UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.— As a new term is underway for the University Staff Advisory Council (USAC), the council is providing a series of reflections and updates to the University community.
Recapping the last year
The recently released USAC interactive annual report reflects on the 2021-22 academic year and the council’s primary focus on engagement—engagement among council members, engagement between USAC and university leadership and engagement between USAC and the Penn State community.
Among other highlights, last year’s actions from USAC include:
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Speakers at monthly USAC meetings shared information and updates across the University, as well as asked questions and gathered feedback on issues important to staff. This year’s speakers included Jennifer Wilkes, vice president of Human Resources; Sara Thorndike, senior vice president of Finance and Business and Treasurer; Nick Jones, former executive vice president and Provost; and Kelly Wolgast, director of Penn State’s COVID-19 Operations Control Center
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USAC invited Penn State staff to participate in the council’s first “Listening Sessions” on community and belonging to provide important staff level feedback from throughout the University. More than 400 staff members, representing nearly every campus, participated. Topics of discussion included: remote work policies, the compensation modernization initiative, cost of living and workload concerns, the revised campus closure policy, and staff/faculty and full-time/part-time comparisons. The findings from these sessions were summarized and sent to Penn State leadership.
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USAC hosted its fifth annual summit in March 2022. Participants gathered virtually for a day of conversations and presentations focused on the theme of “Reinvest, Reimagine and Rebuild.” With a great representation from across campuses, discussions highlighted opportunities for councils to strengthen engagement with units, colleges and campuses.
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Following a successful debut of USAC Presents during the 2021 “Wellness Days,” additional professional development presentations were offered in 2022, with more than 200 registrants. The presentations: “5 Characteristics of a Championship Culture” and “Search Inside Yourself” are available via the Learning Resource Network.
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Three outstanding staff members were honored in June as recipients of the 2022 USAC Staff Awards for their accomplishments and contributions to the University, after a rigorous nomination period during which more than 100 nominations were submitted.
At the end of the 2021-22 term year, nine members completed their terms on the Council. In addition to primary job responsibilities, serving on USAC includes at least a three-year commitment, participation in multiple meetings per month throughout that time and time spent on special projects and events.
The Office of Human Resources and USAC expresses sincere gratitude to these individuals for their time and contributions:
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Brendan Berthold, Instructional Production, E Learning/Arts and Architecture, University Park
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Brian Bittner, Director, Emergency Management, University Park
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Margaret Buban, Director of Finance and Business, Brandywine
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Matthew Davis, Research and Development, Applied Research Laboratory, University Park
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Adidi Etim-Hunting, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Development and Alumni Relations, University Park
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Jane Pflaum, Administrative Support Coordinator, York
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Cynthia Pritash, Instructional Designer, World Campus Operations, Great Valley
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Tammy Spevak, Student Success Center Coordinator, Academic Affairs, Hazleton
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Nicole Sturges, USAC Past-Chair, Assistant Director, Center for Survey Research, Harrisburg
The year ahead
As the 2022-23 term year got underway in August, the new slate of officers took their positions, new members began their terms as USAC members and the council elected to make an update to its governing by-laws.
The new slate of officers for the 2022-23 term are:
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Terra Ingram, Chair
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Rachel Galloway, Chair-Elect
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Benjy Romig, Past Chair
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Lynne O’Cain, Co-secretary
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Billie Jo Yuhaniak, Co-secretary
The 11 staff members who started new terms as USAC members in August are:
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Christine Adams
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Amy Bockis
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Nicolette Hylan-King
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Emily Kissinger
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Ilhan Kucukaydin
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Valerie Martinez
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Mary Ohashi
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Craig Praul
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Alice Puzarowski
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Tiffany Valdes-Madera
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Michelle Weber-Colón
About the University Staff Advisory Council
USAC—the voice for Penn State staff—consists of committed staff who act in an advisory capacity to the central administration; explore issues, policies and practices that impact staff; suggest revisions to policies and new policy initiatives; and advocate for staff welfare and development. USAC serves the president and her administration through the vice president of human resources and accepts new members annually.
USAC can be contacted via email at askUSAC@psu.edu. Individuals interested in staying connected, learning more or getting involved can also visit the USAC Facebook page and the official USAC website.