All-faculty & At-large Elections
Processes & Procedures
Constitution of the Faculty
Additional guidance can be found in the Academic Senate By-laws
All Faculty Election
Per the Academic Senate By-Laws: additional nominations may be made by any faculty member with the concurrence of the nominee within one week after such publication. Please submit additional nominations by 2/13/2026 via the Nomination Submission Form. Candidate interest statements will be added once all additional nominations have been received.
Faculty Governance Officer & All-faculty Ballot Link
For terms beginning 2026-2027 Academic Year, ballots must be cast by Monday, February 23rd, 2026. Please see the SSU Faculty Constitution and the Academic Senate By-laws for additional position, eligibility and process information.
Chair of the Faculty - 1-year Term
Bryan Burton, Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice Studies; self-nominated
I am honored to submit my name for consideration as Chair of the Faculty at Sonoma State University. I have served in the Academic Senate for three years, including one year as Secretary (2020–2021) and two years as Vice Chair (2021–2023). These roles have given me a strong understanding of shared governance at SSU and have prepared me to serve our faculty with transparency, collaboration, and steady leadership.
Throughout my Senate service, I have worked intentionally to bring people together. One of my strengths as a leader is the ability to build relationships across roles and perspectives. During my time as Vice Chair, we collaborated closely with Associated Students, Staff Council, the California Faculty Association, ERFSA, university administration, and community partners to strengthen communication and reinforce shared governance. I value listening carefully, finding common ground, and helping groups move toward constructive solutions. Especially during challenging conversations, I strive to create an environment where colleagues feel heard, respected, and included.
If elected, I will serve all faculty—not only those who are most visible or vocal, but also those whose perspectives may be less frequently expressed. My responsibility would be to ensure broad inclusion, thoughtful representation, and fair, transparent processes. I also believe effective faculty leadership requires meaningful engagement with all of our campus partners at SSU, including students, staff, administrators, and union representatives.
In addition to my Senate leadership, I have been deeply involved in advancing international education and global engagement at SSU. I have developed and led multiple faculty-led international programs, strengthened academic partnerships abroad, and expanded opportunities for student mobility. Beginning in 2026, I am focused on advancing Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and Virtual Exchange initiatives to increase access to global learning opportunities for our students. Innovation in programming—including international education and virtual exchange—will be essential to strengthen enrollment, enhance academic distinctiveness, and expand opportunity.
As part of my broader service to the university during this period of institutional challenge, I have actively supported recruitment and outreach efforts. I have participated in Admitted Student Receptions, Summer Visit Days, counselor conferences, and other recruitment events, speaking with prospective students and their families about the value of a Sonoma State education. Faculty leadership should remain visible and engaged in supporting enrollment, retention, and student success.
We are at a pivotal moment as SSU navigates restructuring and enrollment pressures. During times of change, we need innovative, academically grounded solutions and a strong culture of collaboration. If elected Chair of the Faculty, I will focus on fostering the collaborative and solutions-oriented environment necessary to effectively implement the changes required to strengthen Sonoma State University while upholding the principles of shared governance.
If elected Chair of the Faculty, I will focus on:
• Strengthening shared governance through clear and transparent communication.
• Bringing people together across campus constituencies to foster trust and collaboration.
• Representing and serving all faculty with fairness and inclusion.
• Supporting innovative, globally engaged, and academically strong solutions during restructuring.
It would be an honor to serve our faculty and all at SSU in this role.
Ajay Gehlawat, Hutchins Liberal Studies; nominated by Kim Hester Williams
Colleagues,
We have a new President but there is still work to be done. That is what I was elected to do and why I am running for reelection: to finish the work we have started. Our new President’s repeated commitments to shared governance and a strong union are reassuring and I am already working with him on what remains my top priority: retaining as many faculty and programs as possible, starting with the teachout faculty slated to be laid off at the end of this semester.
My broader goal, however, is not merely to retain faculty for another few years. I want to ensure that they are given the chance to develop their programs in new ways and realign them with new initiatives earmarked in Commitment funds, including in Data Science, Environmental Science and Health Sciences, so that both these faculty and these programs can be retained on a longer term basis.
I am not naive. The current situation is grim. Enrollment is at historic lows and projected to get worse before it gets better. This is precisely why I am running, to ensure that faculty input is considered at every stage of planning, that faculty needs are prioritized, that faculty rights are safeguarded and that there is always clear and meaningful dialogue between faculty and administration.
Throughout the fall, I exhorted the former President to do the right thing and leave final funding allocation decisions to the new President. She ultimately did the right thing, for which I thanked her. Now it is my intention to work closely and collaboratively with our new President to ensure that he, too, does the right thing.
To achieve this goal, I am committed to meeting with and hearing from everyone, getting all perspectives, particularly those that may be critical of or different from mine. At Senate, I work to facilitate open and structured discussions of particularly difficult and high-stakes issues. My goal is conducting Senate business as transparently and inclusively as possible. This is my approach to governance. Nothing is more useful to me than the impromptu conversations with colleagues I bump into on campus, because these are what ground me and allow me to effectively lead: you and your input.
My work stands for itself. And when you vote, I hope you will continue to put your trust in me.
Vice Chair of the Faculty - 1-year Term
Lauren Morimoto, Kinesiology; nominated by Michael Nackord
As Sonoma State navigates continued leadership transition, the steadiness of our shared governance structures is more consequential than ever. Having served two years as Chair of the Faculty and two as Past Chair, I have seen how effective governance depends as much on durable processes, clear procedures, and sustained faculty engagement as it does on thoughtful debate. Agendas do not assemble themselves, consultation does not happen automatically, and procedural clarity rarely emerges by accident.
I am seeking election as Vice Chair of the Faculty because this role safeguards continuity, structure, and accountability within our Academic Senate at a moment marked by enrollment pressures, program restructuring, and difficult resource decisions. These conditions demand precision and transparency. The Vice Chair must be ready to step in without drama, support collaborative leadership, and keep our governance processes clear and consistent with our bylaws—even when the matters before us are complicated, compressed, or just plain messy.
If elected, I will work closely with the Chair and Past Chair to maintain consistency in Senate operations, strengthen communication between the Senate and campus stakeholders, and ensure faculty consultation is substantive rather than symbolic. My experience on the Structure and Functions Subcommittee reinforced my belief that governance infrastructure matters: bylaws, elections, committee charges, and procedural norms are how faculty voice is operationalized. Clear communication sometimes requires naming difficult realities, but accuracy serves the campus community better than reassurance alone.
My approach is straightforward: listen carefully, prepare thoroughly, clarify where needed, and ask the questions that help us do our work—preferably before they become emergency agenda items.
I would be honored to serve our faculty in the role of Vice Chair and respectfully ask for your support.
Anastasia Tosouni, Criminology; nominated by Owen Anfinson
When I first ran for this position last year, I said that we needed senate leadership to speak up, and speak for faculty; emphasize the crucial role faculty must play in shaping the university’s overall direction; and amplify faculty voice in decision-making processes that impact not only our campus, but also, the broader community which was at risk of losing its anchor institution. I hope I have demonstrated that I was indeed guided by these principles, in my role as Vice Chair.
While listening to and advocating for faculty (and students) was most of what I did, my work also included responsive and collaborative problem-solving in support of institutional stability, transparency, and shared accountability. For example, I continued to promote, with legislators and SSU administration alike, evidence-based solutions that the faculty-led Comeback Plan had proposed back in May 2025. The accountability framework of this plan resulted in two faculty-driven structures that ensure meaningful input and transparency: the Budget and Data Transparency Task Force, which I chair, and the Commitment Implementation Panel, a time-limited, faculty-led oversight structure embedded within existing governance, which I helped design. I also worked with UBAC members to advance an outcomes-based funding proposal grounded in meaningful campus consultation, clear metrics, and pragmatism. Collaborating with a diverse group of partners (faculty, administrators, staff members, students, and community stakeholders) was not easy, smooth, or free of conflict. But, see, that is exactly why this process worked: through disagreement and negotiation, we developed a proposal that was democratic and feasible, and strongly supported by all members. I am proud that the president has committed to honoring it.
Let me be candid: I was ambivalent about running for Senate leadership again, not because I disliked the work, but because as we all know it unfolded in the immediate aftermath of institutional devastation and hurt, and thus required an intensity that often took a personal toll. Most importantly, because of the emotionally taxing nature of it, my own research, which is also trauma-exposed and emotionally demanding, took the back seat. This was something I did not take lightly.
So what led me to run again? Do I claim to be the only person who could do this job? Do I claim perfection? No and No. Any colleague committed to transparency, shared governance, and good-faith collaboration would be a fantastic choice, and for what it’s worth, someone I would (and will, if I am not elected) support with all my might. The reason why I ultimately decided to run again is because I feel that we are finally at a transition point. President Spagna’s speech at the Faculty Retreat, his commitment to collaborative and genuine shared governance, as well as his optimism give me hope that perhaps we are moving away from crisis mode and tension, and toward durable solutions. I would love to play an active role in shaping and implementing those solutions.
So I guess you can say I am running again to close the circle: from design to implementation. And I am committed to doing so with others, even others whose views are different than mine. If elected, I will continue to engage openly and directly to help ensure that SSU maintains a strong culture of collaborative restorative governance. I will always assume good faith, welcome disagreement, and view vigorous debate as part of our shared responsibility. We’re all trying our best, and I am committed to keeping that in mind.
Secretary to the Academic Senate - 1-year Term
Tracey Jackson, Mathematics & Statistics; self-nominated
I have been a lecturer in the department of Mathematics and Statistics since 2007, and would be honored to continue to serve the college community as the Secretary for the Academic Senate. I have been actively involved in department meetings and activities and would appreciate the opportunity to further progress with this involvement in the greater campus community.
As a lecturer, I have spent years teaching at a variety of schools, but am now primarily at SSU. As a result of these experiences I bring a variety of perspectives to this role, with a focus on serving all faculty at this campus in particular during this time of change. In addition to various campus organizations, I have been involved in professional organizations, serving in a number of roles, most recently as Secretary for California Mathematics Council Community Colleges.
In my classrooms, I work hard to ensure that my students feel valued and their perspectives are heard. In this role as Secretary, I would continue to work hard to ensure a variety of perspectives are considered and communication is kept open. Thank you for your consideration.
SSU Statewide Senator - 3-year Term
Missy Garvin, Psychology; self-nominated
I am a Professor in the Psychology Department at SSU, where I have been a faculty member since 2008 and a full-time professor since 2011. Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving multiple terms on our Academic Senate, including a year on the Executive Committee, along with participation in various other campus committees. I also served as one of our Statewide Senators in the Fall of 2025. This opportunity, specifically, gave me a very realistic perspective on the workload and commitment involved in this position. Collectively, these experiences have deepened my commitment to shared governance and the well-being of our academic community.
In addition to my service within SSU, I have held roles that involve significant cross-campus collaboration. As the Faculty Director of Service-Learning, I work closely with colleagues across the California State University system. I have also been an active participant and leader in an affinity group across COPLAC institutions, further expanding my understanding of the broader challenges and opportunities within higher education.
These experiences have enriched my perspective on the importance of advocating for both our campus and the system as a whole. If elected as your Statewide Senator, I will work to represent the needs of our university while addressing the broader concerns facing our CSU system. It would be an honor to serve my colleagues and contribute to our academic community.
Faculty At-large Senator - 3-year Term
Martha Brislen, Mathematics & Statistics; self-nominated
As are many of you, I am deeply concerned about Sonoma State's current well-being and our future. The enrollment and budget crises are affecting our ability to serve our students as an institution focused on learning, which needs to remain our top priority as a university, and I'm worried about losing that focus at our core as we pursue enrollment challenges and what may be trendy. I believe there are ways to do all the things and not lose who we are at our core. In part, I am a strong advocate of liberal arts education and want to make sure we can maintain our position as the sole California representative to COPLAC by ensuring we continue to offer the breadth of programs and majors required. I am also committed to supporting tenure-track and lecturer faculty well-being across campus as we make our way through this difficult time. My experiences serving on ATISS, representing my college on the executive board of our CFA chapter, serving on my department's RTP and scheduling committees, and teaching GE and specialized courses for non-math majors have given me a broad view of campus well-being which will all help me serve you well as an At-Large Representative on the Senate.
Thank you for considering me for this position.
Anne-Marie O'Brien, Nursing; self-nominated
Dear Colleagues,
My name is Anne-Marie O’Brien and I’m an Associate Professor in Nursing. I am seeking election as an At-Large Faculty Member of the Academic Senate because I believe in strong shared governance and in the essential role that our faculty play in advancing SSU’s mission, vision, and values. I have been inspired by the power of the faculty voice these past two and half years and welcome this opportunity to contribute my experience, judgment, and collaborative approach to this important faculty service.
My connection to Sonoma State is both professional and personal. I grew up in Sonoma County, and my parents are both SSU alumni, giving me a lifelong appreciation for the university’s origins as a liberal arts college and its importance to our region’s success. In addition to being a member of the nursing discipline which draws from both the arts and sciences, I also hold a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in French. This interdisciplinary academic background has shaped my understanding of the powerful synergy that occurs when faculty work collaboratively across disciplines—synergy that strengthens teaching, scholarship, and shared governance and is central to what makes us a university rather than a collection of siloed programs.
I also bring with me experience in faculty governance and academic leadership. While on faculty at Marymount University, I served on the Health Professions School Curriculum Committee, and chaired both the Nursing Department’s Assessment Committee and the University Committee on Inquiry Courses. In addition, I represented our Faculty Council on the statewide Faculty Senate of Virginia. While at George Washington University, I served as the Director of the BSN Clinical Education and fostered strong partnerships with our clinical instructors and institutional partners. Since joining Sonoma State, I have engaged broadly across the university: serving on the nursing curriculum committee, the University Studies Curriculum Committee, and the Care Team; participating in two interdisciplinary Faculty Learning Communities: Palliative Care and PUERTA; participating in multiple campus town halls and speaking before the CSU Board of Trustees to advocate for saving our academic programs. This semester I will be serving on the Senate Diversity Subcommittee and look forward to joining their work. These various experiences have deepened my understanding of both campus-level and system-level issues facing SSU.
After three years at Sonoma State, I am ready to transition from program- and department-level service into a broader faculty leadership role. I believe my record of service across the university, my scholarship focused on equity, community engagement, and professional practice, and my prior experience in faculty governance position me well to serve my fellow colleagues as an At-Large Senator. I appreciate your consideration and respectfully ask for your vote.
Chingling Wo, English; nominated by Sakina Bryant
Dear colleagues,
I encourage you to take the time to vote for me for At-large Faculty Senator - 3-year term. We are facing several make-or-break years for SSU. As such a crucial moment, I would like to have the honor of representing you during the upcoming three years to help ensure SSU grows stronger and more united. A vote for me would mean you have an At-Large senator that knows SSU, loves it, and dares to envision and struggle for its future with every one of you.
SSU’s future depends on OUR ability to stand together—not as isolated programs, but as a unified academic community. I will advocate for policies and budget priorities that protect the integrity of every discipline, and foster collaboration rather than competition. I will persistently advocate for shared governance, meaningful faculty voice, and policies that strengthen rather than fragment our academic community.
SSU has been my intellectual home since my arrival twenty-one years ago. For me, SSU is a place where I dedicated my life work in the trenches along with you, my esteemed colleagues, some of you are still with us and others are not-- who poured your life blood and intellectual energies to nurture this institution. My only child grew up on this campus and attended the local school district. You have in me a long-time faculty who cherishes junior colleagues, lecturers, staff members and students as humans first and foremost. Your vote is going to someone who cares deeply about the health of this university, in this region that I called home, someone who really wants this place to be able to thrive in the years to come.
As a scholar of the Enlightenment in British literature, I bring to this position an ability to think about academic organization holistically, balancing local and global perspectives, sense and sensibility. I also bring to the senate, my experiences of having served as department chair for English, program coordinator for MA in English, chair of Graduate Studies Committee, member of Senate Diversity Subcommittee, A&H School Curriculum Committee, along with strong desire to connect, hear, and represent our shared visions toward building SSU up.
I hope to represent YOU, and my office door —and my ears-- are always open to your thoughts, concerns, and ideas.