Dr. Marvin Slepian among 16 appointed to new University Advisory Council

University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins, MD, announced membership for a new University Advisory Council he indicated in a Feb. 27 email would be formed to “increase input, guidance, and consultation from and with a wider group of important campus stakeholders.”

The council’s makeup will include faculty, staff and students – including the Division of Cardiology’s Marvin J. Slepian, MD, Regents Professor of Medicine, Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging, a Sarver Heart Center and BIO5 Institute researcher, and director of the Arizona Center for Accelerated Biomedical Innovation.

Dr. Slepian also represents the College of Medicine – Tucson as one of several UArizona Health Sciences members of the UArizona Faculty Senate, including Dawn Coletta, PhD, an associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology and associate director of clinical and translational genomics at the Center for Disparities in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. Dr. Coletta is a senate at-large faculty representative.

Dr. Slepian said it’s an honor to serve on the council. In addition to being a practicing physician, he represents research and active teaching across campus. And, serving at UArizona for over 30 years in multiple fields – medicine, science, business, engineering and law – gives him a broader perspective he said that allows him to take the long view in providing advice on critical issues.

“I think, clearly, the university has had a recent storm. However, for those of us who’ve been here for many years, we know the university’s solidity and greatness in terms of fulfilling its education, research and outreach missions. And my goal is to provide additional insight, perspective and guidance to help stabilize, renew and enrich that during these transient trying times,” Dr. Slepian said. 

“Finally, as an elected member of the Faculty Senate, I’m a believer and adherer to the functional importance of shared governance and I will act to balance, broker and foster an interchange of ideas to further enhance connectivity through all of these administrative areas. I'm balancing my duties with the senate and this council with that in mind,” he added.

Council members will meet regularly with Dr. Robbins and the UArizona senior management team as a complement to other shared governance partners, including the Faculty Senate, UArizona Staff Council, Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA), the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) and the Strategic Planning and Budget Advisory Council (SPBAC).

Regular meetings are expected to occur between UArizona leadership and all shared government partners and the new council as well.

Members of that council announced in a March 11 email from President Robbins include:

Faculty

• Tessa Dysart, JD | Assistant Director of Legal Writing & Clinical Professor of Law and Secretary of the Faculty Senate
• Melanie Hingle, PhD, MPH, RD | Professor, Nutritional Sciences & Wellness and Faculty Senator Elect
• William Neumann, PhD | Professor of Practice, Eller College of Management and Faculty Senator
• Lucinda (Cindy) Rankin, PhD | Associate Professor (Educator Scholar Track), Department of Physiology, College of Medicine Tucson and Co-Chair of the Strategic Planning and Budget Committee
• Caleb Simmons, PhD | Professor of Religious Studies, Faculty Senator and Executive Director of Online Education
• Marvin J. Slepian, MD| Regents Professor of Medicine

Department Heads

• Susan (Sue) Brown, PhD | Professor, Management Information Systems

Staff

• Amanda Kraus, PhD | AVP Campus Life & Exec. Director for Disability Resources and Chief Accessibility Officer
• Melanie Madden | Program Manager, Curricular Affairs
• Aaron Davis Martinez | Associate Director, Blue Chip Leadership Experience, Co-Chair, LatinX Faculty & Staff Association, Student Engagement & Career Development
• Cheree Meeks, PhD | Assistant Dean, W.A. Franke Honors College
• Danielle Oxnam, MTS | Project Director, University Initiatives & Policy
• Christina Rocha | Manager, Research, Innovation & Impact Business Center and Staff Council Representative to Faculty Senate

Students

• Tobi Adigun | Student, President of Bobcat Honorary Society
• Jeremy Bernick | Student, Graduate and Professional Student Council President
• Alyssa Sanchez | Student, Associated Students of the University of Arizona President

To read their bios, visit the University Advisory Council webpage.

ALSO SEE:
“Members of new UArizona advisory council announced” (KVOA-TV News4 Tucson) | Posted March 11, 2024