We, the students, parents, and alumni of SIUE, are writing in support of Dr. Shelly Monier, flute professor at SIUE.  Dr. Monier has served as an adjunct lecturer within the Department of Music at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for over 13 years.

Dr. Monier has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students over the years. As flute professor, she is responsible for teaching Applied Music, Flute Ensemble, and Flute Pedagogy. She teaches the flute section in the spring Woodwind Methods class, a class required for Music Education Majors, as well as Counterpoint, which is an advanced course required for music majors emphasizing theory and composition. She is an active and enthusiastic participant in faculty committees and initiatives.  She spends countless hours outside of the classroom working on projects that benefit her students.  Essentially, she works full-time hours for this school but is not treated with the respect or recognition she deserves.

Outside her professional commitments to SIUE, Dr. Monier coordinates and hosts “Flute Day,” which is an annual event that brings in hundreds of flutists of all ages and skill levels from multiple states to SIUE for a day of concerts, competitions, and workshops. Dr. Monier also assists with BI-State Honor Band Festival, ILMEA Auditions, and many other regional music events. She travels to high schools to perform masterclasses. Dr. Monier remains in demand as a clinician, teacher, adjudicator, and performer across the Greater St. Louis area.  All of these efforts recruit numerous students to SIUE for the sole purpose of studying with Dr. Monier.

Dr. Monier’s students have gone on to hold positions in major orchestras.  They have achieved international recognition in competitions and festivals. They have attended prestigious graduate schools nationally and internationally.  The SIUE flute studio is one of the strongest, if not THE strongest studio in the entire music department, which is a testament to her teaching expertise.

A full-time music faculty member recently retired from SIUE, leaving an opening that Dr. Monier is more than qualified to fill.  Filling an already-existing position requires no adjustments in the annual budget, unlike creating a brand new position.  Instead of granting Dr. Monier this position, SIUE shamefully decided to keep her in an adjunct role, which is widely known to be a position with low wages and no benefits.  Students paying tuition to this university deserve a full-time woodwind expert that can guide them through their degrees.

We, the students, parents, and alumni of SIUE, strongly feel that Dr. Monier deserves to be granted full-time status at this institution. Her commitment to our school is, and has been incredible. Please do the right thing and reward her for her service to this university and its students.