Staff Council

2023-2024

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 

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 2024:

• Josh Blaize, Multimedia Specialist, Infrastructure Services (1st term)
• Wesley Hobson, Coordinator, Exchange & Sponsored Programs (1st term)
• Carol Knight, Design Specialist, Center for Teaching and Learning (2nd term)
• Jill Larsen, Office Professional, Dean of the College of Education (2nd term)
• Melissa Plummer, Office Professional, International Student Services (1st term)
• Heather Stringer, Administrative Assistant, Dean of Arts Humanities & Social Sciences (1st term)
• Ed Wirthwein, Coordinator, Student Standards and Support (1st term)

Class of 2025:

• Kari Azevedo, Academic Coordinator, MOCAP (1st term)
• Michael Brunkhorst, Director, THRIVE Program (1st term)
• Rae Clements, Administrative Assistant, Dean Education (1st term)
• Heather Jennings, Title IX Analyst (2nd term)
• Suzy Latare, Manager, Outreach, Access & Community Health (1st term)
• Joyce Lawson, Senior Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Specialist (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)
• Beth Rutt, Director, Student Activities and Student Recreation & Wellness Center (2nd 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, May 14, 2024, 2:00 pm, Union 236
• Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 2:00 pm, Union 236

 

• Tuesday, July 09, 2024, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, October 08, 2024, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, April 08, 2025, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, May 11, 2025, 2:00 pm, Location TBD
• Tuesday, June 11, 2025, 2:00 pm, Location TBD

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: oversees Staff Council elections and ensures a fair and transparent election process. Carol Knight, Jill Larsen, Wesley Hobson, Ian Billingsley

Legislation Committee: annually reviews the Staff Council Bylaws and related documents, drafting amendments as needed to ensure Council governance is current and efficient. Rae Clements

Professional Development: planning impactful training events for staff members. Kirsti Brunsvold

Employee Appreciation: orchestrates events like the winter holiday celebration and the spring staff breakfast to foster community and appreciation. Jackie Jackson & Klint Braun 

Recognition: selects deserving recipients for awards and scholarships offered by the staff council. Carol Knight

Welcome: ensures a hospitable introduction for new staff employees at UCM, fostering a sense of belonging from day one. 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: (1 seat) provides expertise and communication channels for the university's international education efforts, contributing to a diverse and interconnected academic environment. Andrea Wiggins

President's Commission on Access, Opportunity, & Community: (1 seat) assesses campus climate, suggests recruitment strategies, and monitors initiatives to foster a united campus. Jay Hicks

Benefits Advisory Committee: (2 seats) serves as an advisory board, offering insights to shape the benefits packages available to UCM employees. Rae Clements & Charlie Rutt

Technology Advisory: (2 seats) provides advice and recommendations on technology needs across the staff. Kari Azevedo

Traffic and Parking Policy: (2 seats) addresses rules and inquiries related to Parking Services and campus parking lots. Rae Clements & Heather Jennings

Traffic Review Board: (2 seats) reviews and hears appeals for traffic citations issued on campus, providing a platform for resolution. Carol Knight & Jill Larsen

 

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

• 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

• 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

• 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.