Faculty Senate

About the Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate of Methodist University is recognized as an officially sanctioned body within the governance structure of the University. The Faculty Senate embodies the principles of shared governance and is guided by the collective will and expertise of the Faculty. The Senate empowers the Faculty to provide authoritative communication and collaboration with the President, the Provost, and other academic officers of the University regarding policies and practices pertaining to academic standards, academic excellence, and the professional responsibilities of the Faculty. The Faculty Senate is the principal body for deliberations, formulations, and recommendations concerning the curriculum and academic policy at the University as a means of enhancing the education of all Methodist University students.

The values guiding the Faculty Senate include transparency, collaboration, accountability, ethical behavior, leadership, voice, representation, candor, and honesty. The Senate also values the University’s mission and vision. Collectively these values are to guide all Senators.

Senate Executive Committee (2025-26)

Chair: Cecilia Ducloz, Mathematics
Vice Chair: Denise Bauer, Engineering
Secretary: Joshua Freeman, Environmental Health & Safety
College Representative: Candice Phillips, Nursing
At-Large Representative: Daniel Bennett, Mathematics

Senators

College of Arts, Humanities & Sciences

Joshua Armstrong, Biology (2026-28)
Emily Leverett, English (2025-27)
Andrew Prieto, Art (2026-28)
Andrew Ridgeway, Composition & Rhetoric (2025-27)
Larry Sugisaki, Composition & Rhetoric (2026-28)

College of Business, Technology & Professional Studies

Denise Bauer, Engineering (2025-27)
Joshua Freeman, Environmental Health & Safety (2026-28)
Scott Handback, Professional Tennis Management (2026-28)
Mary Kirchner, Accounting (2025-27)
Courtney Samuelson, Teacher Education (2026-28)

College of Health Sciences & Human Services

Cheryl Fiser, Social Work (2025-27)
Sheri Michel, Occupational Therapy (2026-28)
AJ Mullholand, Occupational Therapy (2026-28)
Candice Phillips, Nursing (2025-27)
Bernadette Shilling, Physician Assistant Studies (2026-28)

College of Medicine

Sahar Ajabshir, Foundational Sciences (2025-27)
Khalil Eldeeb, Foundational Sciences & Pharmacology (2025-27)
Mary Sukumar, Simulation Education (2026-28)
Milton Pong, Clinical Presentation Integration (2026-28)
Rebecca Miller Wise, Foundational Sciences & Pharmacology (2026-28)

Faculty At-Large

Patrick O’Neil, History (2026-27)
Dan Bennett, Mathematics (2026-27)
Kyrstin Krist, Kinesiology (2026-27)
Belinda McFerren, Psychology (2026-27)
Dana Thimons, Medical Librarian (2026-27)