Talkin’ FA with dara, Faculty Assembly Vice President

by dara, Faculty Assembly Vice President

I would like to start this by saying I am grateful, honored, and happy to continue as Faculty Assembly Vice President. I do not take for granted the fact you trust me in this role and with this important work. I am excited to work with the incoming Exec team.

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I helped Billy develop this question, and it’s funny because I cannot even imagine what we’ll be facing in the next two years. From AI ramifications (not super encouraging) to updated accessibility regulations (totally understandable), from being more at risk both in regard to safety and intellectual property, and from changes to college administration to current climates both on campus and nationally, we’re going to have our work cut out for us. So while I cannot guess what the next two years will bring, I can say I have been working with and toward strategies for representing our full-time faculty’s best interests and how those interests ultimately benefit students. 

My role first on FA Council and then as FA VP have helped me grow in leadership and confidence at the college. Even before I was on Exec, I sat on negotiations teams, and then as VP, I have been involved in many negotiations. I have built strong, collegial relationships with faculty, staff, and administrators, and I have improved my diplomacy through participation on the year-long Calendar Committee, Fringe Benefits Committee, and The EEOAC (Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee). I am now part of the college president hiring committee, so everything I have learned thus far, and everything I have brought to my work will inform that participation. Through these committees, I have met and built working relationships with even more people across our college. Similar to how I approach teaching, I take the work of FA very seriously. I will continue to bring honesty and dependability to the next two years. I will maintain my senses of humanity and humility while being part of very important work…with important consequences.

In terms of my role, specifically, on FA exec and Council, I do much work behind the scenes, so to speak. Over the past few years, our FA Council meetings have become more interactive and even fun, and I am happy to be part of the planning of those. I help structure and facilitate our Education and social events, and work to infuse levity into even the most informative workshop/meeting. I mention that I take the tasks of the union very seriously, and that extends to making sure people feel welcomed and valued. I look forward to the next two years—whatever they bring. I know I’m ready for it!

Whenever I talk about qualities I admire in people, I say I like and respect people who are smart, funny, and kind. But narrowing it down to one is easy—I choose kindness. Kind people are honest, helpful, patient, considerate, and earnest. A kind person will tell us the truth, even if it is difficult to hear, because they know we will benefit from hearing it. Kind people take time to get to know us, understand us, and respect us. Professionally, kind people support their colleagues and help them learn and grow in whatever roles they serve.  Kind people meet their commitments, and they are reliable. They consider the needs of others above themselves, whatever that looks like. I consciously look toward operating in more kindness—both personally and professionally. While I know I have a ways to go, the people I have served on FA Exec with, and those who are joining next year, have always modeled kindness, so I will continue to grow in the endeavor and learn from them both personally and professionally.