Sarah Horgen

Candidate Statement
Group II

My name is Sarah Horgen, and I am the Departmental Administrator for Anthropology. I am a UI alum (BA, 02) and have been fortunate to work in various roles and units across campus, and on both sides of the river, since graduating. I have been in my current position since 2019 and am happy to be back ‘home’ in Anthropology and in CLAS. I feel that both my personal history as a long-time UI staff member and my current professional role as a liaison to various stakeholders across the college and university will provide a unique perspective on issues facing CLAS staff at all levels. If elected to represent my colleagues on CLAS Staff Council, I hope to address issues of staff compensation and work-life balance among other important topics. Thank you for your consideration.

Laura Kerr

Candidate Statement
Group II

I’m Laura Kerr. This is my 5th year at the University of Iowa and my 2nd year in my current role as Admin Service Coordinator. Things are always changing, but it seems as though large swaths of changes are happening at lightning speed.  I want to ensure that the voices and opinions of staff are heard when these changes are being thought of and implemented. CLAS is home to various staff roles, and I want to ensure that each one is heard for things that impact them. I also want to ensure that our day-to-day efforts and challenges are addressed. For all staff and especially administrative staff, I hope to bring a more equitable view of staff within CLAS.

Mandy Powers

Candidate Statement
Group II

Within CLAS, I have the privilege of serving as the Department Administrator for the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. This is my third year at the University. During this time, I have witnessed the dedication and hard work of our staff, who are the backbone of our institution.

One of the main issues I see facing our staff is burnout. Many staff feel as though they can't get away from their desk; experiencing frequent interruptions, attending to duties during scheduled time off or holidays, and coming back to a pile of work when they do commit to being offline.

By discussing the impact of burnout on staff, I hope we can address various issues and work to have staff feel  supported and healthy, which in turn will benefit the student body and contribute to the success of our programs, departments, and the College as a whole.

Professional staff are crucial to the work that keeps the academics and institution functioning and students satisfied. Much of their work can go unnoticed, so it needs to be recognized, and balance needs to be prioritized.

Sarah Strack

Candidate Statement
Group II

My name is Sarah Strack, and I am a Program Director at the National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice in the School of Social Work where I work on program evaluation for chronic disease programs. I have been working with the University of Iowa School of Social Work for six years, but I have been a part of the university community since 2011 first as a student and later on as a staff member. I have served on CLAS Staff Council this past year and have enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people outside of my department and to learn more about the College. One thing that I would like to do if elected to serve on CLAS Staff Council again is to help with finding ways to connect more staff members with College resources and to find ways to increase the engagement of staff in the College, especially staff, such as myself, who work outside of the main campus in areas like the UI Research Park.

Mallory Hellman

Candidate Statement
Group III

Director, Iowa Youth Writing Project
Magid Center for Writing 

As I approach my tenth year of service in a CLAS staff position, I appreciate more than ever how crucial a role advocacy plays in our collective professional well-being. The changes our College has undergone, and will inevitably continue to undergo in coming years, have sparked justifiable confusion and concern among CLAS staff. To properly meet this concern, the lines of information between our College's decision-makers and those being affected by those decisions must be direct, transparent, and fully functional.

As I see it, CLAS Staff Council carries out two broad missions: To bring staff concerns to those with the capacity to address them (advocacy) and to ensure that staff have a clear path to access all the resources and information they need to flourish in our College. As a conduit between College staff and administration, we're in a unique position to represent and advocate for the body of employees that makes this College run. Over the last three years, I've not taken that obligation lightly. I'd be honored to have the opportunity to continue working as an advocate and amplifier over the course of another term.

Briana Maxwell

Candidate Statement
Group III

Production Director, CLAS Performing Arts at Iowa

I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for CLAS staff council. I am currently serving as the Production Director for the Performing Arts at Iowa inclusive of the Department of Dance, Department of Theatre Arts, and the School of Music. I have been a CLAS staff member for 17 years and proud alumni and Hawkeye for twenty years. I believe that a key component to staff sustainability and a positive work place culture is for their work and time to be valued and seen. I am interested in joining CLAS staff council because I believe the work they are doing with welcome back events and staff celebrations while also providing a platform for all CLAS staff to submit feedback to the council is directly addressing the issue of staff being heard and their input valued. It would be a privilege to represent the Arts and collaborate with other departments in CLAS.

Joan Newhouse

Candidate Statement
Group III

What is your role in CLAS?
I am the Production Paint Shop Manager for both the Theatre and the Dance & Opera Departments.  I oversee the visual vision of each production's set, bringing the designer's concept for the world of the play, musical, opera, or dance piece to the stage.

How long have you been with CLAS?
I have been at UIowa for six years

What is the main issue you see facing staff that you'd like to address while on staff council?
I have two: 
1. Professional growth and development: it seems that different departments in CLAS may or may not have funds set aside to support their staff in continuing to learn and grow in their fields and also allowing the time for staff to participate in events of interest.
2. Equal pay for equal work: It seems that when a new person is hired, they may make more than a person currently in a similar position, and I think there should be a plan in place to raise the salary of the current staff member to equal that of the new hire.  I think this would help with morale and retention.

Sam Hisel

Candidate Statement
Group IV

My name is Sam Hisel, and I came to Iowa City in 2015 as a student. I started working for CLAS in 2017 as a student worker in the Van Allen Machine Shop. After I graduated from the College of Engineering in 2019, I was hired full time in the Physics & Astronomy department as an Aerospace Electrical Design Engineer.

I hope to be able to help advocate for and maintain protections for current staff, particularly those affected by the actions of the current administration.

Vance Morris

Candidate Statement
Group IV

Role in CLAS: My name is Vance Morris, and I am currently an HR Generalist at the University of Iowa's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). In my role, I serve as the HR Representative for several departments, including Anthropology, Biology, the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, Computer Science, Geographical & Sustainability Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, and Statistics and Actuarial Sciences.

Tenure with CLAS/UI: I began my journey with CLAS on March 22, 2021, following my retirement from the Air Force after over 20 years of dedicated service.

Main Issue Facing Staff: The primary issue I see facing staff today is the stress created during these uncertain times, leading to feelings of powerlessness and a lack of voice. I am committed to ensuring that all Professional & Scientific (P&S) staff feel empowered and have access to the necessary resources. My military experience has instilled in me a strong focus on taking care of those around me, and I aim to bring this same dedication to this role on Staff Council.

Jamie Klein-Packard

Candidate Statement
Group V

My name is Jamie Klein-Packard and I’m a research associate in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department. I’ve worked at the University of Iowa since 2014. Working at a university right now feels a bit wild- there’s a lot of information being shared and then retracted, rumors spreading, and the potential for policy changes that would impact staff. It’s quite easy to become siloed in one’s own department (at least for me), but I believe that these are times when we all need to stand together on shared issues. I would like to help represent CLAS voices and to advocate for transparency as decisions are made.   

Logan Volkert

Candidate Statement
Group V

My name is Logan Volkert, and I joined the CLAS Grant Support Office (GSO) as a Research Support Coordinator in September 2024. As a newer employee, I am still growing into my role with the GSO while working to become more involved with the college and connect with more of my colleagues. While this is not necessarily an issue, one challenge I have personally encountered as a new employee is learning about how the various departments in CLAS operate, independently and together, including the experiences of their staff and the problems they face. The college does provide ample opportunities to get involved and connect with your peers; however, because each department operates as part of a larger whole with the shared goal of supporting CLAS, I would like to play a role in improving and facilitating more cross-department communication.  

Kate Allen

Candidate Statement
Org Rep

Kate Allen has been with the University of Iowa since 2018 as an Instructional Services Specialist in Photography and 3D Design in the School of Art, Art History, and Design. In this roll she supports the faculty and students with technology, facilities, and curricular needs. She received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography and Graphic Design from the University of Iowa in 2015 and has lived in the area since 2007.

The main issue that I see facing staff is the increase in new responsibilities and duties without restructuring or reassigning previous responsibilities. At some point this becomes unsustainable. Many staff feel burnt out, under-appreciated, and undervalued. All staff have right to be a part of the conversation when their workloads need to shift, and duties need to be adjusted. 

Matthieu Biger

Candidate Statement
Org Rep

I am an Admin Services Specialist in the Department of Computer Science as well as the primary Building Coordinator for MacLean Hall.

 I have been with CLAS/UI for just over 11 years, “growing” within CS that whole time, also working for Mathematics a couple of years.  Additionally, I spent two terms, ending in 2023, as a staff member of the Sustainability Charter Committee; acting as Staff co-chair for the second three-year term.

 While on UI/CLAS Staff Councils, I’d like to address the full “life cycle” of fellow employees from on-boarding to retirement – e.g., professional development, growth/promotion opportunities, well-being.

I would endeavor to represent staff according to a personal mission statement written for INTD:3005 class I took – with support from my department and Tuition Assistance program: “To live and work with full-hearted and inclusive dedication to my higher-ed customers and employer, keeping in balance my spouse, family, community, and the environment. To be guided by life-long learning, personal and societal values, empathy, and appreciation for my self-worth and that of all human beings.”

Rupanti Bose

Candidate Statement
Org Rep

I am Rupanti Bose, a Business Intelligence Analyst at CLAS Technology. My responsibilities include data visualization, migration, and transformation.

I graduated from The University of Iowa in 2023 with Bachelor’s in CSE. I started working with CLAS Technology as a student employee in my junior year (2021) and continued until graduation. I was offered a full-time BI Analyst position, which I began in June 2023.

The transition from student to full-time employee was seamless, as I had already built strong relationships with my team. I began my full-time role fully remotely and my team has been incredibly supportive, allowing me to work fully remote while balancing personal and professional responsibilities. This experience has shown me the value of a flexible and inclusive work culture.

If selected to represent CLAS Staff Council, I aim to advocate for expanding this approach across CLAS and the university. A supportive and adaptable work environment fosters productivity, well-being, and a more engaged workforce.

Additionally, my transition has highlighted the importance of learning through experience and the power of structured training. I want to contribute to developing a culture that prioritizes training for student employees and new hires, ensuring they are set up for long-term success.

Anna Gaw

Candidate Statement
Org Rep

I have been a member of the Hawkeye community since March 2015, when I moved to Iowa City and began my role as a CLAS Academic Advisor in the Department of Biology. I continue advising in Biology while also serving as an Assistant Director in the CLAS Advising Network.

Right now, there is a great deal of confusion and concern regarding many issues that impact Staff coming from federal, state and institutional levels. I believe my role in UI/Staff Councils will be to serve as an advocate for staff and to help keep them informed and equipped to navigate this uncertain time. I am very proud to be a part of this community, and I am prepared to fight for all of us, our mission and values.

Becky Kick

Candidate Statement
Org Rep

I have worked at the University of Iowa for 22 years and been in CLAS as a department administrator since 2006 in three different-sized departments (Communication Studies, Journalism and now Biology) so have lots of experience with the different issues that affect different areas.   I feel communication, especially to staff, needs to be better and am dedicated to creating a supportive work culture where everyone feels valued and respected, and everyone's concerns and ideas are heard and addressed.   Thank you for your consideration.

Wes Love

Candidate Statement
Org Rep

What is your role in CLAS? 

• Advising and Scholarships Coordinator, CLAS Advising Network  

How long have you been with CLAS/UI? 

• With CLAS since August 2021 starting as the Student Engagement Coordinator, Division of World Languages Literature, and Cultures. I then was transferred to my current position when my previous role was dissolved in July 2024.

What is the main issue you see facing staff that you’d like to address while on UI/CLAS staff councils?    

• I am sincerely excited about the opportunity to represent your desires and needs to UI Staff Council for the next three years. I have over 13 years of experience working in higher education and am very familiar with the University of Iowa’s campus culture, policies, and procedures, as I've worked in multiple areas across campus. No matter the role I find myself in, creating environments where for those I work with and for has always been central to what I am doing. I now look forward to doing the same for CLAS Staff.
• The main issue I would like to see addressed is compensation. Within the Big Ten I believe we are second lowest when it comes to salary for staff and faculty. However, compensation isn't just salaries. Compensation can also be additional time off, flexible work modalities, professional development opportunities (adding back DEI-type opportunities since BUILD has been cut for example), complimentary tickets to campus events, access to university facilities, expanded healthcare benefits/retirement plans, or simply more professional development that helps create a culture within CLAS/campus where more verbal appreciation/positive feedback is being shared.

Briana Maxwell

Candidate Statement
Org Rep

Production Director, CLAS Performing Arts at Iowa

I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for CLAS Org Rep. I currently serve as the Production Director for the Performing Arts at Iowa inclusive of the Department of Dance, Department of Theatre Arts, and School of Music. I have been a CLAS staff member for 17 years and a proud alumni and Hawkeye for twenty years. I believe a key component to staff sustainability and positive work place culture is for staff’s work and time to be valued and seen. I am interested in joining staff council because I believe the work they are doing with staff recognition awards, tuition assistance, and community events is directly addressing a nationwide issue of high turnover due to not feeling valued at work. I am also passionate about community engagement and volunteering while simultaneously increasing the visibility and accessibility of the arts on campus exemplified not only through my work in my current role, but also through my volunteer work in arts programming and fundraising at my children’s schools. It would be a privilege to represent CLAS in this role.

Ali Romano-McClain

Candidate Statement
Org Rep

I am excited to express my interest in serving as the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) Organizational Representative on the University of Iowa Staff Council. I have been with the University of Iowa since April 2021 and currently serve as a Human Resources Generalist for CLAS. In this role, I support various departments by optimizing HR processes and providing comprehensive HR guidance. Additionally, I am currently on the executive committee for CLAS Staff Council.

One of the issues I see facing staff is the need for enhanced professional development opportunities. My goal is to advocate for more accessible training programs that cater to the evolving needs of our staff and help bring staff from across the university together. My experience in HR, along with my active involvement in CLAS Staff Council and various committees, has prepared me to represent CLAS at the university level.

Thank you for considering my candidacy!

Alejandra (Ali) Romano-McClain