Psychologist appointed associate dean in Arts & Sciences

Maricel Cigales has been named associate dean of undergraduate studies for the College of Arts & Sciences.

Cigales, who joined the faculty in 2008, will replace Gisela Casines who is stepping down as associate dean. In her new role, Cigales will oversee curriculum, dual enrollment, new degree proposals, secondary education programs and other administration functions within the Arts & Sciences dean’s office.

“Dr. Cigales brings a level of expertise and enthusiasm that is critical for providing services to our students and assisting our faculty,” said Arts & Sciences Interim Dean Mike Heithaus. “Without a doubt, Dr. Casines will leave a void in the dean’s office that will be hard to fill. Her career-long service to this university has been inspiring and impactful. I’m confident Dr. Cigales is up for the challenge.”

A professor of Psychology, Cigales served as associate chair of the Department of Psychology from 2008-2012, where she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the department, developed procedures to improve the workflow efficiency, supervised the psychology undergraduate academic advising office and handled a wide variety of student and faculty needs. She also served as a Graduate Education Committee member in Psychology. She is currently the director of the Behavior Analysis Program at FIU. Cigales also serves as a director of the Behavior Analysis Program Continuing Education Series, and the co-director of the Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention Program in FIU’s Center for Children and Families. She is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis and the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis.

As a researcher, Cigales studied behavior analysis of vicarious processes, learning and memory, effects of tactile stimulation and mother-infant interaction. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Louisiana State University and her master’s and Ph.D. from FIU.

Casines, an alumna of FIU, joined the faculty in 1981. After assisting with the transition, she will return to full-time faculty status with plans to retire in 2016.