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 2025-2026
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: Matthew Prudente 2025-2026
- Vice President: Malgorzata Zuber 2025-2026
- Secretary: Pamela Unger 2025-2026
- Treasurer: Jamie Becker 2025-2026
Executive Committee
- College representative: Ashley Gray 2025-2026
- College representative: Jane Brooker 2025-2026
- College representative: Corey Harris 2025-2026
- College representative: Teri Price 2025-2026
- Bernardine Sisters (*ex officio): Sister Paula Nowak 2025-2026
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 representative: Joe Mahoney (Chair) 2025-2026
- College representative: Jennifer Haraschak 2025-2026
- College representative: Chris Shipley 2025-2026
- College representative: Erin Way 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Antonella Merolla 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Molly Brobst 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Jeannie Tait-Donlan 2025-2026
- Registrar/representative (ex-officio): Allison Novak
- Navigator or rep for ASC, (ex officio): Mikaileigh Baker
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 representative: Robin Zappin 2025-2026
- College representative: Alicia Sprow 2025-2026
- College representative: Di You 2025-2026
- College representative: Brad Bauer 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Victoria Williams 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Shawn Rutt 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Kevin Donnelly (Chair) 2025-2026
- Student representative: (vacant)
- Registrar/representative (ex-officio): Allison Novak
- Director of Library Services (ex-officio): Jennifer Luksa
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 representative: Steve Vandenberg 2025-2026
- College representative: Kris Lowrey 2025-2026
- College representative: Meg Zuber (Chair) 2025-2026
- College representative: Farah Mneimneh 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Teri Price 2025-2026
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 representative: Heather Keperling 2024-2026
- College representative: Sam Bradley 2024-2026
- College representative: Bongrae Seok 2025-2027
- College representative: Eric Robuck 2025-2027
- Member at Large: Scott Davidson (Chair) 2025-2027
- Member at Large: Nick Nicoletti 2024-2026
- Member at Large: Angela Salio 2024-2026
- Manager of Educational Technology (ex-officio): (vacant)
- Library Director (ex-officio): Jennifer Luksa
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)
- College representative: Renee Langstaff 2025-2026
- College representative: Tufan Tiglioglu 2025-2026
- College representative: Tim Blessing 2025-2026
- College representative: Michael Durant 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Alicia Sprow (Chair) 2025-2027
- Member at Large: Robin Zappin 2025-2027
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 Faculty Handbook can be accessed here.
- College representative: Alison L. Babula 2025-2026
- College representative: Jane Brooker 2025-2026
- College representative: Tim Blessing 2025-2026
- College representative: Ondra Kielbasa 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Victoria Williams (Co-chair) 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Jim O'Donohue (Co-chair) 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Cynthia Bickings 2025-2026
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 representative: Julie Azelrod 2025-2026
- College representative: Jeremy Kettering (Chair) 2025-2026
- College representative: Josh Hayes 2025-2026
- College representative: Brad Bauer 2025-2026
- Member at Large: Eric Robuck 2025-2026
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 representative: Tom Franek (Chair) 2024-2026
- College representative: NO NOMINEES 2025-2027
- College representative: Nick Nicoletti 2025-2027
- College representative: Corey Harris 2025-2026
- College representative: Eric Recktenwald 2024-2026
- Member at Large (Rotating List: CHS): James O'Donohue 2025-2026
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 representative: Marcia Thompson (Chair) 2024-2026
- College representative: Woosoon Kim 2025-2027
- College representative: Janae Sholtz 2025-2027
- College representative: Joe Mahoney 2024-2026
- Member at Large: Michelle Serapiglia 2025-2027
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.
