Welcome Back to a New Academic Year!
We hope you had the opportunity to rest, relax, and recharge over the summer. As we kick off the new academic year, we’re excited to share some updates from the Staff Council.
Reflecting on Our Journey So Far
Now entering its third year, Staff Council has made significant strides in establishing itself as a vital part of the WPI community. Over the past two years, we've worked to build a group that not only listens to staff concerns but also has a voice in important campus decisions.
In our first year, the nine founding members focused on laying the groundwork by drafting our constitution and bylaws—key steps in setting the Council up for long-term success. This past year, with a full group of 18 members, we formed internal committees dedicated to gathering feedback, planning events, and promoting staff recognition and engagement. Additionally, we participated in various campus committees to ensure that staff perspectives are considered in key initiatives.
One achievement was forming a task force, in collaboration with Talent & Inclusion and Management Council, to review summer hours, the flexible and remote work policy, and operational hours. We also worked with Faculty Governance to revise the Faculty Handbook, ensuring equal representation for staff on the Fringe Benefits Committee, where we now have a dedicated staff vice chair.
Internally, we focused on setting clear goals for the future by drafting a strategic plan, with feedback from staff, that will guide us for the next two years.
Thank You to Our Departing Members
As we move into our third year, we want to express our sincere gratitude to the five dedicated members whose two-year terms have come to an end. Thank you for your invaluable contributions:
- Bill Battelle, Facilities Management
- Jennifer Cluett, Admissions & Aid
- Diane Dubois, George C. Gordon Library
- Roxanne Gardner, Talent & Inclusion
- Kim Hollan, School of Engineering
Looking Ahead: Year Three and Beyond
We’re excited for what lies ahead, guided by our strategic plan which focuses on:
- Amplifying staff influence and visibility across campus
- Building robust communication centered on staff need
- Fostering a supportive and engaged workplace
- Promoting staff health and well-being
- Developing inclusive recognition initiatives
- Ensuring transparency and accountability through annual reports
- Cultivating a collaborative and responsive environment
We remain committed to ensuring that staff voices are heard. Your feedback over the past 18 months has been instrumental in shaping our direction—please continue to share your thoughts!
Welcome to Our New Members
We’re pleased to introduce five new members to the Staff Council:
- Tyler Gibbs, Admissions & Aid
- Elizabeth Jacoby, Academic Advising
- Doug Leonardi, Physics
- Lauren Martunas, Finance & Operations
- Stephanie Pasha, Advancement
Meet Our Executive Committee
This year, our executive team is:
- Mike Hamilton – Chair
- Caitlin Neer – Vice Chair
- Nicole Luiz – Secretary
- Sarah Miles – Treasurer
- Adrienne Boertjens – Public Relations
Committee Leadership
- Engagement: Caitlin Neer & Lusine Baghsarian
- Feedback: Amy Curran
- Public Relations: Adrienne Boertjens
- Recognition: Alesia LeSane
A special congratulations to Nicole Caliguiri, who will serve as the first staff Vice Chair of the Fringe Benefits Committee.
Save the Date!
On October 17th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am, we will be hosting our first All Staff Meeting in Olin Hall 107. The goal of this meeting is to share updates and initiatives relevant to staff and give staff members an opportunity to provide us with feedback on topics that are important to you. More details to come!
Stay Involved
As we look forward to the coming year, we hope to continue making meaningful improvements that enhance your work life. Your input is crucial—feel free to reach out to any Staff Council member, fill out our feedback form, recognize a fellow staff member with a Goat Note, or email us at staffcouncil@wpi.edu.