Ken Roberts selected chair-elect of Faculty Senate

Ken Roberts, professor and chair of the Department of Translational Medicine & Physiology, has been appointed chair-elect of the Washington State University Faculty Senate.

An enduring belief in the value of faculty governance prompted Roberts to join Faculty Senate two years ago. He's previously served in a number of administrative roles at WSU, including acting dean of the WSU College of Medicine, and said he wanted to give back to his alma mater in a new way.

"It can be hard to find time to contribute to the university in a role like this, but I felt like now was the perfect time to take on this responsibility and work with Faculty Senate to advise and advocate on behalf of faculty across the WSU System," Roberts said.

Roberts earned a doctorate in biochemistry and biophysics from WSU in 1989 before completing his postdoctoral training in reproductive biology at Johns Hopkins University. He then traveled to the University of Minnesota, where he received tenure in 2004 and directed a first-year course for medical students shortly thereafter.

His interest in medical school education led him back to WSU in 2008 after learning about the work the university was pursuing as part of the WWAMI Medical Education Program. He and several colleagues worked with then-President Elson S. Floyd to study and develop plans to open a medical school in Spokane, which culminated in the college welcoming its inaugural class in 2017.

Roberts said he's eager to serve as chair when the next president of WSU is expected to begin their tenure next year. He'll spend the next 10 months serving as chair of Faculty Senate's committee on committees as well as working with current Chair Tracy Klein and immediate past chair Eric Shelden.

Roberts replaces Charles Moore in the role of chair-elect this fall following Moore's resignation.