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The Academic Senate of PCC represents the faculty of the Pasadena Area Community College District. Our primary function is to make recommendations with respect to academic and professional matters.

Our purpose is to represent the District's faculty in negotiations with the Board of Trustees and in the development and implementation of all college-wide policies and procedures of interest and concern to the faculty, to strengthen the role that faculty plays in the governance processes, to participate in the process of developing the educational philosophy along with the objectives, plans, and budgets of the District and to provide a forum for the faculty to discuss, debate, and formulate formal faculty opinions and resolutions both on academic and professional matters and on other issues of concern.

Public Comment

Public comment can be submitted via email to academicsenate@airllevant.com and submissions will be read aloud in their entirety at the public meeting.  Such submissions must be received prior to the start of the board meeting.  

The guidelines for the time and quantity of public comment remain effect.

Learn More

Senate Board

The Academic Senate's primary function is to make recommendations with respect to academic and professional matters.

Name Position Division
Lindsey Ruiz President English and Language Studies
Amy Tahani-Bidmeshki Vice President English and Language Studies
Christopher R. O'Leary Secretary Visual Arts and Media Studies
Carmen L. Stephens Treasurer LARS and Personal Counseling
Jeffrey Winter Parliamentarian Business and Enrollment Manegment
     
Lesley Asistio Adjunct Rep Performing and Communication Arts
Catherine Cheng Adjunct Rep Noncredit
Beville Constantine  Adjunct Rep Performing and Communication Arts
Kurt Forman Adjunct Rep Social Sciences
Rachel Penarubian Adjunct Rep Noncredit
     
Moriya Armstead Senator Business and Enrollment Management
Jack Condon Alternate Business and Enrollment Management
Mariam Katrjyan Alternate Business and Enrollment Management
Douglas Cook Senator Career and Technical Education
Salvador Sanchez Diaz Senator Career and Technical Education
Dave Smith Alternate Career and Technical Education
Daniella Hernandez Senator Counseling
Jeff Hupp Senator Counseling
Sharis Azar Alternate Counseling
Rohan Desai Alternate Counseling
Monica Contreras Senator LARS and Personal Counseling
Rosemarie Cervantes  Alternate LARS and Personal Counseling
Olga Gonzales Senator English and Language Studies
Tim Melnarik Senator English and Language Studies
Open Senator English and Language Studies
Open Senator English and Language Studies
Open Alternate English and Language Studies
Barry Jenson Senator Health Sciences
Blanca Rodriguez Senator Health Sciences
Terryn Soelberg Senator Kinesiology, Health and Athletics
Terry Stoddard Alternate Kinesiology, Health and Athletics
Lena Hicks Senator Library
Kathryn McGuire Alternate Library
Mary Wahl Alternate Library
Margaret Boles Senator Mathematics
Jose Castanon Senator Mathematics
Michelle Ingram Senator Mathematics
Maria Faccuseh Alternate Mathematics
Joshua Hidalgo Alternate Mathematics
John Mathewson Alternate Mathematics
John Hanley Senator Natural Sciences
Richard Lie Senator Natural Sciences
Michael Vendrasco  Senator Natural Sciences
Sonya Valentine Senator Natural Sciences
Susan Bower Alternate Natural Sciences
Russell Di Fiori Alternate Natural Sciences
Bryan Wilbur  Alternate Natural Sciences
Open Senator Noncredit
Open Alternate Noncredit
Dawne McClure Senator Performing and Communication Arts
Bucky Bhadha Senator Social Sciences
Amy Coren  Senator Social Sciences
Jennifer Holden Senator Social Sciences
Julie Kiotas Senator Social Sciences
Mark Harvey Senator Visual Arts and Media Studies

Senate Committees

The senate has established committees, composed of PCC faculty. Our standing committees investigate issues of either a legislative or academic and professional nature, and provide recommendations for the Academic Senate Board’s consideration. Our operational committees are responsible for performing the academic and professional duties and responsibilities of the Senate. Finally, our Ad Hoc Committees are temporary committees formed to address specific issues or tasks that do not fall under the purview of another standing committee.

The Academic Rank Committee is responsible to the Academic Senate Board for the evaluation and recommendation of academic change of rank.

Committee Chair: Susan Bower

Members
Name Position Division
Susan Bower Chair Natural Sciences 
Ali Amouzegar Member Career & Technical Education
Michelle Banks Member English and Language Studies
Jocelyn Chang Member Performing/Communication Arts
April Kawaoka Member Visual Arts and Media Studies
Xiaodan Leng Member Mathematics 
Maria Pehlivanova Member English and Language Studies

Volunteer for this committee

The faculty handbook committee is responsible for creating a guide  that provides  Pasadena  City  College  faculty  with  information  about  PCC  resources,  practices,  and  policies.  An annual update of the guide will be completed by the end of each spring semester. 

Committee Chair: Open

Members
Name Position Representing
Susan Bower  Member Academic Senate
Shelley Gaskin  Member Academic Senate
Kathryn McGuire Member Academic Senate
Shelagh Rose Member Academic Senate
Cristina Salazar-Romo
 Member Academic Senate

Volunteer for this committee

The mission of the Adjunct Faculty Issues Committee is to address any work related issues that may impact Adjunct Faculty across the Pasadena City College campus while  performing their duties.

Committee Chair: Catherine Cheng

Members
Name Position Division
Zeudi Bermardo Member Kinesiology Health & Athletics
Tracy Bodis Member Kinesiology Health & Athletics
Catherine Cheng Chair Noncredit
Kurt Forman Member Social Sciences
Shannon Maraghy Member Noncredit
Rachel Penarubia Member Noncredit
Kavita Pipalia Member English and Language Studies

Volunteer for this committee

The mission of the Bylaws, Rules, and Procedures Committee is to receive, review, and recommend amendments to the bylaws, rules and procedures of the Academic Senate of PCC.

Committee Chair: Open

Members
Name Position Division
Melissa Anderson Member Natural Sciences
Jay Cho Member Mathematics 
Rohan Desai Member Counseling
John Hanley Member Natural Sciences
Gena Lopez Member Counseling
Shannon Maraghy Member Noncredit
Yolanda McKay Member Visual Arts & Media Studies
Ivette Rosas Member Counseling 
Mary Wahl Member Libary

Volunteer for this committee

It is the purpose of the Committee Support Committees to facilitate Academic Senate Committees to review, update, organize, and present current committee information.

Committee Chair:  Open

Members
Name Position Division
Paulette Koubek Member English and Language Studies
Rhea Presiado Member Natural Sciences
Shelagh Rose Member English and Language Studies

Volunteer for this committee

To recommend a Code of Ethics; to recommend policies related to academic freedom and other rights and responsibilities of the faculty; to promote understanding and adherence to such policies and such Code of Ethics as may be adopted by the Senate; to recommend for Senate approval a set of written procedures for hearing and investigating any complaints, alleged violations of Senate policies such as those on academic freedom or ethics, and any other personnel problem involving College faculty which may be referred to it;  to hear or investigate any such cases brought to its attention by a member of the College faculty, by a member of the Board of Trustees, or by a community member;  and, to publish reports under circumstances considered warranted by the Committee, about results of hearings or investigations.

Committee Chair: Carol Curtis

Members
Name Position Division
Elisabeth Choate-Ciletti Member Natural Sciences
Carol Curtis Chair English and Language Studies
Edward Feser Member Social Sciences
CJ Johnson Member English and Language Studies
Wendy Lucko Member Career & Technical Education
Sarah Muno Member Social Sciences
Allison Parker Member English and Language Studies
Tracy Sachtjen Member Social Sciences

Volunteer for this committee

The Curriculum and Instruction Committee oversees the curriculum development, approval, and implementation for Pasadena City College.

See also the Curriculum and Instruction Office.

Committee Chair:  Sharon Bober

Vice Chair:             Sharis Azar

Members
Name Position Division
INSTRUCTIONAL UNIT    
Maura Epstein Representative Business and Enrollment Manegment 
Shanon Quinley Alternate Business and Enrollment Manegment
Jacob Tucker Representative Career and Technical Education
DeAndra Pearce Alternate Career and Technical Education
Lorig Gabrielian Representative Counseling
Shelby Intyre Alternate Counseling
Kristin Kaz Representative English and Language Studies
Laura Godio Alternate English and Language Studies
Open Representative Health Sciences
Open Alternate Health Sciences
Monica Marshall Representative Kinesiology, Health and Athletics
Priya Venkatesan Alternate Kinesiology, Health and  Athletics
Kathryn McGuire Representative Library
Mary Wahl Alternate Library
Linda Hintzman Representative Mathematics
Raelynn Garcia Alternate Mathematics
Jason Warner Representative Natural Sciences
Katharina Rodriguez Alternate Natural Sciences
Open Representative Noncredit
Open Alternate Noncredit
Henry Shin Representative Performing and Communication Arts
Open Alternate Performing and Communication Arts
Monica Coto Representative  Social Sciences
Open Alternate Social Sciences
Daisuke Yamaguchi Representative Visual Arts and Media Studies
Open Alternate Visual Arts and Media Studies
     
INSTRUCTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS    
Carrie Starbird Dean  Mathematics
Stephanie Fleming Dean (Alternate) Instructional Services
Armine Derdiarian Dean  Career and Technical Education
Micah Young Dean (Alternate) Health Sciences
Matthew Barboza Dean  Business and Enrollment Manegment 
Veronica Jaramillo Dean (Alternate) Natural Sciences
Francisco Suarez Dean  Noncredit and Adult Education
Solomon Cross Dean (Alternate) Performing and Communication Arts
     
MEMBERS EX-OFFICIO    
Dr. Laura Ramirez Ex Officio Assistant Superintendent Vice President, Instruction
Armando Duran Ex Officio Dean, Counseling
Ana Romos Ex Officio Articulation Officer
Open Ex Officio Classified Senate
     
RESOURCE EXPERTS    
Arlene Reed
 Resource Expert Admssions, Records and Enrollment
Crystal Kollross Resource Expert Institutional Effectiveness and Planning 
Tanysha Laney Representative (Alternate) Institutional Effectiveness and Planning 
Lauren Acker  Resource Expert Distance Education Faculty Rep
Kimberley Shediak Resource Expert (Alternate) Distance Education Faculty Rep
Elizabeth Nagy Resource Expert SLO Coordinator| Learning Assessment Committee Rep
Rosemarie Cervantes Resource Expert LARS
Elizabeth Wood Resource Expert Instruction
Veronica De La Rosa Resource Expert Instruction
Lindsey Ruiz Resource Expert Academic Senate President
Open Representative Associated Students 
Open Representative (Alternate) Associated Students 

Volunteer for this committee

Established at the Academic Senate Board meeting on September 17, 1998, to research and discuss issues of an academic and professional nature, and to develop recommendations for new and revised college polices and procedures in the following areas:

  • Academic Standards     
  • Program Review
  • Grading
  • Course Enrollment Management
  • Classroom Behavior Management
  • Educational Program Changes
  • Record Keeping and Forms
  • Textbooks

Committee Chair: Open

Members
Name Position Division
Bakhtawar Bhadha Member Social Sciences
Rohan Desai Member Counseling
Michelle Fabros Member Social Sciences
Juan Leon Member Career & Technical Education
Patricia Michel Member Mathematics
Lindsey Ruiz Member English and Language Studies
Lan Truong Member Counseling

Volunteer for this committee

To determine "equivalency" for candidates of faculty positions who do not have minimum qualifications. Please see Administrative Procedure 7211 and 7211.1. 

Please also consult the California Community Colleges' Minimum Qualifications Handbook 2020.

Committee Chair: Susie Ling

Members
Name Position Division
Grace Apiafi Member Kinesiology Health & Athletics
Michelle Ireland Galman Member Social Sciences
Susie Ling Chair Social Sciences
Wendy Lucko Member Career & Technical Education
David Machen Member Performing/Communication Arts
Yolanda McKay Member Visual Arts and Media Studies
Charlene Potter Member English and Language Studies
Katharina Rodriguez Member Natural Sciences

Volunteer for this committee

The mission of the Executive Committee is to implement actions taken by the Academic Senate board, act on behalf of the Academic Senate during the summer months when the Senate is not in session, transact business, and perform other functions consistent with the intent, purposes, and provisions of the Bylaws and Senate Rules.

Members
Name Position Division
Lindsey Ruiz President English and Language Studies
Amy Tahani-Bidmeshki Vice President English and Language Studies
Christopher R. O'Leary Secretary Visual Arts & Media Studies
Carmen L. Stephens Treasurer Counseling | LARS

Volunteer for this committee

During the 2020/21 academic year, the FCOE strengthened ties with the Distance Education Department and the Professional Development Office. We updated our prior recommendations to the Academic Senate. We will continue to review and update the DE Faculty Handbook in 21/22.

The mission of the Faculty Committee on Online Education (FCOE) is to recommend policies and practices that support faculty teaching online and contribute to distance education course quality and student success at Pasadena City College. The committee serves as the Academic Senate’s primary recommending body on academic and professional matters regarding distance education and online learning.

Functions of the Committee

  • Provides a forum for evaluating evolving issues in distance education and online learning.
  • Makes recommendations to the Academic Senate regarding all aspects of distance education and online learning.
  • Supports faculty in development and delivery of their distance education courses by identifying and promoting best practices and resources for distance education course delivery.
  • Collaborates and coordinates on areas of mutual interest with other senate committees and campus constituencies.

Goals

  1. Strengthen ties with the Distance Education Department and the Professional Development Office.
  2. Review and update prior recommendations.
  3. Advocate for professional development opportunities, pedagogical strategies, third party tools/platforms with ongoing training, student support services, and access to hardware and internet to promote equity in online classes.
  4. Facilitate opportunities for students to get one-on-one support in CANVAS tools and online learning strategies.

Co-Chair:  Lauren Acker

Co-Chair: Kimberly Shediak

Members
Name Position Division
Lauren Acker Co-Chair Social Sciences
Mariella Baldo Member Noncredit
Sergio Barron Member Business
Sunny Cannon Member Visual Arts & Media Studies
Shelley Gaskin Member Business 
Sandra Haynes Member Visual Arts & Media Studies
Sashur Henninger  Member Social Sciences
Viviana Hong Member English and Language Studies
Joseph Hwang Member Academic Senate
Suzanne Iwanicki Member Natural Sciences
Juan Leon Member Academic Senate
David Machen Member Performing/Communication Arts
Rhea Presiado Member Natural Sciences
Kimberly Shediak Co-Chair Business
Albert Shin Member Social Sciences
Daniel Staylor Member English and Language Studies
Mary Wahl Member Library
Mark Whitworth Member Performing/Communication Arts

Volunteer for this committee

The Academic Senate Faculty Development Committee communicates with the PD Standing Committee on matters relating to faculty professional development.

The Faculty Development Committee:

  1. makes recommendations about PD policies and procedures for faculty, and
  2. supports the PD program by structuring and facilitating PD for faculty in accordance with the guidance set forth by the PDSC.

Committee Chair: Kenneth Simon

Members
Name Position Division
Bakhtawar Bhadha Member Social Sciences
Carol Curtis Member English and Language Studies
Natalie Galindo Member Performing/Communication Arts
Lena Hicks
 Member
 Library
Jennifer Holden Member Social Sciences
Suzanne Iwanicki Member Faculty Development Committee
Kristin Kaz Member English and Language Studies
Stephanie Marshall Member Business
Patrick Rock Member Social Sciences
Shelagh Rose Member Languages & ESL
Kenneth Simon Chair Library

Volunteer for this committee

The function of the Faculty Hiring Priorities Committee is to prioritize new faculty hires and forward their recommendation to the President of the College.

See our Recommendations

Committee Chair: Lindsey Ruiz

Members
Name Position Division
Suzanne Anderson Member Social Sciences
Sharis Azar Member Counseling
Avisha Chugani Member Counseling
Michelle Ingram Member Mathematics
Dawne McClure Member Performing/Communication Arts
Patrick McGee Member Kinesiology Health and Athletics
Colleen Nanno Member Business
Christopher O'Leary Member Visual Arts and Media Studies
Charlene Potter Member Academic Senate
Katharina Rodriguez Member Natural Sciences
Salvador Sanchez Diaz Member Career and Technical Education
Kenneth Simon  Member Library
Marjorie Smith Member English and Language Studies

Volunteer for this committee

The LAC fosters excellence in pedagogy by supporting the design and execution of meaningful assessment practices at the instructor, course, program (transfer, certificate, and degree) and institutional level. We promote reflective dialogue that drives the use of assessment data to support improvement of student learning.

Co-Chairs: Elizabeth Nagy

Co-Chairs: Agnes Ventura

Members
Name Position Division
Mariella Baldo Member Noncredit
Beverley Dunbar Member Social Science
Trisha Herrera Member English and Language Studies
Kevin Keane Member Career & Technical Education
Monica Marshall Member Kinesiology Health & Athletics
Stephanie Marshall Member Business
Zachary Matthews Member Performing/Communication Arts 
Elizabeth Nagy Co-Chair Natural Sciences
Charlene Potter Member English and Language Studies
Adrine Reganian Member Health Sciences
Lily Tran Member Counseling
Jessica Valentine Member Mathematics
Michael Vendrasco Member Natural Sciences
Agnes Ventura Co-Chair Mathematics
Gregory Zamora Member Visual Arts & Media Studies

Volunteer for this committee

The mission of the Nominations and Elections Committee is to recommend to the Academic Senate Board the procedures for nominating and electing officers; oversee the election, and report the results to the Academic Senate Board for ratification.

Committee Chair: Shelagh Rose

Members
Name Position Division
Rosemarie Cervantes Member DSP&S
Rita D'Amico Member English and Language Studies
John Hanley Member English and Language Studies
Gena Lopez Member Counseling
Melissa Michelson Member Noncredit
Shelagh Rose Chair English and Language Studies
Nancy Rutzen  Member Noncredit

Volunteer for this committee

The Mission of the Ralph Story Unsung Hero Selection Committee is to choose the current Ralph Story Service Award winner(s) from among the nominations. (Committee members must be former recipients of the Ralph Story Award and  be on campus as teaching faculty).

Committee Chair: Michelle Ireland Galman

Members
Name Position Division
Lauren Arenson Member Social Sciences
Eduardo Cairo Member Social Sciences
Russell Di Fiori Member Natural Sciences
Jane Hallinger Member English and Language Studies
Linda Hintzman Member Mathematics (Sabbatical)
Michelle Ireland Galman Chair Social Sciences

Volunteer for this committee

The mission of the Scholarship Committee is to select and recommend to the Academic Senate Board the recipient(s) of the Senate Scholarship Awards.  The Committee shall review and screen all applications to ensure that they meet the criteria outlined in Article 7.3 of the Academic Senate Bylaws, and may, at its discretion, interview all qualified applicants.

Committee Chair: Peter Castro

Members
Name Position Division
Debra Bronstein Member English and Language Studies
Peter Castro Chair Natural Sciences
Innocent Egbunike Member Kinesiology Health & Athletics
Jorge Encinas Member Math & Computer Science
Padma Ganapathi Member Natural Sciences
Daniela Hernandez Member Counseling
Paulette Koubek Member English and Language Studies
Susie Ling Member Social Sciences
Angela McGaharn Member English and Language Studies
Maria Pehlivanova Member English and Language Studies
Vita Torigoe Member Health Sciences

Volunteer for this committee

Mission:  To serve as a creative space to reimagine marginalized stories in higher education and implement standards to correct institutional barriers and create a culture of access and belonging throughout Pasadena City College.

Co-Chair: Lindsey Ruiz

Co-Chair: Armia Walker

Members
Name Position Division
Jeff Bajah Member Business
Rohan Desai Member Counseling
Anthony Francoso Member Social Sciences
Jeff Hupp Member Counseling
Suzanne Iwanicki Member Natural Sciences
Gena Lopez Member Counseling
Dawne McClure Member Performing/Communication Arts
Paul Price Member Social Sciences
Lindsey Ruiz Co-Chair English and Language Studies
Taleen  Sanchez-Seropian Member Counseling
Carmen Stephens Member DSP&S/Personal Counseling
Amy Tahani-Bidmeshki Member English and Language Studies
Armia Walker Co-Chair Counseling
Desiree Zuniga Member Counseling

Volunteer for this committee

View All Committees in BoardDocs Volunteer for a Committee

Upcoming Meetings

All upcoming Academic Senate meetings can be viewed in BoardDocs.

View Upcoming Meetings in BoardDocs

BoardDocs Help
  • From the BoardDocs main page, access the list of committees from the black toolbar at the top of the page. Select the government building icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to access a drop-down menu.
  • Select the desired committee from the menu.
  • Once the desired committee is selected, the committee meetings are listed in chronological order, with the most recent listed on top.
  • PCC Policies and Procedures can be found by selecting the “Policies” tab.
Please note: archived committee documents will be uploaded soon.
Contact Academic Senate
  • C-227
  • (626) 585-7211