Vivian Hill-Lawson
Program Manager in Public and Occupational Health
Administration and Finance
Please introduce yourself and describe your role at UMB.
Greetings Colleagues! I am honored to serve as a nominee for the Council of University System Staff (CUSS) and I respectfully ask for your support and vote.
A little about my professional background: In addition to my role as Program Manager in Public and Occupational Health, within Administration and Finance, I bring over a decade of leadership experience in public health, program management, and organizational operations. My current work centers on team efforts in advancing and managing our public and occupational health programs and services, while working with stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and ensure regulatory compliance to promote workforce health, safety, and institutional accountability.
Why are you interested in serving on the Staff Senate?
I seek the opportunity to once again, serve on the CUSS, to advocate on behalf of all USM staff, helping to ensure that every staff member is meaningfully represented, supported, and positioned to thrive.
What do you hope to accomplish during your term?
During my term on the CUSS, I will advocate on behalf of all USM staff by advancing a focused, results-driven agenda that strengthens equity, access, and institutional support across the system. Building on my prior service as a CUSS executive board member where we, as a council, successfully advocated for enhanced leave benefits, retirement considerations, elimination of duplicate tuition fees, expanded Title IX non-discrimination protections, and inclusion of non-exempt staff in BOR award nominations, I will now focus on driving greater transparency, consistency, and accountability in how staff-related policies are implemented. I will work to establish stronger systemwide communication channels, so staff voices are not only heard but actively inform decision-making at the highest levels. I will also work to prioritize developing structured pathways for career progression, recognition, and leadership development for staff at all levels. My overall goal is to broaden stakeholder engagement across the University System to deliver measurable, sustainable progress that positions staff as essential partners in the University System’s success, ensuring that every staff member across USM is meaningfully represented, supported, and positioned to thrive.
Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work.
I value spending meaningful, quality time with my family and friends, recognizing those moments as both grounding and invaluable. I also enjoy traveling the world and exploring new cultures, which has broadened my perspective, kept me humble, and enriched both my personal and professional outlook.
