The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences announced the promotion of 23 esteemed faculty members effective this academic year. This group of exceptional scholars has been recognized for their unwavering commitment to research, teaching and service, embodying the college’s dedication to academic excellence and leadership. 

Each year, the University of Houston’s Board of Regents reviews tenure-track professors for promotion. This process is a testament to the University's commitment to nurturing an environment conducive to scholarly growth and leadership in higher education.   

“We are immensely proud of our promoted faculty and those who were awarded tenure,” Dean Daniel P. O’Connor said. “Each of these milestones is significant and deserving of high praise. Their ambition and drive has not only elevated themselves but ensured that our students receive a Tier 1 education.”    

This cohort of promoted professors hail from diverse academic backgrounds and possess an array of achievements.   

The 2023-24 faculty promotions are as follows:  

Promotion to Professor   

Justin Coates 
Philosophy  

Catherine F. Patterson 
History  

José Ramón Ruisánchez Serra
Hispanic Studies  

Lydia B. Tiede 
Political Science  

Gergely Ujhelyi 
Economics  

Andres G. Viana 
Psychology  

Hanako Yoshida 
Psychology  

Ling Zhu 
Political Science  

Promotion to Associate Professor  

Christopher Arellano 
Health and Human Performance  

Johanna R. Bick 
Psychology  

Adam Kent Fetterman 
Psychology  

Willa H. Friedman
Economics  

Norah Linda Andrews Gharala 
History  

Jaewook Kim 
Global Hospitality Leadership  

Wenlin Liu 
Communication  

Yael R. Loewenstein 
Philosophy  

Luis Daniel Medina
Psychology  

Radoslaw Paluszynski
Economics  

Josiah John Rector 
History  

Kavita Ashana Singh 
English  

Non-Tenure Track Promotions  

Chereece Andrews 
Communication  

Paola Arboleda 
Hispanic Studies  

Sharon Grigsby Hill 
Communication Sciences and Disorders