Leadership

MPCTA elects its Executive Board:

Dr. Rushia Turner, President

Physical Science Division / Chemistry Department 

Current term: 2024-2026

I am committed to ensuring that all faculty have a voice in the decision-making processes that impact our working conditions and our livelihoods as members of the MPC community. I pledge to make transparency, integrity, inclusivity, equity, and professionalism the cornerstones of my tenure as MPCTA president. I will speak truth to power—diplomatically—because I know that the stakes are too high to remain silent. I am not afraid to get my head bitten off so I will eagerly stick my neck out to advocate for all faculty. I am particularly committed to advocating for part-time faculty, pre-tenure faculty, and other members of the faculty who may not feel that they have the power or the security to raise their own voice. If elected to serve as president of the MPCTA, I will maintain an organized and productive executive board, and I will build up a strong bargaining team that represents our power and our unity as we begin our next round of contract negotiations in the fall. As MPCTA president, I will provide faithful representation for all faculty at the President’s Advisory Group meetings and at all of the meetings of the Board of Trustees. I pledge to listen carefully to faculty voices so that I can identify my blind spots and learn from the expertise of others who have more knowledge and experience than I do. The MPCTA is for ALL faculty, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that ALL faculty feel represented by this union!

Dr. Robert Chambers, Vice President

Humanities Division / Communication Studies Department 

Current term: 2024-2026 

As a new faculty member to the college, I feel I bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to challenging the status quo. My lack of bias toward traditional methodologies permits me to approach union operations with an innovative lens and open-mindedness. Building strong relationships with all stakeholders is monumental for effective advocacy, and as a new face, I haven’t burned any bridges yet-no pun intended! This also allows me to foster a productive dialogue and collaboration, ensuring faculty concerns are addressed. My diverse life experiences, both professionally and personally, have enabled me to have the insight to identify blind spots within executive leadership. Also, having worked across several different educational institutions, and prior union experience with the AFT (American Federation of Teachers), I was on the negotiation task force to secure healthcare benefits for part-time faculty at the state level, so I am no stranger to being in the “Trenches” with advocacy to make equitable changes for all faculty. Finally, I pride myself on my commitment to engagement and participation. Whether it’s being present at meetings or being present in the room making a difference for our faculty community. I am grateful for this nomination and this opportunity to proudly represent MPC, regarding our union affairs. Creating a better working environment for all faculty and staff isn’t just a goal: it’s a commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and support so everyone can thrive and prosper.

Connie Hébert, Secretary 

Physical Science Division / Mathematics Department 

Current term: 2024-2026

I am Connie Hébert, and I am your union secretary.  I’ve been here at MPC for almost 8 years and teaching for 20 years in both the K-12 system and community college.  I’ve served as the department chair here and at the high school level and have been the PTA auditor at my children’s school.  As my students and department can attest, I’m organized and get things done ahead of time.  If I am able to help, I’ll do all I can.  

Bruce Barrie, Treasurer

Career Education Division / Business Department 

Current term: 2024-2026

As a longtime educator and firm believer in shared governance, it’s vitally important to have the right individuals in the right roles and responsibilities to best serve the full membership: the role of Treasurer is the one best suited to my skillset and experience. As Treasurer, we are required to submit three different tax filings yearly or semiannually (federal, state, local) as well as filing proof with the Secretary of State to keep our non-profit tax-exempt status. Moreover, all accounting records are always up to date for regular reporting, budgeting, review, and auditing. As a Certified Financial Planner and licensed Enrolled Agent (tax certification) I feel that I bring a strong skill set and passion to keep our unionism solid by ensuring a well-funded financial pool for union activism, shared governance, professional education, election advocacy, and worker rights. Having served in this role for the last 5 years, my highlights include:

Dr. Princess Gilbert, Full-time Representative

Life Science Division / Biology Department 

Current term: 2024-2026

Here is why I will make a great addition to the MPCTA Executive Board.

1) I will fight for part-time faculty: Though I recently secured a full-time position at MPC in the Fall of 2020, I vividly remember what it was like to be a part-time faculty member. I worked part-time at 5 different institutions in southern California between 2017 and 2020. I am sensitive to the vulnerable state of our part-time faculty experience, and I am ready to be a strong advocate for better salary/working conditions for this invaluable population at MPC. 

2) I will fight for tenure track faculty: As a recently tenured faculty member, I am emboldened to stand up for those who don’t have that same power and/or job security. I will speak truth to power. I want to help create a campus that we can all feel comfortable at and proud to be a part of. 

3) I will fight for faculty access to high-quality healthcare: I am tuned into the conversations surrounding healthcare and I am committed to ensuring that faculty don’t permit the college to degrade a crucial benefit that constitutes a significant part of our total compensation package.

4) I will fight for part-time faculty access to high-quality healthcare: I am tuned into the issues surrounding part-time health insurance and I’m ready to be part of the team that’s going to get PT healthcare implemented at MPC.

5) I love and value working with faculty from all corners of our campus: I have good relationships with faculty from all of the various corners of the campus community and I also have positive working relationships with the administrators that influence our working conditions. 

Jacques Belval, Part-time Representative

Social Science Division / Political Science Department 

Current Term: 2024-2026

As a cancer survivor and current cancer patient, I know and understand how important it is to have the right healthcare coverage, an issue that we have been tackling for most of the 2023–24 academic year. Fortunately, I am covered through my wife’s insurance, and therefore do not have to worry about my coverage at MPC. However, I am well-aware that the members our campus community are rightly concerned, be they full-time or part-time workers. My goal is to ensure that the majority get what they want and need, and I am prepared to continue advocating for fairness along with my colleagues at the negotiating table. As an active member of MPCTA, I had the privilege of attending the CCA conference in February and am attending another at the end of April; with CFA at my other campus, I went on strike at the beginning of this year’s spring term. Negotiation and collaboration are meaningless unless we are willing to take action: my promise to you is that I always have the interests of my colleagues in mind and I am willing to take every legal avenue needed to achieve them. Over the last two years, I have learned a great deal in Academic Senate and union work; I plan to use this experience and sure footing to do more as a continuing representative. I also warmly welcome you to reach out to me to meet either individually or in group settings.