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:

Hadih Deedat
Laura Fiorenza
Bree Gould
Erin Hipple
Zachary Wooten

Nominations close Apr 5, 2026.
All Regular Faculty may be nominated.

Rules for the Election

    • The election is decided by a plurality of those casting votes.
    • Faculty may not be nominated as both a school, college, or non-classroom faculty representative and as an at-large representative; candidates nominated for both will be removed from list of nominees for the election of at-large representatives.
    • Each candidate selected counts as a cast vote.

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Hadih Deedat


Department: Undergraduate Social Work

I believe I can bring relevant contributions to this committee. Drawing on my own experience as a faculty mentee, I can bring relevant experiences I gained from working with a faculty mentor in my early years at WCU to the committee.


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Laura Fiorenza


Department: Early and Middle Grades Education

I would like to continue to serve on the Faculty Mentoring Committee(FMC) as a member At-Large Representative. I enjoy participating in and supporting the efforts of the Faculty Mentoring Committee. As a member of the committee over the last few years, I have served on the Events and the Adjunct subcommittees. I believe in the value of mentoring new faculty members and supporting faculty members who are preparing to go for promotion.

As a member of FMC, I have met people outside of my department and I find that experience so valuable to me as professional. I enjoy helping others and I feel my experiences in the field of education as a teacher, guidance counselor, and as a university professor have prepared me to share some valuable insights and encouragement with new faculty.

I have taught at WCU for several years in a variety of positions. My first position at WCU was as an adjunct instructor, then I transitioned into a regular part-time (RPT) instructor. Later, my position was converted into a tenured track assistant professor position, and currently I am an associate professor. My experiences with the university make me ideally suited to form connections with junior faculty. Creating a culture of camaraderie and partnership among faculty is critical and I would like very much to continue to be a part of that process by serving on the FMC committee as member At-Large. I would appreciate your vote so I can continue this worthwhile service.


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Bree Gould


Department: Counseling and Psychological Services

I submit my nomination for the At-Large representative for the Faculty Mentoring Committee. Mentorship is a critical aspect of professional development, relational embededness, and community building and I have a deep commitment to both formal and informal paths to these types of relationships. In my role as a non-classroom faculty member at WCU, I benefitted from my own mentee experience. I would feel proud to bring my professional skills in communication, relationship building, conflict resolution and fostering belongingness to the work of this committee.


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Erin Hipple


Department: Graduate Social Work

I am pleased to submit my nomination for the Faculty Mentoring Committee At-Large Representative. Having participated as a mentee in the faculty mentorship program, I experienced firsthand the transformative impact that thoughtful, relational mentorship can have on professional development, institutional navigation, and a sense of belonging within the university community. That experience shaped my commitment to supporting faculty across career stages.

As a department representative for APSCUF, I am deeply invested in ensuring faculty feel informed, supported, and connected. I value transparency, collegial advocacy, and creating clear pathways for faculty to access resources, ask questions, and build confidence in their roles. Supporting colleagues in understanding institutional processes while maintaining alignment with collective bargaining values is work I take seriously and approach with care.

My broader professional commitments to relational practice, generative dialogue, and community-building naturally extend to faculty mentorship. I believe mentoring is not only about professional advancement, but about fostering community, confidence, and sustainable engagement in academic life.

It would be an honor to serve in this role and contribute to a culture of thoughtful, inclusive, and connected faculty across our campus.


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Zachary Wooten


Department: Honors College

I am seeking to serve as an At-Large Representative on the Faculty Mentoring Committee because I value the vital role mentorship plays in faculty development and institutional culture. Strong mentoring relationships are essential not only for individual success but also for fostering a collaborative, supportive academic community.

Throughout my career, I have benefited from generous mentors and have intentionally sought to mentor others in ways that are relational, reflective, and responsive to evolving professional demands. My work as a leadership educator and scholar reinforces my belief that mentoring should be holistic: supporting teaching, scholarship, service, and overall well-being.

As an At-Large Representative, I would be eager to contribute to initiatives that build on the committee's successes to support faculty as they navigate transitions and opportunities. I am particularly interested in fostering mentoring practices that are inclusive, adaptive, and attentive to the diverse pathways faculty take in their professional journeys.

I would welcome the opportunity to support a mentoring culture that empowers our faculty team.


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