I've just celebrated my 4th anniversary at the university working for SOP's P-SHOR department, In my role as Program Specialist, I primarily take care of the PHSR Graduate Program but also split a percentage of my time assisting with administrative duties for the department's faculty and staff. I was UMB Employee of the Month in September 2021 and also participated in UMBrella Cohort 5 in 2022-2023.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? I am currently an alternate senator and have learned so much about how the staff senate comes together to participate in shared governance. Amazing work is being done by this small but mighty group. The plethora of committees we are invited to serve on touches many areas of the campus. I am happy to serve where and when I can for the greater good of the university, faculty, staff, and students.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? I hope to share my experience, opinions, and expertise where I can and work as a team to represent the staff effectively on matters that arise.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. Outside of work I like to spend time with my family, go to the beach, take my grandpuppy for walks, and volunteer for my church.

I came to University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2022 as a Research Safety Specialist with the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. My role is to support and promote safety within the research community. I value compassion, integrity and loyalty, and have a servant’s heart to consider all staff’s well-being and safety. I believe in remaining proactively engaged in the relationships I forge to empower and support others in their personal and professional growth, and convey they are not alone. As a staff senator, I would find engagement with the community and the process of governance to be an honor.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? My passion is the people of University of Maryland, Baltimore. I bring integrity, loyalty, respect and compassion into all I do on campus as I advance the mission of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. As a Staff Senator, I wish to represent the voices our community, across all walks of campus, and advocate on their behalf for a workplace that is inclusive, empowering, healthy and safe.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? During my first term as Staff Senator, I look forward to participating in committees and exercising the voice of the UMB family with integrity and respect. My interests include health and safety, workforce engagement, community support, and strategic thinking regarding real world problems in unique ways to find realistic solutions. My goal is to learn, be engaged, and empower others through service and representation.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. My hobbies include running an on-line shop during weekends and participating in fundraisers that give back to animal welfare, Sustainability and care for the Earth, and Baltimore community support.

My name is Briana Clark and I am a Research Administrator for the School of Nursing here at UMB. I currently work with SON faculty in order to help them submit grant applications to fund their research and service initiatives. Once funded, I manage the award and make sure that we maintain a great relationship with the sponsor. I started on this campus in 2015 as an Analyst in Sponsored Programs Administration. Since then I have also worked in the School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics as a Contracts and Grants Specialist and a Senior Contracts and Grants Specialist.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? I am interested in serving on the Staff Senate because I am always aiming to make the job experience here the best for all staff. I would love to advocate for my peers and myself on important issues so true changes can be made. I am interested in contributing to creating and changing policies and procedures that would benefit the staff here, as well as UMB as a whole. Another interest of mine would be to increase engagement and collaboration of the UMB staff. I am currently the Chair-Elect for the School of Nursing Staff Council, so I am interested in serving in a very similar capacity on a larger scale!

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? As a Staff Senate member, I look forward to working closely with the other members and fulfilling my duties in order to advocate on behalf of the staff and increase communication and transparency throughout UMB. I will tackle the core concerns of the staff and communicate them to leadership to make an amicable change. I plan on taking every opportunity to interact and engage with the UMB community to hear and share ideas and experiences with staff from all schools and departments in order to increase engagement and foster a supportive and enriching environment. I also look forward in participating in Community Engagement and Outreach. I am a West-Baltimore native, so I love any opportunity to give back to the community that raised me!

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. Outside of work, I am mostly with family. I love spending time with my family whether it is a special event like a birthday, or a typical Saturday with crabs, food and fun. I also work as a Realtor part-time and work with residential home buyers and sellers. I have always been interested in Real Estate, but I am now able to play a bigger role in creating more homeowners and creating generational wealth for my clients through real estate investing. You may also catch me at a Ravens or Orioles game, because as a true-born Baltimorian, I love my city!!!

I'm Sabrina Coppage, Research Administrator from the Department of Pediatrics Research Administration office. I've been with the Department for seven years managing the grant management cycle for pre and post awards.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? I'm interested in learning the different topics and concerns of the  community. While being a part of the solutions interacting with staff members from different schools, divisions and central offices at UMB.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? My goal would be to build new relationships across campus, while representing the Department of Pediatrics at the University. In addition, I would like to be a part of change for all UMB staff members.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. I'm actively working on a healthy me. My hobbies are currently
exercising and learning new eating habits to make better choices. I love traveling to new places and exploring the different cultures.

I’m Taylor DeBoer and I support student entrepreneurs at UMB as the Acting Director of the Grid. We nurture student entrepreneurs through mentorship, pitch development, career coaching, and more.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? I’ve been part of Staff Senate for four years now and consider it one of the most important things I’ve done in my professional life. I care deeply about the staff at UMB and making sure they continue to work in a healthy, safe, and equitable work environment. In my time on Staff Senate, I’ve served as member- at-large and co-chair on the Community Outreach committee, among numerous other responsibilities. I would be honored to continue to serve staff and support the work life here at UMB.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? I hope to continue to support staff. One area is the Future of Work. The Task Force, which I served on, was just the beginning. There is still quite a bit of work to be done to make sure that as we look forward, our staff feel that UMB has their best interest not only as employees but individuals in mind. That includes supporting flexibility, family life, etc.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. I’m an avid walker and hiker. I play in a local band and am a big fan of Baltimore’s creative/art/music scene.

I work with the PATIENTS Program on the PATIENTS Professors Academy and lead continuous engagement with our patient and community partners. Engaging communities and patients as a pathway to health equity is a personal passion for me. I enjoy working with our partners and finding ways for the patient/community voice to impact how health care research is conducted. 

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? I have served for the past two years as a Staff Senator as UMB has evolved out of the pandemic. Staff must be at the forefront of how we move forward together against the challenges facing universities across the country. As a Staff Senator, I want to collaborate with other Senators across schools to find ways for us to improve working conditions and the overall climate at UMB.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? I want to play a stronger role in improving the feeling of inclusion and belonging among staff and raising important staff-related issues to senior leadership. I have been working with Staff Senators to update the Staff Senate's bylaws and procedures so that we can function more efficiently and confidently. I want to continue that work.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and relaxing with my wife and 3 cats.

Hi there! I'm Andrew Lentini, Director of Media and Public Relations at the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health. With a focus on social marketing, strategic communications, and human-centered design, I'm passionate about moving society's needle. At CVD, I strive to create impactful communication strategies that align with the university and School of Medicine's mission and goals, contributing to the advancement of public health initiatives. 80% of my work at CVD is spent managing our website, designing recruitment for our clinical trials, designing graphics, and managing communications. 20% of my work is for the School of Medicine Office of Public Affairs where I manage social media for the School of Medicine.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? Serving on the Staff Senate aligns with my desire to advocate for meaningful changes that directly affect staff members. Additionally, participation provides an opportunity to represent staff interests within the university, contributing to decision-making processes and ensuring inclusivity. These potential contributions to governance and university management align with my past leadership roles, indicating a desire to make a substantial impact. Moreover, involvement in the Staff Senate fosters community engagement and collaboration, promoting effective communication and cooperation across departments.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? I hope to use my time on the staff senate to better understand how decisions are made that effect staff at UMB. I would advocate for better inducements for employees who get to campus in a method other than a single-occupancy vehicle. Additionally, I would volunteer to serve on committees that speak to my past history in sustainability and communications initiatives.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. I love making pottery at MICA (it's in my neighborhood), riding my bike (I'm a bike commuter), and volunteering for nonprofits that make the world a better place. I play banjo and the oud. As a family, we love international travel camping, and hiking.

Hello! My name is Jenna Maher and I hope you’ll elect me to represent you for the upcoming term. As a Program Manager in the School of Medicine, my role is to keep the train moving and operating smoothly in the Department of Pharmacology. I am community-centered and committed to the University’s core values to foster a positive workplace culture. I live near campus in the Seton Hill neighborhood and enjoy biking and walking to work.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? To be a connector and advocate for my UMB colleagues!

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? As an elected member of Staff Senate, I will uphold UMB’s reputation as a great place to work. I will advocate for my UMB colleagues and be a part of solutions to challenges that we might face. I will support initiatives that make us a more inclusive, connected community (both within and outside of campus boundaries) and I will use my includer strength to ensure that all voices are heard.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. I enjoy meeting new people, attending neighborhood festivals, and exploring the city on my bike!

Hi. I’m Kelly and I am the ultimate team player. I have 17 years of experience as an administrative coordinator, event planner, and project manager. I have liaised with groups at all levels to strategize and implement programs and policies to ensure the effective operations required to accomplish various outcomes and objectives. In my current role as Senior Program Specialist, I support seven basic science research faculty and their labs as office manager, project specialist and financial officer. Over the past year, I have gained extensive experience taking on new HR responsibilities within the Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research (STAR) Center. Since joining UMB in 2017, I have strived to enrich the workplace environment for those around me, and I think Staff Senate would be the perfect place for me to do so.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? I completed the Emerging Leaders Program in 2022. Ever since, I have been inspired to get more involved on campus. Recently, I attended Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) workshops; the Umbrella Symposium; and the Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon. These events motivated me to expand my capacity to make “bold moves” and to present myself authentically. Doing so will propel my career further and will benefit those around me. It’s time I refocus my efforts by stepping outside of my comfort zone by investing in myself and the UMB community at large. I think this role would allow me to employ my broad skillset to fulfill my personal desire to make a positive impact on the workplace culture at UMB.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? I am interested in participating in Staff Senate Community Outreach, Communications, Policy/Legislation, and University Life initiatives. I want to advocate for UMB employees, especially non-union contractual employees and those working on visas, and to advise senior leadership for the benefit of all.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. I am a mom to two boys, ages 5 and 15 months. We like to craft and camp. I love making and trying new food. I’m constantly listening to podcasts, books, and music. I love to attend concerts (a rarity these days) and baseball games at Camden Yards.

My name is Nia Speaks. I work in The Center for Restorative Change at the School of Social Work.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? I am currently a Staff Senator completing my first term. I enjoy serving the UMB community, and the West Baltimore Community. I am hoping to continue serving my constituents through the Staff Senate.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? During my term as a Staff Senator, I have been fortunate to participate in events like the Back to School giveaway in partnership with the Office of Community Engagement, help plan UMB's Got Talent, serve on the Diversity Advisory Council, the Council of University System Staff, and many more efforts. This year, I had the privilege of serving as the Equity and Action Officer. I would like to continue serving on the Staff Senate to continue building the role of the Equity and Action Officer, advocating for UMB staff, partnering our West Baltimore neighbors, and participating in USM's shared governance by highlighting staff needs and concerns. 

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. I enjoy reading fiction, spending time with my family, and serving in women's ministries.

As a lifetime long fan of true crime novels, I decided in 7th grade to be a criminal defense attorney. Unsurprisingly, it was not what I had expected, but a job I loved. I was a public defender for 21 years prior to joining the Business Law and Intellectual Property Law Programs at Maryland Carey in August 2021. Representing juveniles from minor statutory offenses to murder, the emotional stress was truly unrealized until I stopped. Working with law students, alumni, and faculty at the law school has been such a wonderful experience-- and completely different. My true pleasure is to see others succeed. I enjoy solving problems, working as a team, and celebrating achievements while representing an institution I can believe in. In my role, I organize the track curriculums, advise students, supervise externs and instruct the externship workshop, administer competitions, organize events for students and alumni, and act as the daily contact for the two law programs. I basically do what is needed to help our students find their way to their future legal careers along with assisting in other areas when appropriate.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? I believe I possess the qualities necessary to be an effective advocate, particularly in a university setting where the voices of staff members are crucial. My natural inclination toward advocacy, coupled with my emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills, makes me well-suited for this role. I believe that my ability to empathize with others and understand their perspectives will enable me to effectively communicate and advocate on behalf of the staff members. My experience navigating complex interpersonal dynamics with sensitivity and understanding is an invaluable skill that is transferable to most circumstances. I believe in consensus and fostering collaboration among colleagues. I am adept at identifying issues and developing practical solutions that address the underlying problems. I believe that my ability to think critically and strategically could be helpful.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? One goal of service would be to increase staff members' awareness of resources available to them and that their voice matters. In my decades of experience in state employment, I have known peers and colleagues to be unhappy with their work environment or circumstances but not be aware of solutions. A happy work environment leads to more effective and productive results.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. My top priority outside of work is my family. Having two teenage sons who play sports requires a significant part of my energy. (I would have it no other way.) If I have time, I enjoy genealogy research projects. I have also written suspense novellas for fun. I am currently working on a dessert recipe book compiling my mother's and grandmother's cookie recipes. I also love to travel to explore new places.

I joined UMB in 2023 to support the organizational change management function across the campus. I have the pleasure of facilitating the Change Management Network with colleagues from each of the seven schools. I also issue Bits & Bytes, the monthly newsletter that provides updates on systems and processes. 

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? I am interested strengthening relationships across the campus and supporting UMB to be an even better place to contribute our professional skills and expertise.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? I am interested in working with the standing communications committee to spread awareness for key initiatives while also ensuring there is a robust flow of information back from staff.

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. I love to cook fresh produce from our city's farmers markets, hike with my husband, and work in our garden, supervised by my cat, Hashbrown. I'm an avid reader, too.

My name is Anthony Weldon, Jr. I am a dynamic leader, problem-solver and rising executive with a strong foundation in Business Administration and track record of success in program management. I joined UMB in 2011 as a Research Program Coordinator, was promoted to Clinical Research Specialist at the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank (UM BTB) where I became known for my ability to navigate complex challenges and drive strategic partnership building. I am leveraging my extensive experience in research administration, business operations and program management as Senior Program Specialist at UM SOM Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD). I anticipate and am determined to further my career in legal, business, and community affairs.

Why are you interested in serving on the UMB Staff Senate? My interest in serving on Staff Senate arises from the strong sense of community I discovered since joining UMB in 2011. As I transitioned from my initial department at UM BTB into CVD, I have expanded my on-campus and interdepartmental networks through various professional development programs and while growing in my current role. I met faculty, staff, and trainees who show a passion for making a difference at UMB and beyond, which has inspired me to contribute my best in my role and as a member of the community. My discovery, specifically through my participation in the current cohort of Emerging Leaders and being mentored from the Research Administration Committee, reveals that that UMB is a thriving and caring community because of its staff. UMB’s staff, in my observation, brings together superb skills that bring all of UMB ideas to fruition. Serving on Staff Senate would be my personal way to return some of the care I have been fortunate to receive to the community.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term? I hope that during my Staff Senate term, I am able to inspire other staff members to contribute to the UMB community beyond their job and departments while also taking full advantage of all of UMB’s career resources. I also hope that I can build upon my established on-campus network to ensure that UMB’s staff remain at the forefront of contributions on all initiatives. The areas I can contribute my talents and skills are in community engagement and governance. 

Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. Outside of work, I tend to spend as much time as possible with my family, work towards my educational goals, volunteer with my neighborhood association (and others as time permits) and workout. During the pandemic, I started learning how to cook. I treat my family to international meals when I have down time.