Three distinguished faculty members specializing in engineering, public health, and computer science are set to join the executive committee of the University of Michigan’s central faculty governance system. The Senate Assembly conducted an electronic vote from March 17-20 to select the new members for the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs. Each member will serve a three-year term starting May 1. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the university’s faculty governance.
The elected members are:
- Jesse Capecelatro, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering.
- Kirsten Herold, lecturer IV, School of Public Health.
- Kentaro Toyama, W K Kellogg Professor of Community Information, School of Information.
These leaders will replace outgoing SACUA members whose terms end April 30: Rebekah Modrak, Simon Cushing, and Craig Smith. Capecelatro aims to strengthen ties between faculty governance and administration while advocating for research funding. He stated, “SACUA must be proactive in addressing challenges advocating and standing up for faculty interests.”
Kirsten Herold, with her background in the Lecturers’ Employment Organization, aims for a collaborative approach with the administration. She emphasizes the importance of representation, saying, “We really are a much better, stronger place when all the voices are heard.”
Kentaro Toyama seeks to revive open communication with university administration and represent diverse campus voices. He notes, “I do think that those of us who serve on faculty governance have a responsibility to try to represent all faculty’s views.”
Other candidates included Laura Nyantung Beny, Wayne C. Petty, Rogério Meireles Pinto, and Quentin F. Stout. Christina Snider withdrew before voting commenced. SACUA is the executive arm of U-M’s faculty governance, including the Senate Assembly and Faculty Senate.
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