Luke Roleck

Candidate Statement
Group I

I have spent a little over a year in CLAS as an Admissions Counselor on the undergraduate recruitment team. In my eyes, the most important part of my career as an Admissions Counselor is making sure that I'm guiding prospective students towards making the right choice for them, even if that choice might lead them away from our institution. I see myself taking a similar approach with addressing issues on Staff Council – making sure that my contributions and participation in discussions help lead to changes that best serve the people around us, not the interests of the institution. In our increasingly unsure environment, an issue I am passionate about is ensuring that diverse voices are heard and celebrated, not silenced.

Susmita Das Sarkar

Candidate Statement
At-Large

What is your role in CLAS?
I am IT Project Coordinator for CLAS TS.  I oversee the Student Technology Fund (STF) and Computer Classroom Renewal (CCR) programs.

How long have you been with CLAS?
I have been at CLAS for more than a year now.

What is the main issue you see facing staff that you'd like to address while on staff council?

If elected to the Staff Council, I intend to focus on two primary pillars:

i. Empowering Career & Professional Growth
Staff members are the engine of this institution. I believe we must create more robust opportunities for continuing education and professional development. My goal is to advocate for policies that not only encourage staff to grow in their fields but also formally allow for the time necessary to participate in events of interest. Supporting our staff’s growth is an investment in the University’s future.

ii. Building a "One Team" Culture
I am passionate about moving from a "departmental" mindset to a "sustainable work culture" mindset. I want to help bridge the gap between leadership direction and the daily experiences of staff on the ground. By fostering a symbiotic environment where communication flows both ways, we can ensure every staff member feels truly connected, included, and valued. We are one institution, and we should work toward our goals as one cohesive team.

Matt Finley

Candidate Statement
At-Large

My name is Matt Finley, an Assistant Research Scientist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. I’m a relatively long-time Hawkeye, having completed my B.S. (2014-2018), M.S. (2019), and Ph.D. (2020-2021) in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Iowa, followed by my first Postdoctoral Researcher position in CLAS’ Department of Physics and Astronomy (2022-2023). After a brief hiatus at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, I returned to Iowa City in 2025. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to advocate for CLAS staff members and to learn more about University of Iowa politics. I believe my experience with several colleges and roles within the University, coupled with my experience at other institutions, make me an excellent candidate for this position. In addition to generally providing a voice for CLAS staff, one of my specific goals is to advocate for better recognition of staff members whose crucial work is sometimes overlooked. Thank you for your consideration.

Beth MacKenzie

Candidate Statement
At-Large

Josh Nathanson

Candidate Statement
At-Large

I am currently the Audio/Video/Lighting Manager for the Performing Arts Production Unit which serves the Department of Dance, Department of Theatre Arts, and the School of Music. I have served in variations of this role for the past 8 years.

By serving on staff council I hope to advocate for fair compensation, work-life balance, and equitable treatment within CLAS. I feel it is essential for the long term success of CLAS to ensure staff voices are heard in decision-making processes and to improve communication and transparency between staff and administration/faculty. I would like to see a more supportive work environment where staff contributions are increasingly supported and valued.

Mike Nolte

Candidate Statement
At-Large

My name is Mike Nolte, and I am the Scenery Supervisor in the Dance/Opera Scene Shop. I work with students, staff, and faculty to build the sets that help to bring operas and dances to life. I have been at the university and with CLAS since 2006. One of the main issues I would like to address is ensuring that staff are properly acknowledged and compensated for their work. I am also concerned about work-life balance. I have seen many fellow staff members experience burn out in their positions because of the high demands placed upon them. Staff must be recognized not only as an integral part of CLAS and University operations, but also as people.

Lindsay Vella

Candidate Statement
At-Large

I am the Departmental Administrator for Cinematic Arts, a position I began in December after working in the dept admin role across seven other units in CLAS. I’ve been part of the University of Iowa community since 2011—first as a graduate student and teaching assistant in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, briefly as an administrative secretary in the Main Library, and for the past decade in CLAS. I am currently wrapping up a term on the Administrative Leadership Team’s Executive Committee.

If elected to the CLAS Staff Council, the primary issue I would look forward to advocating for is strengthening staff retention and support – work that is also closely connected to increasing recognition and visibility of staff expertise and ensuring that staff voices are meaningfully included in shared governance at both the departmental and collegiate levels.