The Alvernia University Faculty Council is the formal body representing the faculty of Alvernia University. It serves as a forum for the faculty for addressing concerns and for discussing issues of importance to the faculty, the faculty’s responsibilities, and the university. It supports the mission of Alvernia University and further the goals of Alvernia University by its dedication to the ideals of higher education.
In addition, the Faculty Council develops and articulates policies for approval by administration and the Board of Trustees and establishes procedures for the operation of committees and other organizations under its purview. There are three types of committees with faculty representation: Board, Institutional and Faculty Council. Faculty may also serve on ad-hoc committees and task forces.
Minutes and agendas can be viewed on Faculty Council's SharePoint page.
Faculty Committees: Academic Year 2023-2024
In electing members of each committee below, elections shall occur in the April faculty meeting, with the exception of elections for the Rank and Tenure Committee, which must take place during the March Faculty Council meeting. Absent extenuating circumstances, full committees must be in place by May 1, including all appointments and selections. Following the completion of membership, a Chair must be selected or appointed by May 15. The outgoing committee will be the committee to conduct any business required until August 15.
Officers
- President: Kevin Godfrey 2023-2024
- Vice President: Matt Prudente 2023-2024
- Secretary: Pam Unger 2023-2024
- Treasurer: Malgorzata Zuber 2023-2024
Executive Committee
- College of Health Sciences: Robin Zappin 2023-2024
- College of Business, Communication, and Leadership: Jane Brooker 2023-2024
- College of CHESS: Cynthia Corbin 2023-2024
- College of STEAM: Jamie Becker 2023-2024
- Bernardine Sisters (*ex officio): Sister Paula Nowak
Membership includes the four officers of the Faculty Council, one representative elected from each College, the Chair of each of the standing Faculty Council committees, and one member of the Alvernia community selected by the Bernardine Sister Sponsorship. *This representative, if non-faculty, serves ex officio. Term: One year. No voting Executive Committee member shall serve in a specific faculty elected position for more than four consecutive years. The President of the Faculty Council will be a tenured member of the Alvernia University faculty, and no person may serve more than two consecutive years as President.
Academic Standards (Faculty Standing)
- College of Health Sciences: Jennifer Haraschak 2023-2024
- College of Business, Communication, and Leadership: Steve Love 2023-2024
- College of CHESS: Erin Way (Chair) 2023-2024
- College of STEAM: David Shoup 2023-2024
- Member at Large: Antonella Merolla 2023-2024
- Member at Large: Kelsey Swope 2023-2024
- Member at Large: Michelle Serapiglia 2023-2024
- Registrar/representative (ex-officio): Melissa Roberts
- Associate Dean of the Educational Planning Center, (ex officio): (vacant)
Membership: One representative elected from each College, three members elected at-large; includes the Registrar or a designated representative of the Registrar, and the Associate Dean of the Educational Planning Center, ex officio. Terms: Unless otherwise specified, terms of service for elected positions last one year (I.J.1)
Curriculum (Faculty Standing)
- College of Health Sciences: Jayme Ober (Chair) 2023-2024
- College of Business, Communication, and Leadership: Alicia Sprow 2023-2024
- College of CHESS: Lindsay Kraus 2023-2024
- College of STEAM: Tim Blessing 2023-2024
- Member at Large: Ohenewaa White 2023-2024
- Member at Large: Natalie Weidman 2023-2024
- Member at Large: Di Yu 2023-2024
- Student representative: (vacant)
- Registrar/representative (ex-officio): Melissa Roberts
- Director of Library Services (ex-officio): Christina Steffy
Membership: One representative elected from each College, three members elected at-large, a designated representative from the General Education & Core Curriculum Committee, and a student recommended by the Student Government Association. One member of the Curriculum Committee shall also serve on the Graduate Academic Council. The Registrar, the Director of Library Services and College Deans are ex officio, non-voting members. The Chair of the committee is elected from among the faculty members. Terms: Unless otherwise specified, terms of service for elected positions last one year (I.J.1)
Development & Research (Faculty Standing)
- College of Health Sciences: Soo Sun 2023-2024
- College of Business, Communication, and Leadership: Caroline Fitzpatrick 2023-2024
- College of CHESS: Bongrae Seok 2023-2024
- College of STEAM: Michelle Serapiglia 2023-2024
- Member at Large: Malgorzata Zuber (Chair) 2023-2024
Membership: One representative elected from each College, one member elected at-large. Terms: Unless otherwise specified, terms of service for elected positions last one year (I.J.1)
Educational Technology (Faculty Standing)
- College of Health Sciences: Cynthia Mohn 2022-2024
- College of Business, Communication, and Leadership: Sam Bradley 2022-2024
- College of CHESS: Scott Davidson (Chair) 2023-2025
- College of STEAM: Joe Mahoney 2023-2025
- Member at Large: Chrystine Mitchell 2023-2025
- Member at Large: Heather Keperling 2023-2025
- Member at Large: Soo Sun 2023-2025
- Manager of Educational Technology (ex-officio): (vacant)
- Library Director (ex-officio): Christina Steffy
Membership: One representative elected from each College, three members elected at-large. From their respective Colleges, members from the College of Health Care Sciences and the College of Business and Communications will be elected in years ending in an even number and two members from the College of Humanities and Human Services and the College of STEAM will be elected in years ending in an odd number. Three members will be elected at large in years ending in an odd number. One member of the committee must teach in a graduate program. To be eligible to serve on the Educational Technology Committee, faculty members must have a minimum of two-years teaching experience, at least one of which is at Alvernia. Terms: Staggered 2 year terms.
Graduate Academic Council (Faculty Standing)
- Member at Large: Tufan Tiglioglu 2023-2025
- Member at Large: Nicholas Nicoletti 2023-2025
Membership: Two at-large faculty members; faculty must teach in graduate program. Terms: Two-year terms. Additional Membership: Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators, the Humanities Department Chair, and a representative of Mission and Ministry. The term of office is commensurate with the position. In addition, two faculty members who teach in the graduate program will be elected from the general Faculty to serve as at-large members. These at-large members will serve for a two-year term. The Provost, College Deans, Registrar, the Director of the Library, the President of Faculty Council, and the Chair of IRB are ex officio, non-voting members.
Handbook (Faculty Standing)
The Alvernia 2023 Faculty Handbook can be accessed here.
- College of Health Sciences: James O'Donohue (Co-Chair) 2023-2024
- College of Business, Communication, and Leadership: Ryan Lange 2023-2024
- College of CHESS: Victoria Williams (Co-Chair) 2023-2024
- College of STEAM: Jamie Becker 2023-2024
- Member at Large: Marcia Thompson 2023-2025
- Member at Large: Nicholas Nicoletti 2023-2025
- Member at Large: Tim Blessing 2023-2025
Membership: One representative elected from each College, three members elected at-large. At least one member must be tenured. The Chair (or Co-Chairs) of the committee must be a tenured faculty member. Terms: College representatives serve one year; members-at-large serve two years.
Honors & Awards (Faculty Standing)
- College of Health Sciences: Lois Rajcan 2023-2024
- College of Business, Communication, and Leadership: Jodi Radosh 2023-2024
- College of CHESS: Jess Hamlet (Chair) 2023-2024
- College of STEAM: Salem Elsaiah 2023-2024
- Member at Large: Lucinda Schaeffer 2023-2024
Membership: One representative elected from each College, one member elected at-large. Terms: Unless otherwise specified, terms of service for elected positions last one year (I.J.1)
Rank & Tenure (Faculty Standing)
- College of Health Sciences: Tom Franek (Chair) 2022-2024
- College of Business, Communication, and Leadership: Spencer Stober 2023-2025
- College of CHESS: Corey Harris 2023-2025
- College of STEAM: Peter Rampson 2022-2024
- Member at Large (Rotating List: CHESS): Erin Way 2023-2024
Four tenured faculty members elected by the full faculty council for two-year terms, each College must have at least one. Representatives from the College of Health Care Sciences and STEAM shall have terms expiring in even years; representatives from the College of Business and Communications and the College of Humanities and Human Services shall have terms expiring in odd years. After the two-year positions are filled, the fifth member shall be elected from a rotating scheduled list of the four Colleges to a one-year term
Salary & Benefits (Faculty Standing)
- College of Health Sciences: (One-year Term): Marcia Thompson 2023-2024
- College of Business, Communication, and Leadership: Don Schalk 2023-2025
- College of CHESS: Janae Sholtz 2023-2025
- College of STEAM: Matt Prudente 2022-2024
- Member at Large: David Shoup (Chair) 2023-2025
Membership: One representative elected from each College, one member elected at-large. At least three members of the committee shall be tenured. At least two members shall be elected each Spring for two-year terms: Representatives from the College of Health Care Sciences and STEAM shall have terms expiring in even years; representatives from the College of Business and Communications and the College of Humanities and Human Services shall have terms expiring in odd years. A fifth member will be elected at large in odd years. The committee will elect the Chair (or Co-Chairs) from the tenured members of the Committee.