Elections

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

As a new alternate member of the OSC, I have been able to see how dedicated the members are in advocating for all staff at NIU. They ask the hard questions, invite insightful discourse and make sure that all voices are heard. I would like to see the OSC continue to grow in that advocacy by holding even more transparent meetings with other university members who directly affect our experience at NIU (i.e., HR) and to really ask the hard questions that staff across campus may have but perhaps without an available platform.

I have served on university and departmental committees for well over a decade now and would like to continue that as a regular member of the OSC. I have deep roots across various campus departments, which allows me to serve as an effective 'ear' for the OSC. I would like to help continue the Council's advocacy and transparency by ensuring that the specific, real-world needs of all staff are what drive our meeting agendas.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

I currently serve on the OSC as an alternate; member since 2025.

I have served on the NIU Student Conduct Advisory Board since 2012, previously as the SPS representative and currently as the OS representative. I also served on the Student Conduct Hearing Board from 2018-2020.

In the Sociology and Criminology department, I have served on the Curriculum Committee since 2018 and the Award's Committee since 2023, twice as Co-Chair.

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

I would like to see the Operating Staff Council focus on improving operational efficiency by identifying common challenges and developing practical solutions that make daily work smoother for staff. I also think the Council can support stronger communication and collaboration, as working with different personalities requires clear, respectful, and effective communication. I would bring a practical, problem-solving mindset along with strong communication skills. I value understanding different perspectives and would work to contribute ideas that help improve efficiency and support a positive, productive work environment.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

Although I have limited committee experience, I have been with NIU for just over three years and recently took part in an NIU Cares Day, where I assisted with improving a local business's outdoor space through cleanup efforts. I would bring a strong work ethic, a collaborative approach, and a practical, solution-focused mindset to help support the Council's efforts.

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

I would like to see the OSC help create and maintain diversity across the campus and to lead NIU in embracing inclusion and equity throughout the community. As a member of the Council, I could help bring awareness and initiative to areas of the university where these goals fall short of our expectations.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

I have served on the Operating Staff Council for the past three years. While on the Council, I have served on the following committees:

• Workplace Guidance Committee,
• Elections and Appointments Committee,
• Public Relations Committee
• Dependent Scholarship Committee
• Civil Service Emergency Fund Committee
• Staff Awards Committee

I am also currently the OSC representative on the Athletic Board

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

I would like to see the Operating Staff Council continue to strengthen communication, transparency, and trust between staff and leadership. One important goal for the future is to ensure that staff voices are consistently heard and meaningfully considered in decision-making processes. The Council has the opportunity to expand its role in gathering feedback, identifying common concerns, and advocating for improvements that directly impact the workplace experience. I would also like to see increased opportunities for professional development, recognition of staff contributions, and initiatives that foster a stronger sense of community across departments. Creating an inclusive environment where all staff feel valued and supported should remain a central priority.

In addition, the Council could enhance visibility and engagement by providing clearer updates on its initiatives and outcomes. When staff understand how their input leads to action, it builds trust and encourages continued participation. Strengthening these feedback loops will help ensure the Council remains effective and responsive.

I believe I could contribute to these goals through strong communication, active listening, and a collaborative approach. I am committed to representing a wide range of perspectives and making sure that individuals feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. I am also organized and proactive, which would allow me to help move initiatives forward and ensure follow-through on key priorities. My ability to work with others, build consensus, and approach challenges thoughtfully would support the Council's efforts to create meaningful, positive change.

I aim to be an engaged, reliable member who helps advance the Council's mission and supports a more connected, supportive workplace.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

I am currently completing my term on the Operating Staff Council (OSC) and would value the opportunity to continue serving for another term. During my time on the Council, I have held the position of Treasurer, where I have been responsible for overseeing budgets, tracking expenditures, and ensuring financial transparency. In addition to this role, I have actively contributed to several committees, including Elections and Appointments, Legislative Affairs, and the StaffFest Subcommittee.

My involvement has also included leadership roles in major initiatives. I co-chaired the Council of Councils event hosted at Northern Illinois University in 2023, which required coordination across multiple groups and careful event planning. More recently, I co-chaired StaffFest 2025, helping to organize a large-scale event focused on staff appreciation and engagement. These experiences have strengthened my organizational, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Beyond my work with OSC, I have been actively involved in community and civic organizations. I have participated in various leadership roles through 4-H and Girl Scouts, which helped build a strong foundation in teamwork, service, and community engagement. Additionally, I served as President of the Creston Booster Club and as Chairperson of the Creston Booster Days event for five years. In these roles, I led planning efforts, coordinated volunteers, and worked to bring the community together through successful events and initiatives.

Overall, my experience reflects a consistent commitment to service, leadership, and collaboration, both on campus and in the community. I would be excited to continue contributing these skills and experiences as a member of the Operating Staff Council.

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

I would like to see the council continue to advocate for employees, and perhaps have more of a voice in universitywide policy and procedure. My time as president of OSC provided a lot of experience in those areas. My focus is the good of employees.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

Operating Staff Council (served as President and Vice President); Operating Staff Personnel Advisor, Digital Marketing Advisory Board (President); University Council; Resources, Space and Budget Committee; University Libraries Committee; NIU Annuitants Association (board member and scholarship committee chair); and more.

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

There are a lot of issues with housing facilities that need attention. Deferred maintenance and buildings falling apart. How can we have a goal of increasing enrollment but not giving the students a decent place to live? I want that to change and I want to help if I can. I've worked in the residence halls for 13 1/2 years and see the problems and hear the students' complaints first hand every day. I also know housing facilities is severely understaffed and that needs to change.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

haven't been on any committees but I've done Professional Development Academy, Supervisor Training, an internship with campus housing facilities,

numerous volunteering, and led a delegation of students to talk to talk to lawmakers in Springfield. Thank you for your consideration.

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

I would like to see the Operating Staff Council become more connected to campus. Having more of campus attend the meetings to see what is happening. Better connections to campus means more voices can be heard. I want to help achieve this goal with my connection to campus. Through my work I speak with several departments on campus and am able to tell the nuances between departments.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

I have not participated in any committees at this point, but would like to join and assist more on campus.

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

One goal is to continue improving communication with staff and administration of the university. Another is to improve the sharing of future changes to the university and the university policies. In my position at the university I meet and talk to a lot of employees and am able to let people know about changes, concerns and celebrations going on with the university. I would like to see more celebrations for the Operating Staff employees and work that is done to help the mission of NIU. I am a problem solver and like to be involved in solving some of the concerns of Operating Staff and the university.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

I have served on Operating Staff Council for 5 years. I have also served on Legislative committee, StaffFest committee, Parking Appeals committee, and University Council. Within the Library LOSAC and LEDI are 2 of the committees I have served on as well as the Penultimate review for the Dean of the library.

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

I would like to see the Operating Staff Council (OSC) strengthen its connection with civil service employees by expanding communication efforts through social media and digital signage. OSC supports many impactful initiatives such as the Civil Service Emergency Fund and Dependent Scholarship; increasing awareness of these resources is essential to ensuring employees can fully benefit from them.

I am also interested in enhancing OSC's role in promoting professional development opportunities. Highlighting programs like the tuition waiver, along with other growth pathways, can help employees advance within the university. By increasing visibility and access to these opportunities, we can support career mobility and help address ongoing concerns related to wages in a meaningful way.

I believe my background in marketing, combined with my experience on OSC and a strong commitment to supporting others, positions me to contribute effectively to the council's continued impact.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

My most recent committees include the following:

• Workplace Guidance Committee
  • Engage in conversations regarding workloads, wages, etc.
• Web Steering Committee
  • Stay up-to-date with web standards.
• Faculty Senate Steering Committee
  • OSC representative.
• Service Award Vendor Selection Committee
  • We have yet to meet.

What would you like to see the Operating Staff Council accomplish in the future and what do you feel you could bring to the Council that would help in achieving those goals?

I would love to see the Operating Staff Council strengthen connections across departments and help create a more supportive, engaged staff community. Many operating staff work in specialized roles, and OSC has a great opportunity to bring people together, break down silos, and help everyone feel more connected to the university as a whole.

I believe this can happen through clear communication and a more visible presence on campus. Sharing updates about OSC's work, resources, and advocacy, along with more opportunities to engage through events and outreach, can help staff feel informed, included, and heard.

I would bring an approachable, collaborative spirit to the Council and enjoy being someone others feel comfortable turning to with ideas or concerns. With strong communication skills and experience working across different areas, I can help connect people, amplify staff voices, and support initiatives that build community. I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to OSC's mission and help make our campus an even better place to work.

Please describe your experience with committees on campus or in the community and other civic activities in which you have participated, including offices held. (Prior committee experience is not required.)

I currently serve as a volunteer member of the Historic Preservation Commission with the City of Naperville, where I collaborate with fellow commissioners, staff, and community members to support informed decision‑making and civic engagement. This role has strengthened my experience working within a committee structure and contributing thoughtfully to discussions that impact the broader community.

At NIU, I have worked in both Athletics and Student Affairs, giving me valuable experience collaborating across departments with different priorities, workflows, and stakeholders. These roles required strong communication, adaptability, and a team‑oriented approach.

Additionally, I recently completed the Public Management Certificate through NIU Graduate Studies. Through this program, I participated in academic group work, applied organizational and governance concepts, and further developed skills related to leadership, collaboration, and institutional operations.

Together, these experiences have prepared me to contribute meaningfully to committee work through collaboration, active listening, and a commitment to shared goals.