Hanh Kratz on Participating in CLAS Staff Council

What is your title/position within the college?

Project Engineer

Did you self-nominate or did someone nominate you to run for CLAS Staff Council?

Someone nominated

Why did you decide to run / accept the nomination to CLAS Staff Council?

I feel it is important to have representation from all parts of the college. 

Do you have any major needs for CLAS or items you are/have been working on?

Always. Staff need to have a voice. We need to connect with each other and realize it takes a lot to run a college. We all play a vital role. I cannot stress the importance of each and every staff member I have met. Everyone is exceptional. We truly have a great team of staff members. 

What has been the most rewarding part of the experience?

There are too many to pick just one! I love sharing what CLAS is doing at a higher level. It is easy to get lost in the demands of my job and only stay in my area. Attending meetings and events has made me feel more connected to others in CLAS. I have learned so much about how CLAS operates and the challenges we face. I have met a lot of great people through this opportunity. Being on CLAS staff council has really made me feel more connected to CLAS.

Having spent some time on the council, why do you feel this is important to participate in / contribute to shared governance?

I feel it is extremely important. People who work closely with the upper administration are already part of the conversation. We need everyone to have knowledge about what is happening so we can be united in achieving our goals. When people can contribute, they are more vested.

Anything else you'd like to tell us?

Being on CSC has really strengthened my connections to others in CLAS. 

Sara Romig-Martin on Participating in CLAS Staff Council

What is your title/position within the college?

 I am a research assistant

Did you self-nominate or did someone nominate you to run for CLAS Staff Council? 

I was encouraged to run by Ruthina Malone and Greta Sokoloff

Why did you decide to run/ accept the nomination? 

I felt it was important to ensure that research staff continue to have a voice in college-level policies and decision-making.

Do you have any major needs for CLAS/ items you are/have been working on?

One major issue I believe is very important is increasing staff awareness of the benefits and resources available to them. These include classes and funding opportunities to further their careers, as well as educational and support services that can benefit their personal lives—such as financial counseling, nutrition resources, and mental health services. There are many valuable opportunities available, and staff should be better informed about them.

What has been the most rewarding part of the experience? 

The most rewarding part of this experience has been knowing that I am actively working to support staff. An additional benefit has been meeting many new people. CLAS is a very diverse group in terms of job roles, and I have gained a greater appreciation for how different staff members contribute to the University’s broader mission.

Having spent some time on the council, why do you feel it is important to participate in / contribute to shared governance? 

Participating in shared governance is important because it allows staff to work collectively to advance initiatives that matter to them. Through the council, individual perspectives come together to form a stronger, more unified voice, which helps ensure staff concerns and priorities are effectively represented at the college level.