About

ADVOCATE. SERVE. ENGAGE.

STAFF SENATE

Columns and metal University seal in front of blue sky

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

 staffsenate@unl.edu

Senator Spotlights

Claudia Wheeler helping a student in the dining hall
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.

 

 

 

Image of Casey Seger-Franklin standing between artwork
Seger-Franklin helps preserve Great Plains stories

Casey Seger-Franklin’s career has taken him from one end of the Great Plains to the other — and his current work places him at the heart of preserving pieces of the region’s history.

Seger-Franklin, collections manager at the Great Plains Art Museum and Center for Great Plains Studies, brings a background in history to protect, record and share cultural history of the region. His connection to the Great Plains and its stories encompasses the land and all its people, prominent or otherwise. Read the full story here.

Andrea Peterson helping a student
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.

 

 

 

Image of Raul Ochoa
Raul Ochoa doesn’t limit himself. He loves to learn.

“Jack of all trades, master of none, but better than master of one — that’s my philosophy,” Ochoa said. “I like to do a lot of things. The one thing I wish I was better at is cooking. I’m not horrible at it, but I’m striving to get better.”

That drive to keep learning carries into his professional life. As a security engineer for the University of Nebraska’s Information Technology Services, Ochoa is constantly building new skills.

“I’m jumping for joy every time I come to work, because I’m learning something new,” he said. “I’m learning a new skill or a new way to explain a product to somebody else. Personally, it’s elevating me as an engineer, and professionally, it’s making me a better professional than I was even six months ago.” 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