Senator Spotlight April 2022

Category

Name: Mark Manfredo

What unit do you represent?  

Morrison School of Agribusiness in the W. P. Carey School of Business, at the Polytechnic campus.

How many years have you served in the Senate?

This is my second year serving in the Senate.

How many years have you been employed at ASU?

I have been a faculty member at ASU for 23 years!

What other institutions have you taught at before coming to ASU?

I am very fortunate to have served my entire academic career at ASU.  Prior to ASU, I did serve as a teaching assistant during my Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

What is your research and/or creative activities focus?  

My research program focusses on analyzing agricultural commodity markets, in particular futures and options markets, and how agricultural businesses can better measure and manage the numerous financial and non-financial risks that they face. 

Why did you decide to get involved with the Senate?

I truly believe in the importance of faculty service at all levels.  The Senate allows me to represent and inform my academic unit (the Morrison School of Agribusiness) and also serve the university more broadly. 

Describe what you have learned (or hope to learn) during your time in the Senate?

I think that serving on the Senate really helps one better understand the scope, complexity, and diversity of ASU.  I particularly enjoy learning about new course and program proposals that come to the Senate for approval. 

What committees have you participated in, or would like to participate in and what were you able to (or hope to) accomplish? 

I currently serve on the Senate Personnel Committee, and have found the workings of this committee quite insightful in terms of better understanding and appreciating issues impacting faculty across the university.  In the future I would also be interested in serving on the Senate Research and Creative Activities Committee. 

What would you say to your peers who might be considering accepting a nomination or nominating himself or herself for a position in the University Senate?

I would highly encourage my peers to serve in the Senate at some point in their careers.  Be a Senator!  It is a great way to learn about the workings of ASU and to contribute to shared governance.