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APSCUF WCU On-line Elections |
Introduction
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The nominees for Faculty Senate At-large Representatives are:
Nominations close Mar 31, 2025. All Regular Faculty may be nominated. |
Rules for the Election
- The election is decided by a plurality of those casting votes.
- Faculty may be nominated as both a school, college, or non-classroom faculty representative and as an at-large representative; however, candidates elected as a school, college, or non-classroom faculty representative will be removed from the list of nominees for the election of at-large representatives.
- Each candidate selected counts as a cast vote.
Stefanie Amiruzzaman
Department: Languages and Cultures
I am excited to announce my interest in running as a representative for the Faculty Senate. As a dedicated faculty member, I am passionate about advocating for our shared interests, ensuring transparent governance, and fostering a collaborative academic environment. With my experience in curriculum committee work and faculty leadership, I am committed to representing your voices on key issues, including faculty rights and curriculum development. If elected, I will work to strengthen faculty engagement and ensure that our perspectives are effectively communicated in decision-making processes. I would appreciate your support and welcome any discussions on how we can work together to enhance our faculty community.
Ashlee M. Brown
Department: Special Education
I am both eager and excited to nominate myself for the Faculty Senate At-Large Representative role. I am new to West Chester University (Fall 2024) serving as an Assistant Professor in the Special Education Department. Prior to joining WCU, I spent approximately 18 years serving children and families in a wide array of capacities. The last 12 years of my tenure in Special Education were in leadership roles in Philadelphia. I firmly believe in servant leadership and infusing stakeholder voice in decision-making. I genuinely hope to contribute to the University through participation on Faculty Senate. Thank you for the consideration!
Tianran Chen
Department: Physics and Engineering
I'm an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Engineering. I would be honored to have the opportunity to continue serving as an at-large representative on the Faculty Senate. Since arriving at WCU, I have served on and chaired a number of department and campus committees on faculty evaluation, student recruitment, student recognition, and diversity and inclusiveness in the community. In recent years, I have been serving on the CAPC Speaking Emphasis Subcommittee, the CAPC Low Enrollment Advisory Committee, and the New Faculty Orientation committee. I will be the new Co-Chair of the NFO program for AY 25-26. With my experience, I am eager to work with colleagues across campus, to help address faculty's voices and promote the growth of WCU faculty and students, and to help foster a positive and inclusive University environment. Thank you for your consideration.
Daniel Forbes
Department: Philosophy
I have served four terms in the Faculty Senate (having served three years as a Senate proxy before that) and currently serve on its Executive Committee in the role of Recording Secretary. Faculty Senate now more than ever is an important forum through which regular and temporary faculty can use their voice through shared governance to help shape the future of our university and community. Faculty Senate’s work focuses on campus climate and facilitates dialogue about issues that impact faculty, staff, students, and even our region. Among the many projects Senate has contributed to in recent years are initiatives to increase faculty and staff diversity; advocacy for greater institutional support and recognition of scholarship and creative activities; and advocacy for much-needed additional institutional support for Counseling Services. I hope to continue to contribute to Faculty Senate’s important work, and appreciate your vote.
Stevie Grassetti
Department: Psychology
I'm an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department. I started my career here at West Chester as a temporary faculty member in 2017 before beginning a tenure track position in 2018. I value shared governance, collaboration, and a pluralistic campus community where everyone is included and valued. I have been honored to serve 1 term on the Senate. During my term, I've co-chaired the Research and Creative Activities workgroup. We worked with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, administration, and many other stakeholders across campus to identify barriers to research and creative activities. We've also taken collective action to address these barriers with changes such as procedural changes, enhanced communication across offices, and transparency that benefits everyone. It would be my honor to build on this work during another term. Thank you for your consideration!
Tara Guerriero
Department: Special Education
I am a full Professor in the Department of Special Education. I began teaching at West Chester as an Adjunct Professor in 2006 and then began my Tenure-track position in 2008. I have had the opportunity to serve as a member of Faculty Senate for the past 9 years and have been part of both the Faculty Welfare subcommittee and the Student Welfare subcommittee. I have very much enjoyed participating on a committee that directly impacts the faculty and students at WCU. I would be grateful to receive your support in helping me to continue my involvement in the Faculty Senate. Thank you for your consideration.
Mary Houser
Department: Special education
I am currently a full professor of Special Education. I have been at WCU since 2013. I have served two terms on the Faculty Senate and have also served as a Senate proxy. I have served on both the student welfare and the faculty welfare subcommittees. It is a great interest of mine to ensure classroom and non-classroom faculty involvement in the shared governance of the institution. I hope you will consider my nomination.
Tim Jussaume
Department: Honors College
Thank you for your consideration as a Faculty Senate At-Large Representative. In my role as the Honors College Director, I am committed to supporting inclusive academic excellence across the University and expanding opportunities for faculty and students to participate in Honors. I am enthusiastic about strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and ensuring that Honors serves as a resource for the broader university community. It is my hope that the Honors perspective would be a valuable addition to Senate discussions.
Additionally, my experience as Faculty Senate Secretary at my previous institution has prepared me to contribute effectively to shared governance at WCU. I would be grateful to serve in this role and help advance the work of the Senate.
Benjamin Kuebrich
Department: English
Dear colleagues, I am running for Faculty Senate to better serve the interests of faculty. We are under attack as educators, and I want to fight for our teaching conditions and rights to academic freedom.
I have served in various roles within APSCUF (DRC, PR Chair, Exec Committee). I have also for the last seven years served as the faculty advisor for The Quad Student News Service, and I am the director of the Minor in Journalism. I also bring 20 years of social movement and community organizing experience to help defend our profession at this critical time.
Thomas Kwiatkowski
Department: Chemistry
I am an assistant professor in the chemistry department and joined West Chester University in Fall 2022. As a first-generation student who earned my bachelor's degree from a state university in New York, I am a strong advocate for accessible and affordable education.
I have taken on several leadership roles on campus related to teaching, research, and service. Through these roles, I have seen the importance of funding and sustaining experiential learning opportunities, providing faculty with the resources to advance their academic research, and removing barriers that prevent students from succeeding in the classroom.
As a member of the University Faculty Senate, I will advocate for faculty and staff across all disciplines, so they receive the support needed to provide a rigorous and high-quality education for our students.
Bessie Lawton
Department: Communication and Media
I am humbly submitting a nomination for a Faculty Senate at-large seat. My home department is Communication and Media. I have been with Senate for 15 years and have served as one of its Past Presidents (2019-2021) as well as an Executive Committee member for more than a decade. During these years, some important initiatives were increased support for our Counseling Center and Research/Creative activities, participation in administrative searches, and participation in the Covid-19 shared governance committee that helped navigate our response to the pandemic.
I have seen the role Senate has played as an important shared governance body at WCU and deeply value its role as one of the faculty voices supporting our institutional mission and goals. I would be grateful to continue serving in this capacity and would appreciate your support.
Crystal Loose
Department: Early and Middle Grades
I am seeking your nomination for Faculty Senate At-large Representative. I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Early and Middle Grades Education interested in serving the University in this capacity to be a part of the shared governance of the institution. Most importantly, I want to foster a climate that promotes growth of faculty and students. As a R2 university it is extremely important to support the work of faculty and students as we navigate the pathway to success. Attracting graduate students to the university is equally important. As an instructor of graduate and undergraduate courses, it is rewarding to support their research but is equally important to support this while gaining an understanding of faculty workload. I hope to make a difference at the university by collaborating in shared governance.
Metello Mugnai
Department: Languages and Cultures
As an Associate Professor in the Department of Languages and Cultures, I have spent years navigating the challenges and opportunities of teaching, curriculum development, and academic service at WCU.
I'm excited by the opportunity to help shape institutional decisions alongside my colleagues. I recognize the importance of shared governance and would approach this role with a focus on:
- Practical advocacy: Ensuring that policies reflect the realities of teaching and faculty work. - Balanced decision-making: Weighing different viewpoints to contribute thoughtfully to discussions. - A straightforward approach: Engaging with Faculty Senate responsibilities in a way that is efficient and constructive.
Thank you for your consideration!
Meg Panichelli
Department: Undergraduate Social Work
This will by 7th year at WCU and I have served two terms on Faculty Senate. I'd love to continue serving in the role of an At-Large senator for another term and hope that you will elect me. It has been a privilege to advocate for student, faculty, and staff needs and equity across the university. I value the shared governance aspect of Faculty Senate and find that it provides such an essential space for dialogue, collaboration, information sharing, and action. As a social work Professor it is so important to me to participate in a space where we can impact change and that allows my university service and professional values to align.
Innhwa Park
Department: Languages and Cultures
I would be honored to continue serving on the Faculty Senate after completing one term as an at-large representative and a liaison for the Faculty Mentoring Committee (23-25). Since arriving at WCU in 2013, I have been actively engaged in service across the campus. I have served on the Institutional Review Board, the Research and Creative Activities Advisory Board, the Academic Recognition Committee, and the Sabbatical Leave Committee, among others. Additionally, I have served as the Director of TESOL Programs and am currently serving as the Assistant Chair of the Department of Languages and Cultures. During this time, I have learned to listen to and communicate with diverse voices on campus and address concerns that differentially impact the community. I am eager to work toward shared goals that benefit both faculty and students, while advocating for underrepresented voices throughout the process. Thank you very much for your consideration.
Andre Perkoski
Department: Mathematics
While serving as a department union representative I listened to reports from other members that had served on various committees. Hearing these reports made me wonder who had a voice during these discussions and what kinds of feedback were fielded in management's decision-making processes. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to attend a faculty senate meeting due to a member's emergency. The meeting gave me a better understanding of management's prerogatives and how to affect these discussions. I would like the opportunity to join more of these meetings and therefore ask for your consideration.
Matt Saboe
Department: Economics and Finance
I am excited to submit my nomination for the at-large Faculty Senate position. I have previously served two terms, including as co-chair of the Research and Creative Activities Subcommittee, and as a senate proxy before that. These experiences have given me valuable insight into the operations of the Faculty Senate and a deep commitment to supporting shared governance within the university. Throughout my time at WCU, I have advocated for faculty interests and actively contributed to evaluating institutional policies that directly impact the welfare of both faculty and students. I remain dedicated to furthering collaboration, ensuring that all voices are heard, and advancing decisions that positively shape the future of our university community.
Israel Sanz
Department: Languages and Cultures
Hello colleagues - I am respectfully asking for your support to serve on Faculty Senate as an at-large member for another three years (2025-2028). Since I began serving as a Senator in 2010, I have had the honor of contributing to several key Senate-led initiatives (e.g. the FS Research and Creative Activities Committee; the Working Group on the implications of the Carnegie reclassification of WCU as R2; and as Senate representative on several administrative searches and on the first search for an Ombudsperson). I’ve also served as a member of the Executive Committee, as Senate Vice-President, and most recently as Senate President in 2023-2025.
As we continue to advocate for the welfare of our University community, Faculty Senate remains a key part of our local shared governance structure - especially today, when the role of higher education faculty is being increasingly questioned in our state and nationally. If I’m re-elected, I will work to ensure that Faculty Senate continues to bring pressing issues in the area of faculty and student welfare and campus climate to the attention of administration, and to advance other important faculty initiatives. Thank you for your support!
Created and copyrighted by Clifford Johnston, 2000-12