UW Tacoma Faculty Assembly

May 9, 2024

Executive Council Representative of the Month: Jenny Xiao

EC Reps of May 2024 

The Faculty Assembly is starting this web column to celebrate the outstanding service contributions made by our faculty governance leaders and recognize their fine accomplishments with the whole campus community.  

  • The Faculty Assembly office had an opportunity to interview one of our Executive Council Representative. Let’s hear their story 

 

 

Jenny Xiao  

Assistant Professor 

School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences 

 

Faculty Governance Experience 

Executive Council of Faculty Assembly, SIAS Faculty Council, Campus Technology Committee 

 

1. What motivated you to serve in Faculty Governance? 

First and foremost, I see faculty governance as our collective responsibility, as UW faculty. For me, it’s not a matter of whether I would participate and serve, but rather when and in what capacity in order to best leverage my expertise and experience. After a few years at UWT, and as I gained more experience and institutional knowledge, I felt more equipped to represent our faculty voice, and to contribute more substantially to the culture of shared faculty governance. I also hoped that serving in faculty governance would help me grow in my personal, professional, and leadership capacities. 

2. What valuable experiences did you gain by serving for faculty governance? 

Serving for faculty governance has been an empowering experience. It’s helped me feel more involved and given me a greater sense of belonging. This has been invaluable, especially as I have had my share of not feeling that I belonged in higher ed or academia. It’s also helped me forge connections with faculty, administration, and staff, which I wouldn’t have otherwise had. 

3. What advice would you give for Faculty interested in being a part of Faculty Governance? 

If you have the capacity and are interested in faculty governance, I would take that first step and put yourself forward, even before you feel completely ready. A lot of learning has happened along the way for me.