Dear Faculty,
The semester is already in full swing, and we want to thank you for the energy you bring to your students and campuses each day. In the midst of a busy start, we would like to share a few Faculty Association updates.
Update on the CHRO Candidate Faculty Sessions
Reminder, faculty will have the opportunity to talk with the CHRO candidates on Thursday, September 25: 9:00am-10:00am, 10:00am-11:00am, and 11:00am-12:00pm.
The faculty session for the CHRO candidates now will be held in person with a virtual option. One faculty member will be managing the Webex; please be patient as the technology is navigated.
Faculty also are welcome to attend the afternoon public forums. The COO sent an email about the public forums on Friday.
All Faculty Meeting
Here is the recording of the August All Faculty Meeting, where we discussed shared governance and the ongoing work of the Faculty Executive Council (FEC) and the Faculty Association (FA). We encourage you to watch, and we hope you’ll join future meetings. The next All Faculty Meeting will be on Friday, January 30th from 12:00pm-1:00pm.
Pop-in Office Hours with FA President and President-Elect
One of our goals this year is to hear from more faculty across the district. So, we are setting up office hours at each college. These will be casual, drop-in times to ask questions, share your thoughts, or just connect with your faculty leaders. Watch for announcements from your Faculty Senate President with specific times and locations. We hope to see you there!
Save the Date
The Faculty Association will be hosting Meet & Greet events across the valley this year. Please save the following dates and keep an eye out for more details on locations soon.
- Tuesday, October 7 – West Valley, 4:00pm-5:30pm
- Tuesday, November 4 – Central Valley, 4:00pm-5:30pm
- Thursday, February 12 – East Valley, 4:00pm-5:30pm
- Friday, April 24 – Location and time TBD
Membership
We live in interesting times, which makes it more important than ever to stand together in defense of academic freedom, tenure, and shared governance.
If you were a member previously, please remember that EVERYONE must manually renew this Fall by October 14th to avoid a lapse in membership.
If you are not already a member, please consider joining the Maricopa Faculty Association now.
If you are unsure about your current membership status or have other questions related to membership, please use your personal email to contact our Membership Officer, Kory Ambrosich: kory.merkel@gmail.com.
When you sign up or renew, you will also have an opportunity to contribute to the Faculty Foundation and FacPAC.
Faculty teaching conditions are student learning conditions. Standing together, we contribute to the integrity and health of our institution so we can all continue serving students with excellence!
Thank you,
Stacy Smith
President
Maricopa Community Colleges Faculty Association
FacPAC Governing Board Endorsements 2026
/in FACPACDear Faculty Association Members,
We are excited to announce the Faculty Political Action Committee (FacPAC)’s endorsements for the 2026 Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board elections.
The Candidates
This election cycle includes three open seats, and we’re thrilled to endorse excellent candidates for each.
District 3
We are proud to endorse long-time businessman Bill Sandweg. Bill and Ginger Sandweg co-founded Copper Star Coffee in the Melrose District in 2006, and Bill has been an active advocate for small business and the local economy. He has served on multiple city commissions focused on supporting local businesses and strengthening community engagement. Bill has also taken creative writing classes at Phoenix College. His daughter is an alumni of our dual enrollment program, and he is deeply invested in the role Maricopa Community Colleges play in creating pathways for students and families. Bill makes quite an impression, exudes energy and optimism, and will be a tremendous asset to our colleges when he wins in November.
District 4
We are thrilled to endorse Donna Davis for re-election. As a military spouse, Donna taught reading to airmen and preschool on various airforce bases around the world. Her commitment to Arizona youth is evident in her work with youth employment, her fundraising for the Future Farmers of American (FFA), and her non-profit work with Education Forward Arizona. Donna currently chairs the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. During her time on the MCCCD board, Donna actively engaged the community on the importance of passing Prop 486, the successful initiative to modernize the expenditure limitation that was make-or-break for the future of our colleges. She’s been a consistent supporter of the colleges, and we’re excited to help Donna get re-elected to the board!
At-Large
FacPAC enthusiastically endorses Judy Schwiebert, a true champion of public education in Arizona and a former state representative for Legislative District 2. Raised by an educator, Judy became a teacher herself and taught for 27 years at Greenway and Cactus High School. During her tenure in the Arizona Legislature, Judy worked tirelessly to improve public education, sponsoring legislation in a bipartisan fashion on adult education, teacher salaries, and mental health support in schools. Judy also serves on the Paradise Valley Community College President’s Council and is already well acquainted with the Maricopa Community Colleges. Judy impressed us with her depth of knowledge on statewide education policy, and her enthusiasm for improving education in our state. She joins our slate of candidates with a strong commitment to making college affordable and accessible for all students in Maricopa County.
How You Can Help
We’re excited to have three strong candidates for the 2026 election, and we need your help to make it happen! This work only succeeds when faculty show up and get involved. We ask for your support in any way you are able. Please watch for a follow-up email with more information about how you can get involved. We’ll share next steps and opportunities soon.
Thank you for your time and your continued advocacy for the Maricopa Community Colleges.
In solidarity,
FacPAC
1/30/26 All Faculty Meeting Recording
/in FACULTY ASSOCIATIONBelow is a link to recording of the All Faculty Meeting where we talked about shared governance and the work of the Faculty Executive Council and the Faculty Association. Thank you to everyone who attended!
All Faculty Meeting – January, 30, 2026
Passcode: .jZ5XDuJ
Navigating Grievances & Investigations Lunch & Learn Recording
/in FACULTY ASSOCIATIONLast Friday, the Faculty Association and the law firm of Barton Mendez Soto hosted a Lunch & Learn Session focused on two vital aspects of workplace conflict procedures: understanding the grievance process and deciphering investigations:
Navigating Grievances & Investigations Recording
Passcode: #Lj.t*r0
Here are the information sheet and presentation that was shared:
Second Faculty Association Meet & Greet
/in FACULTY ASSOCIATIONHello Colleagues,
Thank you to all of the faculty who were able to join us at the first Faculty Association Meet & Greet. It was a great time of fellowship and conversation.
We are excited to announce the second Meet & Greet event – this time in the Central Valley. An East Valley event will be hosted in February.
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Location: The Windsor, 5223 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012
RSVP requested here. You do not need to be a member to attend. We hope to see you there!
Also, your FEC and FA President and President-elect are visiting all ten colleges for pop-in office hours. Check with your Faculty Senate President for details.
FA News & Updates
/in FACULTY ASSOCIATIONDear Faculty,
The semester is already in full swing, and we want to thank you for the energy you bring to your students and campuses each day. In the midst of a busy start, we would like to share a few Faculty Association updates.
Update on the CHRO Candidate Faculty Sessions
Reminder, faculty will have the opportunity to talk with the CHRO candidates on Thursday, September 25: 9:00am-10:00am, 10:00am-11:00am, and 11:00am-12:00pm.
The faculty session for the CHRO candidates now will be held in person with a virtual option. One faculty member will be managing the Webex; please be patient as the technology is navigated.
Faculty also are welcome to attend the afternoon public forums. The COO sent an email about the public forums on Friday.
All Faculty Meeting
Here is the recording of the August All Faculty Meeting, where we discussed shared governance and the ongoing work of the Faculty Executive Council (FEC) and the Faculty Association (FA). We encourage you to watch, and we hope you’ll join future meetings. The next All Faculty Meeting will be on Friday, January 30th from 12:00pm-1:00pm.
Pop-in Office Hours with FA President and President-Elect
One of our goals this year is to hear from more faculty across the district. So, we are setting up office hours at each college. These will be casual, drop-in times to ask questions, share your thoughts, or just connect with your faculty leaders. Watch for announcements from your Faculty Senate President with specific times and locations. We hope to see you there!
Save the Date
The Faculty Association will be hosting Meet & Greet events across the valley this year. Please save the following dates and keep an eye out for more details on locations soon.
Membership
We live in interesting times, which makes it more important than ever to stand together in defense of academic freedom, tenure, and shared governance.
If you were a member previously, please remember that EVERYONE must manually renew this Fall by October 14th to avoid a lapse in membership.
If you are not already a member, please consider joining the Maricopa Faculty Association now.
If you are unsure about your current membership status or have other questions related to membership, please use your personal email to contact our Membership Officer, Kory Ambrosich: kory.merkel@gmail.com.
When you sign up or renew, you will also have an opportunity to contribute to the Faculty Foundation and FacPAC.
Faculty teaching conditions are student learning conditions. Standing together, we contribute to the integrity and health of our institution so we can all continue serving students with excellence!
Thank you,
Stacy Smith
President
Maricopa Community Colleges Faculty Association