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Dr. Brian Uriegas, assistant professor of human services and educational leadership at Stephen F. Austin State University, was recently presented with a plaque recognizing his dedication and service as Faculty Senate chair by SFA Interim President Dr. Steve Westbrook.

“I want to congratulate Dr. Uriegas for his leadership of the Faculty Senate during the past year,” Westbrook said. “Although I returned to SFA at the very end of his term, I know the commitment that is required to fulfill the position he held.”

The Faculty Senate, which includes 32 faculty members, serves as an advisory body to the provost and president, acting as one of the main means of communication between faculty and administrators. Senators are elected by the faculty members of each college and the library, as well as nontenure track faculty.

Chairing the senate for a year, Uriegas said his biggest challenge was “addressing low morale across the university caused by issues with transparency, communication and advocacy for all groups on campus.”

He said his biggest achievement was increasing communication and support to and from other groups on campus, including staff, chairs and deans.

“Being able to sit at the table and discuss issues from all perspectives was key in starting to improve campus morale through open and transparent communication,” Uriegas said.

He also stressed the importance of groups like the Faculty Senate.

“The Faculty Senate serves as a voice for the faculty. To move SFA forward, all stakeholders must have a voice, and I believe while there is still work to be done, the faculty voice is being heard and acknowledged.”

To learn more about the Faculty Senate, visit sfasu.edu/facsenate.