People

Bio: Elizabeth joined UTA as Dean in July of 2023 after serving as Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education at Stony Brook University and as a faculty member in the Department of History. Prior to assuming her role as Vice Provost, she was Associate Dean for Curriculum in the College of Arts and Sciences. Elizabeth holds a PhD in Anthropology from Yale University and is an expert in historical and environmental archaeology. Her last book, Biography of a Hacienda: Work and Revolution in Rural Mexico (University of Arizona Press 2014) draws on seven years of research in Puebla’s Valley of Atlixco and won the James Deetz Award from the Society for Historical Archaeology. Her current book project, under contract with Bloomsbury Press, will examine the global spread of foods indigenous to the Americas as part of the Press’ History in 15 series. In her spare time, Elizabeth is collaborating on a project to create an online multi-player game simulating the Spanish-Aztec War.

Bio: Dr. Rebecca Deen is a Professor of Political Science and the Senior Associate Dean in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington. An expert in women in politics and civic engagement, the US presidency, and effective pedagogy, her current research investigates the relationship among civic engagement, political recruitment and volunteerism. She had held leadership positions with the American Political Science Association, chairing the Committee on the Status of Women in the Profession, the Committee on the Status of Asian American/Pacific Islanders in the Profession, and the Search Committee for the editors of PS, one of the Associations lead journals. Raised in southern Ohio, she is a graduate of Denison University (BA Political Science, minor in French) and The Ohio State University (MA, PhD). An active volunteer, she has served on the executive board of the PTA of each of her son’s schools and the Lamar Band Booster Club, and on the AISD’s Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. She is also on the Arlington Junior League’s Community Advisory Board. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, her cats, and her knitting – usually all at once.

Bio: Sarah Lock currently serves as Assistant Dean of Liberal Arts Applied Programs (LAAP), comprising Pre-Law; Interdisciplinary Studies; Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies; and the proposed Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences. Sarah has a Ph.D. in English from Texas Christian University, where she specialized in American Women’s reform literature from the Progressive Era, and a B.A. in Psychology and English from Texas A&M University. She previously served at Weatherford College (TX), where she held roles including English faculty, writing center director, QEP director, and, most recently, Associate Dean of Dual Credit, eLearning, and Education. She is evidence of the power of the liberal arts to shape strong thinkers and leaders, and she is passionate about expanding students’ higher education opportunities and broadening their conceptions of career preparation.

Bio: Angela L. Avery is the Business Operations Manager for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington, supporting Human Resources and Shared Services. She served as the Procurement Unit Chief for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement for twenty years and provided procurement services for law enforcement offices both domestic and international, legal, human resources, and training. She procured everything law enforcement officers need from translation services, data analytics, and program support services to tactical vehicles, office equipment, and various law enforcement equipment. She also served as a Contracting Officer and Program Analyst for fifteen years with the U.S. Department of Energy. She is originally from New Mexico and graduated from the University of New Mexico with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration. She has resided in Texas for twenty years with her husband and twin daughters. She enjoys volunteering with her church, National Breast Cancer Foundation, the North Texas Food Bank, and Feed My Starving Children. In her spare time, she enjoys quilting, reading, and Zumba.

Bio: Maria completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Texas at Austin where she majored in American Studies with a focus on Mexican American history and a minor in Turkish. Maria loves to cook and try new recipes. In her free time, she likes to bake, play video games and nap with her cats.

Bio: Derrick Crayton graduated with a BS in Accounting from UT Arlington. Mr. Crayton has worked as a Senior Accountant for several non-profit organizations in NYC, New Orleans and LA. He enjoys cooking, exercising, traveling, and learning computer languages.

Bio: Phebe received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Woman’s University in 1994. She received her Master of Arts degree from Dallas Baptist University in 2001. She has served in higher education administration for more than 30 years as an instructor, proctor, registrar and administrative assistant. Currently Phebe serves as Administrative Assistant to the College of Liberal Arts’ Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is a soccer mom and proud “Memaw” to her four grandchildren. Phebe, along with her wonderful husband of more than 30 years, have partnered in raising three beautiful children.

Bio: My name is Mirvat but I would like to be called Mira. I was the assistant for Honors College for almost 2 years. Now, I am the executive assistant for Dr. Newman. I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Public Administration.

Bio: I did my undergraduate degree at UTA, the Interdisciplinary Studies program (Sociology and Criminal Justice were my primary courses) and I went to TCU for my Masters degree, MLA program.

Bio: Reyunia Holmes is an Academic Advisor for the Liberal Arts Applied Programs department within the College of Liberal Arts, where she supports students in achieving their academic and professional goals. With a strong academic foundation in psychology, she hold a Master of Arts in Psychology from Northcentral University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Grambling State University. Reyunia brings a student-centered approach to advising, goal-setting, and academic planning. She is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where students can thrive. When not working with students, Reyunia enjoys watching movies, eating snacks, and volunteering at church.

Bio: While Lily is a designer, she is also a cat enthusiast, crafter, pasta lover, and "dance-like-no-one-is-watching" type of person. She has earned both her Master of Arts in Communication and Bachelor of Arts in Communication Technology from the University of Texas at Arlington. During her time at UTA, she was the Chair of the MAFE Student Ambassadors and a member of the Communication Ambassador program. She is delighted to return back to UTA.

Bio: Josh Knight is the Program Director of Undergraduate Student Success & Retention for the College of Liberal Arts, where he most recently served as Academic Recruiter. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma and earned his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Central Arkansas. His 10 years of experience in Higher Education as music faculty is highlighted by performances at regional and international events such as the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, and National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy as well as the Abilene Philharmonic, Fort Smith Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Lawton Philharmonic, Conway Symphony, and St. Joseph Symphony Orchestra. Knight’s commissioned works for percussion include Inside the Shining Stone by Blake Tyson, published by blaketysonmusic : Shattered by Cody Criswell, published by C-Alan Publications, Halcyon Days by Nathan Daughtrey, published by C- Alan Publications and most recently, The Wind That Turns The World by Blake Tyson, published by blaketysonmusic. Additionally, Knight’s articles on percussion pedagogy are featured in Percussive Notes, Rhythm! Scene, and the Educator’s Companion.

Bio: Barbara Berthold serves the College of Liberal Arts as Program Director of Graduate Success and Retention where she focuses on supporting graduate programs so that students and faculty can thrive. Recent appointments include service as assistant chair and coordinator of the German language and modern language teaching programs in the Department of Modern Languages. Her professional experience includes nonprofit and research management as well as teaching in higher education, public schools, and continuing education programs. Barbara Berthold holds a PhD in School Improvement from the University in Bremen, Germany.

Bio: Justin Silcox is the Director of Development for the College of Liberal Arts. He has worked in higher education for over a decade, most recently as the Director of Scholarships here at UTA. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling. He has spent his career working with students and families from all walks of life to help make access to and success in higher education a reality. He is passionate about creating opportunity for students, building meaningful relationships in our community, and showing how individuals can make an impact in areas that they are passionate about. He is a native Texan, born in El Paso and but has called the Dallas-Fort Worth area home since 2011. He currently lives in Fort Worth with his wife, son, and three dogs. He and his family can often be found enjoying the outdoors in their spare time by camping, hiking, or running.