Staff Council is an elected body created to “expand the voice of the staff in steering the university.” As noted last week, in the first segment of a three-part series, the Council has been hard at work writing the body’s governing documents. Members of WPI’s staff community are now welcome to review and comment on the draft constitution and bylaws. The public comment period will close on February 28, after which point the constitution and bylaws will be ratified by a simple majority of eligible staff.
The inaugural Staff Council members, elected in 2022, are William Battelle, Jennifer Cluett, Amy Curran, Diane Dubois, Roxanne Gardner, Kim Hollan, Caitlin Keller, Sarah Miles, and Theona Scola. Last week we introduced you to William Battelle, Jennifer Cluett, and Amy Curran. This week Diane Dubois, Roxanne Gardener, and Kim Hollan share in their own words why they got involved and what they hope to accomplish. We will hear from remaining three Council members next week.
Diane Dubois, Operations Manager and Sustainability Coordinator (George C. Gordon Library)
Why did you want to run for Staff Council?
I have been at WPI for 15 years in different offices and roles across campus. I felt these experiences would help me represent the interests of our staff from all departments and contribute to the overall mission of the Staff Council.
What are the top three things you hope the Council will be able to accomplish?
I sit on the university’s Fringe Benefits Committee as the Staff Council’s appointed member, and some topics we have been discussing are:
- Challenges with Workday
- Dental and medical coverage options
- Work-from-home policies
I hope to bring some changes in those areas.
How do you think WPI as a whole will benefit from having a Staff Council?
I think WPI will benefit from having a voice that represents all staff on campus. Staff members are an integral part of this community, and by sharing our perspectives we can better support one another and the greater community.
Roxanne Gardner, Director, Talent Acquisition (Talent & Inclusion)
Why did you want to run for Staff Council?
Staff Council is the perfect opportunity to jump in and serve as a positive influence across all levels of the campus. I have been at WPI for over five years and in my role in Talent & Inclusion, I serve as a resource and support for the whole university community. Staff Council will give me an opportunity to develop relationships, exchange ideas, and take the pulse of staff needs and concerns, all of which I believe will lead to positive changes in the employee experience.
What are the top three things you hope the Council will be able to accomplish?
- I hope we can increase and improve communication across all levels of the staff community and provide a place for staff to share concerns, ideas, and ways to make WPI a better place to work and thrive.
- I want to support and promote staff recognition efforts so everyone feels valued and appreciated and to ensure we are celebrating success and hard work.
- I’d like to influence policies and serve as a staff advocate and resource, bringing ideas and opinions to the table that impact the well-being of the staff community.
How do you think WPI as a whole will benefit from having a Staff Council?
Having a Staff Council that represents and plays an active role in the community helps ensure all voices are heard and that staff members feel supported and valued. I believe this will create a path toward a more inclusive and welcoming environment as well as improve overall employee experiences.
Kim Hollan, Director of Operations (School of Engineering)
Why did you want to run for Staff Council?
Over the years, I have heard from many staff who have felt like they were not an important part of our community, like they didn’t matter. I want that to change. Everyone plays an important role in our mission on campus, and we need to appreciate every single person.
What are the top three things you hope the Council will be able to accomplish?
- I hope we can connect the staff and help them develop a greater sense of belonging to the university.
- I’d like the Council to create a system where we are able to provide information and support to staff.
- I want the Council to be a group that advocates for staff concerns.
How do you think WPI as a whole will benefit from having a Staff Council?
An improved sense of community among the staff will strengthen the entire campus. By giving staff a voice, hopefully they can finally feel like they are being heard.
