The Staff Senate is made up of an elected executive committee and representatives from around the University who advocate for the staff of the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Email: amanda.barnes@law.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Community Outreach, Communications
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I am looking forward to serving a second term on the Staff Senate because I have truly valued the experience and the connections I’ve made. Serving has allowed me to collaborate with dedicated colleagues, contribute meaningfully to community service initiatives, and support staff engagement. I enjoy being a resource and advocate for my peers, helping to foster communication and share important information across departments.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: mbesser@rx.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Communications
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I live by the mantra 'Do your best, not your least!' and so I come to serve, participate, and be a voice in the shared governance at UMB. 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 campus. I am happy to serve where and when I can for the greater good of the university, faculty, staff, and students.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: sbrandal@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Policy and Legislation
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
My passion is the people of UMB. As a Staff Senator, I find it deeply rewarding to represent the voices of our community, across all walks of campus, to advocate on their behalf for a workplace that is inclusive, empowering, and safe. Importantly, I believe strongly in being present in to enhance staff awareness of, and engagement with, Staff Senate to foster a sense of community and continuity in dynamic times.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: schristie@law.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: University Life
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I was interested in joining the Staff Senate because I value collaboration and believe in creating a positive, inclusive workplace. I enjoy contributing ideas, listening to different perspectives, and helping build a stronger sense of community among staff and other constituents.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: blclark@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Executive Committee, University Life
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
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.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: scoppage@som.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: University Life
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I'm interested in continuing the work I started on the staff senate in 2024 as alternate. And building on the relationships I've made to make a difference for the UMB community. While being a part of the solutions that benefit all personnel across the different schools, divisions and central offices at UMB.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: mdagostino@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: University Life
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
As a new Staff Senator, I see myself as having a dual role: encouraging and supporting a sense of community among the staff at UMB, and providing a voice for staff concerns to the rest of the university. This means promoting concrete events, networking, and policies that staff well-being. As well, supporting transparency regarding policies that affect staff is the first step in supporting staff members’ voices, as well as communicating new and existing challenges to UMB staff.
Term Ends: 2027
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Email: taylor.deboer@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Community Outreach
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
To support the health, equity, safety, and work-life balance of UMB’s staff.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: a.graham@law.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Community Outreach
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
My motivation for continuing my service is straightforward. I feel a responsibility to see several key initiatives and conversations through to completion. We've made real progress in areas like community outreach, advocating for workplace fairness and professional opportunity for all staff, and even innovating with AI. I am committed to using my experience as past President to finish this important work.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: sjharper@som.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: University Life
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I became a Staff Senator because I am passionate about contributing to a supportive, inclusive, and forward-thinking work environment at UMB. As someone who has benefited from mentorship, collaboration, and professional development opportunities here, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back to the broader campus community. I want to amplify the voices of staff members, advocate for positive change, and support initiatives that enhance employee engagement and well-being.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: jhaskel@ssw.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: University Life
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I wanted to be a senator to help advocate for the staff here at UMB. I have been active on the SSW Staff Council for the past five years and wanted to expand my time to working on issues that are campus wide.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: danielleb.hill@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Council for University System Staff
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I’m interested in serving on the Staff Senate because I want to use my voice to help make a positive difference. There were times I felt unheard, and I’m committed to ensuring others feel supported and represented. I believe I can bring a thoughtful and collaborative perspective to help improve the UMB workplace for everyone.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: thockensmith@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Communications
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I became a senator to learn more about UMB, how it works, and to advocate for staff. I hope to build relationships with staff, staff senators, and senior leadership across UMB. I plan to use this information and these relationships to effect change on behalf of my staff and all UMB staff.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: thowarth@rx.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Policy and Legislation
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I wanted to become a Staff Senator to learn more about the campus and connect with others to support the work we do at the PATIENTS Program. My involvement has led to new partnerships to increase patient and community voice in research. Staff Senate has offered me leadership opportunities and insights into how the entire University operates.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: tmaddox@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Community Outreach
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I joined the Staff Senate to represent the voices of staff while contributing to the broader mission of fostering a more connected, inclusive, and responsive work environment at UMB. I value collaboration and continuous improvement, and I see the Staff Senate as an opportunity to advocate for these principles. I also view this role as a meaningful way to help shape policies and initiatives that impact our campus community, while building stronger connections and partnerships.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: tmcclain@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Board of Regents
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I became a Staff Senator to help ensure that all staff feel supported, heard, and empowered to grow. My passion for leadership, advocacy, and professional development led me to take this step. Through my roles with UMSON Staff Council and UMBPACE, and participation in programs like UMBrella and Emerging Leaders, I’ve seen the power of strong staff representation. I’m excited to bring that energy to the broader UMB community and be a voice for continuous improvement and connection.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: nicole.nash@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Communications, Council for University System Staff
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I became a staff senate member as a way to better connect with individuals on campus. I look forward to collaborating with leadership to provide the best staff experience possible at UMB.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: LNnadi@som.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Board of Regents
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I’m passionate about creating spaces where people feel heard, supported, and empowered. Serving on the Staff Senate is an opportunity to be part of that work at the university level. I’m especially interested in strengthening communication between leadership and staff, advocating for professional development opportunities, and helping shape policies that reflect the diverse needs and experiences of our campus community.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: troy.parker@rx.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Policy and Legislation
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I chose to run for Staff Senate because I believe in the power of collective voice and the importance of shared leadership. As staff, we are often the foundation of many operations and student experiences across the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), yet our perspectives can be underrepresented in larger institutional conversations. Serving as a Staff Senator is a meaningful opportunity to advocate for equity, transparency, and growth for all staff, especially those whose voices are often
Term Ends: 2027
Email: mpenney@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Communications
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I'm passionate about staff advocacy and believe in the importance of creating an inclusive, transparent, and supportive environment for all UMB employees. Serving on the Staff Senate provides an opportunity to amplify staff voices, engage in meaningful dialogue, and help drive positive change across the university. I want to be part of the team to improve existing processes and enhance the image and credibility of the Staff Senate.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: fromero@som.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Policy and Legislation
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I joined the Staff Senate to help make UMB a place where every staff member feels heard, valued, and connected. Over time, I’ve worked to strengthen communication between staff and leadership, elevate employee voices, and build a more inclusive campus culture. I’m committed to helping every staff member feel they belong — and to making the Staff Senate a trusted, accessible resource for all.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: karl.salley@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: University Life
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
To bring to light some of the more pressing issues that may not be presented as a person working on the campus ground level.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: antoinette.shannon@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Council for University System Staff
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I believe staff voices are essential in shaping policies and initiatives that impact our daily work and overall organizational culture.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: ksikorski@som.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Board of Regents
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
Staff Senate fulfills my personal desire to make a meaningful, positive impact enriching the lives of people around me. Staff members deserve strong advocacy and representation to ensure they receive fair treatment, professional development opportunities, and a voice in decisions that affect their work environment and culture. I believe in UMB's core values, which promote a workplace where every staff member feels valued, supported, and well equipped to contribute their best efforts at UMB.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: NSpeaks@som.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Policy and Legislation
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
Being a UMB Staff Senator is important to me because I take pride in connecting people to resources and advocating for staff across the University. I value advocacy, community outreach, and collaboration—principles that align closely with UMB’s Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Equity and Justice, and Well-Being and Sustainability.
Serving in this role allows me to help amplify staff voices, foster a sense of belonging, and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive campus environment.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: hterech@law.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Board of Regents
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I am honored to serve as a staff senator to represent the voices and concerns of our university staff community. I value collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement, and I believe this role is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful dialogue and decision-making that supports both our staff and the broader mission of the university.
Term Ends: 2026
Email: cway@umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Board of Regents
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
I'm grateful to work at an organization that has core values that align with my own, especially respecting the inherent dignity of every person. I believe that serving on Staff Senate is an investment in making all of our work lives more fulfilling. I find personal satisfaction in serving my community and enjoy getting to know and collaborate with colleagues across the University. In these times of uncertainty and change, empathetic leadership is important. I seek to embody a peaceful presence.
Term Ends: 2027
Email: aweldon@som.umaryland.edu
Senate Committees: Council for University System Staff
Reason for Becoming a Senator:
After a year of serving on the UMB Staff Senate Executive Committee and the Council for University System Staff (CUSS), my commitment to UMB Staff Senate has only deepened. Since joining UMB in 2011, I’ve grown through the Emerging Leaders Program and mentorship from senior leaders, center/department leaders, research administrators and other colleagues. I’ve seen how staff are the engine behind UMB’s mission, and I’m honored to continue serving and advancing their voices.
Term Ends: 2026
