Introduction

  • This election is for Faculty Mentoring Committee At-large representative. The rules for this election are listed below.
  • The nominees for the Faculty Mentoring Committee At-large representative election are listed to the right. The list to the right is not a ballot.
  • This list in not official until nominations have been closed and the list of nominees has been reviewed and verified by the APSCUF Nominations and Elections Committee.
  • The statements the candidates submitted with their nominations are given below. By clicking on a name in the list of candidates, you will be taken to that candidate's statement.
  • Clicking on the words Return to Top will return you to this part of the page.
  • If you are a nominee and wish to modify your statement or withdraw your nomination, click on the "Modify" button. You will need your password to make any modifications.
  • When you are finished, you may choose to view nominees for other elections, nominate yourself, view the list of elections, return to the APSCUF Nominations and Elections homepage, visit the APSCUF homepage, or visit the WCU homepage.
The nominees for Faculty Mentoring Committee At-large representative are:

Dan Baer
Tianran Chen
Laura Fiorenza
michelle kensey
Crystal Loose

Nominations close Apr 3, 2023.
All Regular Faculty may be nominated.

Rules for the Election


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Dan Baer


Department: Sports Medicine

I look forward to the opportunity to serve on the Faculty Mentoring Committee! I’ve been a faculty member in the Sports Medicine Department since 2009, and have benefitted tremendously from having caring and attentive mentors throughout that time. I’ve also had the privilege of being able to mentor newer faculty, both informally within my department, and formally through the Faculty Mentoring Program. Having experienced both sides of the mentorship relationship, I’ve gained an understanding of how mutually valuable and beneficial the mentor-mentee dynamic can be. I welcome the opportunity to support faculty members at different stages of their growth and development, and to continue the work and service that the Faculty Mentoring Committee provides. Thank you for your consideration!


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Tianran Chen


Department: Physics and Engineering

I'm an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Engineering. I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve as an at-large representative on the Faculty Mentoring Committee. Since arriving at WCU, I have served on and chaired a number of department and campus committees on faculty evaluation, student recruitment, student recognition, and diversity and inclusiveness in the community. In the past couple of years, I have been serving on the CAPC Distributive Subcommittees and the New Faculty Orientation committee; my new role involves being a Faculty Senator since AY 2022. I have benefited tremendously from the mentoring I received from my colleagues both in and outside the Department. I do believe how crucial mentorship is to the success and continued growth of faculty at WCU. With my experience, I am eager to work with colleagues across campus, share my experiences, and to help address junior faculty's voices. Thank you for your consideration.


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Laura Fiorenza


Department: Early and Middle Grades Education

I would like to serve on the Faculty Mentoring Committee as a member At-Large representative. I have an extensive background in education and guidance counseling. I have been a member of the New Faculty Orientation Committee for several years and I have enjoyed meeting new faculty and chatting with them during the new faculty summer orientations. I have been teaching at WCU for several years in a variety of positions. Initially, I was hired as an adjunct instructor, then as a regular part-time (RPT) instructor. Later, I transitioned into a tenured track assistant professor, and currently, I am an associate professor. My experiences with the university make me ideally suited to form connections with junior faculty. I believe that faculty mentoring through all phases is extremely important for the success, well-being, and retention of faculty. Creating a culture of camaraderie and partnership among faculty is critical. Academia flourishes in supportive environments and I would very much like to utilize my experience to help others to be successful and to feel supported in their efforts at every stage of their academic career.


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michelle kensey


Department: nursing

I have served on the Faculty Mentoring Committee since 2018. During the last two years of my term, I have served as Co-Chair of the FMC, in an elected leadership role. I would like to continue to serve on the FMC as a committee member, if elected. The Faculty Mentoring Committee has played an important role in connecting new faculty, associate faculty and adjunct faculty with seasoned WCU faculty mentors to promote success in teaching, scholarship and service through one-on-one and group mentoring, in-person and virtual workshops, and various learning events. I am passionate about student and faculty success through formal and informal mentoring, and know that my past experience as Co-Chair and committee member will be an asset to the committee. It would be an honor to continue to serve on FMC.


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Crystal Loose


Department: Early and Middle Grades

As a former teacher and administrator, I have a strong commitment to the mentoring process. I have designed mentoring programs in school districts and understand the benefits of a strong mentoring committee. The mentoring process was beneficial to me when I began my career in higher education and I would be honored to serve the university in this capacity.


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