ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï

Staff Council Members

Staff Council is led by an executive board of staff. These roles are voted on and selected by Staff Council. 

Staff Council Executive Board 2026 Term


Megan Smeznik, Chair, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
Craig Berger, Vice Chair, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
Stephanie Evans, Secretary, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
Jennifer Richmond, Treasurer, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
Kara Barnett, At-Large,  ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
Jen Villanueva, At-Large, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
 

 

The following university staff, representing unclassified and classified staff, have been selected to serve as Staff Council members.

Term Ending December 2026
  • Erin Beseda – Compliance Investigator, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Patti Davis – Coordinator, Leave & Disability Benefits, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Anita Francisco – Senior Secretary, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Darcy McBride – Assistant Director, Student Accessibility Services, RC, Stark
  • Monica Morson – Associate Foundation Relations Officer, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Phillip Nelson – Instructional Designer, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Rachel Rundo – Asst. Dir., Staff & Org Dev, DPAE, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Susan Weber – Assistant Director, Donor and Volunteer Engagement, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Tiffany Williams – Assistant Director, Enrollment Management & Student Services, Stark
  • Judith (Judy) Yasenosky – Assistant Director, Chapter and Volunteer Programs, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
     
Term Ending December 2027
  • Kara Barnett – Chemical Health and Safety Coordinator, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Craig Berger – Associate Director, Center for Student Involvement, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Meagan Blake – Special Assistant, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Zach Boggs – Sr. Academic Lab Manager, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Matthew Cola – Assistant Director of Technical Pipelines, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Matthew Craver – Senior Advisor I, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Stephanie Evans – Assistant Director, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Sally Fadorsen – Advisor II, Tuscarawas
  • Melissa Halozan – Special Assistant, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Carmen Grubbs – Coordinator, Operations & Special Projects, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Jaclyn Macomber – Associate Director, Academic Services, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Madison Massey – Employee Wellness Coordinator, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Nikki Mills – Business Manager, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Barbara Ozimek – Counseling Specialist, Trumbull
  • Cassandra Pegg-Kirby - Associate Director, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Jennifer Richmond – Coordinator, Operations & Special Projects, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Shaunte Rouse – Assistant Director, Learning and Belonging, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Megan Smeznik – Instructional Designer, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Heather Stupecki - Administrative Cashiering Specialist, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
  • Dana Whittlesey – Special Assistant, Student Success, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï*
  • Jen Villanueva – Academic Program Coordinator, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï

*Denotes alternates to Staff Council


 

Staff Council Committees

Advocacy Committee Responsibilities

The Advocacy Committee plays a vital role in supporting and representing the interests of ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï’s professional staff. Its responsibilities include educating and guiding professional staff on appropriate procedures for expressing concerns, ensuring clarity and access to established resolution channels.  The committee reviews staff concerns that have not been resolved through standard departmental procedures, offering an additional level of support and advocacy.  We partner with the Division of People, Culture, and Belonging (PCB) and operate in alignment with the University Policy Register to support fair and effective problem resolution. We monitor the application of university policies that impact staff—such as telecommuting, parking, and others—to ensure equitable and consistent implementation. Keep staff informed about professional development opportunities and available resources to support their ongoing growth and career advancement.

Working collaboratively with Employee Resource Groups, including KEEP, to support initiatives related to professional development and staff engagement. Ensuring that the voices of regional campus staff are represented in university-wide decision-making. Advocate for equitable resources, support, and inclusion of regional staff in central university initiatives.

Chair/Vice-Chair:  Stephanie Evans – Chair, Erin Beseda – Vice Chair

 

Communications Committee Responsibilities

The Communications Committee is responsible for ensuring clear, consistent, and inclusive communication between the Staff Council and the broader ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï community. Its key responsibilities include maintaining the Staff Council website to ensure timely and accurate information is accessible to all staff. Disseminating communications on behalf of Staff Council, including announcements, updates, and event information. Creating and maintaining a communications archive in collaboration with the Staff Council Secretary and the University Archivist to preserve council communications and historical records. Communicating election results to Staff Council members in a timely and transparent manner. Sharing recruitment and application information with all university staff, ensuring inclusive outreach to regional campuses.

Chair/Vice-Chair:  Madison Massey – Chair, Melissa Halozan – Vice Chair

 

Elections & Bylaws Committee Responsibilities

The Governance & Elections Committee is responsible for overseeing the integrity, fairness, and transparency of Staff Council elections and governance processes. Key responsibilities include initiating, conducting, and tabulating results of nominations and elections for Staff Council on an annual basis. Provides election results to the Executive Board and Communications Committee for appropriate dissemination. Maintains election eligibility records and voting documentation to ensure accuracy and accountability.  Supervising all regular and special elections conducted by Staff Council, upholding fair and transparent procedures.  Annually reviewing and updating the Staff Council Bylaws to ensure they remain relevant, clear, and aligned with university policies and strategic goals.

Chair: Shaunte Rouse – Chair

 

Membership Committee Responsibilities

The Membership Committee is responsible for managing membership processes, fostering engagement within Staff Council, and ensuring inclusive representation across all campuses. Key responsibilities include ensuring representation by including at least one committee member from a Regional Campus.  Reviewing the Staff Council application process annually and proposing updates or changes as needed to enhance accessibility and clarity.  Collaborating with the Communications Committee to effectively distribute recruitment, engagement, and general information to staff. Providing updates to the Executive Board—through the committee's designated Executive Board Representative—regarding areas of the university that lack staff representation.  Maintaining the official list of Staff Council members and committee assignments to support accurate records and coordination.  Organizing social events and volunteer opportunities to promote relationship-building, morale, and engagement among Staff Council members.

Chair/Vice-Chair: Nikki Mills – Chair, Meagan Blake – Vice Chair