Category: Shared Governance

The Staff Senate is pleased to welcome its senators for the upcoming 2026-27 year and to recognize the continued commitment of those returning for another term. Together, this group reflects a strong balance of new perspectives, experience and ongoing dedication to shared governance and staff advocacy.

The Staff Senate is excited to welcome the following individuals who are new to the Staff Senate or returning to begin their first year of a new term:

• Preston Schroeder
• Sadi Roberts
• Christopher Leonard
• Katie Austin
• Caitlin Nolen
• Kimberly Sandlin
• Ann Burger
• Joseph Asbridge
• Caitlin Bruner
• Raven Garrison
• Zachary Hendrich
• Brady Marzolf
• Megan Steele
• Ana Abente Rodriguez‑Alcala
• Monica Bergkamp
• Anne Marie Brown

The Staff Senate also recognizes and thanks the senators who are returning to continue their service for an additional term. They will provide valuable continuity and institutional knowledge as they continue the important work they began last year:

• Nathan Johnson
• Lyndsay Pletcher
• Krissy Archambeau
• Kendra Nguyen
• Jessica Pierpoint
• Sarah Mathews
• Courtney Henry
• Chukwunenye Nweke
• Kelley Smetak
• Sara Mata
• Whitney Crager
• Angela Blackerby
• John Keckeisen
• Daniel Ludlow

The Staff Senate is also pleased to share that Gabriel Fonseca will continue serving as the 2026-27 Staff Senate president, with Jacob Mendez supporting the senate this year as the 2025-26 past president. Their leadership and experience are invaluable to the work ahead.

Finally, the Staff Senate extends its sincere gratitude to the following senators as they conclude their service and thanks them for their time, leadership and dedication to representing staff voices across campus:

• Kennedy Rogers
• Angie Linder
• Aaron Coffey
• Zachary Brown
• Trang Bui
• Susan McCoy
• Stacy Salters
• Corby Redington
• Kevin Duffy
• Margaret Rees

Together the 2026-27 Staff Senate will support shared governance and advance initiatives that strengthen the campus community. Thank you to everyone who serves – past, present and future.

For more information about the Staff Senate, visit the website at wichita.edu/staffsenate.

The next University Staff Senate (USS) meeting is scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 23 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room, or join online via Microsoft Teams. All USS meetings are open to the Wichita State campus community.

Learn more about University Staff Senate, access meeting links and review previous meeting minutes by visiting wichita.edu/staffsenate.

Update: The University Staff Senate meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 has been canceled. The next University Staff Senate meeting is scheduled for June 23. Additional information for the meeting will be shared in June.

The next University Staff Senate (USS) meeting is scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 19 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room, or join online via Microsoft Teams. All USS meetings are open to the Wichita State campus community.

Learn more about University Staff Senate, access meeting links and review previous meeting minutes by visiting wichita.edu/staffsenate.

The Faculty Chair Policy Review Task Force is hosting an open discussion at 2 p.m. Monday, April 27 in 110B Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium and on Microsoft Teams. They will share a complete draft of the proposal for faculty to review and consider. After this opportunity for general faculty review, discussion and improvement, sections of the draft will be rolled out in Faculty Senate this fall.

Charge of the committee:

• Review and recommend updates to WSU 4.13 / Chair Policy and Procedures to better articulate our shared vision of the role of the chair, clarify procedures to improve usability, and empower fair participation by all faculty in department elections, collaborative leadership and career development, and strategic planning for the future of the department.
• Advance recommended language changes to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee for consideration by the Faculty Senate and the General Faculty according to WSU procedures.

The next University Staff Senate (USS) meeting is scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room or online via Microsoft Teams. All USS meetings are open to the Wichita State campus community.

Learn more about University Staff Senate, access meeting links and review previous meeting minutes on the Staff Senate website.

The April 13 Faculty Senate meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Champions Club at Charles Koch Arena. Parking is available in the lot west of Charles Koch Arena and use the main doors. Staff will lead you to the meeting location. There will be limited seating capacity, so be aware that priority will be given to Faculty Senators.

Shocker Athletics will give a presentation and answer any questions senators may have. President Rick Muma will also be in attendance to answer questions.

There will not be remote participation available for the meeting. If you wish to attend, plan to do so in person.

Staff Senate is introducing Listening Sessions this spring as a new initiative designed to strengthen connection, communication and support for staff across campus. These sessions are an opportunity to engage in open dialogue, share ideas, raise questions and discuss topics that impact your work and experience at Wichita State.

The goal is to create a more intentional space for staff voices to be heard and to connect with colleagues and staff senators in a collaborative setting.

Join the Staff Senate for the next session from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 15 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room

Learn more about Staff Senate at wichita.edu/staffsenate.

Trang Bui‑Tieu serves as the manager of student impact in the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships and has been working at Wichita State for more than six years. She joined the Staff Senate in 2024 to strengthen connections across campus and help ensure staff feel supported, valued and represented. What keeps her rooted at WSU is the sense of community – the colleagues who care deeply about students, the moments of collaboration that make the work meaningful and the joy she feels watching students cross the graduation stage knowing she played a small part in their journey.

Outside the office, Trang finds joy in traveling, spending time with her family, learning photography and exploring her love of food, whether she’s cooking at home or discovering new places to eat. She’s energized by experiences that bring people together and believes that celebrating small wins and leaning on one another – especially during challenging times – is what makes the Shocker community so special.

Senator Spotlights are a community initiative to support the mission of the Staff Senate. Contact Staff Senate if you don’t know your Senate representative.

The Staff Senate is proud to announce the recipients of the fall 2026 Staff Senate Scholarships. These scholarships support the educational goals of Wichita State staff members and their dependents, helping them achieve academic success.

Congratulations to the awardees:

• Lylah Covey – Health science
• Samuel Hamilton – Accounting
• Brynn Potter – Cyber security
• Ismail Saeed – Political science

The Staff Senate Scholarship Fund is made possible through generous contributions from the WSU community. Want to make a difference? Consider donating to help future scholars achieve their dreams. Every gift counts. Learn more and give today at wichita.edu/staffsenatescholarships.

Staff Senate is introducing Listening Sessions this spring as a new initiative designed to strengthen connection, communication and support for staff across campus. These sessions are an opportunity to engage in open dialogue, share ideas, raise questions and discuss topics that impact your work and experience at Wichita State.

The goal is to create a more intentional space for staff voices to be heard and to connect with colleagues and staff senators in a collaborative setting.

Join the Staff Senate at one of the following dates:

• 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, March 23 in 301 RSC, Gridley Room
• 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, April 15 in 262 RSC, Herrman Room

Learn more about Staff Senate at wichita.edu/staffsenate.