Committees and Workgroups (2025–2026)
Indian River State College • Faculty Senate
Created: May 2025 • Updated: November 2025
Created: May 2025 • Updated: November 2025
Introduction
Per the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) contract between faculty and the Board of Trustees, every faculty member will serve on at least one (1) committee/workgroup/club sponsorship, including assignments to State or Federal committees, but no more than two committees/workgroups/club sponsorships, unless the faculty member agrees to any additional assignments (Board and Chapter Agreement, Section 9.13).
Beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year, all faculty will self-report their participation in committee/workgroup/club sponsorship(s) to the Faculty Senate bi-annually (fall/spring) via a secured link. An email will be sent at the beginning of each term to allow faculty to identify their membership or make changes to their membership if needed. The Senate will update memberships to ensure our obligations are met.
Additionally, the Senate will send out a bi-annual report form to all Committee/Workgroup Chairs/Leads to identify the goals and accomplishments of the Committee/Workgroup for the academic year. This will enable the Senate to share the important work that is occurring at The River!
If at any time, new workgroups/committees, or clubs are created, please reach out to your Senator(s) to ensure proper documentation. In addition, please reach out to your Senator(s) if your workgroup/committee or club is not included in this document.
Committee Membership Change Policy for Faculty
Faculty members seeking to join, leave, or change their committee membership must follow the process outlined below to ensure continuity, transparency, and collaboration across college committees:
Consultation with Involved Committees
Before any change in committee membership is made, the faculty member must first consult with the chairs (or designated representatives) of the affected committee(s). This step ensures that the proposed change is discussed and mutually agreed upon by the committee(s) involved.
Before any change in committee membership is made, the faculty member must first consult with the chairs (or designated representatives) of the affected committee(s). This step ensures that the proposed change is discussed and mutually agreed upon by the committee(s) involved.
Dean Approval
After receiving acknowledgment and support from the relevant committee(s), the faculty members must seek formal approval from their respective academic dean. The dean will consider how the change aligns with departmental and institutional needs before finalizing the membership adjustment.
After receiving acknowledgment and support from the relevant committee(s), the faculty members must seek formal approval from their respective academic dean. The dean will consider how the change aligns with departmental and institutional needs before finalizing the membership adjustment.
Notification of the Faculty Senate Executive Board
Once approval is granted, the faculty member (or the dean) must inform the Executive Board of the Faculty Senate. This ensures that official committee rosters and institutional records are updated accordingly.
Once approval is granted, the faculty member (or the dean) must inform the Executive Board of the Faculty Senate. This ensures that official committee rosters and institutional records are updated accordingly.
This process helps maintain balanced representation, committee effectiveness, and institutional integrity.
Faculty Committee Participation Self-Report Survey
Self-Reporting Survey
Faculty Workgroups
Faculty Workgroups within the Institute of Academic Excellence (IAE) continually review the literature for evidence-based research on communication and wellness, critical thinking skills, online teaching and learning, open educational resources (OERs), research and assessment, and generative artificial intelligence (AI). In addition, the publication workgroup provides support systems for faculty publication. The findings of these workgroups are shared with all faculty members through various means, including a website, colloquia, presentations, conferences, reference lists, and demonstrations.
Adjunct Faculty Workgroup
The Adjunct Faculty Workgroup (AFW) advances adjunct success by offering targeted instructional resources, one-on-one guidance, and a clear focus on teaching excellence. Each year, the AFW hosts the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Celebration, honoring outstanding part-time instructors and strengthening our inclusive adjunct community (Revised by GPT4o).
Chair: Bruce Fraser
Chair: Bruce Fraser
Communication & Wellness
The primary mission of the Communication and Wellness Workgroup (C&W) is to enhance communication and promote wellness within our faculty community. The C&W workgroup is advancing its mission through IAE presentations to faculty and staff. Example topics include Wellness in the Workplace, Health & Wellness, Meditation, and Meditation Practices.
Chair: Patrick Dyer
Chair: Patrick Dyer
Planning & Assessment
The Planning and Assessment Workgroup brings faculty and staff together to support institutional planning in a collaborative way. Members assist unit managers with drafting objectives in SPOL, share ideas on how to approach the planning process, and act as peer reviewers to provide constructive feedback. This workgroup is also a great opportunity to learn about the wide range of programs and services across the college while contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.
Chair: Becky Shearer
Chair: Becky Shearer
Retention Task Force
The purpose of the task force is to examine and foster a consistent and intentional approach to retention efforts and support across the college, building a college-wide conversation about the importance of retention and identifying strategies to enhance student success at Indian River State College.
Chair: Becky Shearer
Chair: Becky Shearer
Teaching & Learning
The mission of the Teaching and Learning Workgroup is to research tools that can improve instruction, leading to greater student success and faculty enrichment. As part of this mission, we will share these tools with Indian River State College faculty through hands-on training in the Institute for Academic Excellence.
Co-Chairs: Jessica Fulton; Molly Lalla
Co-Chairs: Jessica Fulton; Molly Lalla
Textbook Affordability and Open Educational Resources (TAOER)
The Workgroup for Textbook Affordability and Open Educational Resources lead the charge at The River to impact student success through fair, equitable practices in selecting materials for classroom learning. Faculty are encouraged to seek out and develop open educational resources when appropriate. The TAOER workgroup can help faculty locate, create, and use OER effectively in the classroom. The workgroup will also update the Indian River State College community on best practices concerning changes in copyright, OER initiatives, federal/state mandates, grant opportunities, alternatives to publisher-supplied content, and understanding terms of use for teaching materials.
Goals of the Workgroup
Discover existing career pathways at IRSC to develop the first two-year, textbook-free degree.
Create awareness and opportunities for faculty to collaborate across disciplines to make the first two-year, textbook-free degree possible.
Develop a faculty self-reporting mechanism that indicates to students when a section or an entire course is available textbook-free.
Address concerns related to online access codes, end-user license agreements (EULA), and student data practices.
Co-Chairs: Alexis Carlson; Brett Williams
Generative AI
The Generative AI Workgroup engages in one of the most important conversations in higher education of our lifetime. Its focus is to help Indian River State College employees understand and utilize Gen AI platforms (such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and Adobe’s Firefly) in both instructional and non-instructional contexts. The implications of Gen AI for both the classroom and workplace are likely to be enormous and sustained, but they are yet unclear. Consequently, this group will serve as a research hub and think tank, consolidating and sharing information relevant to the impact of Gen AI on post-secondary education (and beyond).
Co-Chairs: Larisa Ray; Bodi Anderson
Co-Chairs: Larisa Ray; Bodi Anderson
AI Governance
Goal: Shape and implement the fast-paced transformation of Indian River State College to be a leader in AI adoption and innovation.
The Workgroup will focus on:
Ensuring that human experts must provide value to students that they cannot gain exclusively by working with AI agents.
Evaluating AI’s impact on the current educational model and discussing adaptations (programs, outcomes, assessment, recruitment, financial aid, data management, policies, and community role).
Facilitating/encouraging change management to support institutional cultural adjustment.
Emphasizing that college employees (educators) should conceptualize and initiate needed change.
Exploring substantive partnerships with AI-tech companies to ensure long-term college success.
Co-Chairs: Bruce Fraser; Chad Calvert
Publications
To support and encourage academic publication, presentation, and exploration of external funding by Indian River State College faculty and staff members. To support current faculty and staff members pursuing post-graduate education by offering dissertation workshops and mock presentations.
Co-Chairs: Brian Freeman; Bodi Anderson
Co-Chairs: Brian Freeman; Bodi Anderson
Focus Group
Description coming soon
Co-Chairs: Lynne O’Dell; Angie Bailey
Co-Chairs: Lynne O’Dell; Angie Bailey
Creative Campus
The mission of the Creative Campus Workgroup is to facilitate the understanding, adoption, and use of Adobe Creative Cloud applications as a vital resource for the Indian River State College community. To this end, we seek creative and innovative demonstrations of the creativity of our faculty, staff, and students as expressed with this powerful set of rich media tools.
Co-Chairs: Jim Jeffers; Shaun Wightman
Co-Chairs: Jim Jeffers; Shaun Wightman
Learning Assessment
This faculty workgroup will guide and support learning assessment in all degree and certificate programs and in the general education core for the purpose of academic program improvement throughout the College. The workgroup will provide institutional recommendations regarding data collection, analysis, and reporting related to program learning assessment. The workgroup will also provide recommendations regarding technological interfaces that support assessment.
Membership of the workgroup should include faculty members representing all AA and AS programs and support services from across the College. The workgroup will be co-chaired by one AA program and one AS program faculty member. The workgroup will report to the College’s Chief Academic Officer.
Chair: Heather Michaels
Chair: Heather Michaels
Mindful Classroom Collaborative
The Mindful Classroom Collaborative works to create more inclusive and supportive learning environments by sharing effective teaching practices, classroom management strategies, and campus resources that help all students succeed. We focus on understanding and supporting neurodivergent students, those experiencing mental health challenges, and students with accommodations, while promoting awareness and equitable access to the resources they need to thrive.
Goals
Identifying and implementing best teaching practices and campus supports for neurodivergent students
Identifying and implementing best teaching practices and campus supports for students experiencing mental health challenges
Developing effective classroom management strategies and understanding of student conduct protocols
Promoting awareness and understanding of student accommodations and available institutional resources
Chair: Kelly Caffery
Faculty Committees
Faculty committees are comprised of Indian River State College faculty members to address specific issues, provide advice, or make decisions related to academic affairs, policies, or operations.
Academic Review / Student Affairs
The Student Affairs Committee is an administrative body responsible for investigating student-related issues, including disciplinary matters. It is composed of impartial members of the Indian River State College (IRSC) community who have no conflicts of interest. The Committee reviews cases referred to by any member of the College community. While it does not make final decisions, it provides recommendations to the President of Indian River State College.
Chair: Audrey Delaune
Chair: Audrey Delaune
Academic Technology
The Academic Technology Committee will consist of faculty, staff, and administrators and will provide direction on technology initiatives, including but not limited to providing input on Canvas and Simple Syllabus updates.
Co-Chairs: Mia Tignor; Katie Profeta
Co-Chairs: Mia Tignor; Katie Profeta
Healthcare Advisory Committee
The Healthcare Advisory Committee focuses on supporting the Associate of Science Health Services Management and Bachelor of Science Healthcare Management programs of Indian River State College. The purpose of the committee is to promote collaborative relationships between the Treasure Coast healthcare industry experts and educators for reviewing and providing feedback on both collegiate degree programs. This includes advice on policy and operations and assessing opportunities for quality improvement.
Chair: Emlyn Anderson
Chair: Emlyn Anderson
Faculty Senate
The purpose of the Faculty Senate is to represent faculty in the shared governance of Indian River State College. Through the Faculty Senate, the College administration and faculty shall be collegially involved in academic decision-making to support students and ensure effective institutional operations. The Faculty Senate will facilitate communication with the District Board of Trustees, the College President, and the President’s Cabinet on the review of academic policies, procedures, and all matters that affect academic decisions and the advancement of the College. Faculty Senators are nominated and elected by the faculty.
Executive Committee Members
John Carpenter, President
Jessica Fulton, Vice-President
Stephen Smith, Parliamentarian
Karen Ng, Secretary
Jim Jeffers, Communications Officer
Leslie Sterret, Member-at-Large
Senators
Library/Non-instructional — Brett Williams
Biology — Tina Thomas; Paul Horton
English — Scott Fynboe; Suchi Banerjee
Public Service — Beth Raulerson
Business — Mike Platt; Neal Chianese
Education — Michelle Kinggard; Keara Sodano
Math — Scott Brewer; Taylor Kilman
Social Sciences — David Purificato; Larisa Ray
Health Science — Wendy McNall; Stephanie Hurst
Workforce Education — Deb Midkiff; Walt Posten
Nursing — Laura Difruscio; Ruth Neese
Commencement
The Graduation Committee comprises roughly 50 members, another 50 volunteers, and a small subcommittee of about 10 members who regularly meet to plan commencement in more depth. The full committee typically meets once or twice per semester to receive updates and provide input.
The committee’s role has changed, and now, it is primarily responsible for the execution of the event, including a rehearsal date and 3–6 ceremonies per semester. The committee helps fill more complex and intricate responsibilities for commencement ceremonies, like student check-in, ticketing, student organization, etc. In contrast, volunteers help with tasks like moving people and greeting them.
Chair: Troy Shearer
Chair: Troy Shearer
New Student Orientation Faculty Planning
The mission of the NSO Faculty Planning Committee is to assist the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, focusing on planning the faculty's contribution to New Student Orientation. Subcommittees include facilities/technology, communication, academic break-out sessions, and faculty assignments.
Chair: Rebecca Shearer
Chair: Rebecca Shearer
Curriculum
The Curriculum Committee considers any recommended changes in the College curriculum and/or College programs. When appropriate, the Committee also ensures that all General Education requirements are addressed through recommended changes. Because this is a faculty-driven committee, membership must include at least one faculty representative from each major program area of the College.
The committee is co-chaired by a faculty member and the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs, CAO, the Director of Curriculum Support, and a staff member who serves in the capacity of secretary.
Members
Dr. Heather J. Belmont (CAO), co-chairperson
Charles Lockett (Faculty, Health Science), co-chairperson
Dr. Michelle Carrigan (Faculty, Humanities)
Dr. Soeurette Bruny (Faculty, Nursing)
Neal Chianese (Faculty, Accounting)
Lanie Corona (Faculty, Math)
Dale Hayes (Faculty, Counseling)
Dr. Sarah Mallonee (Faculty, Communications)
Deborah Midkiff (Faculty, Workforce)
Dr. Kerryane Monahan (Faculty, Sciences)
Elizabeth Raulerson (Faculty, Public Service)
Dr. Peggy Russell (Faculty, Social Science)
Dr. Patricia Gagliano (Dean, Nursing)
Dr. Scott Stein (Dean, Liberal Arts)
Tim Stroth (Faculty, Computer IT)
Dr. Kim Zgonc (Faculty, Education)
Equivalency
The IRSC Equivalency Committee determines graduate course equivalents for faculty members seeking promotion to associate professor under the equivalency option outlined in the AAUP Agreement. This committee is composed of three members and one alternate. Members are appointed by the AAUP President.
Chair: Teena Chair-Louise White
Chair: Teena Chair-Louise White
Brain Bowl
The Brain Bowl Committee’s mission is to foster intellectual curiosity, promote academic excellence, and build a vibrant, inclusive community through engaging, knowledge-based student competition. The committee is excited to accept any new faculty members to strengthen the program, offer more mentorship to students, and expand its reach across departments.
Chair: Sam Mikhail
Chair: Sam Mikhail
College Awards Ceremony
The College Student Awards Committee, under the auspices of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, presents the Annual Student Awards Ceremony every Spring, usually in April. The Committee created a nomination form that is sent out 2–3 times to solicit nominations from all faculty, staff, and administrators. All the students who are nominated and qualified in terms of credit hours and grade point average are named IRSC Distinguished Scholars.
Other Special Awards are voted on by the Committee members from the nominations received. When winners are selected, the committee is in charge of notifying them and doing all preparations for the ceremony and celebration (venue, speakers, food, photographer, room setup, awards/certificates, and ceremony support).
Co-Chairs: June Wells; Annie Fuller
Co-Chairs: June Wells; Annie Fuller
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Committee
The Institutional Review Board serves as an advisory panel for the purpose of consent for proposed research that involves students or the review of student data. This committee will meet quarterly or as necessary, and will be coordinated through the Grants Office, chaired by the Grants Development Coordinator.
The Institutional Review Board reviews the research protocol and consent forms to ensure that risks to human subjects are minimized; risks are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits; selection of subjects is equitable; informed consent is sought and appropriately documented; the research plan provides for monitoring data to ensure safety; and privacy/confidentiality protections are adequate.
Educational Technology Committee
Purpose
The Educational Technology Committee is a cross-functional institutional committee comprised of faculty and staff dedicated to advancing high-quality, accessible, and effective teaching and learning practices. The committee provides guidance, testing, and recommendations related to course design standards, accessibility compliance, and the effective use of educational technology tools.
The Educational Technology Committee is a cross-functional institutional committee comprised of faculty and staff dedicated to advancing high-quality, accessible, and effective teaching and learning practices. The committee provides guidance, testing, and recommendations related to course design standards, accessibility compliance, and the effective use of educational technology tools.
Scope of Work
Promoting consistent, student-centered course design and instructional practices
Ensuring alignment with accessibility standards, federal and state regulations, and institutional policies
Evaluating and recommending educational technology tools and Canvas features to support teaching and learning innovation
Structure
Accessibility Subcommittee: Digital accessibility standards, compliance requirements, remediation strategies, and faculty support
Syllabus Subcommittee: Syllabus standards, required elements, policy alignment, and best practices for clarity/consistency
Educational Technology & Canvas Subcommittee: Tools/integrations/Canvas features; recommendations on adoption and usage standards
Co-Chairs: Mia Tignor; Katie Profeta
State or Federal Committee
NSA Cyber Center of Academic Excellence
NSA Cyber Center of Academic Excellence
The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by NSA's National Cryptologic School. Federal partners include CISA, FBI, NIST/NICE, NSF, DoD-CIO, and U.S. Cyber Command.
The NCAE-C program aims to create and manage a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with community colleges, colleges, and universities that establishes standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence; includes competency development among students and faculty; values community outreach and leadership in professional development; integrates cybersecurity practice across academic disciplines; and actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.
This program allows the CIT department's programs to have an NSA-backed accreditation. A college's NSA CCAE representative assists with mapping courses with NSA knowledge units, and helps organize outreach/partnership activities. Every five years, the college resubmits its curriculum for renewal and reapproval to maintain its status, and yearly curates workshops for the community to assist with IT and cyber education.
Chair/Point of Contact: Steve Nicholson
Alternate Point of Contact: Curtis Rookard
Chair/Point of Contact: Steve Nicholson
Alternate Point of Contact: Curtis Rookard
Clubs and Sponsors
Indian River State College faculty sponsor over 60 dynamic clubs and organizations. Below is a list of clubs and organizations offered at IRSC with the faculty sponsor or lead.
AAUW Toastmasters International — Angie Bailey
Academy of Future Teachers — Karen Ng
Accounting Club — Matthew Boucher
Achiever’s Club — Camila Alvarez
Adobe Creative Club — Gracia Buzziz
Adult Education — Rocio Santana
Adventist Christian Fellowship — Randa Emmanuel
Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society — Kimberlie Massnick
American Sign Language Club — Noreem Gadonniex
Anime & Manga Club — Sara Johnson
Authentic Life Club — Robin Zide
Beekeeping Club — Meg Carroll; Heather Michaels
Brain Bowl — Sam Mikhail
Business Loft — Angie Bailey
Caring through Crafting — Tammy Powley
Chess Club — Toby Beeny
Christian Student Fellowship Club — Doug Wilberscheid
Coalition for Christian Outreach — Scott Brewer
Collegiate DECA — Melissa Roberts
Criminal Justice Club — Kimberlie Massnick; Richard Dewey
Cru Club — Parisa Erfani
Culinary Club — Deborah Midkiff
DECA — Nicholas Brown; Angie Bailey; Trisha Maitland; Herbert Ricardo
Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Club — David Purificato; Robert Lowry; Scott Simmons; Sean Perry
Economics Club — Sam Mikhail
Engineering Club — Paul Godfrey
Ethics Bowl — David Purificato; Scott Simmons
Federal Work Study — Martha Ortiz
Game Design and Development Club — Shaun Wightman
Graphic Design/Digital Media Club — Jim Jeffers
Haitian Cultural Club — Jenny Champagne; Sandra Zavala; Sergio Laguerre
Hallstrom Astronomy Society — John Bell
Health & Self Club — Kendra Auberry
Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) — Emlyn Anderson
Helping Hands Committee — Josiah Villalobos
International Club — Annie Fuller
Intramural Sports Club — Simone DuPree
Investment Club — Ron Carlson; Christopher McChesney
Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education — Michelle Kinggard; Emily Renschler
Lambda Nu Honor Society — Tracie Pacheco
LEAPers Club — Jenny Champagne
Manga and Anime Club — Sara Johnson
Math Club — Drake Harmon; Sean Perry
Medical Laboratory Technology Club — Michael Vogt
National Society of Leadership & Success – Sigma Alpha Pi — Janneth Delva; Tyoni Stewart
National Veterans Honor Society — David Yankwitt
Numerically Empowered Radical Data Scholars (Math Club) — Drake Harmon; Sean Perry; Gabriela Frias
Nursing Student Association — Lara Santoro; Roseann Maresca
Phi Theta Kappa — Jill Chasse; Joseph Palencik; Tanya Chardon; Kris Demarais
Photography and Video Club —
Pre-Law Society — Elizabeth Raulerson; John Donohue
Pre-Med Club — Oubideh Ramadan; Robert Wood
Promise Ambassadors — Rebecca Shearer
River Pride Cheer Club — Jennifer Luna; Krystal Allen
SALUTE Honor Society — David Yankwitt
Science Club — Kyle Bartow; Oubideh Ramadan
Sexuality & Gender Alliance (SAGA) — Alex Arnold
Special Olympics Intramural Sports Club (formerly Pioneer Inclusion Club) — Brett Williams; Jill Pangle
STEM Pioneers — Lynne O’Dell
Student Government Association (SGA) — Gracia Buzziz; Jania Soriano
Student Physical Therapist Assistant Club — Wendy McNall; Wendy Smith
Surgical Technology Club — Stephanie Hurst
Theatre Scholars — Alex Kanter
Video Game Club — Shaun Wightman
Wandering Warriors — Christina Lynch
Writing Club — Suchi Banerjee