Carol Russell, associate professor of elementary teacher education, has been teaching at Emporia State for 14 years. She enjoys teaching here because of the opportunities that her department offers.

“Emporia has a wonderful reputation, and I was especially drawn to it because their Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education were in the same department,” Russell said. “This is important because Early Childhood Development truly is education at its earliest level.”

This year, she is getting the chance to be faculty senate president. When she was invited to run for the position of president she accepted.

“I thought for sure I wasn’t going to get it,” she said.

Prior to achieving the position of President of the Faculty, she was a senator for the faculty. Faculty Senate is an organization that holds meetings to discuss campus issues, pass bills, and provide a voice for the faculty here at ESU.

Originally from Minnesota, Russell received her undergraduate degree from Baker University, located in Baldwin City, Kan., and worked on her doctorate degree from the University of South Dakota while teaching at South Dakota State University. After 15 years of teaching at South Dakota State, Russell went on to receive her master’s from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Amy Sage Webb, associate professor of English and former Faculty Senate president, said that the focus of the senate ranges from all topics from academic affairs to the calendar and where fall break will occur.

The senate is also responsible for writing bills for academic affairs and attendance policies.

“(Faculty Senate) is a lot of work, but also an opportunity,” Russell said. “You can make a difference if you are willing to take on leadership roles. It takes a real commitment but is still very exciting.”

Dwight Moore, associate professor of biology, was president of the Faculty Senate in 2001-2002, and currently serves as a senator on the Academic Affairs Committee. He praised Russell on her communication with the faculty and others

“I have every reason to believe she will do a fine job,” he said.

Webb also speaks highly of Russell.

“She is very compassionate and patient, and willing to collaborate with others on different issues,” Webb said. “She also seems very capable of time management. She is a very positive person.”

Russell is working hard to plan ahead and strategically looking at challenges that the senate, the students or the university might face as a whole.

“This position requires teamwork and collaboration to overcome challenges or new issues we face,” Russell said. “It is not my voice alone, but representing the faculty.”

A PDF copy of the Faculty Senate constitution and bylaws can be found on the university website, under the University Resources tab located on the home page.

Faculty Senate also works with student representatives through Associated Student Government.

Faculty Senate holds meetings every first and third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 1 in the Memorial Union Kanza Room.

Shawna Berry/The Bulletin