Norma Olvera Selected as First ADVANCE Administrative Fellow - University of Houston
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Norma Olvera Selected as First ADVANCE Administrative Fellow

Norma Olvera and Hanadi Rifai
PHLS professor Norma Olvera and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering professor Hanadi Rifai.

Norma Olvera, professor, Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences (PHLS); fellow, The Obesity Society; and director, The Latino Health Disparities Lab University of Houston (UH), has been selected as the first ADVANCE Administrative Fellow.  The appointment is for one academic year (two semesters).

As an ADVANCE Administrative Fellow, Olvera will work with Hanadi Rifai, associate dean, Research and Administration, Cullen College of Engineering, to implement the college’s 2014-2020 strategic plan.  She will be able to use the information and experience gained as a fellow in her work in the UH College of Education (COE).  Likewise, she will contribute much to the College of Engineering. 

Specifically, Olvera will be learning effective strategies on how to implement a strategic plan that is consistent with college’s vision and has measurable outcomes which will be greatly beneficial as the College of Education is embarking to develop its own strategic plan in 2016.  “It is a great honor to be the recipient of the first UH ADVANCE Administrative Fellow,” said Olvera.  “I am grateful for this opportunity to work with Dr. Hanadi Rifai.”

'We are very excited to launch the ADVANCE Administrator Fellows program and very proud to have such esteemed members of faculty kick off the series," said Lisa Robertson, managing director for the Center for ADVANCING UH Faculty Success.  "We modeled this program after successful initiatives at sister partners in our ADVANCE Regional Network (ARN).  It will be a great learning and beneficial experience for everyone."  

“It is an honor for the College of Education to be represented in the work of ADVANCE,” said Robert McPherson, Dean of UH COE.  “Dr. Olvera’s work at the University level reflects positively on the College and we support her efforts.”

The ADVANCE Administrative Fellows Program is financially supported by Chancellor/President and Principal Investigator, Dr. Renu Khator. 

Dr. Olvera has been instrumental in the extraordinary growth of the COE Health Program for the past five years and she just completed the year- long Cougar Chair Leadership Academy Leadership training.