Faculty Senate Election

Alan Parry

Personal Statement:

My name is Alan Parry. I came to UVU in 2016 and have served in many positions that have prepared me well to be an effective Faculty Senate President. I served as a faculty senator and as faculty senate policy liaison, which included serving on Senate ExCo and chairing or serving on several policy writing committees and many other university committees. I later served as the department chair of the mathematics department. These positions gave me considerable experience in university management and the policy approval process.

At my core, I’m a mathematician with a strong understanding of logic and an effective ability to identify the consequences of policy, which finds much in common with and benefits from mathematical reasoning. This makes me adept at sifting out the true effects of policy and determining what changes would improve policy.

While I come with considerable experience, why I think you should elect me Faculty Senate President has as much to do with how I act as a representative. When I serve as a representative of a group, I believe my job is to advocate for and act on the collective opinion of that group regardless of how that aligns with my personal opinion or ambition. As such, if elected Faculty Senate President, I will work with the senate to accurately identify the collective opinion of the faculty and then be a stalwart advocate for that position. I will strongly lobby for that position with the administration and negotiate for the compromise that most optimally achieves it. I will serve the faculty by bringing their concerns and solutions to the decision-making tables and ensure that the faculty’s voice is not only heard but heeded. I will work tirelessly to effect the change that our faculty collectively feel is what UVU needs.

Alan Parry CV

Evelyn Porter

Personal Statement:

I am running for Faculty Senate President because I believe deeply in the essential role faculty play in shaping the future of UVU. I believe that administration and faculty can and should work together. My leadership style includes being collaborative, transparent, solutions-oriented and is grounded in listening first and working across differences to move us forward.

I have spent nearly two decades teaching and mentoring students and working alongside colleagues to improve curriculum, policy, and institutional practices that support student success and faculty work. My experience across department, college, and university leadership has given me broad institutional perspective and a working knowledge of policy and governance, as well as strong relationships across campus. I understand both the formal structures of shared governance and the informal work required to build trust, consensus, and momentum.

I know our shared governance system is not perfect, but I believe we can better influence policy and practice if we are a little more proactive and less reactive. I truly believe that together we can make meaningful changes for the better.

If elected, I will be a steady and honest advocate representing faculty perspectives accurately. I am committed to strengthening shared governance while respecting the diverse roles and viewpoints of faculty across UVU.

Evelyn Porter CV

Sayeed Sajal

Personal Statement:

I am Sayeed Sajal, an Associate Professor in Computer Science and Associate Director for Cybersecurity at the Center for National Security Studies. With three years of Faculty Senate experience at UVU and current service as Co-Chair of Institutional Engagement & Effectiveness, I understand how essential strong shared governance is to our university's success.

My commitment to shared governance extends beyond senate meetings. As Chair of UVU Showcase, Co-Chair of SCULPT, and member of the CET Dean Search Committee, I've consistently worked to ensure faculty voices shape institutional decisions. My role coordinating the Secure Computing program and serving on ABET accreditation has taught me that meaningful faculty input strengthens every university initiative.

As VP of Faculty Senate, I will prioritize:

• Authentic Shared Governance: I will ensure faculty participation in decision-making isn't merely consultative but genuinely collaborative. Faculty expertise must inform policies on curriculum, workload, resources, and institutional priorities before decisions are finalized.
• Transparent Communication: I will create clear channels between faculty, administration, and the Board of Trustees, ensuring faculty concerns are heard at every level and that administrative decisions are communicated with full context and rationale.
• Empowered Faculty Voice: Drawing from my experience leading diverse committees and promoting inclusion (2024 Faculty Champion of Inclusion), I will amplify voices from all disciplines, ranks, and backgrounds—ensuring shared governance truly represents our entire faculty community.
• Accountability Structures: I will advocate for clearly defined processes where faculty input demonstrably influences outcomes, with mechanisms to address when shared governance principles are bypassed.

Faculty are the intellectual heart of UVU. Robust shared governance isn't just policy—it's how we ensure academic excellence, protect faculty rights, and maintain institutional integrity. I'm committed to making shared governance meaningful, transparent, and effective for every faculty member with exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results.

Sayeed Sajal CV

Jennifer Shubert

Personal Statement:

I am an Associate Professor and have served as a Faculty Senator for the past six years, including three years on Faculty Senate Executive Committee. During that time, I have gained a strong understanding of how Senate functions—its strengths, its constraints, and its potential to better serve faculty across the university. Through this work, I have developed a deep appreciation for shared governance at UVU and for the critical role Faculty Senate plays in representing and connecting faculty across the institution.

If elected Vice President, I will bring experience, institutional knowledge, and a forward-looking commitment to strengthening faculty voice. I care deeply about shared governance and believe Faculty Senate can be more than a procedural body. I am especially interested in how we might continue to evolve Senate into a more collaborative, faculty-centered space that amplifies diverse faculty perspectives, surfaces concerns earlier, and engages faculty more meaningfully in shaping university decisions.

I believe Faculty Senate has an opportunity to grow—not by abandoning its core responsibilities, but by being more intentional about how we use our time and collective expertise. As an advisory body, our greatest impact comes from elevating faculty priorities, anticipating challenges, and engaging thoughtfully with the broader context facing higher education. At a time of significant pressure and change, strong faculty representation is essential. As Vice President, I would work collaboratively to support the Senate President, strengthen connections between senators and their constituents, and ensure that Faculty Senate remains a credible, engaged, and responsive voice for UVU faculty. Most importantly, I see Senate as a place where faculty leadership around curriculum, teaching, and academic standards—areas where our authority and expertise are strongest—can be centered and celebrated, helping Senate remain an informed and faculty-driven body during a time of rapid change.

Jennifer Shubert CV