Join the Conversation: Seeking Forum Council Nominations

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Elections and Credentials Committee, we encourage you to participate in our college governance, officially known as the College Forum. The College Forum is composed of the Forum Councils, the College Senate, and the College committees. They represent teaching faculty, administrative faculty, professional faculty, classified staff, and students. We are seeking Forum Council nominations to serve on the 2020-2021 Council.

The Forum Councils (one council for each campus and a college staff council) serve as an instrument for the formulation and expression of faculty, student, and staff points of view college-wide, generally reserving its deliberations for questions of the campus or college staff responsibility which are germane to the College constituencies. The Forum Council for College Staff represents all college staff not reporting to campus. Recent successes of the Forum Councils include improving parking lot traffic flow and signage, implementing a feminine hygiene pilot program across the College, and ensuring NOVA food pantries are fully stocked and easily accessible.

The College Senate (composed of Forum Council members) forms their opinions on any subject relevant to the College’s interests. It makes suggestions or recommendations to the appropriate college committee, officer, or Campus Council for further consideration. Recent successes of the College Senate include the formation of a subcommittee to focus on three areas of employee dissatisfaction based on survey data and college community feedback, the creation of a committee to review the faculty evaluation process, and Senate members participating in and representing NOVA at the Virginia Higher Education Advocacy Day.

Please consider nominating yourself (or encourage your colleagues to nominate themselves) for a position on your Forum Council. Nominations for Forum Councils are being sought, and elections will be held starting March 25!

Interested in Forum Council?

Send an email to the following Elections and Credentials campus representative below and in the subject line write “Interested in Forum Council”. You may only self-nominate. Include your full name and the type of NOVA employee you are (teaching, professional or administrative faculty, classified staff). According to the by-laws, each campus Forum Council shall have a ratio of 1 classified staff: 1 administrative faculty: 3 teaching or professional faculty: 2 students (when possible). Some Forum Councils do not have vacancies for all positions – please contact your Elections & Credentials campus representative for more information.

College Staff Elections & Credentials
Christiane Silva | csilva@nvcc.edu

Alexandria Campus Elections & Credentials
Marilyn Odaka | modaka@nvcc.edu

Annandale Campus Elections & Credentials
Kelly DeSenti | kdesenti@nvcc.edu

Loudoun Campus Elections & Credentials
Julie Combs | jcombs@nvcc.edu

Manassas Campus Elections & Credentials
Ashlie Warnick | awarnick@nvcc.edu

Medical Education Campus Elections & Credentials
Imran Kukdawala | ikukdawala@nvcc.edu

Woodbridge Campus Elections & Credentials
Kathy Bohnstedt | kbohnstedt@nvcc.edu

The Forum Councils demonstrate value in supporting our students, recognizing our faculty and staff, and making NOVA a friendly and efficient place to work and study. Serving on the Forum Councils is the path to giving your campus a voice at the College Senate. Join the conversation!