H.R. No. 1523
R E S O L U T I O N
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