Simmons Academic Governance

Standing Committees 2024-25

Research Council

Charge: Promotes the development of high-quality research efforts and raises and addresses issues related to research and grant opportunities within Simmons. The council shall facilitate collaboration within and across departments, colleges, and schools in order to promote on-gong and new research initiatives and shall find ways to promote research events and grant opportunities for junior faculty. Other responsibilities may include matters related to: IRB requirements, Principal Investigator challenges, interdisciplinary opportunities, and investment of resources to further the academic and research enterprise.

Members:

  • Corey Brady – Chair, Office of the Dean, Associate Dean for Research and Outreach ad interim
  • Eric Bing – Global Health
  • Kathryn Canterbury – Office of the Dean
  • Greta Davis – Counseling
  • Leanne Ketterlin Geller – Research in Mathematics Education (RME)
  • Aki Kamata – Education Policy & Leadership
  • Kate Montgomery – Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies (HCIS)
  • Jordan Stevens – Office of the Dean 
  • Annie Wright – Center on Research & Evaluation (CORE)

Appointment: With the exception of the graduate student representative, who shall serve a one-year term, terms are set at 2 or 3 years to provide overlap from year to year. 

Academic Affairs Council (AAC)

Charge: Review curriculum, new program proposals, and academic policies and procedures in order to ensure their consistency with SMU's strategic academic priorities and supports the development and implementation of high–quality online and hybrid programming in Simmons by maintaining an infrastructure for instructional design, structured course–module development, quality review standards and processes, institutional compliance and innovative excellence. The AAC reports to the Dean and merged with the Technology Advisory Council to streamline the work of both governing bodies, which ensures faculty governance of program and course approval.

Technical Requirements for Simmons Hybrid/Digital Courses

Members:

  • Francesca Go – Assistant Dean Faculty for Assessment and Accreditation, Office of the Dean
  • Watt Lesley Black – Education Policy & Leadership 
  • Sarah Brown – Applied Physiology & Sports Management
  • John Potter – Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Amy Richardson – Teaching & Learning
  • LaKaavia Taylor – Counseling

Appointment:

Meeting Dates: Once a month

Faculty Research Publications and Presentations: For the most current Academic Affairs Digest, click here.

Ph.D. Executive Committee

Charge: Reviews annual student recruitment, admission, funding issues, curriculum, faculty instructional assignments, student advisement, and Ph.D. program policies.

Members:

  • Aki Kamata – Chair, Education Policy & Leadership
  • Sondra Barringer – Education Policy & Leadership
  • Corey Brady – Associate Dean for Research and Outreach
  • Scott Davis – Applied Physiology & Sport Management
  • Leanne Ketterlin Geller – Education Policy & Leadership
  • Prajakt Pande – Teaching & Learning
  • Kelsey Schenck – Teaching & Learning
  • Jeanna Wieselmann – Teaching & Learning

Appointment: a 3-year term appointed by the department chair

Meeting Dates:
 Fall 2024
September 19th, 9:30-11:00am, Executive Committee only
October 10th, 9:30-11:00am, All Simmons PhD faculty
November 7th, 9:30-11:00am, Executive Committee only
December 12th, 9:30-11:00am, Executive Committee only

Spring 2025
January 24th, 8:30-2:00, All Simmons PhD faculty
January 30th, 9:30-11:00am, Executive Committee only
February 27th, 9:30-11:00am, All Simmons PhD faculty
March 27th, 9:30-11:00am, Executive Committee only
April 17th, 9:30-11:00am, Executive Committee only
May 15th, 9:30-11:00am, Executive Committee only

Communications/Public Relations

Charge: Promotes Simmons program and department activities and news and prioritizes what the School promotes through SMU and external channels.

Members:

  • Annette Gonzales Taylor – Chair, Office of the Dean
  • Pamela Bailey – Center on Research & Evaluation (CORE)
  • Peter Carton – Applied Physiology & Sport Management (APSM)
  • Rose Chavez – Office of the Dean
  • LaChelle Cunningham – College Access
  • Christine Ferguson – Institue for Leadership Impact and Global Health
  • Cassandra Hatfield – Research in Mathematics Education (RME)
  • Becky Hood – Office of the Dean
  • Johnitha Johnson – Teaching & Learning
  • Jessica Murillo – The Budd Center
  • Kati Reidel – Education Policy & Leadership (EPL)
  • Brandy Schumann – Counseling
  • Breya White – Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies (HCIS)

Appointment: Department or program chairs, terms of service are one year

Meeting Dates: Once a month

Educator Preparation Program Directors and TEA Certification Preparations

Charge: Responsible for understanding of TEA rules and regulations. Discusses and resolves compliance issues, and implements policy and practice that is consistent across programs.

Members:

  • Roxanne Burleson – Education Policy & Leadership, Superintendent and Principal Classes
  • Mario De La Garza – Counseling, Counselor Class
  • Francesca Go – Assistant Dean Faculty for Assessment and Accreditation, Office of the Dean
  • Amy Richardson – Teaching & Learning, Teacher Class

Texas Educator Certifications: For information on Texas Educator Certifications from the Texas Education Agency, click here.

Complaints Against Educator Preparation Programs: For information about filing a complaint against Educator Preparation Programs with the Texas Education Agency, click here.

Educator Preparation Programs Available in the Simmons School: These programs prepare students to meet the requirements for certification by the Texas Education Agency.

Appointment: Job role

Meeting Dates: Monthly

Simmons Educator Preparation Programs Advisory Council

Charge: Discusses the design, delivery, evaluation, and major policy decisions of the teacher, administrator, and school counselor preparation programs at Southern Methodist University. In accordance with TAC 228.20, the Council plays an integral role in the accreditation and review process of the Simmons School and its educator certification programs.

Members: TEA Program Directors, Certification Officers, and School and Community Partners

Appointment: Nomination by Simmons Educator Preparation Program Directors