We are proud to introduce an important addition to our UT Permian Basin faculty. Dr. Sandra Garcia is the Assistant Vice President of Research and Dean of Graduate Studies. She comes to us with more than two decades of experience in these areas and will be instrumental in helping our faculty, staff and graduate students. Here’s a quick Q & A with Dr. Garcia to learn more about her background and her plans to support graduate studies and research at UT Permian Basin.
Q1: Tell us about your educational and professional background.
I hold a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
I also hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Science from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. I have more than 20 years of experience in research administration in higher education, as well as in graduate studies.
Recently I served at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center as the Director of Research and Compliance. I also served as the Assistant Vice-President of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at the University of Houston –Downtown. I oversaw the Pre-Award and Post-Award office, as well as regulatory compliance. Prior to joining UHD, I served as executive director of Research and Sponsored Programs and Graduate Studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where I facilitated more than $100 million in external funding and served as President of the Staff Council. I also worked in a similar capacity at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for 11 years, where I received the Employee Excellence Award and assisted faculty and staff in submitting an average of 175 proposals annually.
I served as an active member of the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) for 18 years and as a certified research administrator since 2006. I recently served as the President of the Southern Section of SRAI.
Q2: What will you be doing at UT Permian Basin?
I will be serving UT Permian Basin as Assistant Vice President of Research and Dean of Graduate Studies. In this role, I will be leading the Graduate Studies Office in recruiting, admitting and assisting students in their educational endeavors as they earn a graduate degree in their respective field of study.
As Assistant Vice-President of Research I will oversee the research, sponsored programs, compliance, and pre-award administrative functions for the University by providing leadership and expertise to faculty and staff, oversight of the pre-award office in regards to research proposals and budget development, strategic direction, and regulatory guidance regarding grant funding regulations and policies.
Q3: What do you love most about the role you play with both research and graduate studies?
I love assisting faculty and staff in applying for and receiving
My favorite part of Graduate Studies is ensuring and seeing the students through graduation. I love graduation – especially that moment when we see students and their families beam with pride. It’s a privilege to play a role in that process.
Q4: How can students, faculty (community) take advantage of your expertise?
My door is always open for students, faculty, and staff to come by our offices and discuss their needs or a funding idea. I welcome everyone to come by my office (in the Mesa Building room 1208) and have a cup of coffee and talk about how our office can assist with your graduate or external funding needs.
