Who We Are

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.

Staff Senate officers are elected by the Senate membership for a term of one (1) year by written or voice nomination during the last regular scheduled meeting of each year.

Staff Senate Representatives

Ayamba Ayuk-Brown, Office Manager, School of Nursing Pronouns: She/her/hers

Email: ayamba.ayuk@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: University Life

Goals as a Senator:

In keeping with the UMB Strategic Plan’s theme of Inclusive Excellence, during my term I want to inspire staff members to advocate for their own career advancement within the University.  In doing this, I would love to work with HR to develop pathways for growth, specific to staff members that clearly identify categories of staff positions on campus, including salary brackets, to better outline opportunities for professional development and to support staff in advocating for this.  This will allow staff members to strategically partake in professional development that will speak to their career aspirations.  

Term Ends: 2023

Irene Amoros, Executive Director of Annual Giving, School of Medicine (Member-at-Large)

Email:  iamoros@som.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Council of University System Staff

Goals as a Senator: 

As a member of the UMB Staff Senate, I want to use my skills and knowledge to encourage positive communication and collaborations to benefit the UMB campus and the communities we serve. My goals would also include being an advocate for UMB staff members so their needs are heard and considered when changes are introduced or required. I would also like to find ways in which to promote professional growth, which is important to encourage and can lead to an increase in accomplishments by employees and overall job satisfaction.

Term Ends: 2024

Gregory Brightbill, Associate Director, Student Leadership & Involvement, Campus Life Services, (President)

Email: gbrightbill@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Executive Committee

Goals as a Senator:

I am very passionate about diversity education and hope to continue the positive growth the University has made in implementing inclusive practices into the institutional culture. This includes creating safe spaces for staff to discuss issues concerning discrimination and disenfranchisement. I also hope to use my skills related to event planning, marketing, and staff development to help the Staff Senate with programming initiatives that align with the overall goals of the group.

Term Ends: 2023

Timothy Casey, Director, Business Analytics and Assessment, School of Dentistry (Secretary)

Email: tcasey@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Board of Regents Staff Awards, Council of University Systems Staff

Goals as a Senator:

I firmly believe that a person can achieve remarkable outcomes if all barriers to their success are removed. My goal as a staff senator is to increase access to information and resources to staff as well as ensure their voice is heard when decisions are made that may impact their work life. I am interested in adding my efforts to projects across campus as well as in the community, and to learn about and share best practices with other University System of Maryland institutions. I also want to raise attention to the work of staff members that make positive impacts to the university and community.

Term Ends: 2023

Allison Deitz, LCSW-C, Social Worker, School of Medicine

headshot of Allison Deitz

Email: adeitz@som.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Policy & Legislation

Goals as a Senator:

Regardless of what our core roles are at UMB, I do not believe that any of us are here purely to benefit ourselves. This belief leads me to presume that some, if not many, of us may struggle to articulate what we need from our employers in order to not simply feel, but know, that we are valued for both what we do and who we are. My goals as a Staff Senator are to connect with other UMB staff, listen to and hear their needs, understand what barriers they encounter, and co-create initiatives that could sustainably help our community for years to come.

Term Ends: 2023

Taylor DeBoer, Marketing and Operations Specialist - The Grid

Email: taylor.deboer@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Community Outreach

Goals as a Senator:

Working over in the Grid, I've had the opportunity to see the community-based work that UMB does first-hand. I would love to be able to be part of UMB's continued efforts in helping provide community resources to the many communities within UMB's footprint. It should continue to be a staff priority to involve the community in as many conversations as possible and I'd love to be part of that effort. I'm also interested in helping contribute to a more inclusive, progressive work environment for UMB staff.

Term Ends: 2024

Maria Drayton, IRB Analyst, Accountability and Compliance


Email: mdrayton@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Community Outreach

Goals as a Senator:

During my term as a Staff Senator, I would like to participate in meetings, community outreach programs and be an ear and a voice for staff on the campus. I would love to work with the other Staff Senators to take on challenges, make improvements and maintain a positive environment in order to advocate on behalf of UMB staff regarding UMB policies and procedures.

Term Ends: 2023

Christina Fenwick, Dean's Office Specialist, School of Social Work (Past President)

Email: cfenwick@ssw.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Executive Committee

Goals as a Senator: 

I hope to continue to assist the Staff Senate in being the voice for all staff, while focusing on increasing shared governance in each school.

Term Ends: 2022

Aaron Graham, Associate Director of Career Development, School of Law

Email: agraham@law.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Community Outreach

Goals as a Senator: 

As a member of the UMB Staff Senate, I look forward to collaborating with my fellow Senators to draw on the strengths and skills we have honed over the course of our varied careers to further improve the tight-knit community that is the UMB family. I hope to encourage respectful, earnest, and open dialogue across our campuses and to facilitate a more open and inclusive system. I also look forward to drawing on the institutional knowledge of the Senate to encourage professional growth on both the individual and campus-wide levels.

Term Ends: 2023

Jade Grant, Student Recruiter, Graduate School


Email: jade.grant@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Policy & Legislation, Community Outreach

Goals as a Senator:

My goals as a Staff Senator include staying abreast of new policies and initiatives, identifying meaningful ways to serve the university and West Baltimore community, as well as connecting with peers across UMB and the entire University of Maryland System.

Term Ends: 2023

Jill Hamilton, Contracts and Grants Specialist, School of Pharmacy (Vice-President)

Email: jill.hamilton@rx.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Executive Committee

Goals as a Senator:

One of my favorite quotes is: “We have a strategic plan, it’s called doing things.” I am not interested in showing up, just to have something to put on LinkedIn. I am interested in being an active participant and learning from others. I look forward to listening and contributing as appropriate. I am happy to help make UMB an even better place to be. I hope to leave the Staff Senate having left a positive and measurable impact on those around me and the University as a whole.

Term Ends: 2023

 

 

Danielle Harris, Associate Director, Community Engagement Center

Email: danielle.harris@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Community Outreach

Goals as a Senator:

To become more connected to the broader UMB community. I also want to provide representation from staff and our neighboring community located across Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Term Ends: 2024

 

 

Kecia Hitch, Senior Accountant, School of Medicine

Email: khitch@som.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Board of Regents Staff Awards

Goals as a Senator:

I would like to see reasonable stability that benefits everyone concerning parking and safety issues — especially addressing parking decisions that are equitable to our staff members and crosswalk safety. I want to promote diversity, inclusion, and morale, and to address common issues that I share with so many others on campus.
Term Ends:
2023

Thomas Hockensmith, Director, Center for Technology Services


Email: thockensmith@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: University Life

Goals as a Senator:

I hope to learn more about the campus, its workings, and the outreach performed by the campus. I also hope to build relationships with the Staff Senators and senior leadership across campus. Once I am able to see and learn, I hope to use this information and these relationships to affect change on behalf of my staff and all UMB staff and faculty.

Term Ends: 2023

Susan Holt, Administrative Coordinator, SOM/Department of Epidemiology



Email: sholt@som.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Board of Regents Staff Awards, Council of University System Staff

Goals as a Senator:

Staff Senate is a strong, vibrant, organization that is an important conduit between Senior Leadership and the “rank and file.”   I want to not only continue in this capacity, but to encourage others to step up and serve in the future! My goals for my term is to be a voice for my colleagues for concerns that include campus safety, and transparency regarding decisions that affect staff and suggestions that will make our campus an even better place to work. 

Term ends: 2023

Joe Howarth, Program Specialist, School of Pharmacy

Alternate

Email: thowarth@rx.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Board of Regents Staff Awards

Goals as a Senator:

I wanted to learn more about how UMB works and how the many schools work together to support its staff. I wanted to collaborate with others and learn about the work that they do.

Term Ends: 2023

 

 

Jillian Iffland, Director, Education Office Department of Neurology, School of Medicine

Email: jiffland@som.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Policy & Legislation

Goals as a Senator:

I want to become more immersed in the UMB community and learn how I can advocate for other staff members. I am particularly interested in how we can improve the quality of our work environment so that everyone can feel safe, productive, supported, and celebrated.

Term Ends: 2023

 

Elizabeth Main, Associate Director of Sustainability

 

Email: emain@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Communications

Goals as a Senator:

Despite the fact that the Office of Sustainability is located within Facilities and Operations under Administration and Finance, the nature of our work encourages us to build partnerships and collaborations across campus. I knew that joining the Staff Senate would be a great way to meet folks from all across campus and continue developing partnerships to maximize efficiencies and break down silos in order to further the great work happening across UMB.

Term Ends: 2024

 

 

Nancy McDowell, Program Manager, School of Nursing

Email: nmcdowell@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Communications

Goals as a Senator: 

I would welcome the opportunity to give back, and I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to serve on your board to be a part of the positive change that the Staff Senate will bring to the University. I have a wealth of experience and skills to bring to the role, and I am committed to making a difference.

Term Ends: 2023

Mary T. Phelan, Lead Media Relations Specialist, Communications and Public Affairs (Communications Officer)

Mary T Phelan 200x200

Email: MaryPhelan@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Executive Committee, Communications

Goals as a Senator:To help the Senate meet and exceed its communications goals and to participate in the Senate's outreach projects and to encourage more staff members to do the same.

Term Ends: 2024

 

Shawnta Privette, Police Communication Operator Supervisor


Email: sprivette@police.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Policy & Legislation, University Life

Goals as a Senator:

To provide a different perspective regarding civilian leadership as the campus evolves, and to support those objectives that grow the University and the surrounding community with commitment and understanding.

Term Ends: 2024

Shereece Singleton, Office Manager, School of Dentistry

Email: ssingleton1@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Community Outreach, Council of University System Staff

Goals as a Senator:

My goal as a Staff Senator is to be a voice for the UMB employees that are not heard. It is important that all employees feel a part of UMB regardless of their positions on campus. My other goal as a Staff Senator is to contribute to community outreach projects. I feel it is important to give back to the community that we serve.

Term Ends: 2023

 

 

 

Mishawn Smith, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, School of Nursing


Email: mishawn.smith@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Policy & Legislation, Community Outreach

Goals as a Senator:

To continue to be an ally, advocate and voice for our staff. To ensure that UMB continues to progress in the areas of Community Engagement, DEI, Multiculturalism and Social Justice.

Term Ends: 2024

 

 

Nia Speaks, Senior Business Manager, Social Work Community Outreach Service

Email: nia.speaks@ssw.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: University Life

I wanted to be a Staff Senator to connect people to resource, and to be an advocate for UMB staff. Being an advocate for staff, community outreach, and collaboration across the campus are all important to me.

Term Ends: 2024

 

 

Priti Wakefield, Environmental Service Manager, Administration and Finance

Email: pwakefield@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Policy & Legislation

Goals as a Senator:

Being a part of the University and Environmental Service Department for more than nine months, I have noticed so many challenges that one must go through as a new member of the University. I want to change that culture, so everyone feels welcome when they come to the University.

With my degree and experience in the hotel industry where your first priority is your customers, I would like to see the University lean toward providing that kind of service toward its staff, faculty, and researchers.

Term Ends: 2023

 

Forjet Williams, Office Manager, School of Nursing


Alternate

Email: fwilliams@umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Community Outreach

Goals as a Senator:

I became a Staff Senator to stay up to date on issues and policies that affect all UMB staff members. As an employee on the Shady Grove campus I believe it is important to have representation as a part of the UMB workforce.

Term Ends: 2023

 

 

Lakeisha Wilson, Program Administrator, School of Medicine

Email: lwilson@som.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: Board of Regents Staff Awards

Goals as a Senator:

During my term it would be my goal to represent staff members and their concerns around systematic changes, change in leadership, new polices and procedures, and overall morale of staff. I think this is a good opportunity to engage staff for input on a number of growing challenges for the university. I think the Staff Senate has done a good job with disseminating information to staff. It is my goal to continue to share information but also create more collaborative groups across departments for staff engagement.

Term Ends: 2023

 

 

Lei Zhang, Lab Specialist, School of Medicine

Email: lei.zhang@ihv.umaryland.edu

Senate Committees: University Life, Council of University Systems Staff

Goals as a Senator:

I am eager to learn about how the Staff Senate runs in terms of helping staff members, and I would like to be part of it besides my daily lab work.

Term Ends: 2023