Yvonne Villanueva-Russell

Yvonne Villanueva-Russell is the Dean of the College of Innovation and Design at Texas A&M University-Commerce, known for her commitment to innovation and student success. Beyond her administrative role, Villanueva-Russell holds a position as a Professor of Sociology, teaching courses such as "WTF (Where's the Food?)" and "Sociological Theory". She has a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Women in Leadership Certificate from Cornell University.

Among her accolades, Villanueva-Russell received the Social Change Award from the Hunt County African American Council in 2018 and was recognized as a Distinguished Global Fellow at TAMU-C in 2017. Further, her studies have taken her to diverse locales, from Sydney to the Swedish countryside.

Aside from her roles in administration and teaching, Villanueva-Russell is also an accomplished researcher and author. Her book "Deviant Behavior" was published in 2014, and she has contributed to publications such as "In Whose Interest Does Evidence-Based Practice Operate?" and "Caught in the Crosshairs: Identity and Cultural Authority Within Chiropractic". Her current work involves assessing new programs and initiatives for lifelong learning within the College of Innovation and Design (CID), particularly in the area of competency-based education. This work, along with her extensive experience mentoring students, speaks to her dedication to fostering lifelong learning and success in her students.