UNIVERSITY SERVICE

Counseling and Special Education Department Bylaws (6/21/2018)

Standards for Reappointment

It is required for reappointment that the candidate serve on unit and departmental
committees and participate in unit and development outreach and service opportunities.
Participation in departmental faculty meetings and individual unit meetings is acceptable
committee involvement for first semester appointees. Following the first semester, the
candidate shall provide evidence that they are also engaged in at least four other activities
listed in either Category 1 or 2 since their appointment or their last reappointment.

Criterion Required Achieved

C. Initial Demonstrated engagement in unit and Demonstrated engagement in
Reappointment departmental service unit and departmental service
Category 1 = 0 Category 1 = 1
Category 2 = 0 Category 2 = 4

As per first year bylaws, and as new faculty transitioning from clinical mental health counseling
into academia, I familiarized myself with the Department and institutional history and culture,
process and content. Consequently, I have met and exceeded the requirements for initial
appointment in the area of Professional Service as outlined in the Department of Counseling and
Special Education bylaws.

Demonstrated Engagement in Unit and Department Service

 I attended and participated in all scheduled weekly Unit and monthly Department
meetings except for 2 excused meetings related to a family emergency. I participated in
deliberations that reviewed student dispositions, admission processes, syllabi updates,
semester schedules and teaching course assignments. At the Unit level, I participated in
the debate and review of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) House Bill 4325 that
involved rules proposed by state regulators to remove the ability of Professional
Counselors to diagnose and provide psychotherapy; hence, threatening the counselors’
license and profession. It was critical for the Counseling Unit faculty to advocate for
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Michigan. The Bill passed in favor of the
counseling profession.

 I participated in and assisted with the Fall 2019 interviews of student applicants into the
Saginaw Global Campus cohort.
  I served in reviewing files to determine admissions eligibility of Fall 2020 student
applicants. This entailed a thorough review of all application supporting materials on file;
such as: official academic transcripts from all coursework completed, a written statement
of purpose, completed program recommendations forms, signed letters of
recommendation, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.

 I participated in the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education

Programs (CACREP) review meetings. The counseling program is currently under
review for accreditation of three sites – Mt. Pleasant, Southfield, and Grand Rapids,
through the CACREP. Although I found this process already at an advanced stage of self-
study and in preparation for a site visit, I have familiarized myself with the accreditation
process by reading the application and the assembly of supporting materials.
Additionally, I periodically update student information by adding data into the
Taskstream that integrates with blackboard. Taskstream is an electronic assessment data
portfolio that is used to collect key course assignments from all students enrolled in the
program over an extended period of time.

Category 2
Member of a Unit Committee:

1. Member, Search Committee, Fixed-term faculty, Fall 2019

I participated in reviewing the application documents and qualifications for a fixed-term
instructor for clinic director. Additionally, I was in the panel together with the search committee
members to interview the candidate.

Letter of appreciation

2. Member, Search Committee, Tenure-track Faculty, Spring 2020

I participated in reviewing the application documents and qualifications for a fixed-term
instructor for clinic director. Additionally, I was in the panel together with the search committee
members to interview the candidate. Also, I was available to walk the candidates to scheduled
appointments across campus. Finally, I chauffeured one of the candidates to Bishop International
Airport, Flint Michigan.
 Letter of Appreciation
 Schedule
 Interview

Short-Term Activities that Support the Unit:

3. Faculty Supervisor, CCCD coverage, Fall 2019
4. Student Orientation Assistance, Fall 2020
I conducted admission interviews and moderated the orientation for the in-coming counseling
students - Fall 2020 semester. I hosted the incoming students for the orientation virtual meeting
on August 14, 2020.

See WebEx Meeting attachment: Reuben Mwangi's Personal Room-20200814 1701-2


 Statement of Promise
I am pleased to present my application for consideration of reappointment for tenure-track
teaching position. As noted, I have focused on improving and meeting departmental expectations
for teaching, scholarly and creative endeavors, and service. I believe I have enhanced my
teaching skills and demonstrated growth and development that will ultimately impact our
students. I will work hard to improve my SOS II scores and meet standards outlined in the
Counseling and Special Education department bylaws.

Teaching: I have met the requirements for initial reappointment in the area of Teaching as
outlined in the Department of Counseling and Special Education bylaws. I continue to work hard
to review students’ feedback which informs my performance and need to adjust to their needs.
For instance, I noted that students prefer a variety of teaching modalities which include a balance
between content delivery and group participation. I will continue to be proactive and responsive
to the needs of our students such as giving clear guidelines for assignment expectations and
diversifying class time, and enrich learning experience. Despite the odds brought about by the
COVID-19 pandemic and other personal challenges, I look forward to an exciting teaching and
learning experience. I believe in the power of bouncing back and holding the reins during critical
moments. I believe that constancy and moderation are important components in the practice of
mental health and also in the field of academia. I am determined to restore equilibrium.

Scholarly and Creative Activity: I have met the requirements for initial reappointment in the
area of Scholarly and Creative Activity as outlined in the Department of Counseling and Special
Education bylaws. All factors held constant, I am committed to pursuing my research agenda and
make meaningful contribution in the field of counseling and substance abuse education.

University Service: I have met the requirements for initial reappointment in the area of Service
as outlined in the Department of Counseling and Special Education bylaws. As I have
demonstrated, I will continue to avail myself and commit to explore opportunities to serve in the
Unit, Department, College, and University levels in a broader sense.

Kindly note that my past clinical experience of working cross-culturally with diverse and the
underserved population in community mental health and substance abuse counseling, integrated
health care setting, and in higher education college counseling has equipped me to mentor and
train a new generation of counselors. It is from this extensive background that I present myself as
one who brings promise and potential for growth in becoming an effective and experienced
faculty member. I am confident that I will work collaboratively to contribute to the advancement
of our students; that my research work will add to the body of knowledge, and will serve with
distinction and undivided attention.

Respectfully Submitted,

Reuben Mwangi, PhD, LPC, CAADC

Assistant Professor of Counseling
Department of Counseling and Special Education