Eleven Candidates Vie for Seats on U-M’s Faculty Governance Team
In a significant move for faculty governance at the University of Michigan, 11 candidates are competing for three available seats on the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA). As part of the nine-member executive body of U-M’s central faculty governance system, SACUA plays a vital role in representing faculty interests across the university’s campuses.
Faculty survey reminder
All U-M faculty — tenured, tenure-track, research-track, clinical, lecturer, librarian, archivist, and curator — with a cumulative 50% or more appointment across the three U-M campuses are invited to complete the annual Administration Evaluation Committee survey.
An invitation to participate in the survey — including a customized link specific to each faculty member — has been emailed to all eligible participants, with a subject containing the phrase “[AEC Survey] Opening Day – Faculty Evaluation of U-M Administrators.”
The survey opened March 10 and closes April 10, with results expected to be posted to the AEC Survey website at aec.umich.edu by June.
The successful candidates will commence their terms on May 1. Following the March 23 Senate Assembly meeting, where candidates will present their statements, electronic voting will open for Assembly members for a 72-hour period. The top three vote recipients will be announced on March 27, with each serving a three-year term. These new members will replace outgoing SACUA members Vilma Mesa, Susan Najita, and Lauren B. Smith.
Biographical details and candidate statements have been provided by the candidates through the Faculty Senate Office:
Germine “Gigi” Awad
University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, professor of psychology, and of women’s and gender studies, and associate director, Global Islamic Studies, LSA
Education: Ph.D. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; Master of Arts, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; Bachelor of Science, John Carroll University
Faculty leadership: Committee member, STRIDE U-M Advance Program; chair, Committee on Anti-Racism, CAR; Department of Psychology Executive Committee; program chair, Gender and Feminist Psychology
Candidate statement: “I am honored to be nominated for SACUA and strive to leverage faculty expertise to help meet the demands of the changing landscape of the academy. As questions arise as to what the U-M core values of integrity, respect, inclusion, equity, diversity, and innovation entail in the current climate, I hope to help strategize how to stay true to the University of Michigan’s mission and standards that were co-created by the campus community. I believe the protection of academic freedom is key to continuing the high standards of excellence that are expected from everyone at the University of Michigan.”
Sun-Yung Bak
Clinical associate professor of dentistry, School of Dentistry
Education: Maxillofacial Prosthetics Fellowship Certificate (2013), University of California, Los Angeles; Prosthodontic Residency Certificate (2012), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center; General Practice Residency Certificate (1999), Maimonides Medical Center; DDS (1998), U-M School of Dentistry; Bachelor of Arts (1992), Wellesley College
Faculty leadership: Rules, Practices, and Policies (2024-present); U-M Women of Color in the Academy Project (2019-present); Dental School: Admissions Committee (2020-23), Strategic Planning Committee (2021-24), Academic Review Board (2021-present), Curriculum Committee (2022-present), and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee (2020-present); UNC Chapel Hill: Materials Committee, Curriculum Committee, Conflict of Interest Committee, and chair of the Conflict of Interest Committee (2017-18)
Candidate statement: “I am a clinical associate professor at the School of Dentistry. As clinical faculty, I understand the pressures of teaching loads, research and service expectations. I am passionate about equity in promotion and transparency in compensation standards, academic freedom, and physical and psychological safety of not just faculty but of students and staff on campus. All faculty should have the freedom to express concerns and protection from retaliation. I am an advocate for oversight committees to protect faculty from repercussions from administration. If elected, I will strive to bring faculty voices and concerns to administration.”
Steven Buchman
M. Haskell Newman Collegiate Professor of Plastic Surgery, professor of surgery, and of neurosurgery, Medical School
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English/protein biochemistry, Columbia University; M.D., Medical College of Virginia; General and Plastic Surgery Residency, University of Pennsylvania; UCLA Craniofacial Fellowship
Faculty Leadership: Medical Affairs Advisory Committee, MAAC; Faculty Grievance Hearing Panel, FGHP, committee; adviser to the General Counsel’s Advisory Committee, GCAC
Candidate statement: “I’m a tenured professor in plastic and neurosurgery. I’ve been at the University of Michigan for over 31 years and I’m running for SACUA because I feel that the administration has ‘lost its way’ regarding the way faculty are treated and valued. The grievance process requires overhaul as it’s non-binding and it seems the unelected and unappointed office of general council represents the university’s interests and not ours. I think reform is required and I promise to speak truth to power in my quixotic endeavors for transformational improvement for the professors who have dedicated their lives to this esteemed institution.”
James Gulvas
Senior associate librarian, Library Collections, University Library
Education: Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians, Harvard University: Graduate School of Education, Professional Education (2022); Master of Library and Information Science, Wayne State University (2012); Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary communication, Aquinas College (2011)
Faculty leadership: Chair, Financial Affairs Advisory Committee, FAAC (2022-24), (leadership role; chaired the committee’s work and agenda); member, Administration Evaluation Committee, AEC, (current role); member, Rules, Practices, and Policies Committee (current role); member, Ethical Investment Committee Summer Working Group (2024); member, Senate Assembly (current role); co-chair (2023-24), member (2022-24), U-M Library Promotion Review Committee; chair (2021-22), member (2020-present), Big Ten Academic Alliance, Libraries Acquisitions Heads; co-chair, Promotion & Appointment of Librarians Implementation Working Group, U-M Library: Librarian’s Forum (2018-19)
Candidate statement: “I am running for SACUA to hold university leadership accountable to faculty governance, through transparency, evidence, and timely consultation. As an acquisitions librarian, I have previously chaired the Faculty Senate’s Financial Affairs Advisory Committee, and I serve on Senate Assembly, where I have pushed for clear rationales, measurable outcomes, and honest communication. On SACUA, I will push that major university and faculty initiatives, budgets, and policy changes come with data, options, and impact assessments, and that faculty feedback is reflected in the final decision, not filed away. I will report back and elevate concerns early, across all three campuses.”
Niko Kaciroti
Research scientist, pediatrics, Medical School; and research scientist, biostatistics, School of Public Health
Education: Ph.D. in Biostatistics, University of Michigan
Faculty leadership: member, Executive Committee, Medical School; past chair, Information Technology Committee, ITC
Candidate statement: “I am a research scientist in the Department of Pediatrics and Biostatistics. My research work builds on collaboration with other multidisciplinary teams, including clinical and research faculty members at Michigan Medicine and across the campus. As a member of SACUA, I will advocate for faculty interests and use my experience of working with diverse faculty members to support a team-based approach to decision-making. If elected, I will work with the university leadership to ensure that faculty concerns are heard and supported.”
Kim Kearfott
Professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, College of Engineering; professor of radiology, Medical School; and professor of biomedical engineering, College of Engineering and Medical School
Education: ScD, nuclear engineering/medical physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Doctoral Minor Harvard School of Public Health); Master of Engineering in nuclear engineering, University of Virginia; Bachelor of Science in engineering, St. Mary’s University, Halifax
Faculty Leadership: SACUA (former chair); Senate Assembly (two terms); AAUP (former board, lifetime member); Radiation Policy Committee; director, College of Engineering Faculty Development; director, College of Engineering Undergraduate Admissions; co-director, Rackham Medical Physics Certificate Program; founding faculty Women in Engineering Office and Faculty Engineering Women group (morphed names over years); founding adviser student organization Out-in-Science-Technology-Engineering-&Math (oSTEM); plus more than 75 additional U-M committees
Candidate statement: “As an active researcher and teacher at U-M for over three decades, I seek to return my experienced, principled, and fearless voice to SACUA. Academic freedom — our university’s soul — must encompass both research and instructional autonomy. Diversity — our heart — continuously revitalizes our community. I prioritize protecting these values across all disciplines. While STEM faculty face critical resource challenges, humanities colleagues endure budget-strained teaching and intense cultural debates. I cannot guarantee simple solutions, but I promise to strive for them while demanding administrative accountability and transparency. I ask for your vote to protect our collective future.”
Mukesh Nyati
Professor of radiation oncology, Medical School
Education: Ph.D. in cancer biology, University of Rajasthan; Master of Science in zoology, University of Ajmer; Bachelor of Science in chemistry, physics, and biology, University of Ajmer
Faculty leadership: chair, Biomedical Research Council (2020); member, Senate Assembly (2023); faculty champion, Rogel Cancer Center Innovation Program (2023); member, Rogel Cancer Center (2003-present); committee member, National Institute of Health Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, CTEP, project team (2014-18); project team member and advisor on AZD9291 development, CTEP (2014); ad hoc member, NIH Scientific Review Committee, SBIR (2011-14)
Candidate statement: “As a U-M faculty member for over two decades with an international educational background, I bring the necessary experience to serve and protect our diverse faculty community. Having served on numerous committees, I understand the importance of representation for faculty who come from all parts of the world to serve this institution. I am driven by a specific mantra in both my professional and personal life: responsibility, rights, and ethics. If elected to SACUA, I will represent these core values to ensure a fair and ethical environment for all faculty.”
Merle Rosenzweig
Librarian, Health Sciences, University Library
Education: Master of Arts in liberal studies, School of Information, the University of Michigan; Bachelor of Arts, Wayne State University
Faculty leadership: member, Secretary of the University Advisory Committee, SAC (2017-24)
Candidate statement: “As a proud alum of the University of Michigan, it would be an honor to be considered as a candidate for the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs and to support the mission of the University of Michigan ‘in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.’ I believe the university faces new challenges, such as climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion in student enrollment and faculty recruitment; gender equality, among other things. As a member of SACUA, I would have the opportunity to see those challenges accomplished.”
Michael Schubnell
Research scientist, physics, LSA
Education: Ph. D. in physics and Diplom Physiker, the University of Wuppertal, Germany
Faculty leadership: Member, Senate Assembly (2025-present); University of Michigan Research Faculty Awards Committee (2020-21); Senate Research Policies Committee (2011-14); member, DoE Office of Science Graduate Fellowship Program Review (2010, 2012)
Candidate statement: “As research faculty in physics and a Senate Assembly member, I am deeply committed to representing faculty interests and advancing shared governance. Universities face many challenges — from attacks on free speech, accessibility, and funding, to the unknown impact of emerging technologies like AI. I believe SACUA must provide a strong voice in defining how we adapt, balancing innovation with academic integrity. If elected, I will advocate for faculty input, flexible policies, and thoughtful engagement, ensuring we shape the future of research and teaching at Michigan, rather than simply react to change.”
Maria Silveira
Associate professor of internal medicine, and adult hospice and palliative medicine research co-director, Medical School
Education: Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry, Harvard College; Master of Arts in ethics, University of Pittsburgh; MD, SUNY Stony Brook; MPH, University of Washington
Faculty leadership: member, Senate Assembly (2012-15); director, Palliative Care Research Program (2014-present); co-director, Palliative Care Program (2014-24); clinical director, Cancer Center Palliative Care & Symptom Management Clinic (2023-25); member, Cancer Committee (2023-25)
Candidate statement: “I am honored to stand for election to SACUA. Throughout my career as a physician-scientist, ethicist, and educator at the University of Michigan, I have been deeply engaged in leadership and policy work at institutional, state, and national levels, including prior elected service in the U-M Senate Assembly. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to shared governance, transparency, and ensuring faculty perspectives meaningfully inform university decision-making. I will advocate for faculty and student well-being, freedom of academic speech, robust funding of impactful research, and improved affordability of higher education. I am particularly committed to fostering trust between faculty and leadership.”
Lauren B. Smith
Clinical professor of pathology, Medical School
Education: Bachelor of Arts (1992), MD (2002) and residency/fellowship (2007), the University of Michigan
Faculty leadership: Medical Affairs Advisory Committee, MAAC; Provost’s Faculty Grievance Procedure Review Working Group; Committee on the Oversight of Administrative Action, COAA: member, Senate Assembly (2024-present): Executive Council on Clinical Affairs, ECCA; GME Special Review Committee, Hematopathology Section Head (2015-22); director, Hematopathology Fellowship (2013-22); director, Ethics Path of Excellence (2013-25)
Candidate statement: “I am currently on SACUA, filling a vacancy. I will continue to bring my experience as a clinical professor and my insight as the daughter of a nontenure-track faculty member. I am a pathologist and ethicist specializing in diagnosing leukemias and lymphomas, and I frequently address complex ethical issues in medicine with mediation. This is a critical time when academic freedom is at stake. I support peaceful protest and science-based medical care, and I understand the importance of shared governance. In an era when courage is essential, I will listen to diverse perspectives and fight for our shared values/interests.”
— Compiled by Genevieve Monsma, The University Record
