College of Liberal Arts Names Interim Dean

Last Updated on July 01, 2017 at 12:00 AM

Originally published July 01, 2017

By UC Staff

UTEP Communications

The University of Texas at El Paso has named Stephen Crites, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at UTEP, the interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Stephen Crites, Ph.D.
The University of Texas at El Paso has named Stephen Crites, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at UTEP, the interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Photo: Laura Trejo/UTEP Communications

Crites received his Ph.D. in social psychology from The Ohio State University and joined the UTEP faculty in 1994. His research is in social neuroscience, exploring the processes that underlie attitudes, stereotypes and person perception. Crites’ work has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and published in Psychological Bulletin, Psychological Science, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Psychophysiology. He is active in multiple professional organizations and has served as the treasurer for the Society for the Study of Motivation.

“Dr. Crites’ strong record of service to UTEP and the Department of Psychology has prepared him well to guide the college during this time of transition,” said Howard Daudistel, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. “He is recognized by his peers as a talented, thoughtful and strategic leader who is committed to creating opportunities for students and faculty at UTEP. I am pleased that he will take on this vital role upon the retirement of Dean Witherspoon at the end of the academic year.”

Patricia Witherspoon, Ph.D., has served UTEP for the past 17 years as chair of the Department of Communication, dean of the Graduate School and, most recently, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

“The University owes Dean Witherspoon a debt of gratitude for her dedicated and tireless leadership in support of the liberal arts,” Daudistel said. “She has served as a role model for countless students, staff members and faculty during her distinguished career, and she will be deeply missed by those with whom she has worked.”