What is Staff Council?
Revitalized in mid 2016, the UMCES Staff Council was formed to be the voice of staff members in the spirit of shared governance and a partnership between UMCES staff and the president and administration of UMCES. Each of the individual labs nominated and voted on members to serve on the UMCES Staff Council.
Interested in staff council or want to know more? Read our helpful FAQs or email us with a question!
2021 – 2022 Executive Board
Kurt Florez – Chair (Interim)
Kevin Bruce - Vice Chair
Ginger Steelman - Secretary
2021-2022 Representatives:
- AL: Heather Johnson and Claudia Cochrane
- CA/IAN: Ginger Steelman* and Jennifer Clapper
- CBL: Samantha Mais* and Theresa Holloway
- HPL: Kurt Florez and Julia Bliss
- IMET: Samantha Heyn and Sarah Hughes
- MD Sea Grant: Chris Flight and Kevin Bruce
- Lisa Ross (Ex Officio member, Director of Human Resources)
- Lori Stepp (Ex Officio member, Executive Assistant to the President)
*Also serves on Council of University System Staff (CUSS)
Standing Committees:
Communications Committee: Kevin Bruce (chair) The communications committee maintains the Staff Council website, generates a newsletter on a regular basis, communicates information from the Council of University of System Staff (CUSS) to UMCES staff, posts meeting agendas and archives previous meeting agendas.
Staff Awards Committee: Michelle Prentice (chair) With the assistance of Ex-Officio members, Lisa Ross and Lori Stepp, this committee is charged with coordinating the submission process for both the UMCES Staff Excellence Award and the Board of Regents Award. The Staff Excellence Award, the first of its kind at UMCES, is presented to an individual Staff member who consistently demonstrates a high level of commitment and dedication to UMCES, has a positive impact on their work environment, is flexible and demonstrates cooperation and collaboration among their peers and supervisor while carrying out their job duties. They will present the winner with a plaque of recognition and a $500 stipend at the first Staff Appreciation Day in September 2018.
The Board of Regents USM Staff Awards represents the highest honor bestowed by the Board of Regents for achievements of Exempt and Nonexempt Staff employees from institutions within the University System of Maryland. The awards are presented to individual Staff employees who have demonstrated excellence. Brian Duke was the first BOR Staff Award recipient for UMCES for the category Effectiveness and Efficiency.
For more information about staff awards, see our Staff Awards Webpage.
Staff Appreciation Day: Charged with planning and executing Staff Appreciation Day where all staff members from all units, who are able and willing to participate, can meet in an informal setting where members of the administration can show their appreciation for their efforts throughout the year. The event will be held at Centennial Park, a location central to all units, in September, and all staff members and administrators, including the President, Vice Presidents, and Directors, are encouraged to attend. 2020-2021 Chair: Kurt Florez.
Detailed reports of UMCES Staff Council committee activities for the 2017-2018 meeting year can be viewed in our Annual Report to the UMCES President.
Staff Council Policies and By-Laws
Staff Council Meeting Agendas
Downloadable copies of past staff council meetings are provided here:
- April 14, 2021 Meeting
- February 10, 2021 Meeting
- December 9, 2020 Meeting
- October 14, 2020 Meeting
- August 11, 2020 Meeting
- April 9, 2020 Meeting
- February 12, 2020 Meeting
- December 11, 2019 Meeting
- August 14, 2019 Meeting
- June 12, 2019 Meeting
- February 13, 2018 Meeting
- December 12, 2018 Meeting
- October 10, 2018 Meeting
- August 8, 2018 Meeting
- June 13, 2018 Meeting
- April 11, 2018 Meeting
- February 14, 2018 Meeting
- December 13, 2017 Meeting
- October 11, 2017 Meeting
- August 17, 2017 Meeting
- June 14, 2017 Meeting
- April 6, 2017 Meeting
- January 31, 2017 Meeting
- December 14, 2016 Meeting
- October 18, 2016 Meeting
- September 20, 2016 Meeting
Downloadable copies of Council of University System Staff (CUSS) newsletters:
Staff Events and Resources
- UMCES Human Resources (including INOVA Employee Assistance Program)
- USM Women's Forum Annual Conference (see link for more information and to register)
- IT Resources available to UMCES staff