Joya Scott
Senator spotlight: 2025
Associate Teaching Professor
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Tempe campus
Q&A with senator
ASU affiliated:
How many years have you been employed at ASU?
I’ve been in my current full-time faculty role since 2017, and before that I served as both a faculty associate and a teaching assistant at ASU.
What other institutions have you taught at before coming to ASU?
Between 2013 and 2017, I taught at several colleges within the Maricopa Community College system.
What is your research and/or creative activities focus?
I’m a producer, director, and dramaturg for live theatre. In addition to my work at ASU, I co-founded Ghosteater, a contemporary theatre ensemble, in 2020. I serve as the company’s Creative Producer. Our most recent project was a new adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic play Uncle Vanya set in a modern-day Arizona farming community.
Senate affiliated:
How many years have you served in the Senate?
This is the start of my third year.
Why did you decide to get involved with the Senate?
I believe in the importance of shared governance. I also wanted the opportunity to champion the value of the arts within the ASU ecosystem, as well as advocate for the concerns of both career-track faculty members and students.
Describe what you have learned (or hope to learn) during your time in the Senate?
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know more colleagues from across the University — learning about their inspiring work in diverse fields and hearing their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities we face as a community in this moment. I’ve also gained a deeper understanding of how decision-making operates at ASU. I’ve observed how systems can sometimes facilitate positive change and, at other times, slow it down. I continue to reflect on how we can ensure that a wider range of voices and ideas are meaningfully included in ASU’s processes.
What committees have you participated in, or would like to participate in and what were you able to (or hope to) accomplish?
I’ve served on the Student-Faculty Policy Committee since last year. I found it rewarding to learn more about and take steps to address issues affecting our colleagues and students. (A special shout-out to the fantastic SFPC chair, Whitney Hansen!)
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?
Shared governance, like democracy, depends on our active participation. Serving in the Senate is a meaningful way to contribute, engage with colleagues across the University, and have a voice on issues that impact both our individual units and our larger community!