Jerry Fischer, Rh.D.
Department Chair
Email: jmfischer@utpa.edu
Office: (956) 665-7038
Vitae
- Dr. Jerry Fischer is the Chair of the Rehabilitation Counseling Department. He earned a doctorate in Rehabilitation from Southern Illinois University in 1992, a Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Montana State University -Billing in 1990, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1979 from Montana Tech. Dr. Fischer is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Registered LPC Supervisor. Dr. Fischer was an Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Idaho since 1993 and has held the rank of Associate Professor until 1999, and has been a full Professor since 2004. He was the Coordinator of the Counseling and School Psychology Program from 2006 to 2009 at the University of Idaho. He became Chair at the University of Texas-Pan American Department of Rehabilitation Counseling in 2009. He was a consultant for the Idaho Marriage and Family Therapist and Counseling Licensing Board, Nez Perce Vocational Rehabilitation Project Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities Program, and University of Idaho Student Support Services.
Bruce J. Reed, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services
Email: bjreed@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2292
Vitae
- Bruce J. Reed, Ph.D. is the Assistant Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services and former Chair in the Department of Rehabilitation. His professional interests include assistive technology, employment of people with disabilities, assessment, and grant writing.
Antonio Aguirre
Email: aaguirrec@broncs.utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7036
Vitae
- Mr. Antonio Aguirre is a clinical instructor in the Department of Rehabilitation.
Charlene J. Blankenship, Rh.D.
Email: cblank@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-5244
Vitae
- Dr. Charlene J. Blankenship, Rh.D., is an Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Services at University of Texas–Pan American where she serves as Undergraduate Coordinator. She received a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Administration and Services, and a Doctorate in Rehabilitation from the Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Research interests include; assistive technology, attitudes toward persons with disabilities, ethics, and management issues.
Roy Chen, Ph.D.
Email: rchen@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3590
Vitae
- Roy Chen, an associate professor of rehabilitation counseling, has been with the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at UTPA since the fall of 2006. He received his doctorate in rehabilitation counseling from Michigan State University. His current areas of research interest include neuromuscular and neurological disorders, psychosocial aspects of disability, multicultural counseling, public health, psychology of religion, and employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Roy is seeking highly motivated students who plan to pursue graduate education and enjoy uncovering new knowledge about health, disability, and rehabilitation issues. To apply to be a research assistant, please contact him via e-mail.
Abdoulaye Diallo, Ph.D.
Email: dialloa@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3151
Vitae
- Dr. Abdoulaye Diallo is an assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation.
Noreen M. Glover-Graf, Rh.D.
Email: nmgraf@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7344
Vitae
- Noreen M. Glover-Graf, Rh.D, is a Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation at The University of Texas - Pan American. She began teaching Rehabilitation Counseling in 1996 and has been at UTPA since 2003. Dr. Graf’s professional interests include research in the areas of substance abuse and sexual abuse counseling, rehabilitation education, and disability and spirituality. She has a particular interest in the development of photo-therapy for incorporation into substance abuse and other types of counseling.
Rene Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Email: gonzalezr1@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2672
Vitae
- Dr. Rene Gonzalez is an assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation.
Teresa Guerra
Email: taguerra@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7036
Vitae
- Ms. Teresa Guerra is a Project Assistant. She has worked for the Department of Rehabilitation for 4 years and the University for 13 years. Teresa created and maintains the databases that track RSA scholarship recipients; creates and maintains Affiliation Agreements; and assists the office staff as needed.
Sandra Hansmann, Ph.D.
Email: shansmann@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7041
Vitae
- Dr. Sandra Hansmann is currently an Associate Professor. She earned her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and her Ph.D. in Special Education/Rehabilitation Counselor Education from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Hansmann is the 2008 President of the Texas Rehabilitation Association (TRA) State Chapter of the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA). She also serves as the College of Health Sciences & Human Services Director of On-Line Course Development and the University’s Integrative Global Knowledge and Understanding Collaboration Director of Research & Sustainability. Her current research interests include Deaf-hearing relationships and Deaf culture, emergency preparedness & disaster response competencies for professionals and consumers, use of film in counselor education, and the application of intelligence community analytical skill sets in counselor education. She is also the author of Disability Intel.
John Heiden
Email: jheiden@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7949
Vitae
Minerva Loazno
Email: lozanom@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-5353
Vitae
- Ms. Minerva Loazno is an office assstant to the Center for Hispanic Resources in Rehabilitaion.
Irmo Marini, Ph.D.
Email: imarini@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7035
Vitae
- Dr. Irmo Marini is a Professor and Ph.D. Coordinator in the Department of Rehabilitation and has been at the University of Texas-Pan American since 1996. He earned his doctorate in Rehabilitation at Auburn University and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Canada. Dr. Marini is former Chair of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, and former President of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association.
- His research interests include forensic rehabilitation vocational damages and life care planning, psychosocial aspects of disability, wellness, spirituality, and spinal cord injury.
Fidencio Mercado
Email: fmercado@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 655-7036
Vitae
- Mr. Fidencio Mercado is a clinical instructor in the Department of Rehabilitation.
Eva Miller, Ph.D.
Email: evamiller@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-5270
Vitae
- Dr. Eva Miller is a licensed psychologist with an extensive background in the mental health field. She has been a professor at UTPA for approximately twelve years teaching with the Dept. of Rehabilitation. Besides teaching at the UTPA, Dr. Miller practices in the community focusing on providing clinical services to children, adolescents, and adults of all ages with mental health and substance abuse problems. Her research interests include SCI, geropsychology, phototherapy, chemical dependency, and sexuality and disability.
- Dr. Miller is recognized by her students for her knowledge in counseling theories and techniques, mental health diagnostics, case management, and understanding of therapeutic modalities used in clinical settings. Students also recognize for her dedication to training students in becoming mental health care professionals in clinical settings.
Chuck Reid, Ph.D.
Email: creid@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2949
Vitae
- Dr. Chuck Reid is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. He has been working in the field of addictions for several years both as a clinician and as a professor. He has been a professor with this university for approximately ten years teaching in the Dept. of Rehabitation.
- Dr. Reid also practices in the community providing supportive services to persons seeking recovery or seeking to maintain recovery. An area of expertise that Dr. Reid provides services in is that of working with persons with the co-occurring disorders mental health, substance abuse and multicultural issues. His working knowledge in the field of addictions is extensive and includes the area of dual diagnosis.
Belinda Rivas, Ph.D. Candidate
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
Email: brivas@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3591
Vitae
- Belinda Rivas is a Clinical Specialist/Lecturer in the Department of Rehabilitation at The University of Texas–Pan American. She has a Masters of Science of Counseling from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and a Bachelors of Rehabilitative Services from The University of Texas-Pan American.
- She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and a Certified Trainer of the Trainers in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Skills, Survey of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, and Vocational and Community Living Skills. Her professional interest are vocational rehabilitation, psychiatric rehabilitation, counseling techniques, clinical supervision.
Shawn P. Saladin, Ph.D.
Email: ssaladin@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2387
Vitae
Tom Shefcik
Email: tshefcik@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2295
Vitae
- Mr. Tom Shefcik is an associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation.
Denise Silcox
Email: dsilcox@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 655-7036
Vitae
- Ms. Denise Silcox is a clinical instructor in the Department of Rehabilitation.
Colón Velázquez, J.D.
Email: gcolon@utpa.edu
Phone: (946) 665-7407
Vitae
- Ms. Colón Velázquez is the Project Director for Enhancing Quality Instruction for Students with Disabilities Project. Previously, she worked as an Attorney for Civil Rights and Family Law in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and as an Assistant Director for External Resources at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico.
- Glorimar possesses a Juris Doctor from Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law; and a Bachelor degree in Business Administration; major in Finance and minor in Economics. She has over 10 years of experience in grant writing & grant management.
Norma Veraza
Email: verazan@utpa.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7036
Vitae
- Ms. Norma Veraza is the department secretary. She comes from the Manufacturing Engineering department here at UTPA. She brings excellent computer skills, knowledge about university’s policies and procedures.
- Norma graduated from Valley View High School in Pharr, TX and has earned about 90 semester hours from the University of Texas Pan American.
