We are, “a union that takes professional responsibility for excellent, accessible, and inclusive public higher education in Minnesota and beyond.” I am honored to say that my teaching has been recognized for these very principles as a BOT Outstanding Educator of the Year (2023-2024). My pedagogy is grounded in wholistic, rigorous, respectful, uncomfortable, and curiosity-inducing interactions. These principles ground my research, service, and life.
The union is one of the last bastions against the extractive engine of hyper-capitalism. By, “providing equal, fair, and responsive representation for every faculty member,” we commit to an equality that is otherwise undermined throughout our system(s). My commitment to “increasing diversity and inclusiveness in our union” can be evidenced in my work representing an equity caucus and working on my own communicative behaviors of oppression – understanding that is a forever journey, not a point on a map.
I am a fierce protector of academic freedom and intellectual property, exampled in my co-convenership of OLIP (formerly DLIP) and my outspoken questions about the role of future technologies in the makeup of our shifting industry.
Overall, I am a union thinker and a union doer. As treasurer, it will be my job to uphold, “responsible stewardship of membership dues and fees” which I will do by gathering input, data, and making a collective decision. Further, I will be transparent, open, and work to, “organize IFO initiatives around local and statewide issues of significance to the union.”
2. What are your strongest qualifications for the position?
I have been an active, vocal, and ardent participant in the IFO since I started here in Fall 2019. I served as a representative to various committees; FA council for the LGBTQIA+ Caucus for 2 years; and CLA-IFO note taker—as well as FA council rep—for 2 years. Recently (2022-2023), I was CLA-IFO Convener, helping to lead our college union through two reorganizations and the firing of the previous Dean. Currently, I am co-chairing OLIP (formerly DLIP) with Dr. Mousumi Munmun. All of this has been during my non-tenured probationary term. Don’t you want to see what I’ll do once I get tenure?
I am connected to colleagues across colleges and grasp the complex issues facing our union. I am an intercultural communication expert who brings critical listening, active reframing, and interculturally responsive actions to each conversation. I do not have budgetary or treasury experience, but my tenacious curiosity and motivation make me a fast study. I am confident I can learn those skills and have no ego when asking for help or clarification. I have experience separating myself and my views from that of the body I represent and will implement the directives from the union regardless of my personal view.
3. What do you see as the most significant issues ahead for the IFO and how do you plan to address them?
In no particular order, I believe the biggest threats facing our union are an amplification of the threats facing larger society: surviving a dying industry on a dying planet; anti-intellectualism (from media, from inside the house, from AI); autonomy to operate outside systems of oppression, or even in our own classrooms and thought; toxic climates of interpersonal interactions that make any meaningful work impossible. It’s not really my job to have a vision on how to solve these – it’s my job to listen, work effectively and collaboratively, and uphold the vote of the body while maintaining our budget. My role is to continue to learn, to critically self-reflect, and to forge forward. I believe my ire at systems of oppression coupled with my ability to manage complex issues and personalities will serve the union well.