Preparing for its 2022-2023 academic year, the University Staff Advisory Council (USAC) has elected new executive members to lead the council in service to the University president and administration on issues impacting staff University-wide.
Terra Ingram, administrative coordinator for the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science within the College of Agricultural Sciences, is chair for 2022-2023. Serving alongside her as co-secretaries will be Lynne O’Cain, program coordinator in the office of the senior associate dean for instruction and curricula within the Eberly College of Science, , and Billie Jo Yuhaniak, administrative coordinator for the Chancellor’s Office at Penn State Fayette.
Ingram is beginning her fourth year with USAC. She has previously served as chair of USAC’s Awards and Recognition Committee, as well as chair for the staff advisory councils in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Smeal College of Business. She said her goals for USAC this year are to bring people together and foster relationships after being apart due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to continue building partnerships with the University's new leadership to work collaboratively on ways to best serve Penn State.
"Many of us have spent the last two years apart from each other, pushing through while we worked remotely, and it now feels like there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm excited to come back together as staff, to connect with one another, engage with new people in-person for the first time, and work with the our new president and her administration to continue making Penn State a place where people feel valued, appreciated and seen,” Ingram said. “USAC has always had a great relationship with the Vice President of Human Resources' office, and we are working hard to partner with other leaders in the University's administration to best represent and advocate for staff perspectives and experiences. We look forward to continue providing insight and support for Penn State's administration as we work together toward a greater Penn State."
Rachel Galloway, assistant director of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, will serve as chair-elect. Nivedita Nagachar, academic advisor in the Division of Undergraduate Studies, will serve as secretary-elect.
Galloway is beginning her fourth year with USAC. She has served as a member of USAC’s communications committee, chair of USAC’s inclusion, equity and diversity (IE&D) committee and as USAC secretary. Galloway joined USAC looking for ways to engage with the broader University, and she identified the use of listening sessions to obtain staff feedback as a successful initiative from the previous year that she aims to continue to grow. "Staff and senior leadership are recognizing the council and seeking our participation more and more,” Galloway said “We wish to continue on this trajectory and demonstrate that staff voices truly can make a difference."
O’Cain is starting her third year with USAC and previously served as a co-chair of USAC’s awards and recognition committee. Her interest in joining the council three years ago stems from her desire to make a difference and be an advocate for staff. O’Cain stated, “Each of us, regardless of background or job title, has valuable experience and knowledge to share. Being a member of USAC affords the opportunity to learn and work alongside members from across the commonwealth to explore and discuss issues that impact staff and make recommendations that will have a positive impact on staff and create an environment where they know and feel they are an integral part of the University's success.”
Yuhaniak is also beginning her third year with USAC and previously served as member of USAC’s logistics and events committee. Her interest in joining the council stems from her work in helping create the Staff Senate organization at Penn State Fayette. She hopes to provide positive staff representation from the Commonwealth Campuses and to be an advocate for her peers across the University. Yuhaniak said she is eager to share updates and to bring awareness of USAC's outstanding work to the Commonwealth Campuses.
Nagachar is staring her second year with USAC and previously served as a member of USAC’s IE&D committee. Nagachar stated, “Being inclusive and equitable is not an easy task, and USAC thrives to make progress in that direction along with advocating for fellow staff members in different aspects of their experiences here at Penn State,” Nagachar said. “Staff play a pivotal role in making Penn State great and we at USAC want to highlight these important contributions for our senior leadership, so that everyone's contributions can continue to be recognized and appreciated."
The 2022-2023 University Staff Advisory Council is comprised of thirty-one members, of which eleven are new to the council.
For more information on USAC, visit the USAC website, follow the USAC Facebook and Instagram pages, and connect on LinkedIn, or contact USAC via email at askUSAC@psu.edu.