Email: cblank@panam.edu, Phone: (956) 318-5244, Vitae

Dr. Charlene J. Blankenship, Rh.D., is an assistant 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.

Email: rchen@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 381-3590, Vitae

Roy Chen, an assistant professor of rehabilitation counseling, has been with the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at UTPA since the fall of 2006. He earned 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, 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.

Email: nmgraf@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 292-7344, 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.

Email: shansmann@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 316-7036, Vitae

Dr. Sandra Hansmann is currently an Assistant 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.

Email: evamiller@aol.com, Phone: (956) 318-5270

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 seven 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.

Email: imarini@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 316-7035, 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.

Email: bjreed@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 381-2292, Vitae

Bruce J. Reed, Ph.D. is the 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.

Email: creid@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 381-2949, 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.

Email: brivas@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 381-3591, Vitae

Belinda Rivas is a Clinical Specialist/Lecturer in the Department of Rehabilitation at The University of Texas – Pan American. She has as 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.

Email: ssaladin@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 381-2387, Vitae

As an oral Deaf individual who attended an auditory-oral school and participated in a mainstreamed educational system, Dr. Saladin has unique insight into issues related to vocational, educational, and cultural aspects of Deafness and the rehabilitation of individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Dr. Saladin is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, a Certified Public Manager, and holds a State of Texas Teaching Certificate. These credentials meet national standards for professional disability-related practice. Dr. Saladin has public school, undergraduate, and graduate level teaching experience, as well as 11 years of professional experience in the State Agency. Dr. Saladin has developed and presented a variety of lectures and seminars regarding disability services, reasonable accommodations, and school and community networking in both academic and employment settings. Further, his expertise includes the topics of the history of Deaf Education in America, psychosocial adjustment issues related to Deafness, anatomy of the ear and auditory system, types of hearing losses, available technology, issues in assessment of Deaf individuals and the American with Disabilities Act.

His service includes past Treasurer of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association, ADARA Represenative to the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, Texas Rehabilitaiotn Association President, and Chair of the Rehabilitation Council of Texas

Email: tshefcik@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 381-2295, Vitae

Email: gcolon@utpa.edu, Phone: (946) 292-7407

Ms. Colón Velázquez has been working at the Center for Hispanic Resources in Rehabilitation since May 2006 as Training Coordinator. 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.

Email: teresag67@yahoo.com, Phone: (956) 316-7036

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.

Email: guetzowjk@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 318-5240

Judith Guetzow, M.S., CRC, is the coordinator for the End Violence Against Women with Disabilities grant project. She has worked for the Department of Rehabilitation since September of 1999 beginning as a Teaching Assistant (TA), and then as Project Coordinator for the Addictions Technology Transfer Center the following year.

Judith graduated from the University of Texas - Pan American (UTPA) with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education/Reading Minor, and with a Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. She completed her Masters level practicum and internship at The Rio Grande Valley Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse (RGVCADA) and the UTPA Alcohol & Drug Abuse Programs (ADAP) respectively. She is a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

Email: jheiden@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 316-7949

Email: lozanom@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 318-5353

Email: verazan@utpa.edu, Phone: (956) 316-7036

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.