being persistent in striving to uphold the Aggie Core Values. This means we hold each other accountable in a way that is fair and minimizes the potential for abuse of rules, codes, and policies at large. The free exchange of ideas is paramount to a healthy society. This often means that things may be said that discomfort others, but as long as we remain open and honest in our investigations this should not preclude discussion or research of any topics. Academia is meant to push boundaries towards new discoveries and improve or redefine narratives. Attacks on research and classroom teaching have to be defended against. I would appreciate your continued support for this position.

Daniel Jimenez

Changes at the state and federal levels undermine our goals along many dimensions: control of our curriculum, funding for research, educating underserved students, collaborating with international colleagues, freedom of expression, etc. Our administration balances carrying out a hostile agenda from politicians and doing what’s best for our students. With the onslaught from above, the faculty senate will have to pick our battles carefully. We’ll work with administration when they’re willing to help and we’ll let them know in no uncertain terms when they can help more. I would like to help the faculty senate deal with these challenges. I’ve been on the senate for a long time. I’ve been a department chair at another university. I’m on CPI and was on the CPI EC last year. I’m in multiple leadership positions in my research community (computer architecture, please Google me). I’ve learned how to make progress when people disagree. I’m usually nice but sometimes I yell at administrators. I’ve been on faculty development leave this year so I’ve been more quiet lately but I’ll be back for 2025/2026. Many of you already have an opinion of me, and others should feel free to ask around. I would appreciate your vote.

Fadi Khasawneh

As a junior faculty member at the time (2008), Fadi realized that teaching and research are not the only components in a professor’s job. Thus, he has been engaging in service and leadership activities throughout his academic career, including as chair of several committees at all institutional levels and being elected at the national level (e.g., American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics). In terms of shared-governance, which is something he is very passionate about, while Fadi is relatively new to TAMU’s Faculty Senate, he had actually been elected to the Faculty Senate at two previous institutions. Indeed, he had the pleasure of serving in the capacity of Chair and Secretary, respectively. Fadi has been representing the College of Pharmacy (COP) for two years now, and he resides on the Kingsville campus. With your support, he was elected last year as the first EC member in the history of COP, and hopes to again earn your support to continue his service. He prides himself in being a strong advocate for faculty, regardless of their track or rank and in being a voice of reason. Effective leadership is needed especially given the uncertainty and challenges facing higher education and faculty senates.

Daniel Pugh

Over the last year, I have had the privilege of serving the Faculty Senate as a member-at-large of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and would welcome the opportunity to continue this service. As a new member to the EC, there was much to learn and digest and I feel far more confident in meeting the duties of an EC member and representing members of the Faculty Senate. Additionally, I have served the last year as the CEHD Caucus lead and have welcomed our advancing relationship with Dean de Miranda. Our caucus continues to work closely, well-represent our college on various FS committees, and participate in various college committees in our attempt to engage in shared governance at the college and university levels. The next year presents many challenges for Faculty Senate and I believe I am well-positioned to serve as a member of the EC. Lastly, I am a Professor of the Practice in Higher Education. My areas of focus and instruction includes: Higher Education (HE) Law, Administration, Policy, Business/Finance, and Fundraising. I believe I bring a unique set of skills and experiences based on my academic and professional discipline, including 30+ years as an HE administrator.

Reza Sadr

Mark Sicilio

A lifetime resident of College Station and the youngest son of a beloved Texas A&M Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and 3 grade teacher, I am a graduate of the Charter Class of the College of Medicine, was Chief Resident in Pediatrics at the Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, and the first physician at the Scott & White Clinic, College Station, where I practiced Pediatrics and taught Aggie medical students for 35 years. I was the youngest member ever elected to the Faculty Senate, have been selected by my peers as a Texas Monthly “Super Doctor,” and am the recipient of the Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching for the College of Medicine; a member of the Gold Humanism Society; and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society whose motto is “Be worthy to serve the suffering.” I now serve as Associate Head, Department of Humanities in Medicine; College of Medicine Faculty Senate Caucus Leader; and on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. If elected, I would be honored and strive for clear dialogue, consensus building, and fairness among all, with honesty, shared governance, integrity, and the Aggie Spirit at the core of deliberations.

David Tarvin

Paula Yoder

This year has been life changing for me as a seat 7 rep and I wish to continue that learning experience to understand processes and procedures impacting those who serve higher education

INFORMATIONAL ITEM

Code of Conduct (Discussion only)

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

ADJOURN

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