Introduction

  • This election is for Faculty Senate At-large Representatives. The rules for this election are listed below.
  • The nominees for the Faculty Senate At-large Representatives election are listed to the right. The list to the right is not a ballot.
  • This list in not official until nominations have been closed and the list of nominees has been reviewed and verified by the APSCUF Nominations and Elections Committee.
  • The statements the candidates submitted with their nominations are given below. By clicking on a name in the list of candidates, you will be taken to that candidate's statement.
  • Clicking on the words Return to Top will return you to this part of the page.
  • If you are a nominee and wish to modify your statement or withdraw your nomination, click on the "Modify" button. You will need your password to make any modifications.
  • When you are finished, you may choose to view nominees for other elections, nominate yourself, view the list of elections, return to the APSCUF Nominations and Elections homepage, visit the APSCUF homepage, or visit the WCU homepage.
The nominees for Faculty Senate At-large Representatives are:

Erin Hipple
Tim Jussaume
Metello Mugnai
Zachary Wooten

Nominations close Apr 3, 2026.
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.

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Erin Hipple


Department: Graduate Social Work

It is with great pleasure that I seek election as Faculty Senate At-Large Representative. I am a tenured professor in Graduate Social Work, a discipline grounded in autonomy and justice across interpersonal, community, and policy contexts. My teaching and scholarship focus on equity, relational pedagogy, and justice-based collective action, with research exploring how institutions can better support workers and students. My professional background has equipped me to build trust, facilitate open dialogue, and foster meaningful, justice-centered collaboration.

Since 2021, I have proudly served as an APSCUF Department Faculty Representative. I have trained as an APSCUF Member Support and Contract Enforcement Liaison. I am also a member of the APSCUF Ad Hoc Bylaws Revision Committee and the APSCUF Representative on the Philadelphia Center Lease Working Group. Since 2025, I have been an APSCUF Legislative Assembly Delegate Alternate. These roles have given me clear insight into faculty concerns at WCU. In addition, I have collaborated across disciplines through campus-wide conferences, staff searches, and interdisciplinary research. As a proud WCU alum, I am deeply committed to the well-being of faculty at the institution that shaped my academic path.

If elected, I hope to serve as a meaningful connector between APSCUF and Faculty Senate, strengthening communication and alignment in service of faculty well-being and labor rights. I will work to protect academic freedom, promote fair and sustainable workloads, and address systemic pressures that ask faculty to do more with less. I will prioritize transparency, collaboration across difference, and action that strengthens our collective voice. Thank you for your consideration.


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Tim Jussaume


Department: Honors

I am writing to express my interest in serving as a representative in the Faculty Senate. I care deeply about shared governance, transparent decision-making, and fostering a strong academic community that supports both faculty and students.

My work at West Chester and at prior institutions has centered on interdisciplinary learning, faculty collaboration, and student-centered teaching. In my current role as Honors College Director, I work closely with faculty across departments and colleges on curriculum design, experiential learning, and program development. This has given me a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing faculty, as well as an appreciation for the importance of clear communication and inclusive governance.

At my previous institution, I served as Secretary of the University Senate, where I gained firsthand experience with faculty governance, agenda setting, and committee coordination. As someone still relatively new to West Chester, I am eager to become more involved in campus governance and to contribute in a meaningful way to the broader WCU community.

If elected, I would approach this role thoughtfully and collaboratively, with a commitment to listening carefully, representing faculty concerns, and contributing constructively to Senate deliberations.

Thank you for your consideration.


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Metello Mugnai


Department: Languages and Cultures

I am seeking election as Faculty Senate At-Large Representative because I deeply value the collaboration and accountability that shared governance helps to foster. Collective decision-making and open communication matter, especially when policies directly affect our teaching and workload.

I am a tenured professor in Languages and Cultures, teaching Italian, Spanish and Italian culture cluster courses. My work is centered on strong, rigorous teaching and on helping students think critically about language, culture, and power. That perspective carries over into how I view institutional questions: decisions should be thoughtful, practical, and grounded in the realities of the classroom.

I have contributed to the university through curriculum development and sustained student mentorship, focusing on steady, concrete work rather than symbolic gestures.

If elected, I would approach this role thoughtfully and collaboratively, with a commitment to listening carefully, representing faculty concerns, and contributing constructively to Senate deliberations.

Thank you for your consideration.


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Zachary Wooten


Department: Honors College

I, Zach Wooten, am pleased to submit my candidacy for Faculty Senate At-Large Representative. As a tenured associate professor in the Honors College, I teach courses focused on leadership and civic engagement, areas that have deeply shaped my understanding of shared governance, collaborative decision-making, and institutional responsibility. My work in the classroom centers on preparing students to think critically, engage ethically, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. I bring that same commitment to faculty leadership.

My previous service on the Council of Undergraduate Research and the Council for Diversity, Inclusion, and Academic Excellence has provided valuable experience in cross-campus collaboration and informed dialogue. Through this work, I have engaged in initiatives that support student scholarship and inclusive academic environments.

I am eager to learn more about the broader priorities and challenges facing our university and to contribute constructively to Faculty Senate discussions. As an At-Large Representative, I would approach this role with openness, careful listening, and a commitment to representing the diverse perspectives of our faculty. I would be honored to serve and contribute to the continued strength and integrity of our faculty leadership.


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