Service

Service as Department Chair

As a department chair, I have worked with faculty on focused initiatives for recruitment and retention, 21st century musicianship, an update of the music technology courses within the department, curricular changes to update the curriculum, as well as the development of our jazz offerings. Additionally, we continue to develop stronger ties to our Theatre Department through collaborations and a shared vision of the Musical Theatre Minor program. I recognize that additions and changes to programs need to be balanced with continued support of ideas and programs that are already successful within the program. Collaboration, conversation, and diplomacy are critical. This is a difficult balance, and an effective leader needs to innovate but also be measured to continue forward progress in an innovative program.

I enjoy collaborations and conversations that help build the story of the university and make connections within the community. After consultation with faculty on our strategic needs, we developed a budget strategy that allowed us an increased presence for K-12 outreach, and allowed us flexibility for bringing in guest artists. We have done so through a coordinated effort to build recruitment events around guest artists and magnify the effectiveness of two different streams of income in doing so.

Some specific issues undertaken while as chair as listed below:

• Complete overhaul of the computer and keyboard labs
• Replacement of the acoustic shell used in our main performance space
• Devleopment of scholarship funds including a chamber music scholarship fund
• Improvement of both our chamber rehearsal space and our choir rehearsal space; (band room was completely re-done previously)
• Worked with my choral colleague to host MSVMA festival at SVSU
• Improved our instrument inventory and technology inventory through stragtic use of funding
• Worked to add jazz combos and chamber music to official course offerings
• Added a weekly convocation for music majors to perform and bring in special guest artists and speakers
• Re-structuring the piano proficiency exam

Service as Part of the Faculty Association

I have worked within a collective bargaining environment and representing faculty in issues related to contract language. Additionally, I have facilitated a committee focused on moving towards electronic tenure files. As part of this role, I have worked with adminstration regarding faculty to faculty conflict, staffing issues, policy development, curricular issues, and Title IX investigations.

• Elected to President of the Faculty Association (2021)
• Appointed to the Faculty Association Executive Board (2020)
• Appointed to the Contract Crisis Team (2019)
• Appointed to the Contract Review and Planning Committee (2018)
• Appointed to the Contract Review and Planning Committee (2016)

Additionally, I have led and developed workshops to help faculty with processed related to evaluation, tenure, and promotion.

Service in the Field

• Treasurer and Webmaster for the National Society of Steel Band Educators (2017-)
• Served on the Board of Directors for the National Society of Steel Band Educators (2017-)
• Co-founder of the National Society of Steel Band Educators (2017)
• Selected to serve on the Percussive Arts Society World Percussion Committee (Spring 2014); this obligation is a three-year term. Served until 2020.
• Adjudicator for Concert Band Festival at SVSU (Winter 2017)
• Coordinated the White Pine Middle School clinic at SVSU (2013)
• Coordinated the Pre Solo and Ensemble event at SVSU (2013)

Service to SVSU

• Currently serving on the SVSU Strategic Planning Committee (2024-)
• Appointed to the SVSU Presidential Search Advisory Committee (2022)
• Coordinated the Rhea Miller Concert Series (2021-2024)
• Chaired the P. Hanson evaluation team (2020)
• Served on the search committee for the Assistant Professor of Music search (2019)
• Served on the Assistant Professor of Theatre faculty search committee (2018)
• Served on the T. Wedge evaluation team (2018)
• Served in the evaluation team for Norm Wika (Fall 2016)
• Served as chair of the Assistant Professor of Music (Band Director) faculty search (2015-2016)
• Served on the A. Schweitzer evaluation team (2015)
• Served on the M. Mead-Finizio evaluation team (2015)
• Served on the Artist in Piano faculty search committee (2015)
• Served on the VAP theatre faculty search committee (2015)
• Served on the MTTC task force committee (2014)
• Served on the VAP art faculty search committee (2014)
• Served on the G. Garza evaluation team (2013)
• Began service on the Library Committee (2013)
• Started an adult community steel band at SVSU (2013)
• Started Valley Steel, a registered student organization (2013)
• Helped secure approximately $28,000 in funding through a donation for steel band equipment (2013)
• Helped adjudicate the Braun writing awards for students (2013)
• Faculty sponsor for NAfME Collegiate Chapter (2012 to current)
• Wrote a mini-grant to bring Patrick Sheridan to SVSU for a two-day workshop (2012)
• Secured a donation of approximately $28,000 for the foundation of an adult steel band and a student steel band at Saginaw Valley State University (2012)
• Re-worked the Department of Music webpage (2012 and 2013)
• Established a database to track potential students’ interest in the Department of Music (2012)
• Followed up with potential students indicating interest in a music major, minor, or ensemble participation (2012)
• Represented the department at the annual Open House for potential students (2012)
• Wrote a mini-grant to bring Rahim Al-Haj to SVSU for a two-day workshop