Senator Spotlight March 2017

This month's Senator Spotlight is on Jacqueline Wheeler

What unit do you represent?

Department of English

How many years have you served on the Senate?

This will be #5, spread over two terms

How many years have you been employed at ASU?

29 (24 as a lecturer)

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

Northern Arizona University

What is your research and/or creative activities focus?

Environmental Rhetoric, History of Rhetoric, Composition Studies

Why did you decide to get involved with the Senate?

I’m a strong proponent of faculty governance and academic freedom. The Senate represents the best opportunity at ASU to safeguard these principles.

Describe what you have learned during your time on the Senate.

University administrators listen and respond favorably when the Senate speaks with a unified voice.

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

I was a member of the Non-Tenure Track Task force of 2010 – 2012. The task force held several campus town halls and administered a large-scale survey on NTT working conditions university-wide. This work resulted in a comprehensive report which, among other things, resulted in increased Senate and university-wide attention to NTT issues and a greater voice for NTT faculty.

What would you say to your peers who might be considering accepting a nomination or nominating themselves for a position on the Senate?

Understanding and participating in university governance is empowering. I especially encourage my fellow non-tenure track colleagues to represent their units in both the college and university-level Senates.