Senator Spotlight October 2020

Category

This month’s Senator Spotlight honoree is Senator Christopher Sharp, DPC.

What unit do you represent?  

School of Social Work. I work within the Office of American Indian Projects (OAIP).

How many years have you served in the Senate? 

I am in my first year as a senator and looking forward to learning more and being an active part of this esteemed group.

How many years have you been employed at ASU?

I have been continuously employed at ASU since 2012 at OAIP. I have also worked as a Peer Advisor at the former Multicultural Student Center and a Graduate Assistant at American Indian Studies.

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

I used to be a teacher at a local Tribal school, taught 1st grade as a long-term substitute and co-delivered an after-school program for Kindergarten students.

What is your research and/or creative activities focus?  

My work focuses on capacity building for American Indian/Alaska Native Tribes, Nations, and Communities. I am a macro-oriented social worker and have a lot of experience in programs and policies. I also am a doctoral student and focusing my studies on the Grand Challenges for Social Work, namely Close the Health Gap. My research focuses on addressing the Indigenous Health Gap in the United States.

Why did you decide to get involved with the Senate?

 My supervisor told me he was nominating me. I didn’t really think about how to get involved, however when the opportunity was presented I gladly accepted. I was then elected by peers so it is a true honor to be considered as someone that peers want to represent them.

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

I am learning as I am going. I think it will be a bit of a curve for me just because this institution is so complex and the issues that we are dealing with have literally not been dealt with before.

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

As I said, I am new so I need to decide what committee and determine what goals would align with that 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?

So far it has been a great experience. It is a lot of responsibility but having the peer camaraderie makes it less intimidating. I would say to identify a Senate colleague that can talk you through what the Senate does and how to participate.