Members of the Global Studies Certificate Commitee
Linda S. Cook, B.S., M.A., Program Chair
Linda S. Cook received her B.S. and M.A. from the University of Houston. She teaches HCC courses in sociology, contemporary social problems, criminology, marriage and family, and global issues and social change. With the college since 1994, Cook is the chair for the system-wide Global Studies Program. She was instrumental in designing and planning the program. In 2003, Ms. Cook received the Service Learning Program Teaching Excellence Award from HCC and the NISOD award, which is a national recognition for teaching excellence. Cook served as faculty co-advisor to the Southwest College World Cultures group and currently serves as a faculty mentor in the HCC Honors Program. Cook developed the curriculum for Global issues and Social Change, one of the anchor courses for the Global Studies Certificate.
Charles Newton, B.A., M.A., M.B.A.
Charles Newton earned his B.A. in Russian and French from Baylor University, an M.B.A. from Texas A&M University, and an M.A. in economics from Texas Tech University. He served in the Air Force from 1984 through 1985 in Germany and France. Newton currently teaches economics and economic geography at HCC Southwest. Newton developed the curriculum for Economic Geography, one of the anchor courses for the Global Studies Certificate. He serves as HCC economics discipline chair.
Cynthia Millis, B.M.Ed., A.A.S., M.L.A.
After completing her Bachelor of Music degree from Yankton College, Cynthia Millis began her career as an orchestra director and professional musician in South Dakota. A former violin teacher, she maintained an extensive private teaching studio while she taught in HISD. She attended Southwest Minnesota State College, Claremont Graduate School and San Francisco State University for advanced study of the Suzuki Method and was the first violin instructor at Central College. With an A.A.S. in Commercial Art and Media Technology from HCC, Millis ran the box office/publicity office for the Heinen Theatre. After earning an M.L.A. in art history from the University of St. Thomas in 1991, she continues to study studio art at Texas Tech University in Junction. Millis has exhibited in group and solo shows nationally. She was the Southwest College's nominee for the Houston West Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year in spring 2003. Millis teaches digital art and art history and appreciation.
Sara Saderion, B.S., M.A., Ph.D.
Dr. Sara Saderion, an economist, earned her B.S. at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and her M.A., and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Houston. She has taught economics for HCC Southwest since 1992. Saderion is the chair for the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences (anthropology, economics, psychology and sociology) at Southwest College and is responsible for scheduling, staffing, budgeting, hiring and evaluating all faculty in her department. The Southwest College Honors Program and the office of the system-wide Global Studies Program are also under her supervision. Under her watch, Saderion was responsible for involving her faculty in developing the Global Studies Program.
Carlos Villacis, B.A., M.A.
With a B.A. in psychology from Queens College-City University of New York, and his M.A. in Spanish literature and language from the University of Houston, Carlos Villacis has taught ESL and foreign language at HCC Central since 1992. He has experience with several school districts teaching English as a Second Language and science in secondary schools. He is the current assistant department chair for ESL and foreign language at HCC Central and is the oral communication (foreign language) discipline chair for HCC. He was instrumental in initiating the proposed Farsi language course being proposed by Global Studies and the foreign language discipline.
Maria Perez Straus, B.A., M.S., M.A., Ed.D., System Liaison
Maria Perez Straus earned her M.S. in ESL/bilingual education, an M.A. in psychology, and an Ed.D in education. Currently, she is the coordinator of learning initiatives at Houston Community College, serving as liaison between the vice chancellor of educational development, faculty, deans and student organizations in everything related to academic affairs. She sits on and heads committees at the system and college levels and participates in many organizations, including the Texas Community College Teachers Association, Association of Women Administrators, the system-wide programs for Honors, Service Learning, Phi Theta Kappa, and Global Studies. She has been an active member of the Institute of Hispanic Culture for several years. A native of Havana, Cuba, Straus has resided in Houston for more than 30 years.
Advisory Board Members
Jamil F. Al Dandany, Ph.D.
The Hon. Christopher Ashby, J.D.
Peter Bishop, Ph.D.
Sylvia Brooks
Tony Diaz
Gigi Do
Eghosa Edebor
Charles Foster, J.D.
Julie Harms
Ingeborg Hayes-van Zanten
Stephen Klineberg, Ph.D.
Cheryl Lees Leslie
Mohammed Ashraf Ramji, J.D.
Eduardo V. Rivoldi
Peggy Tennyson
