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Purpose
The Administrative and Professional (A/P) Faculty Senate shall represent all A/P faculty members and have the authority and responsibility to act on their behalf through the university governance process. Working with the Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty Affairs, the A/P Faculty Senate will support legislative recommendations concerning policies and procedures affecting the employment and working conditions of administrative and professional (A/P) faculty. Areas for consideration include morale of administrative and professional faculty; procedures for appointing, evaluating, disciplining, recognizing, and promoting administrative and professional faculty; benefits, educational and personal leave, and extra-university professional activity; and matters of equity and diversity that affect the university's professional environment.
To assist faculty and staff in understanding Virginia Tech’s shared governance structure and how it serves stakeholders across the university, the Office of Policy and Governance has created a series of self-paced online tutorials that outline the history of and guiding principles for effective governance, and the role that faculty, staff and student representative bodies play in the process. In addition to the online tutorial modules, Policy and Governance offers a Governance 101 resource with information on structures and procedures.
Get Involved
Attend a Meeting
The A/P Faculty Senate meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Elections & Committees
The 2024 senate election will be held in March using an electronic ballot, with the results reported the first week of May.
Complete this interest form if you would like to learn more about the A/P Faculty Senate and opportunities to serve as a senator or committee member.
Join the Listserv
Join the A/P Faculty Senate Meetings Google group to receive updates including upcoming meeting agendas.
(Senators are listed alphabetically and alternates are listed in the order they would be called to serve as determined by votes cast.)
Academic Support
3-year Term
Shelton Norwood
Nicole Connors, Secretary/Treasurer
2-year Term
Marlena Lester, President
Judy Alford
1-year Term
Jennifer Jones, Vice President
Keri Swaby
Alternates
Ginny Wagg
Molly Wilson
Caitlin Fanning
Holli Gardner Drewry
Alexis Snyder
Amy Rasor
Athletics
3-year Term
JC Whidden
2-year Term
Alix Guynn
1-year Term
Sarah Armstrong
Alternate
Vacant
Extension
3-year Term
Eric Bowen
2-year Term
Ruth Wallace
1-year Term
Chad Proudfoot, Parliamentarian
Alternates
B. Carol Haynes
Wendy Stout
General Administrative
3-year Term
Erica Cooper
2-year Term
Janice Austin, Past President
1-year Term
Mariam “Juliet” Dadras
Alternate
Jenny Vincent
General Professional
3-year Term
Shelley Seckers
Elissa Waybright
Lynn Byrd
2-year Term
Julie Carlson
Brent Kremer
Nick Woods
1-year Term
Brock Burroughs
Terri Pecora
Erin Poff
Alternates
Susan Gill
Nicole Akers
Ashley Carter
Amanda Covey
Monica Crouse
Enrique Noyola
Research
3-year Term
Kirsti Moose-McConkey
2-year Term
Julie McClafferty
1-year Term
Jessica Crawford
Alternates
Ehren Hill
Clara Elpi
Student Affairs
3-year Term
Jess Davis
2-year Term
Robert Emmett
1-year Term
Ariana DiFillippo
Alternates
Marianne Sheets
President
Marlena Lester
Vice President
Jennifer Jones
Secretary/Treasurer
Nicole Connors
Parliamentarian
Chad Proudfoot
Past President
Janice Austin
Communications Committee Chair
Julie Carlson
Elections and Nominations Committee Chair
Scott Weimer
Policies and Issues Committee Chair
Nicole Connors
Professional Development Committee Chair
Sarah Armstrong
The A/P Faculty Senate will consist of 30 voting senators elected from among the following constituent areas as defined in the Constitution and Bylaws (PDF):
- Extension (3 Senators) - Professionals serving as agents, specialists, and 4-H program directors
- Research (3 Senators) - Professionals supporting research not appointed as Teaching and Research Faculty
- Academic Support (6 Senators) - Advisors and other professionals working to support colleges
- Student Affairs (3 Senators) - Professionals working in student affairs
- Athletics (3 Senators) - Professionals working in athletics
- General Professional (9 Senators) - Professionals not working in academic support, extension, or student affairs
- General Administrative (3 Senators) - Senior executive roles such as vice president, assistant, or associate vice president
For more information on the definitions of these constituent groups, see the Faculty Handbook sections 2.5 Search and Appointment of Administrative and Academic Leaders, 7.1 Categories and Definition of Administrative and Professional Faculty, and 14.0 Policies and Procedures for Extension Faculty.
The A/P Faculty Senate meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon via Zoom. See the VT Governance calendar for meeting details or connect with a member of the Executive Committee. Special Note: the August 20th A/P Faculty Senate meeting will be held on August 27th.