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UAPA is seeking a representative for the Faculty Senate!

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Last year, thanks to the advocacy of former University of Arizona Postdoctoral Association (UAPA) leadership, Drs. Angie Greenman, Rob Jackson, Holly Andrews, Nicole Jimenez, and Alane Dy, University of Arizona postdocs gained a dedicated, voting seat in the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate is essential to processes related to the operations of the university and has the ability to influence policies and procedures at the institution, which impacts all staff, students, and faculty. Its representation includes the Arizona Board of Regents, faculty, undergraduate, graduate, staff, and now postdocs. The Postdoctoral Representative is a voting member who brings postdoc concerns to the Senate and reports Senate decisions back to UAPA.

Previous representative's experience

Dr. Geovana Leite, a postdoc in the College of Medicine-Tucson, Geovana, who served as a postdoc representative in 2025 - 2026 Acaedmic Year, shared her experiences:

"Serving as the Postdoctoral Representative was one of the most rewarding leadership experiences of my postdoctoral training. It gave me valuable insight into how a large research university operates, including its strategic priorities, governance structure, financial and academic challenges, and long-term planning. Participating in Senate discussions allowed me to better understand the complexity of institutional decision-making and the importance of shared governance within higher education."

She saw the position as a genuine bridge between postdocs and university leadership:

"This included bringing forward topics, concerns, and suggestions raised by postdocs through UAPA discussions, while also communicating Senate initiatives, decisions, and institutional updates that could impact postdoctoral scholars. The role provided an opportunity to ensure that the postdoctoral perspective was represented in broader university discussions and governance."

She especially encourages postdocs pursuing faculty positions or long-term careers in academia to consider it: 

"I strongly encourage postdocs — especially those interested in pursuing faculty positions or long-term careers in academia — to consider this opportunity. Beyond developing leadership, communication, and advocacy skills, the experience offers a unique perspective on university administration that is difficult to gain through research alone. It is an excellent opportunity to build professional networks across campus, contribute to meaningful institutional discussions, and grow as an academic leader."

The role

  • Attend monthly Faculty Senate meetings (~2 hours, in person or virtual)
  • Attend quarterly UAPA virtual meetings (~1 hour)
  • Convey knowledge of meetings to UAPA 
  • Vote on university policies and decisions on behalf of UA postdoctoral scholars

Time commitment: ~5 hours per month for a one-year term. We are seeking postdocs with leadership experience, a passion for advocacy, and the ability to participate.

How to apply

Send your CV and a short paragraph describing your interest and goals to UAPA Chair Dr. Nicole Jimenez at nicolejimenez@arizona.edu.