Meet your incoming Faculty Assembly Council Executive Board Member: Jeanine Sepulveda

by Jeanine Sepulveda

Hi everyone! I wanted to start this newsletter off by saying that I’m grateful to be part of a dedicated and collaborative Faculty Assembly Council and to be serving as a new/incoming member of the FA Executive Board.

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A bit about my background: I was hired in 2004 and have spent the past two decades working alongside wonderful colleagues in the biology department as well as across our campus community. In the bio department my main role has been lead instructor of marine biology and ocean ecology. Over the years, my shared governance experience has included department chair as well as service on a variety of committees, including Academic Affairs, PDP, and TREC (formerly PG&E when I served). My longest period of service on any one committee was on the FA Council, beginning when it was first established and continuing through 2023. During that time, I also served as an Executive Board member and Treasurer, where I gained valuable experience learning about governance processes and the careful work of representing faculty perspectives.

In 2023, I shifted my service to the Sustainability Advisory Committee and also became a co-advisor for our student-run Sustainability Club. Working more directly with students and campus sustainability initiatives broadened my perspective and reinforced how directly our governance decisions shape students’ experiences and our institutional direction.

This year, inspired by the work and collaboration of the current FA Executive team and council, I’ve returned to FA Council with both institutional memory and a refreshed, campus-wide view. Thinking about our work ahead, I see our team navigating working conditions issues that may arise from changes in Title V, professional development as well as with the new calendar/scheduling. I see meaningful opportunities ahead to strengthen communication, support faculty in a changing higher ed landscape, and continue building trust through transparency and collaboration.

When asked what quality I most admire in others, one that stands out is careful listening, especially when paired with genuine openness to diverse perspectives. This kind of listening builds trust and helps us find common ground, even when issues are complex. I also deeply admire colleagues who are both values-driven and compassionately flexible. They ground their decisions in our shared mission and with integrity, while remaining thoughtful and adaptable when flexibility serves the broader good. I strive to bring these qualities to my role on the Executive team and have great confidence in our council's continued progress and advocacy for our faculty community.