TITLE: Congratulating Dr. Luis H. Zayas on his appointment as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Dr. Luis H. Zayas on his appointment as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Dr. Luis H. Zayas has been named provost and senior vice president of academic affairs of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; and WHEREAS, Currently serving as the Robert Lee Sutherland Chair in Mental Health and Social Policy at UT Austin, Dr. Zayas holds an appointment as professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UT Austin's Dell Medical School; he previously served from 2012 to 2022 as dean of the UT-Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work; and WHEREAS, Dr. Zayas was born in Coamo, Puerto Rico; after graduating from Manhattan College with a bachelor's degree in economics and liberal arts, he went on to earn a master's degree in social work and a doctoral degree in developmental psychology from Columbia University; he began his career in New York City as a clinician in social service agencies, general and pediatric rehabilitation hospitals, and mental health and primary care clinics; and WHEREAS, Sharing his experience and expertise with the next generation, Dr. Zayas has taught at Columbia University, Fordham University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Washington University in St. Louis; the author of three books and more than 130 scientific papers and chapters, he has lectured in the U.S. and abroad, and he is a frequent commentator on children's mental health issues; he appeared in a popular TED talk, and he has been featured in such publications as The New York Times and The Washington Post,as well as on NPR, BBC Radio, Telemundo, and other broadcast outlets; and WHEREAS, Dr. Zayas is nationally recognized not only as a social work researcher and practitioner, but also as a higher education administrator, and his exceptional qualifications, combined with his focus on student achievement and faculty development, are sure to benefit UTRGV in the years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Luis H. Zayas on his appointment as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and extend to him sincere best wishes for a successful tenure; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Zayas as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Guerra Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1523 was adopted by the House on May 19, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House