2024-25 Senate Leadership Nominations and Campaign Statements
Please note: Some election results have not been received by the Senate Executive Secretary, particularly those for students. Nominations may be made from the floor during the appropriate portion of the election meeting, but only if the nominee’s election to the Senate has been certified in writing to the Senate Executive Secretary by the unit’s dean, designated dean’s representative, or student governing association advisor, as appropriate. If there are no eligible nominees in a category, a special election will be held at the September or October 2024 Senate meeting.
Click on the nominees’ names below to read their campaign statements. Nominees marked with an asterisk must have their election to the Senate confirmed before the election is held.
CHAIR (Elect One)
Lucille Foster, Newark Staff
Ted Szatrowski, Rutgers Business School:Undergraduate NB (F)
VICE CHAIR (Elect One)
Adrienne Esposito, New Brunswick Staff
Robert Schwartz, New Jersey Medical School (F)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FACULTY
Camden (Elect One)
David Salas-De La Cruz, Camden At-Large (F)
New Brunswick (Elect One)
Robert Boikess, SAS-NB (F)
Anna Haley, School of Social Work (F)
Troy Shinbrot, School of Engineering (F)
Newark (Elect One)
Paul Boxer, SAS-N (F)
*Galathara Kahanda, Newark At-Large (F)
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (Elect One)
Monica Roth, RBHS At-Large (F)
Kevin Schroth, RBHS Centers, Bureaus and Institutes (F)
At-Large (Elect Two)
[This category is populated at election time by those Executive Committee faculty nominees who do not prevail in the CLU-specific elections above.]
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE LECTURER FACULTY (Elect One)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ALUMNI (Elect One)
Rachel Maeng Brown, Alumni Association (A)
Houshang Parsa, Alumni Association (A)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STAFF (Elect One)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STUDENTS
Camden (Elect One)
Nyla Boswell, School of Business-Camden (S)
Joseph Lescht, Camden College of Arts and Sciences (S)
New Brunswick (Elect One)
Christopher Godoy, School of Arts and Sciences-NB (S)
Kush Patel, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (S)
Newark (Elect One)
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (Elect One)
Emily Brown, School of Public Health (S)
BOARD OF GOVERNORS FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE (Elect One)
Heather Pierce, Lecturer-New Brunswick (F)
Wendy Purcell, School of Public Health (F)
BOARD OF GOVERNORS STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (Elect One)
Safanya Searcy, School of Criminal Justice (S)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE (Elect Two)
James Boucher, Camden At-Large (F)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (Elect One)
Brielle Fedorko, School of Arts and Sciences-NB (S)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES GRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (Elect One)
Nusrath Yusuf, School of Graduate Studies (S)
MEMBERS OF THE POLICY APPROVAL COMMITTEE (Elect Two)
Campaign Statements
Chair
Lucille Foster, Newark Staff
I am asking for your consideration for the position of Chair of the University Senate. I am currently a Newark Staff Senator, serving my second year as Vice Chair, and also have been serving as co-chair of the Academic Standards, Regulations, and Admissions Committee (ASRAC) for five years. As Vice Chair of the Senate, I have shepherded committee reports through the Senate, led Senate meetings on behalf of the chair, and reported on various recommendations. As a leader, I am task oriented and committed to actively listening to all my senators impartially and not bias the conversation.
I also serve as the Senate Appeals Panel chair as well as the chair of several ad hoc committees, investigating issues relevant and important to the University. I also previously served as Senate Parliamentarian, appointed by two chairs.
It has been my honor and privilege to serve in these roles and to share in University governance with my fellow Senators.
I am passionate about vibrant shared governance and believe that robust civilized debate is key to improving our great University. I believe that we have a responsibility as the premier shared governance body at Rutgers to highlight its challenges and celebrate its achievements.
I ask for your support and counsel in achieving this goal in the role of Senate Chair. Thank you for your consideration.
Attendance Statement: As current Co-Chair of ASRAC I have maintained 100 percent in attendance along with the Executive Committee and Full Senate meetings. As Co-Chair of ASRAC I have faithfully met all deadlines for report submissions in a timely manner.
Ted Szatrowski, Rutgers Business School: Undergraduate NB (F)
Prior Service: University Senate (over 30 years), including past Vice Chair, EC, B&F (past co-chair and chair), ICA, ASRAC. First year on Senate: Chair of Senate Faculty Dismissal Hearing Panel (46 hearing dates, 10 meetings for deliberations) over 6 months while concurrently on AAUP Bargaining Team. NBFC and NFC over 20 years on each, and served concurrently on all 3 bodies.
Senate Challenges:
Improve collegiality with Senior Administration.
Work more effectively in our role as an Advisory body.
Find more win/win situations for Administration and Senate to work together on.
Work proactively with the Administration to make sure voters understand the importance of higher education in an environment where it is increasingly under attack.
Improve the efficiency of the Senate meetings to move resolutions through while at the same time fostering collegiality and insuring that Senators can raise concerns and all points of view are heard.
Improve procedures for checking quorum in a remote environment.
Make sure that violations of Parliamentary Rules of Order and Senate procedures cannot again be weaponized as I believe they were at our 2/16/2024 Senate meeting due to a combination of ignorance among many of us and unwillingness of leadership who were familiar with these rules to speak up at the time.
Proposed Solutions: See https://rutgers.box.com/s/210pbppwog0y7ch57xgpf6c74bojj3nf
I am not asking for your support, only for your informed consideration. A 250 word limit on candidate statements fosters the status quo.
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Attendance Report:
2023-24 SENATE attendance Present=7, Excused=0; Absent=1 (Source: 23-24 Senate attend. record)
2023-24 ASRAC attendance Present=5, Excused=1; Absent=2 (Source:23-24 Senate ASRAC attend. record)
2022-23 SENATE attendance Present=8 , Excused=0 ; Absent= 1 (Source: minutes)
2022-23 ASRAC attendance Present= 5, Excused=2 ; Absent=3 (22-23 Senate ASRAC attend. record)
2022-23 EC attendance Present=9, Excused=0 ; Absent=0 (Source: minutes)
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Vice Chair
Adrienne Esposito, New Brunswick Staff
Dear Colleagues and Fellow Senators,
Thank you for considering me for the position of Senate Vice Chair. As we navigate together through the complex framework of Rutgers governance, we need committed leaders who possess vision, dedication, and energy to drive meaningful, collaborative change.
Throughout my tenure in the Senate as a New Brunswick Staff representative, I have served on the Executive committee, Structure and Governance, and as Co-chair of the recently formed IT Committee. I have supported the Senate and the Senate administration by providing guidance and developing methods and systems to assist and enhance overall collaboration.
A few examples are the
- All_Senators mailing list
- In-person Senate attendance tracking system
- Senate agenda submission system
If elected as your Vice Chair, I will bring integrity, impartiality, and innovation to the role. I will support the Chair in ensuring open communications and that every perspective is heard.
Thank you for your consideration.
Adrienne Esposito
Attendance Statement:
Term Year Meeting Status
2023-2024 3/22/2024 Present
2023-2024 2/16/2024 Present
2023-2024 1/19/2024 Excused
2023-2024 12/8/2023 Present
2023-2024 11/17/2023 Present
2023-2024 10/20/2023 Present
2023-2024 9/22/2023 Present
2023-2024 4/28/2023 Present
2022-2023 4/7/2023 Present
2022-2023 3/24/2023 Present
2022-2023 2/17/2023 Present
2022-2023 1/20/2023 Present
2022-2023 12/9/2022 Present
2022-2023 11/18/2022 Present
2022-2023 10/21/2022 Present
2022-2023 9/23/2022 Present
2022-2023 4/29/2022 Present
Robert Schwartz, New Jersey Medical School (F)
Dear Colleagues, I seek your support for the privilege of serving you as your Senate Vice Chair! As Chair of the Senate Faculty Caucus and Co-Chair of the Senate Academic Standards, Regulations, and Admissions Committee, we take on some of our institution’s most pressing challenges. As AAUP Chapter Secretary and longtime board member, I was at the table in pivotal contract negotiations. As your representative on the Rutgers Board of Trustees, a member of the Senate Executive Committee for many years, and as part of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the Merger Process of NJMS and RWJMS, I have fought vigorously for meaningful shared governance and transparency. I am proud to have served two terms as NJMS Faculty Organization President. I worked hard to bring Rutgers together, including by testifying before the New Jersey Legislature to unite the health components into Rutgers from UMDNJ. I will continue to be sure your voice is heard and respected. I draw upon my many years on this faculty and my time at the University of California Berkeley in political science and then in public health. These experiences have taught me a lot, especially about social issues and how much we can achieve working together. My family is a Rutgers family. I met my wife in the Rutgers faculty lounge. Our son as a student was elected three times to the Senate Executive Committee. I enjoy helping and mentoring students and colleagues, collaborating with them on many projects and scholarly articles.
Attendance Statement: Attendance: 100%
Executive Committee Camden Faculty
David Salas-De La Cruz, Camden At-Large (F)
It is indeed a great pleasure to be nominated for the position of RU Senate Executive Committee for the 2024-2025 Academic Year as the Camden Faculty Representative. I am excited about this opportunity to represent my colleagues and my local education and research community, and to be one of the voices for my Camden students and faculty community.
I hold a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, I obtained a B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez and an M.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from Villanova University. With over 20 years of industrial and academic research experience, including more than 30 publications, and having served on the Board of Directors of several local organizations, I pledge to prioritize the inclusion and engagement of students, particularly those from Camden, within the senate and research activities across all campuses.
Students represent the forefront of our endeavors, and their enthusiasm directly impacts our initiatives. If elected, I aim to bolster faculty representation across all categories, recognizing their pivotal role as leaders in our academic community. By cultivating their enthusiasm, we can attract more grants and students to our programs. Furthermore, I will advocate for the support, inclusion, and empowerment of minority students, scientists, and alumni professionals. Drawing from my own experiences as a minority, I understand the challenges, and I will be dedicated to addressing these obstacles across all of our campuses.
Executive Committee New Brunswick Faculty
Robert Boikess, SAS-NB (F)
As a member of the Senate for more than 40 years, of the New Brunswick Faculty Council from its creation, and of countless committees, whose charges ranged from parking to athletics, and even to academics; I have learned a great deal. I have learned how things work; I have learned how to get things done; I have learned what matters.
Now is a very difficult time for Rutgers. It will be very important to minimize the tensions between the administration and the academic community. The Senate, as the preeminent shared governance body can play an important role in that process. I ask you for the opportunity to use what I’ve learned to help us achieve this goal.
My loyalty and my concern for Rutgers are evident: Both of my sons are Rutgers alums and my family is grateful for how Rutgers launched them onto successful career paths. I have taught chemistry to tens of thousands of students, many of whom now have successful careers in the health sciences or physical sciences. Their success is a great source of pride for me.
At Rutgers, one important venue for participation in decision making has been the University Senate. But, in recent years, the influence of the University Senate has diminished. One important reason I wish to serve on the Executive Committee is to work with the leadership to restore the University Senate to its proper role, as our preeminent shared governance body, representing all the constituencies of our community.
Anna Haley, School of Social Work (F)
I am a deep believer in shared governance. I teach something about it most weeks of my graduate management courses in the School of Social Work, and I’ve studied its components and effects (or their absence) in my research. This commitment also drives my involvement in Rutgers’ shared governance institutions since my arrival in 2016, and why I seek your consideration to continue in a second term as the New Brunswick Faculty Representative to the Executive Council.
I have served on the Rutgers Senate since 2019, including as faculty representative to the Board of Trustees (2020-22), as co-chair of FPAC (since January 2022), and on an ad hoc Appeals Committee case (Spring 2020).
I think the EC is a critical body for overseeing the efficient, inclusive, and ultimately impactful work of the Senate. It’s responsible for working with the Chair and Vice Chair to manage our internal operations; guide our engagement and advocacy for our interests with the administration and Board of Governors; and monitor that our work is responsive to and known by our diverse constituents. We have continuing work to do to press for robust administrative engagement with us, have fully democratic processes for running ourselves and full communications access to our constituents, and produce advice on the management of our institution that speaks with a clear voice and is acted on. I would be honored to work with the incoming Chair and Vice Chair, and fellow EC and Board representatives, in that important work.
Troy Shinbrot, School of Engineering (F)
Rutgers is running headlong away from its essential purposes – education and research – and toward non academic priorities. Witness the paradoxical growth in tuition costs and class sizes. Or the proliferation of abysmal, but expensive, mandatory software programs that take us all away from teaching and research. Or the choice to cut academic and library programs while subjecting athletics budgets only to “determination … in good faith,” in the contractual language of athletics management itself.
I have spent the past several years studying these issues, both as faculty representative to the Board of Governors and as member of the Senate Budget and Finance Committee, and I am convinced that the fundamentally bizarre juxtapositions mentioned above do not occur by chance. Rather, they are closely tied to the formation of governing boards and budget management bodies that are nearly free of representation by academics and staff. We need to reverse the misdirection of academic priorities by exposing this underlying cause and restoring academic representation in academic decision making. I seek your support to do so.
Executive Committee Newark Faculty
Paul Boxer, SAS-N (F)
My name is Paul Boxer, and I am a professor of psychology at Rutgers-Newark. I have been at Rutgers since 2006 and on the Senate since the fall of 2021. Currently I am co-chair of the Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee (FPAC). Last year, I was elected to serve as faculty representative to the Executive Committee from the Newark campus. I am running to continue my service in this role. Over the last year our community has experienced a number of changes and challenges. Some of these have been felt acutely on the Newark campus, as we are now facing a search for a new chancellor, and we continue to grapple with critical inequities in funding as well as in resources and experiences for students, faculty, and staff. The Senate’s aim is to promote the best interests of the entire university. In my role as Newark representative to the Executive Committee my charge has been to ensure that Newark’s interests remain at the forefront. I believe I have represented my campus well and I look forward to continuing my very deep and serious commitment to the Newark community, and the chance to address new issues and challenges as they arise in a manner that best serves the interests of students, staff, alumni, and faculty from Rutgers-Newark. In addition, I remain fully dedicated to the goal of ensuring that all members of the university community, across campuses, have equitable access to the significant resources and benefits that Rutgers University provides.
Galathara Kahanda, Newark At-Large (F)
TBD
Executive Committee RBHS Faculty
Monica Roth, RBHS At-Large (F)
I am seeking re-election to the Rutgers Senate Executive Committee. As a tenured faculty at RWJMS, I have viewed my position to be the voice of our faculty, in particular for non-tenured faculty, who may face consequences for asserting oppositional opinions. I have been elected by our faculty to serve in leadership within the RWJMS Faculty Council, the RBHS faculty council, as well as multiple terms on the Rutgers Senate. Within the Senate, I serve on the Budget and Finance committee.
I continue to have interest in discussion of merger between the two medical school, joint Chairpersons, and joint programs, including the MD/PhD program and infrastructure investment. I also serve on the RWJMS Compensation, Transparency, Trends Committee and Chair the first-year student advisors in Molecular Bioscience. I run a funded research program within the Dept of Pharmacology at RWJMS. Re-election to serve on the Rutgers Senate Executive Committee will allow for continued communication of our faculty concerns to the larger Rutgers community.
Kevin Schroth, RBHS Centers, Bureaus and Institutes (F)
I am running for my second term on the Executive Committee. I have also served as co-chair of Structure and Governance for several years. I’m an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health and Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies. As a Senator representing RBHS Centers, Bureaus and Institutes, and an alumnus of Rutgers Law School, I think I offer a valuable perspective on the EC.
The Senate has limited powers, but it can and should play an important role in shaping Rutgers’ future. To make the most of its powers, the Senate must rely on persuasion and credibility. Over the past year, the Senate injured its standing and influence through a vote of no-confidence against President Holloway and other aggressive steps. I aspire to repair that relationship. Similarly, it’s crucial that the Senate abides by the rules that give the Senate its power. When we act within our delegated authority, we stand on strong ground. When we exceed our authority, we lose credibility. To be clear, it’s crucial that the Senate voices its opinions. However, to maximize our influence, the Senate should employ a professional and respectful approach.
My priorities – treating people with respect and playing by the rules – are small and simple matters. But we must not lose sight of them. If I am reelected to the EC, I will make it a priority to use persuasion and the Senate’s credibility to pursue these goals as we take on whatever issues come before us.
Executive Committee Lecturer Faculty
Executive Committee Alumni
Rachel Maeng Brown, Alumni Association (A)
My name is Rachel Maeng Brown and I am a SAS 2018 grad and a young woman of color. I would bring the committee a different and unique perspective, supporting our participation as former students and current ambassadors of the University. With a technology-driven background, I hope to assist the executive committee to aid in increasing the influence and success of the University Senate. I appreciate input and hearing all sides in a debate that moves toward resolution and action. As an alumnus, I am active in the student and alumni bodies in a number of ways:
- Hire at least 1 Rutgers current student as an intern each year (in marketing, media, comm, PR, and management) – work and meet with Career Services
- Speak to student/staff organization about current Senate charges as well as poll orgs for opinions on campus
- Former mentor in Rutgers Road to Communication & Media program
- Member of the Los Angeles Alumni chapter
- *Active speaker and participant in the University Senate in first year
As a student, I was heavily involved on campus in:
- Univ Chancellor’s Award Inaugural Recipient: “Bridge Builder” Award
- RUSA roles: Executive Committee, Elections appeals committee, Chair of Committee, Off-campus rep, SAAC rep (first in its existence).
- Student-athlete on Division I Women’s Rowing team
- Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) member – representing Rowing
- R-Fund (Donors) Ambassador
- Volunteering – over 300 hours as an undergrad
- Rutgers Unified Sports volunteer (sports competitions with adults with intellectual disabilities)
- Embrace Kids & Ronald McDonald House
- Rutgers Economic Society
Houshang Parsa, Alumni Association (A)
Dear Senate Colleagues:
I have had the honor of serving on the Senate with a perfect attendance record since 2017, which includes four years on the Executive Committee (2017-2020, & 2023-2024), seven years on the University Structure and Governance Committee (2017-present), several Ad Hoc Committees, including, Nominations, Bylaws, Commencement, Attendance, Composition of the Senate, DEI, and Evaluating Alcohol Sale at Sporting Events, etc.
In addition to representing Rutgers alumni on the University Senate, I also serve as vice president of Rutgers Alumni Association (RAA), and president of Rutgers College Class of 1980. I have been a member as well as co-chair of several important alumni committees, whose goals and missions are to helping students.
Having been inducted into Rutgers Loyal Sons & Daughters Society for making a meaningful and long-standing commitment to the betterment of Rutgers University, and having been a recipient of Alumni Trustee Award for outstanding record of service to my Alma Mater, I take pride in being a member of this great family, the Rutgers family.
Hence, I would like to continue my service to the beloved community. Therefore, I respectfully ask for your support in my campaign for the 2024-2025 Senate Executive Committee. Thank you for your consideration.
Houshang Parsa, RC’80
Rutgers University Alumni Senator
Executive Committee Staff
Executive Committee Camden Student
Nyla Boswell, School of Business-Camden (S)
I believe I am a great candidate to represent my fellow peers. I am Nyla Boswell, a rising senior, completing a dual-degree in Business Management and Marketing at Rutgers University-Camden. I am a huge Rutgers fan; both my mother and uncle came here to pursue their degrees. I have always wanted to come to RUC to make an impact. I have completed my dual-enrollment at Rutgers while in high school and now will graduate in 20025 here. I know I will be able to present the board with all necessary information in a timely manner and be a voice for ALL students no matter race, ethnicity, major, social class, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion, or disability. I will be extremely honored to serve my community, my classmates, my faculty, and all the support programs here at Rutgers. Most importantly, I am here to give back to the community that has given so much to me.
Joseph Lescht, Camden College of Arts and Sciences (S)
I am running for Camden Student Executive Senator to extend my successful initiatives towards improving the physical conditions of campus facilities to the University at large through research-oriented advocacy. Having served as a representative on the Rutgers-Camden Student Governing Association (SGA), I understand the passion and knowledge of parliamentary and legislative procedures needed to catalyze real change on campus! I will ensure that the needs and interests of the student body of Rutgers Camden are made the highest priority in the University Senate.
Outside of student government, I am a student of philosophy, political science, urban studies, and legal studies, as well as a college radio DJ and social science enthusiast who values the importance of the arts, music, culture, equity, and ethical governance.
In my time as an SGA representative, I have demonstrated my commitment to the students of Rutgers by partaking in efforts to improve dining facilities on the Gourmet Dining Advisory Committee, as well as having served on the Government and External Affairs Committee, and the General Assembly of Organizations Committee.
In addition to the aforementioned endeavors, I intend on pushing for expanded University-wide mental health services. This is a growingly-evident need on the Camden campus and for students worldwide. I will do this with guidance from experienced mental-health advocates. I also seek to reinforce labor efforts across the University, and I recognize the significance of supporting our faculty and staff.
I look forward to serving on the University Senate!
– Senator Joseph Lescht
Executive Committee New Brunswick Student
Christopher Godoy, School of Arts and Sciences-NB (S)
Good Afternoon Senators! My name is Christopher Godoy, a rising Junior at the New Brunswick Campus majoring in Economics and Political Science. Today, I am seeking support for the New Brunswick Student Representative position within the executive committee. Having served in the position this past academic year, I have learned more about the Senate and how open the committee is to student representation. If re-elected to the position, I want to use what I have learned this past year to take a more active role within the committee, serving as a direct line between the student causes and the executive committee, communicating much of the concerns that are affecting students on all campuses, and working with other executive committee members to figure out ways the senate can help address these issues/concerns. A bit more about me: I am a first-generation EOF student who is very involved on campus. Aside from student government, I am also affiliated with several organizations, such as the Bonner Leaders Program within the Rutgers Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement. I am also interning at the Eagleton Institute of Politics as a RU Ready Intern, fostering active citizenship among middle/high schoolers throughout the state of New Jersey. I am also a part of the Latinx Pre-Law Society, Rutgers Economics Society, and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, among other things. I’m committed to effectively representing student interests and collaborating with others to address campus concerns. Thank you for considering my candidacy!
Kush Patel, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (S)
Since I was elected to the University Senate in the Spring of 2023, I have been committed to being a voice to represent the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS). I am a SEBS Student Senator for the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. While stepping into this position, I have also served on the SEBS Governing Council (SGC) for over a year, as Treasurer of the Executive Board, and will serve as Vice President this coming year. Serving on the SGC Executive Board and the University Senate have taught me the necessary leadership skills and lessons that I plan on using to fulfill this position. I have gained valuable experience from being in these significant leadership roles. I understand the commitment and collaboration that is needed to effectively represent the SEBS community in the Rutgers University Senate. As a result, this year, I have fulfilled the role of Co-Chair of the Student Affairs Committee on the University Senate. Being in this role, I have worked alongside my Co-Chairs and committee members tackling various charges impacting the student experience at Rutgers University. This continues to fuel my desire to help Rutgers better serve its students across all campuses, pushing me to run for Student Representative on the Executive Committee.
Executive Committee Newark Student
Executive Committee RBHS Student
Emily Brown, School of Public Health (S)
I am a student at Rutgers Health, formerly known as RBHS, and I am committed to serving others and promoting activities that improve the lives of future Rutgers Health patients and students. I would be honored to serve on the Executive Committee of the Senate as the voice for my fellow RBHS students. I have previous experience in advocating for and voting for the needs of a population group, as I previously served as a commuter student senator at a small institution in central Virginia during my undergraduate studies. Additionally, I was a prior research associate at the University Research Center for the same institution, which gave me extensive experience working with and for diverse faculty and staff members. As the senator for the Rutgers School of Public Health and aspiring Executive Committee member, I aspire to be a humble advocate for the students who make up Rutgers Health.
Board of Governors Faculty Representative
Heather Pierce, Lecturer-New Brunswick (F)
It has been an honor to serve my colleagues this past year as our faculty representative to the Board of Governors. I am running for reelection to continue the work I have started with my fellow representatives to strengthen the relationship between the Senate and the Board and to elevate the voices of those who have been excluded from the decision-making structures and processes that affect our entire Rutgers community.
I bring to the table my knowledge and experience from other service roles, all of which have required developing partnerships across job categories and levels of management to get things done. In addition to serving on the Senate, I also serve as co-chair of FPAC on the NB Faculty Council, as contract enforcement chair for the adjunct faculty union, as a member of the curriculum committee for Chancellor Conway’s Discovery Advantage initiative, as a faculty mentor for the FIGS program, and as the program director for the new Rutgers FAST Fund. I also serve as a member of the NJ AAUP Executive Board and as chair of the Highland Park Rent Control Board.
I am passionate about shared governance and the democratic inclusion of everyone in our institutional decisions. As an adjunct professor, I am acutely aware of the current threats to our academic system, and the structural challenges we face in confronting them. I am not afraid to speak to truth to power, but more importantly, I am committed to building the relationships needed to effectively collaborate on solutions.
Wendy Purcell, School of Public Health (F)
Thank you for your kind consideration of my nomination to serve the Senate in the capacity of Faculty representative to the Board of Governors.
In support of my candidacy, I cite my sincere appreciation of shared governance alongside my extensive experience of university governance, leadership, and management. I can establish trustful and respectful encounters with Board members to help deepen their appreciation and knowledge of the profound contribution faculty make to sustaining excellence and deepening the impact of the university. In this way, I will contribute to the Board’s informed decision-making as it relates to the academic character and mission of the university, resource allocation, and accountability frameworks.
I understand the formal (committee) and informal (dialogue) spaces where the work of a university Board gets done. I can build connections with Board members drawn from a range of sectors so that key messages are heard and can help shape informed decision-making by the Board. I was a member (8-years) of the UK Strategic Advisory Committee on University Leadership, Governance, and Management, am a current member of the EELISA European University Board and have provided strategic advice to a range of US university presidents,
Board members, and university and college Boards. I also appointed Board members during my tenure as president of a UK university.
I would serve the Senate as Faculty representative to the Board of Governors wholeheartedly, acting at all times with integrity.
Dr. Wendy M. Purcell
Board of Governors Student Representative
Safanya Searcy, School of Criminal Justice (S)
I am humbled to stand for re-election as Student Representative to the Board of Governors of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. It has been an honor to serve as the Student Representative to the Board of Governors during the 2023-2024 academic year. During my tenure, I have been able to hear from students across our 3 chancellor-led units to bring the collective voices and concerns to the Board of Governors. As a member of the Committee on Student and Academic Affairs on the Board of Governors, I have been a vocal advocate on issues impacting students, from tuition & meal plan increases, to the creation of new degree programs, to examining the possibilities of creating more attractive education programs that will draw in non-traditional students. Should I be re-elected as the Student Representative to the Board of Governors, I commit to deepening my work with students from Camden, Newark and New Brunswick to bring their ideas and concerns to the Board and its committees, and will use innovative strategies to create a continuous flow for sharing information. I will be a bold representation for students at every level, ensuring that everyone respects us as the primary constituency of Rutgers University.
Board of Trustees Faculty Representative
James Boucher, Camden At-Large (F)
I am a devoted member of the University Senate who is dedicated to creating the best outcomes for all constituencies of the Rutgers community. Having participated actively in leadership roles in the Rutgers-Camden Faculty Senate prior to my election to the University Senate, I have a clear understanding of the stakes and centrality of shared governance to our core institutional mission. My service on the Structure and Governance Committee has only deepened my commitment to those ideals. As Board of Trustees representative, I will faithfully represent the interests of Rutgers faculty, staff, and students.
Board of Trustees Undergraduate Student Representative
Brielle Fedorko, School of Arts and Sciences-NB (S)
I am honored for the nomination to re-run as the student representative to the Board of Trustees. For those who are unfamiliar with me, I am a rising senior from New Brunswick double majoring in Political Science and Journalism & Media Studies. Going on four years now, I have been involved in the Rutgers University Student Assembly and going on two years, I have been a member of the Senate. I have worked on charges to eliminate common hour exams, and now alongside other students from Newark and Camden, to investigate the need for 24/7 library access. This past academic year has also granted me an eye-opening experience to sit on the Board and speak on behalf of the student body. Having the chance to interact closely with the administrators that influence how students experience Rutgers has been a privilege that I hope to continue. Silence is not something I am known for on the Board. The questions I ask and the comments I make recognize what might not be obviously recognizable. My time at Rutgers has been extraordinary, but nonetheless, Rutgers is far from perfect. Some community college credits are not transferable, lengthening students’ time on campus and putting them into further debt.
The depression rate of college students is sky high, and making our mental health resources known and available is crucial. The safety of our diverse student body is in question more than ever before. Student perspective must be elevated, and I promise to support my peers.
Board of Trustees Graduate Student Representative
Nusrath Yusuf, School of Graduate Studies (S)
TBD