Resources for New Faculty
MSCF Information Sessions For Prospective Members
We offer virtual MSCF information sessions geared toward new faculty several times throughout the year. These sessions are designed for new/recently hired faculty who are not yet members of MSCF and want to learn more about our union. The session will provide an overview of the history, values, and work of our union. Information on how to become a member will also be included. Please use the links below (when there are any) to register for an upcoming session.
Individual Meetings with MSCF Resource Guides
We know that starting a new roles as a faculty member can be overwhelming and there is a lot of important information to absorb. To support our new colleagues, MSCF has recruited members to serve as MSCF Resource Guides for new faculty.
MSCF Resource Guides meet individually with new faculty to provide general information to support their onboarding, including important MSCF contract provisions, helpful resources, and MSCF member benefits.
Meet our MSCF Resource Guides
Dan Norgard- Economics Faculty Normandale Community College Advice for New Faculty: Get involved! There are many different committees and learning circles you can be a part of at our campus and system wide. This is a great way to get to know other faculty and gain a better understanding of what is going on. Why are you a member of MSCF? I chose to go into teaching and decided to teach at Normandale because of the wonderful work conditions and benefits which were negotiated for by our union. I know that all of this could go away quickly if it wasn't for MSCF. Additional Fun Facts: I love spending my limited free time doing home improvement and wood working projects, and this summer my family decided to add chickens and a little library to our yard.
Jennifer Malarski- Business Management Minneapolis College Advice for New Faculty: Meet other faculty, get to know your community Why are you a member of MSCF? I am a member because I want to be part of ensuring that faculty are represented and supported by our system. Additional Fun Facts: I have been around the system and at different campuses, so happy to share my journey
Shana Crandall- Librarian Century College Advice for New Faculty: Make sure you know your rights as faculty and who to contact if you need help with anything faculty/contract-related. Also, keep an eye on your pay and benefits for errors. Why are you a member of MSCF? I am a member of MSCF because the union is there to support me (and all faculty) if something goes wrong with my job, pay, etc. It is also very nice to be part of a group that supports faculty and to have a voice in decision making for faculty. Additional Fun Facts: I have worked as a librarian at Century for 9 years and have just became an unlimited faculty member. I am married and have 4 kids and 2 goldendoodles. I live in the Highland Park neighborhood in St. Paul.
Michele Jersak- Counselor Century College Advice for New Faculty: Seek mentorship from MSCF members on important details such as reviewing inital placement, reading your pay stub, etc. Go to MSCF meetings to stay informed. Why are you a member of MSCF? Collective bargaining and having a voice. Additional Fun Facts: I love theatre, dancing, walking in nature, and travel. I also teach meditation and yoga.
Tracy Figueroa-Culinary Hennepin Technical College Advice for New Faculty: My biggest advice as a new faculty member is to give yourself some grace. You don't have to know everything on day one. Build relationships with your colleagues, ask a lot of questions, learn from your mistakes, and take advantage of the resources and people around you. Especially seasoned faculty members that offer assistance. Find your style of teaching, but also be willing to adapt as your students and the profession change. And most importantly, remember that being a good faculty member isn't just about what happens in the classroom, it's also about building connections with students and contributing to the college community. Why are you a member of MSCF? Initially I wanted to become an MSCF member because my first year was successful due to the support of my fellow faculty. Also, I'm a member of MSCF because I believe in the power of having a collective voice. As faculty, we have a responsibility to advocate not only for ourselves, but for our students, our programs, and the quality of education we provide. Being part of the union gives faculty a voice in decisions that affect our working conditions, our profession, and our campuses. I also value the protection, support, and advocacy that come from being part of a collective organization. Additional Fun Facts: One of my favorite hobbies is collecting vintage vinyl albums. I enjoy visiting record shops and vinyl shows in search of music from some of my favorite artists. My music collection spans a variety of genres, including Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock, Salsa, R&B, Hip Hop, and Rap. I’m also a fairly good Salsa dancer!
Keith Bistodeau-Communication Studies & Mass Communication Anoka Ramsey Community College Advice for New Faculty: For newly hired MSCF faculty, my biggest piece of advice is to get involved early. Take the time to learn your contract, attend union meetings, and introduce yourself to your campus MSCF representatives. The contract is more than just a document about salary and benefits—it outlines your rights, responsibilities, workload, evaluation process, and many of the resources available to support you throughout your career. Equally important is building relationships with your colleagues. Some of the best advice, teaching ideas, and professional support come from the faculty around you. Don't hesitate to ask questions, seek out mentors, and share your own experiences. Higher education is collaborative, and the connections you build will make you a stronger instructor and a more effective advocate for your students. Finally, remember that your voice matters. Whether it's participating in campus committees, attending union events, or contributing ideas about teaching and learning, your perspective is valuable. MSCF is strongest when members actively participate and support one another. By becoming engaged early, you'll not only gain a better understanding of your role as faculty, but you'll also help strengthen the profession for current and future educators. Why are you a member of MSCF? I am a member of the Minnesota State College Faculty (MSCF) because I believe that faculty have the greatest impact when we have a strong, collective voice. MSCF advocates not only for fair compensation and benefits, but also for the professional standards, academic freedom, and working conditions that allow faculty to provide the highest quality education for our students. Through collective bargaining, the union helps ensure that faculty have a meaningful role in decisions that affect our classrooms, our colleges, and the future of higher education. The benefits of membership that are most important to me are contract protection, advocacy, and solidarity with my colleagues. Knowing that there is an organization dedicated to protecting faculty rights, ensuring fair workloads, supporting professional development, and negotiating competitive salaries and benefits provides both security and confidence. Equally important is being part of a community of educators who work together to strengthen our colleges and improve opportunities for students. I view my membership not simply as an investment in my own career, but as a commitment to supporting the profession and helping ensure that Minnesota's colleges remain places where both faculty and students can succeed.
Mikki Ottomoeller- Practical Nursing Anoka Technical College Advice for New Faculty: My advice to newly hired MSCF faculty is to get involved early. Attend campus and union meetings, ask questions, and build relationships with your colleagues. Don't hesitate to lean on experienced faculty—they are an invaluable source of knowledge and support. Take the time to learn your contract and understand your rights, responsibilities, and the resources available through MSCF. The contract is one of your best tools for navigating your career and advocating for yourself and your students. Finally, remember to prioritize balance. Teaching is rewarding, but it can also be demanding. Set realistic expectations, stay organized, and make time for your own well-being. I struggle with this continuously, but still try and find that balance. A strong support network and active participation in the union will help you succeed both professionally and personally. Why are you a member of MSCF? I am a member of MSCF because I believe that a strong faculty union is essential to protecting the quality of education, supporting faculty, and ensuring that educators have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect our work and our students. I value being part of an organization that advocates for fair compensation, academic freedom, shared governance, and positive working conditions through collective bargaining and member engagement. The benefits of membership that are most important to me are having strong representation during contract negotiations, protecting faculty rights, preserving academic freedom, and knowing there is support when workplace issues arise. I also value the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across Minnesota, stay informed about legislative and higher education issues, and contribute to strengthening both our profession and the student experience. We are stronger together. Additional Fun Facts: Life is crazy and ever changing. Keep your mind and options open, both professionally and personally. We are currently raising our great-grandsons- toddlers!! We may be a little insane, they bring so much joy and wonder to our lives.
Julie Hayes- Librarian Minneapolis College Advice for New Faculty: Build relationships with fellow faculty members outside your department! Likewise with staff and administrators who work across your campus Why are you a member of MSCF? I believe in worker solidarity and coalition building, and belonging to a MSCF allows me to contribute my skills in service of my colleagues and our entire college community. The benefits of belonging to our union are many, but most important to me personally is that our collective bargaining efforts provide me with an overall salary that is anywhere between 10-20% higher than other academic librarians, with the same years of experience, who do not belong to a union (according to national labor statistics). Additional Fun Facts: It is a lifelong dream of mine to one day author and illustrate a children’s book with my best friend!
Cindy Johanek- English North Hennepin Community College Advice for New Faculty: It's OK to ask questions! Read the contract. Connect with others. Go to meetings and attend MSCF Town Halls to stay informed. Why are you a member of MSCF? MSCF works hard to be the voice of faculty and to secure and maintain the respect that faculty deserve, especially in salary, benefits, and conditions. Additional Fun Facts: I feel more connected to my colleagues after joining MSCF. I didn't join right away because I wasn't sure I'd be here long. That was in 2007!
Valarie Bere- Radiography Minnesota State Southeast, Winona Advice for New Faculty: My advice is to ask lots of questions. Find a faculty member who has been teaching at your college for a long time and ask questions. Observing a couple of classes is also very helpful. Why are you a member of MSCF? MSCF gives guidelines for both the employer and the employee of best work practices. They work hard to negotiate fair wages and benefits. Additional Fun Facts: I absolutely love teaching Radiography. After 16 years my two favorite days are the first day of the new school year and graduation.