Leadership

The Executive Board, Member Organizers, and Department Representatives ensure that the Northern Illinois University United Faculty Alliance has a strong voice in advocating for the tenured and tenure-track faculty at Northern Illinois University.

The Executive Board, often referred to as the “E-Board,” is elected by the union membership according to the UFA’s bylaws. Individual E-Board officers are listed below.

Member Organizers are member volunteers who assist the union in a variety of capacities. Department Representatives function as a liaison between the Executive Board and individual academic units. Member Organizers and Department Representatives also can serve on UFA committees and teams:

The UFA welcomes members who want to get involved and has a variety of flexible volunteer opportunities. No previous union experience is required.

Contact Us to find out who your department representative is or to learn more about current leadership and volunteer opportunities.

Executive Board

  • Mark Van Wienen

    PRESIDENT

    Professor—Department of English

  • Wayne Finley

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Professor—University Libraries

  • Stephen Tonks

    SECRETARY

    Professor—Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology & Foundations

  • Alissa Droog

    TREASURER

    Assistant Professor—University Libraries

  • Sheila Barrett

    AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVE

    Associate Professor—School of Health Studies

  • Reva Freedman

    AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVE

    Associate Professor—Department of Computer Science

  • Kristin Huffine

    AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVE & LIAISON TO UPI LOCAL, PRO TEM

    Associate Professor—Department of History

  • Melissa Lenczewski

    AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVE

    Professor—Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment