EDUCATION: New education dean joins TAMIU

By Xavier Diaz
Bridge contributing writer
Published Monday, Oct. 20, 2025

The University welcomed a new dean to the College of Education this semester. His arrival marks a new chapter for one of Texas A&M International University’s colleges.

New Dean of Education Alfredo Ramirez started visiting classrooms and meeting with students and faculty early in the semester. He said he is eager to get to know the community.

“[We’re looking into] providing faculty with more financial resources because faculty need money to be able to travel to do research,” Ramirez said. “So, I am trying to come up with a dean’s innovation fund where faculty can apply for money from the dean’s office so that they can go to a research conference and do research and that provides professional development opportunities for faculty and the other way is to have open honest communication with faculty.”

The College of Education plays a central role in preparing teachers, counselors and school leaders across South Texas. Many TAMIU graduates go on to work in local schools.

The dean explained that he wants to strengthen those connections even more. He also shared his hope that the college will focus on the region’s unique needs.

“Short-term, my vision is focused on bringing doctoral programs to the college of education,” Ramirez said. “Long term, I think this college has a history of serving this community; so, with that comes a lot of responsibility. I think we need to continue to prepare teachers for the classroom and find a way to offer some professional development to the school districts.”

Faculty members said they look forward to seeing the dean’s leadership in action. TAMIU adjunct instructor Sara Villanueva, who teaches the curriculum and instruction education course, said strong leadership helps the entire college.

“When he reached out to me about the position, I know he did his best to make sure one of the ladies in the office reached out to me and she made sure that I got connected with other instructors,” Villanueva said. “That way, if I had questions, I could ask them and they would help me, and, in that way, he helped me collaborate with other instructors.”

Villanueva’s remarks reflect a larger feeling among faculty who want to make sure students succeed in all parts of their training. That includes student teaching, certification exams and career readiness.

TAMIU adjunct instructor Dagoberto Guerrero Jr., who teaches various math courses at TAMIU, said the dean’s arrival could bring new opportunities for both students and staff. He said a leadership change often sparks growth.

“Dr. Ramirez answers emails quickly,” Guerrero said, “and if an issue arises with students, he will work with teachers to find a solution, and for leadership, I say the dean can get together with instructors and see what weaknesses they have, and find a solution for them in order to grow.”

With this new dean, some students might wonder if there will be opportunities for internships or mentorships.

“Since we are regulated by the Texas education agency, we have to follow the Texas education code, the Texas administrative code and all of the regulatory requirements,” Ramirez said. “So, within those requirements, the state of Texas has already built in clinical experiences, internships and apprenticeships; So, yes, we want to offer more opportunities to go out into the field, but we can only do that through the policy structures that exist.”

The dean spoke at campus events early in the semester and encouraged students to think of themselves as future leaders. He also highlighted the importance of teaching as a career that shapes lives.

The College of Education has been part of TAMIU since its early years. Today, it continues to train teachers, administrators and other professionals who serve the region. Local school districts regularly hire TAMIU graduates. That means the dean’s goals and plans will reach far beyond University classrooms.

The dean said one of his priorities is to work with Laredo school districts and nearby communities. He hopes this will create more real-world experiences for students and stronger support for schools. Faculty expect the new dean to explore research projects and conferences that bring fresh ideas into the college. Others believe he plans to highlight the use of technology and bilingual education.

While it is still early in his tenure, the response to the dean’s arrival seems hopeful. Faculty and students alike say they are eager to see how his leadership can shape the college.