Senator Spotlight November 2020

Category

This month’s Senator Spotlight honoree is Senator Chad E. Kennedy

What unit do you represent?

The Technology Entrepreneurship and Management Program within Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

How many years have you served in the Senate?

This is my first year.

How many years have you been employed at ASU?

Five years 

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

DeVry University for nine years as a Professor of Biomedical Engineering Technology

What is your research and/or creative activities focus?  

I get the pleasure to combine engineering and innovation methods and tools to tackle complex problems with viable technology or service solutions. Of particular interest are Smart Systems and Sustainability applications.

 Why did you decide to get involved with the Senate?

I want to contribute to the evolving ASU landscape in a positive way. We have issues that have been unaddressed for years that could use some fresh perspectives and elegant solutions. If I can serve and help make the student, staff, and faculty experience exceptional, and engage with a dose of fun, then I would consider that a success. Students are looking for guidance and mentoring in this dynamic environment. Employees want to have meaningful work where they are appreciated. I think we can do both.

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

The number of processes and scale of the various committees is impressive. I hope to get a better understanding of the functional and structural operations of the University. I strongly feel that together we will find ways for the senate to collaborate with the management team to make effective innovations that serve students and employees while improving our regional and global communities. ASU is in a unique position among academic institutions to lead the way in tackling large issues: Climate Change, Poverty, Equity, Equality, Prosperity, and Peace. As Senators, I feel we as a body should be facilitators and ambassadors of innovation toward these ends.

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 University Senate Facilities Committee. I envision ASU being the Smart University of the future. A place where we can sandbox technology ideas, experiment with what works and does not work.  Ultimately, we can create solutions that benefit our local campus communities, extend those benefits to the surrounding communities, and affect change globally.

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?

Go for it! Even being in my first year as a Senator, I have already learned so much from my colleagues. If you have a desire to make positive change and want to be informed on what is happening across the University, I highly recommend serving on the Senate.