The desire to help those around her never came as a want for Cassandra Reyes but as a need. She fulfills this need as an associate professor at West Chester University, and she was re-elected in April as an officer-at-large with State APSCUF.
In her previous career as a probation and parole officer, Reyes joined the Fraternal Order of Police in 1995, where she took hold of the leadership opportunities presented to her. She remains involved even after leaving the job. Reyes is the vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, New Jersey Bicentennial Lodge #76.
Cassandra Reyes listens to speakers during an APSCUF legislative assembly in 2019. APSCUF file photo
As a product of the State System, she knew this was where she was meant to return to after her time as a law-enforcement officer. After receiving her graduate degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Reyes joined the faculty at West Chester University. Since both of Reyes’ graduate degrees are in criminology and with her history in law enforcement, she knew that she could bring her real-world experience into the classroom. At West Chester, Reyes immediately joined APSCUF due to her exposure to the union at IUP as a graduate student, where she served as the vice president and president of a Graduate Student Assembly. Through her roles in GSA, she worked hand in hand with APSCUF faculty members on search committees for new university administrators. There she felt like she had a voice as a student because of the faculty members around her who encouraged her to express herself.
After signing her union card in 2009, Reyes immediately became involved with APSCUF at a higher level. She served as a departmental representative, then as a legislative assembly delegate in 2012, and as a State APSCUF officer-at-large in 2017. As a newly elected officer-at-large, her immediate goal was to understand the inner workings of the state and campus staff, and she set out to get to know everyone personally. She’s also served on the legislative and election committees, where she worked with the state staff to understand and further the wants and needs of the faculty. This time as officer-at-large, Reyes plans to continue serving the faculty and working with the staff from across the state.
Reyes says that the communication between the state staff and the campus chapters is extraordinary and one of the reasons for solidarity across state members. Being able to connect with other faculty members from different campuses and understanding their individual needs at different universities is what she says makes the APSCUF community stronger.
“Always go where your passions lie,” Reyes said, encouraging students and faculty.
—Chloe Kissinger,
APSCUF intern