Primary function:
The Academic Council provides an organizational structure where faculty can discuss issues related to teaching and learning and make recommendations to the vice president for academic affairs. The Council will promote and improve communications and mutual understanding between faculty and the administration, students and staff.
Specific functions:
- Solicit and advocate questions from the representative department.
- Considers issues and recommendations referred by the vice president for academic affairs.
- Facilitate bilateral communications with college representatives on relevant matters consistent with the purpose of the Council.
- Study and process issues of importance to faculty by forming standing and ad hoc faculty committees.
- Appoint members to represent the Council on other college committees.
- Appoint non-members to serve on ad hoc committees.
- Serve as the sounding board for proposed policies that affect teaching and learning.
- Make recommendations to the vice president for academic affairs.
- Report Council activities to faculty within the represented academic dean area.
- Review the Council Charter annually and make changes necessary to conform to the purpose of the Council.
- Perform other functions consistent with the purposes of the Council which are adopted by the Council.
Reports to:
Thomas J McDonnell, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Chair:
Scott Brewer, faculty member elected annually by Council members
2024-25 Academic Council Membership:
Administrators:
- Jordan Pirtle, Dean of Secondary Partnerships
- Cathy Brunkhorst, Dean of Transfer
Faculty representatives:
- Academic Success - Stefanie Emrich (RDLS)
- Business - Andrew Sagartz (LAWS)
- Career and Technical Education - John Banark (PRMA)
- Career and Technical Education - Boomer Strawn (FIST)
- Culinary and Horticulture - Jeana Svoboda (HLSM)
- Health Careers - Grace Miller (EMSP)
- Humanities and the Arts - Lilith Smith (ARTS)
- Humanities and the Arts - Alea Hall (ENGL)
- Information Technology - Sue Yi (INFO)
- Math and Natural Sciences - Scott Brewer (MATH) CHAIR
- Social Sciences - Stewart Brewer (HIST)
- Social Sciences - Jessica Kunz (HMRL)
- Adjunct Faculty (career/program) - Joe Koch (INFO)
- Adjunct Faculty (general ed/transfer area) - Laura Burke (PHOT)
- Curriculum and Instruction - Cindy Catherwood
Non-voting members:
- Vice President for Academic Affairs - Tom McDonnell
- Vice President of Student Affairs - Maria Vazquez (or designee)
- Faculty Ex-Officio - Zach Pechacek
- Past Chair of the Council - Kevin Mortensen
- Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs - Jolynn Emery (Council Secretary)
Steering Committee comprised of Council chair, one full-time faculty member and one administrator.
Academic Council Meeting Minutes
Academic Council Charter