For the first time in its history, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has elected a governance body that will provide a voice for staff employees.

Formed through a call for nominations announced in September and as part of an N2025 strategic plan goal, the Staff Senate is tasked with providing input and guidance on relevant issues to university leaders. Elections were held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 22, with 57 members selected — 53 who can vote, representing specific areas of the campus community, and four ex-officio, non-voting members from the NU system.

“The formation of the Staff Senate is an incredibly positive step for our university. Being elected by one’s peers to serve on the Staff Senate represents official and important service to our university,” Chancellor Ronnie Green said. “Supervisors should be open to allowing staff to participate. Any duties related to that service will be considered time worked.”

Senators represent one of seven districts defined by the university’s overall organization. The number of senators was determined by the size of each district — starting with two representatives for the first 100 employees, then adding one for each subsequent 100 employees.

“This year, there were many strong candidates for Staff Senate,” said Joann Ross, Staff Senate coordinator. “When looking at the election tally, the race was incredibly close in most districts.”

Orientation for the new senators will occur in January, and the senate’s first monthly meeting is scheduled for February. Learn more about the Staff Senate.

Senators elected to serve in the inaugural University of Nebraska–Lincoln Staff Senate are:

District 1 — Business and Finance

• Patrick Barrett, University Fleet Management
• Elizabeth Barry, Building Systems Maintenance
• Eileen Bergt, Landscape Services
• Jolene Deinert, Custodial Services
• Sara Haake, University Police Department
• Ben Lennander, Business and Finance Shared Service
• Celeste Spier, University Operations
• Rhonda Zugmier, Business and Finance Business Center

District 2 — Chancellor

• Jill Flagel, Institutional Equity and Compliance
• Leticia “Letty” Garcia, Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services
• Jordan Gonzales, Nebraska Alumni Center
• Jerri Harner, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Kim Rauscher, Office of the Chancellor
• Kim Schellpeper, Athletics

District 3 — Executive Vice Chancellor | Academic Colleges

• Drashti Bhatt, Arts and Sciences
• Tareq Daher, Engineering
• Terry Haverkost, Arts and Sciences
• Tony Lazarowicz, Arts and Sciences
• Sara Mattson, Arts and Sciences
• Edgar Montoya, Business
• Doug Pellatz, Arts and Sciences
• Markeya Peteranetz, Engineering
• Terri Pieper, Arts and Sciences
• Mikki Sandin, Business

District 4 — EVC | Student Affairs

• Cindy Agee, University Housing
• Adam Fitzwater, Conduct and Community Standards
• Carrie Jackson, Nebraska Unions
• Derek McConnell, Conference Services
• Morgan Green McConnell, Residence Life
• Julia Stubblefield, Campus Recreation
• Hollie Swanson, Student Affairs
• Pat Tetreault, LGBTQA+ Center and Women’s Center

District 5 — Additional EVC employees

• Ryan Caldwell, Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics
• Ian Edington, University Television
• Regina Flowers, University Libraries
• Greg Fritz, Admissions
• Brent Morgan, University Libraries
• Katelyn Rife, Big Red Business Center

District 6 — Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

• Jodie Barnes, Agricultural Economics
• Stephanie Bonnema, IANR Finance and Personnel
• Jessie Brophy, Office of the Vice Chancellor
• Corey S. Cook, IANR Business Center
• Scott Evans, Nebraska Extension
• Christina Franklin, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
• Marissa Kemp, IANR Business Center
• Meg Kester, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
• Kelli Roach, IANR Finance and Personnel
• Julie Singh, IANR Business Center
• Elyse Watson, Natural Resources

District 7 — Research

• Kate Carlin, Sponsored Programs
• Jennifer Rutt, Methodology and Evaluation Research Core Facility
• Heather Stauffer, University of Nebraska Press
• Ashley Washburn, Research and Economic Development

Ex officio

• Amy Barry, Information Technology Services
• Blake France, Information Technology Services
• Collen Huls, NU Human Resources
• Brad Severa, Information Technology Service