Nominations and Awards
Staff Senate Awards
Do you know a staff member who goes above and beyond? Now’s your chance to recognize them! Nominations for the 2026 Staff Senate Awards are open through April 15, 2026. Take a moment to uplift and celebrate your colleagues by nominating them in one of eight award categories. Honorees will be recognized during the 2026 All-Staff Conference scheduled for July 29-30, 2026 in the College of Business, Howard L. Hawks. Hall.
Learn More and Nominate a Colleague
Election Candidates
The 2026 Staff Senate Elections are approaching! This is your opportunity to select the representatives who will advocate for the interests and topics that impact staff across the university. We invite you to get to know this year's candidates. Click the button below to review candidate profiles and learn more about their "WHY" for wanting to serve on the Staff Senate!
Late March: Ballots will be distributed via email.
The purpose of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Staff Senate is to be an advisory body on issues, institutional policies, and practices that relate to the staff, to serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas, to promote common interests among the staff, to advocate for staff welfare and development, to suggest revisions and initiatives to improve staff policies, and to participate in the formulation of institutional policy and governance.
Senators, who are elected by their peers, represent one of eight districts defined by the university’s overall organization. Those districts are Business and Finance; Chancellor; Academic Colleges; Student Affairs; EVC’s Additional Employees; Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Research; and University of Nebraska System. While senators are elected by district, each represents the full body of staff at UNL. As such, they have the responsibility of listening to the concerns of fellow staff members and forwarding those concerns to the Senate.
Staff and administrators who are not members of the Staff Senate can request matters be placed on the Staff Senate’s agenda and participate in the resulting discussion. Requests should be sent the President of the Staff Senate at
Senator Spotlights
Wheeler makes dining hall home for Huskers
Claudia Wheeler sees every day how her workplace becomes a home away from home for University of Nebraska–Lincoln students, faculty and staff. As a clerical associate with Massengale Dining Service, she helps make the East Union Dining Center a safe space where people build community. Read the full story here.
Peterson still energized by campus connections, work with students
For two decades, Andrea Peterson has been one of the steady, welcoming presences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Across roles and offices, one constant has remained: her commitment to making sure students, faculty and staff feel supported. Read the full story here.
Upcoming Meetings
May 14, 2026, 2:30-4:00 in the City Union, Swanson Auditorium (Zoom link)
July 9, 2026, 12:30-4:30 in the East Campus Union, Great Plains A
September 10, 2026, 2:30-4:00 in the City Union, Swanson Auditorium
November 12, 2026, 2:30-4:00 in the East Campus Union, Great Plains A
Upcoming Events
Staff Senate Committees
Executive Committee
Jessie Brophy
STAFF SENATE PRESIDENT
Jerri Harner
STAFF SENATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Morgan Green McConnell
STAFF SENATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Doug Pellatz
STAFF SENATE SECRETARY
Jordan Gonzales
EXECUTIVE ADVISOR
Joann Ross
STAFF SENATE COORDINATOR AND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Bylaws Committee
Jessie Brophy
Blake France
Jena Johnson
Aurora Kenworthy
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Jon-Michael McDaniel
Doug Pellatz
Garrett Scholberg
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Elyse Watson
Madeline Yeatts
Recognition Committee
Hilary Butler
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Sharity Czologos
Scott Evans
Kaitlin Ferris
AJ Holmes
Lauren Kruger
Alisa Kushner
Morgan Green McConnell
Raul Ochoa
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Claudia Wheeler
Communications Committee
Rachel Adam
Michael Bergland-Riese
Kate Carlin
Phillip Carter
Lydia Coulson
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Niveen Dineh
Sara Haake
Jerri Harner
Andrea Peterson
Andrew Rose
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Elections Committee
Avery Anderson-Baer
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Joan Kunzman
Erica Radach
Jaclyn Tan
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Rhonda Zugmier
Liaison Committee
Rebecca Baskerville
Zee Cronin
Regina Flowers
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Jon Gayer
Maria Muhlbach
Amy Ort
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
John Re
Abby Schletzbaum
Mel Sedlacek
Celeste Spier
Personnel Affairs Committee
Beth Barry
Matthew Boring
Annalisa Davenport
Bryan Desh
Cain Dixon
Ian Edgington
Jill Flagel
Jamil Funnah
Spencer Hall
Erin Hanas
Dave Long
Andrew Loseke
Jaime Mastera
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Sara Mattson
Ruth Oliver Andrew
Sharleen Roth
Jennifer Rutt
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Casey Seger-Franklin
Jeff Sheldon
Sarah Smith