Staff Council

President, Ed Wirthwein, wirthwein@ucmo.edu

Vice President,  Carol Knight, cknight@ucmo.edu 

Secretary, Rae Clements,  clements@ucmo.edu 

Treasurer, Ian Billingsley, billingsley@ucmo.edu 

Past President, Beth Rutt, brutt@ucmo.edu

Term expires June 30 of the year listed after the individual's title.

Serving the Academic Affairs units:

• Carol Knight, Design Specialist, Center for Teaching and Learning (2024)
• Jill Larsen, Office Professional, Dean of the College of Education (2024)
• Melissa Plummer, Office Professional, International Student Services (2024)
• Heather Stringer, Administrative Assistant, Dean of Arts Humanities & Social Sciences (2024)

Serving the Finance & Operations/ Integrated Marketing & Communications/ President & General Counsel units:

• Ian Billingsley, Senior Programmer Analyst (2023)
• Heather Jennings, Title IX Analyst (2025)
• Joyce Lawson, Senior Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Specialist (2023)
• Vacant (2024)

Serving the Intercollegiate Athletics/ Student Experience & Engagement/ University Advancement units:

• Kirsti Brunsvold, Director, Meeting and Conference Services (2023)
• Wesley Hobson, Coordinator, Exchange & Sponsored Programs (2024)
• Beth Rutt, Director, Student Activities and Student Recreation & Wellness Center (2023)
• Ed Wirthwein, Coordinator, Student Standards and Support (2024)

Representatives serving At-Large:

• Kari Azevedo, Academic Coordinator, MOCAP (2025)
• Michael Brunkhorst, Director, THRIVE Program (2025)
• Rae Clements, Administrative Assistant, Dean Education (2025)
• Suzy Latare, Manager, Outreach, Access & Community Health (2025)
• Rachel Oglesby, Academic Success Advisor (2023)

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. A meeting is not held in the month of August. Check the UCM Daily for updates regarding upcoming meetings and the link to attend via Zoom. 

Upcoming Meetings:

• Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 2:00 pm, Union 236
• Tuesday, May 09, 2023, 2:00 pm, Union 236
• Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 2:00 pm, Union 236
  

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

• Tuesday, July 12, 2022 - approved by Staff Council
• Tuesday, September 13, 2022 - approved by Staff Council
• Tuesday, October 11, 2022 - approved by Staff Council
• Tuesday, November 08, 2022 - approved by Staff Council
• Tuesday, December 13, 2022 - approved by Staff Council
• Tuesday, January 10, 2023 - approved by Staff Council
• Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - approved by Staff Council
• Tuesday, March 14, 2023 - not yet approved by Staff Council

Contact Staff Council Secretary, Rae Clements with questions about meeting minutes or upcoming agendas.

Staff Council Standing Committees

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

Elections: TBD

Employee Appreciation: Jackie Jackson & Klint Braun

Recognition: Carol Knight

Supervisors: Kirsti Brunsvold

Welcome: Charissa Davis & Kim Nicas

 

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: Andrea Wiggins

President's Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Jay Hicks

Salary and Fringe Benefits: Rae Clements & Charlie Rutt

Technology Advisory: Trisha Agueros & Kari Azevedo

Traffic and Parking Policy: Rae Clements & Heather Jennings

Traffic Review Board: Carol Knight & Jill Larsen

 

The JP Mees Award is given each year to a staff member who is classified as non-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

• 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 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

• 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

• 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.