Elections

2022 A/P Council Nomination Statements

• Wilma Bates – Director of Development – University Advancement

  I believe I can add value and contribute to the A/P Council. I have served on search committees in my area of University Advancement and for other positions on campus. I willingly signed up for the Search Advocate training sessions as the representative from UA, and was honored to serve on the Campus Climate Task Force, being part of the team that received the Team Excellence award in 2017 and I was the recipient of the Emerging Leader award in 2019. I participate and attend various meetings and events that have strengthen my interest in shared governance and has increased my understanding of the importance of this layer of involvement for all employees to feel connected in the shared vision and mission of ISU. Starting at ISU in 2014, I have attended numerous events, celebrations, programs and guest speaker presentations that have allowed me to develop a better understanding of different areas on campus. I believe in service and giving back and serve on the Bloomington Public Library Foundation Board. I am an officer and member of the Central Illinois Chapter of The Links, Inc which is women’s service organization and I work with community non-profits to ensure they have AED’s in public spaces, partnering with others to donate 11 AED’s since 2017. My understanding is clear on the culture of ISU and through my work with alumni and donors, I am poised to be a member of the A/P Council and serve in the areas indicated on the application.

• Megan Baxter – Academic Advisor – Special Education

  No Statement

• Sarah Dolan – Academic Advisor – School of Teaching and Learning

  No Statement

• Trevor Rogneby – Residence Hall Coordinator – University Housing Services

  As a new Administrative Professional, I have worked in Higher education since 2016 and started off as a civil service employee. I have had an opportunity to understand how important it is to be able to network and work alongside my colleagues in a representative role while I was a civil service employee at another state institution. During this time, I had an opportunity to be a representative on the Operating Staff Counsel as an appointee member for a University Counsel Board position as well as advising student groups. This is where I understood how important it was to have a voice representing you and your peers and how those memberships affect our students. While I am new to ISU and to our culture, I would like to take the opportunity to learn about our institution and discover all of the amazing opportunities we have here, who we are as an institution, what we do for our employees, and most importantly, what we do for our students.

• Amy Secretan – Academic Advisor – Honors

  I have served on AP Council for the past three years and really enjoyed my experience in shared governance. I have been the treasurer for the past two years, and took on the role as chair of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee this year. I have really enjoyed being part of the progress the council has made on issues that affect all AP staff, and would love to continue my contributions to the larger cause. AP Council has taught me a lot personally and professionally, and has been a great place to grow and learn from others across campus. If elected again, I will continue to advocate for issues that impact AP staff, and seek more opportunities to grow and make ISU a better place overall.

• Katy Strzepek – Director – Center for Civic Engagement

  As the Director of the Center for Civic Engagement, I dual report to Academic and Student Affairs and have a unique perspective on many units across campus. I have the honor of working with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to advance our core value of civic engagement. I also direct the Civic Engagement and Responsibility Minor and enjoy working with faculty and community partners to develop mutually beneficial partnerships that give our students the chance to connect theory and practice. The framework for social change embraced by CCE centers equity, anti-racism, and the co-creation of knowledge. As a member of AP Council, I would advocate for EDI principles and would welcome the chance to collaborate with others to make Illinois State University policies more equitable. I have a passion for share governance and advocacy and would be grateful for the opportunity to represent the views of Administrative Professionals and to advance the goals of the council.

• Melissa Ramirez – Admissions Counselor – Admissions

  Melissa is a member of the Admissions team who, while working full-time at ISU, recently completed the Master's program in College Student Personnel Administration. She is serious about advancing ISU's mission and working with incoming students, especially Latinx and first-generation students, while maintaining an ethical and equity-minded perspective.

• Gina Turton – Academic Advisor – College of Business

  No Statement

• Heidi Verticchio – Clinic Director – Communication Sciences and Disorders

  Heidi is a longtime member of the ISU community as well as a former member of the A/P Council, where she led the A/P Scholarship committee. Her previous experience would be a great benefit to the Council as it moves forward with new membership.

• Kate Weiser – Academic Advisor – University College

  My role as Pre-Health Professions Advisor allows me to work with not only a broad array of ISU students, but a large number of faculty and staff from across campus. I work closely with my fellow University College Advisors as well as departmental advisors. I work with Admissions, Orientation and Transfer Services, Career Services for recruitment events as well as professional development events for current and future students. I have been an instructor of nine sections across two different courses, which gives a rather unique perspective on the intersection of the faculty experience and staff experience. Additionally, I was an advisor at another institution prior to arriving at ISU in 2018, so I have been able to approach projects and conversations through a different lens. I work hard to collaborate across campus to ensure our ISU Pre-Health students are taken care of and well prepared for their future career endeavors. I believe strongly in the work the advising community does on campus and am eager for the chance to advocate for my colleagues and our students.