UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC SENATE AT-LARGE NOMINEES
THREE to be elected (listed in alphabetical order)
View Senate Description
Ana C. Garner, Associate Professor, Journalism
I have been a member of the Department of Journalism in the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication for almost 20 years, I have served as the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research and as Interim Dean for the College of Communication. I have also been a member of the Committee on Faculty and served as co-Chair for the Gender Resource Task Force. I bring to the Academic Senate an appreciation for both faculty and administrative positions. As a firm believer in faculty governance and transparency, I believe it is a privilege to represent the faculty as we all work to achieve these goals.
Paul Gasser, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Sciences
I am in my fifth year on the faculty of Marquette University, and am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. I am actively involved in undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional education, and thus have a broad perspective on the relationship of the University’s academic mission to these groups. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I maintain an active research laboratory, and incorporate both graduate and undergraduate instruction into the operations of my lab. My service to this point has been at the departmental level, where I have served on the Research and Undergraduate Communications Committees, and chaired the Web Development committee. I am interested in serving on the Academic Senate because I want to be a part of the process by which Marquette continues to develop and excel as an academic institution. I would bring to the Senate the perspective of a relatively new faculty member, a teacher as well as a researcher, and a provider of undergraduate, pre-professional and graduate education. I would be able to articulate how these activities, both individually and synergistically, advance the search for truth, the discovery and sharing of knowledge, and the fostering of personal and professional excellence.
Javier A. Ibáñez-Noé, Associate Professor, Philosophy
Associate Professor, Philosophy. 21 years at Marquette. B.A. 1980 (Universidad de Chile, Valparaíso), M.A. 1985 (Universität Köln, Germany), Ph.D. (U. of Toronto) 1990.
Professional Societies. Canadian Philosophical Association; American Philosophical Association; North American Nietzsche Society; Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy.
University Activities. Pre-major advisor; University Mission Council (2003-2008); Faculty Council (2009-2011)
Personal Statement. One of my major concerns with regard to university governance is ensuring that the constant adaptation to new cultural demands and economic-technological challenges does not translate into a disregard for the foundational place that the liberal arts must occupy in a Jesuit university.
Pat Knapp, Assistant Professor, Dentistry
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Knapp received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota. After practicing dentistry in rural Minnesota for several years Dr. Knapp returned to Milwaukee to seek a career in academic dentistry and is currently an assistant professor at the Marquette University School of Dentistry and the Director of Marquette University’s Community Dental Clinic South. Dr. Knapp anticipates receiving a Master’s Degree from Marquette University in May of 2012 and is preparing to commence PhD work at Marquette. As Dr. Knapp’s chosen profession (Dentistry), past work experience, current daily duties, Master’s Degree, and eventual PhD focus on service to patients, students, staff, and faculty, Dr. Knapp wishes to expand the application his skills by serving Marquette University on the University Academic Senate.
Noreen E. Lephardt, Adjunct Associate Professor, Economics
I am an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Economics Department in the COB for over 13 years. My professional teaching responsibilities are in the MBA and undergraduate programs. I support the assessment process for the entire COB, and serve on the University Assessment Committee. I support the addition of the University Academic Senate in 2007 that stemmed from the importance of shared governance. I believe I would fairly represent my constituent’s as an at-large member of the UAS. The UAS has an important function in the future of Marquette and it would be a privilege to serve on the senate.
Scott Mandernack, Associate Dean, Libraries
A flourishing academic climate requires an open and collaborative environment with a strongly engaged faculty. As the University Academic Senate continues to build on its progress in establishing a firm foundation for shared governance, I am eager to become a more active participant in contributing to the deliberations that will advance the mission of Marquette. As a librarian, my professional philosophy dictates that we promote diversity of thought and the free exchange of ideas; I would hope to bring that perspective to the Senate’s discussions and deliberations. I came to the Marquette Libraries in 2008 and have focused on issues of information literacy and student learning and on new models of scholarly communication and the dissemination of scholarly work. I have served on a number of Library committees, and currently serve as a member of the Committee on Committees and Elections, the Faculty Activities Database Advisory Committee, and the University Library Board.
William Thorn, Associate Professor, Communication
My goals for this 3-year term on the University Academic Senate include monitoring the new retirement policies as faculty engage in them, press forward on adjustments to ensure the Senate encourages voices from the diverse groups within the faculty, and ensure that faculty needs are foremost in administrative support plans and policies.
It is important to me that the professional colleges like my own College of Communication have clear representation of their situations as issues arise.
I came to my current term on the Senate as a member of the Provost's committee which merged the Committee on Faculty and the Academic Senate. I am willing to serve another term because I believe the new form of the Senate remains a work in progress.
As a past chairman of the University Academic Senate I have great familiarity with the policies and practices of the Senate.
About the University Academic Senate
The University Academic Senate (UAS) is a deliberative body whose responsibilities include academic planning, review and evaluation of academic programs, and formulation and appraisal of initiatives and policies relevant to the faculty and the academic mission of the university. Its conclusions on university policy, academic planning and evaluation will represent the official collective stance of the Academic Division. The Provost, who has ultimate responsibility for all executive decisions and actions within the Academic Division of the university, will report the conclusions of the UAS to the appropriate authorities outside the Academic Division, along with her or his own conclusions. Recommendations of the University Academic Senate shall be subject to the approval of the President and the Trustees.
Rights and Responsibilities
- Reviews and approves major curricular changes, including initiation or termination of degrees, programs and majors and revisions of the University Core Curriculum for recommendation to the President and Board of Trustees by the Academic Division.
- Reviews and approves major organizational changes, including establishing or eliminating schools or colleges for recommendation to the President and Board of Trustees.
- Approves changes in the University norms for faculty appointment, promotion and tenure for recommendation to the President.
- Reviews the Faculty Statutes and approves changes in statute policies and procedures for recommendation to the Provost.
- Approves the establishment or elimination of centers and institutes, Marquette-sponsored foreign study programs and fully on-line programs and makes recommendations to the President.
- Approves changes in the structure and descriptions of these committees and boards which report to the University Academic Senate.
- Evaluates and endorses decisions with academic impact including a new university strategic plan, new appointments to major academic administrative positions, and faculty evaluation policies.
- Engages in discussion with the Provost and provides input to the Provost on major university issues, including enrollment, tuition and university budget, in advance of finalized actions by the University.
- Provides input directly, through its standing committees, or through the Provost on university-wide initiatives, campus and facilities planning, resource allocation, compensation, and employee benefits.
- Find out more at the University Academic Senate website
