Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Andrew Pavelich, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Winner of UHD's award for Excellence in Teaching 2014Courses: The Meaning of Life, Philosophy of Death, and The Philosophy
of Religion .
"When I’m teaching, I try to think about what my students will remember in 10 years from now. This means that I am less concerned with the details of a text than I am with the big picture. Ultimately, I hope they take from my classes an appreciation for inquisitiveness and careful, deliberative thought that is the hallmark of the best philosophy."
Dr. Vida Robertson
Center for Critical Race Studies Director, Associate Professor
As a famed philosopher once observed, "The influence of a vital person vitalizes." Dr. Vida Robertson vitalizes. He is Director of the Center for Critical Race Studies. He has led the effort to assess core courses, develop the Quality Enhancement Plan, and organize the Men of LEGACI, a student success program for Hispanic and African American male UHD students. He is a UHD faculty senator and a coordinator for the Ghana, West Africa Study Abroad Trip. Due to the exceptional caliber and extent of his work, Dr. Robertson is a Finalist for the 2018 Faculty Award in Excellence in Service.
He shares his teaching philosophy: “By innovatively, strategically and passionately cultivating the lives of the often marginalized and disempowered, we, as educators, not only dismantle systems of poverty and oppression but we are liberated from the shame of our consigned task as academic wardens. Together we become coconspirators in the powerfully emancipatory work of learning.”
Dr. Raquel Chiquillo, Associate Professor of Spanish
Coordinator, Spanish Program
Program Leader for Study Abroad Trip to Costa Rica: 2013, 2015, 2017
Courses include: Introduction to Hispanic Literature, Neighbors & Trading Partners: Trade, Culture & People in Spanish-America, and Survey of Spanish-American Lit: Columbus to Independence
“Learning a foreign language, or perfecting one you already speak, is not just about vocabulary lists and grammar and proficiency. Foreign languages are doors that take you into another culture; they are keys to understanding others through their cultural and literary heritage, and learning about the rich variety of the human experience. Luckily for us, being bilingual in today’s world also has a practical dividend: you are more highly valued in any discipline you choose to work in. As an old Spanish proverb states: ‘One who knows two languages is worth as much as two.’”
Dr. Jose’ E. Alvarez, Professor of History
Certificate-Holder in Military History from the
United States Military Academy at West Point Courses: US History Before & After 1877, Introduction to World History I and II, Twentieth Century Europe, Middle East History
When I’m in the classroom, I want to take the students back in time to the period we are studying by setting the mood of the time. I try to make History a story that is not only informative/educational but exciting as well as entertaining. Sometimes the students get so caught up in the narrative that they stop taking notes! I also like to incorporate what the students call “fun facts” into my lectures where I introduce material they will not find in their textbooks. In addition, as a faculty advisor to the Webb Historical Society and Phi Alpha Theta (PAT), I enjoy taking students on field trips to visit historical sites and tour museums. Along with Dr. Lopez, I take PAT students on our annual Spring Break camping trip to places like Goliad, Jasper, and Austin, where we learn more about the Texas past. Hands on History.
