Sul Ross State University has 13 new faculty members this fall.
The Mathematics, Criminal Justice, Education, Music, Natural Resource Management, Nursing and Business departments each added faculty to their programs.
“We are excited to welcome a new cohort of faculty as we continue to grow existing programs and create new ones. SRSU’s mission is to educate our students, prepare them for competitive careers and transform them into lifelong learners,” Executive Vice President and Provost Bernie Cantens said in a news release. “Recruiting and maintaining talented faculty is one of our strategic plan priorities that we will continue to pursue.”
New faculty members include the following:
Mohammad Shah Alam, Ph.D., is a visiting professor of Mathematics. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mathematics are from Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh. His doctorate degree is from the University of Texas. He has teaching experience at Bangladesh University of Business and Technology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University in Bangladesh and the University of Houston. His dissertation is titled, “Data-driven Prediction of Dynamical Systems using Echo State Network with Transfer Learning.”
Elba Lamar is a lecturer of Mathematics. She has a master’s degree in Applied Sciences from the Institute of Research of Optical Communications and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Autonomous University, both in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. She was previously an adjunct professor at SRSU and has taught math and physics in the Fort Davis and Marfa school districts and in multiple higher education programs in San Luis Potosi. Her master’s thesis is called “Filtering of Invertible Mappings” and she conducted numerical research on the solidification of metals during her residency at the institute.
Ercan Balcioglu, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sociology from Mersin University in Turkey and his doctorate from the Department of Strategies of Security and Administration from Turkish National Police University (TNPA). He has conducted research and taught at TNPA, Kilis University, Ankara University and Gazi University, all in Turkey, and lectured at the Berlin School of Economics and Law in Germany.
Nehal Elramly, Ph.D., is an assistance professor of Education. She received a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas, and her master’s degree in Special Education from the University of North Texas. Her doctorate degree from Texas Women’s University (TWU) is also in Special Education. She was previously an adjunct professor at SRSU and worked as a teaching assistant at TWU. Her doctoral dissertation is called “Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian Families: Perception and Experiences with Special Education.”
Angelica Gomez, Ed.D., is an assistant professor of Education. Her bachelor’s degree in Business Management, master’s degree in Business Administration and doctorate degree in Educational Leadership are all from the University of Phoenix. She previously taught in public school districts in McCamey, Fort Stockton and Odessa. Her doctoral dissertation is called “English Language Learners’ Language Acquisition and Standardized Testing: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study.”
Hector Leija, Ed.D., is an assistant professor of Education. His bachelor’s degree in History is from SRSU, as are two master’s degrees in General Education and School Administration. His doctorate from Abilene Christian University is in Educational Leadership. He worked at C.C. Winn High School in Eagle Pass as a Social Studies teacher and at Eagle Pass Junior High as a Special Education Instructional Aide. His doctoral dissertation is called “A Qualitative Descriptive Study on High School Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding School Safety and Lockdown Drills.”
Milton Crotts, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Music. He holds both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a doctorate in Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting from the University of South Carolina at Columbia. He has taught and led ensembles at the University of Guam, Davidson College, Warren Wilson College and UNC Asheville.
Kelbi Delaune, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Natural Resources Management. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with double majors in Theatre and Biology and her Master of Science in Biological Sciences from Sam Houston State University. Her doctoral degree in Wildlife, Aquatic and Wildlands Science Management is from Texas Tech University. She has worked as a research and teaching assistant and lecturer at SHSU and Texas Tech.
Eduardo Gonzalez-Valenzuela, Ph.D., is a visiting professor of Natural Resources Management. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, and his doctorate from Texas A&M University. Until early 2024, he was an assistant professor with Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Before that, he worked for 30 years as a researcher at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agricolas y Pecuarias and for six years as a professor with the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas, both in Mexico.
Sarah Shellenberger is a lecturer of Nursing. Her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is from Texas Tech University and her Master of Science in Nursing is from the University of Phoenix. She taught Nursing courses at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Odessa and has worked in clinics and hospitals throughout the Permian Basin.
Veronica Arredondo is an assistant professor of Nursing. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Angelo State University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. Her Doctor of Nursing is from Arkansas State University. She previously held teaching positions at the University of Texas Permian Basin and Odessa College, and has practiced as a nurse in school districts, clinics and hospitals in West Texas.
Sumantra Sengupta, Ph.D., is the Founding Dean of the new Rio Grande College of Business. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Applied Mathematics from Ohio University while his master’s and doctorate degrees in Business Administration are from The Ohio State University. Before coming to Sul Ross State, he served as the dean of the School of Business and Management at City University of Seattle and before that, as assistant dean and a member of the faculty at the School of Management at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. He transitioned to Higher Education in 2016 after spending 24 years in the private sector.
Candice Ward, Ph.D., is a visiting professor of Program Development, Management and Advanced Accreditation. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology are from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and her doctorate degree in Psychology is from Grand Canyon University. Her dissertation is called “The Effects of a Learning Management System Transition in Online Faculty Satisfaction in Higher Education: A Correlational Study.” She previously held teaching and program director positions at El Paso Community College, Park University and Excelsior University and City University of Seattle.
For more information, email [email protected].
