Staff Council

2024-2025

President, Rae Clements,  clements@ucmo.edu 

Vice President, Ed Wirthwein, wirthwein@ucmo.edu

Secretary, Faith Ford, fford@ucmo.edu

Treasurer, Klint Braun, kbraun@ucmo.edu

Per Staff Council Bylaws, Article III and Article IV, Sections 2, 3, and 4: Membership in the Council will be those University of Central Missouri employees who hold a non-faculty position and are not represented by the Bargaining Unit, hereafter called staff... The Council will be comprised of 17 members to be chosen by the election process as outlined in the Bylaws... The Council shall be elected for a three-year term, with one-third of the seats to be filled each year. The Council members may succeed themselves, but no representative may serve longer than six years. Eligibility for the Council is re-established one year from the completion of six consecutive years.

Term expires June 30 of the year listed.

 

Class of 2025:

• Kari Azevedo, Academic Coordinator, MOCAP (1st term)
• Michael Brunkhorst, Director, THRIVE Program (1st term)
• Rae Clements, Director, Academic Affairs Operations (1st term)
• Emma Gardner, Multimedia Specialist Team Lead (finishing vacated term)
• Heather Jennings, Title IX Analyst (2nd term)

Class of 2026:

• Stacey Beasley, Administrative Assistant, Student Experience & Engagement  (1st term)
• Ian Billingsley, Senior Programmer Analyst (2nd term)
• Britni Hume, Assistant Director, New Student Programs, Admissions (1st term)
• Joyce Lawson, Senior Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Specialist (2nd term)
• Beth Rutt, Director, Student Activities and Student Recreation & Wellness Center (2nd term)

Class of 2027:

• Josh Blaize, Multimedia Specialist, Infrastructure Services (2nd term)
• Ellen Blaize, Integrated Marketing Specialist, Integrated Marketing & Communications (1st term)
• Klint Braun, Event Technology Manager, Meetings & Conference Services (1st term)
• Jared Marcuson, Assistant Director of Recruitment, Admissions (1st term)
• Faith Ford, Academic Support Services Manager, Learning Commons (1st term)
• Travis Hume, University Farm Director, University Farm (1st term)
• Ed Wirthwein, Coordinator, Student Standards and Support (2nd term)

Class of 2028:

• Rae Clements, Director, Academic Affairs Operations (2nd term)
• Jessica Davis, Operation and Systems Manager, Graduate Studies (1st term)
• Emma Gardner, Multimedia Specialist Team Lead (1st term)
• Bree Heathscott, Academic & Compliance Coord, Athletics (1st term)
• Carol Knight, Director, Digital Learning and Online Innovation (1st term)

Staff Council meetings are open to all staff members and are typically scheduled on the second Tuesday of the month at 2:00 pm on Zoom. Check the UCM Daily for updates regarding upcoming meetings and the link to attend via Zoom. Elected Staff Council members are expected to attend in person whenever possible.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Tuesday, June 11, 2025, 2:00 pm, Chapel Undercroft
• Tuesday, July 08, 2025, 2:00 pm, Union 237B
• Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 2:00 pm, Union 236
• Tuesday, September 09, 2025, 2:00 pm, Union 236
• Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 2:00 pm, Chapel Undercroft
• Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 2:00 pm, Union 237B
• Tuesday, December 09, 2025, 2:00 pm, Union 236
• Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 2:00 pm, Union 236
• Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, June 09, 2026, 2:00 pm, Union 236

Agendas are published in the UCM Daily prior to each meeting. 

Contact the Staff Council Secretary with questions about meeting minutes or agendas.

Staff Council Standing Committees

If you would like to serve on one of these committees, please contact the committee member(s) listed. These committees have unlimited seats.

Elections Committee: Ian Billingsley, Carol Knight, Jill Larsen

Oversees Staff Council elections and ensures a fair and transparent election process. Meets monthly but more often during election time.

Legislation Committee: Rae Clements, Britni Hume, Heather Jennings, Jen Skidmore

Annually reviews the Staff Council Bylaws and related documents, drafting amendments as needed to ensure Council governance is current and efficient. Meets as needed or requested.

Professional Development: Kirsti Brunsvold

Plans impactful training events for staff members. Meets monthly or more often during event planning.

Employee Appreciation: Klint Braun, Jackie Jackson

Orchestrates events like the winter holiday celebration and the spring staff breakfast to foster community and appreciation. Meets monthly.

Recognition: Rae Clements, Carol Knight, Kim Nicas, Reyna Warren

Selects recipients for awards and scholarships offered by the staff council. Meets annually in the Spring.

Welcome: Charissa Davis, Kim Nicas

Ensures a hospitable introduction for new staff employees at UCM, fostering a sense of belonging from day one. Meets monthly.

 

University Committee Representatives

These committees have limited seats. If you would like to serve on one, please contact the Staff Council Vice President.

Faculty Senate International Affairs Committee: (1 seat)  Andrea Wiggins

Provides expertise and communication channels for the university's international education efforts, contributing to a diverse and interconnected academic environment. Meets monthly.

President's Commission on Access, Opportunity, & Community: (1 seat)  Jay Hicks

Assesses campus climate, suggests recruitment strategies, and monitors initiatives to foster a united campus. Meets monthly.

Benefits Advisory Committee: (2 seats) Rae Clements & Leah Sobba

Serves as an advisory board, offering insights to shape the benefits packages available to UCM employees. Meets monthly or as requested by the Director of Human Resources.

Technology Advisory: (2 seats) Kari Azevedo & VACANT

Provides advice and recommendations on technology needs across the staff. Meets as needed.

Traffic and Parking Policy: (2 seats) Rae Clements & Heather Jennings

Addresses rules and inquiries related to Parking Services and campus parking lots. Meets monthly August through May.

Traffic Review Board: (2 seats)  Carol Knight & Jill Larsen

Reviews and hears appeals for traffic citations issued on campus, providing a platform for resolution. Meets monthly August through May.

The JP Mees Award is given each year to a staff member who is classified as exempt and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to UCM, the community, professional activities, and service to students.

The JP Mees Award is named in honor of John Paul - or JP - Mees, a longtime and well-respected staff member here at UCM. Dr. Mees began at the university in 1988 as Executive Assistant to the President and Professor of Education. In 1994 he was appointed as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, and then in 1998 took on the roles of Vice President of Planning & Policy, and Executive Assistant to the President. JP was known to all as a warm, caring man who loved his family, as a dedicated and motivated employee, and as a trusted co-worker who always had a listening ear and a warm smile.

Past Recipients

• 2025 - Joyce Lawson
• 2024 - Alan Nordyke
• 2023 - Sarah Craig
• 2022 - Charissa Davis
• 2021 - Darin Plummer
• 2020 - No Award Made
• 2019 - Michelle Taylor
• 2018 - Gerianne Bliss
• 2017 - Barbara Mayfield
• 2016 - Paul Polychronis
• 2015 - Jeff Murphy
• 2014 - Joy Stevenson
• 2013 - No Award Made
• 2012 - John Culp
• 2011 - Karen Hibdon
• 2010 - Brenda Moeder
• 2009 - Beth Rutt
• 2008 - Carole Nimmer
• 2007 - Dale Carder
• 2006 - Jim Piatt
• 2005 - Mike Jeffries
• 2004 - Mary Alice Lyon
• 2003 - Walt Hicklin

The Outstanding Staff Award is given each year to a staff member who is classified as non-exempt and has demonstrated superior service to students, staff, faculty and community; models professionalism and a commitment to go above and beyond their normal duties; and promotes teamwork and collaboration.

Past Recipients

• 2025 - Brenda Dooley
• 2024 - Joni Porter
• 2023 - An Quigley
• 2022 - Gwena Basinger
• 2021 - Claudia Welhoff
• 2020 - No Award Made
• 2019 - Kristie Brinkley
• 2018 - Rachel Clements
• 2017 - Colette Tilden
• 2016 - Donna Chaffee
• 2015 - Marcia Clemens
• 2014 - Duard Swope
• 2013 - Tina Walker
• 2012 - Becky White
• 2011 - Barbara Fulcher
• 2010 - Trish Hubbard

Staff Educational Awards demonstrate Staff Council's collective commitment to life-long learning. Each year we strive to provide scholarships for two staff members (one exempt and one non-exempt) who are pursuing degrees at UCM. Applications are accepted through UCM Scholarship Finder. 

Past Recipients

• 2025 - Samantha Dixson and Cassandra Rowbotham
• 2024 - Tia Milburn and Sydney Moechoe
• 2023 - Alicia Todaro and Annie Golob
• 2022 - Schuyler Kemp and Jen Skidmore
• 2021 - Kris Cruzan and Angela Ford
• 2020 - No Awards Made
• 2019 - Matthew Rogers and Shelby Toalson
• 2018 - Taylor Kinde and Presley Wehrle
• 2017 - Tina Walker
• 2016 - Felicity Buell
• 2015 - Tina Walker
• 2014- Sarah Catron

Created during UCM's sesquicentennial year, the Education for Service Award recognizes one current student, one faculty member and one staff member each year who are living examples of UCM's long-standing motto "Education for Service" and the UCM values of Adaptability, Community, Diversity, Excellence, Learning, Responsibility and Service. To nominate someone, please fill out the  Education for Service Award nomination form.