The College of Education Staff Council recognizes the COE staff as an integral and important part of the College. The Council shall serve as a representative body of the staff of the College with the primary purpose of contributing to the mission and vision of the College of Education and to facilitate the integration of staff voice in matters of the College that affect or are of importance to staff.

The College of Education Staff Council will not replace existing College lines of reporting. The Staff Council is not intended to be a forum for personal grievances or complaints, but rather a proactive organization dedicated to fostering communication and cohesiveness within the College.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In order to carry out these duties and responsibilities, the COE Staff Council will:

1. Schedule and conduct monthly meetings or called meetings, as needed.
2. Conduct elections each fall.
3. Keep minutes and records of all Staff Council meetings and circulate these to the Dean and all staff.
4. Communicate with and meet with the entire staff as needed.
5. Meet with the Dean and/or the Senior Associate Dean as needed.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership will represent all exempt and non-exempt full-time and part-time staff in the College. The College of Education Staff Council is made up of one standing appointment (Director of Financial Affairs) and nine elected staff members to include a chair, a chair-elect, and a secretary. The chair-elect will serve as chair the following year. The ten-member Staff Council will be formed by one representative from each of the six departments (C&I, ELPTS, ESPRMC, Kinesiology, Music Education, and SPEMA), three at-large representatives from all offices not affiliated with a department (Dean’s Office, Student Services & Certification, Clinical Experiences, and Outreach and Support Services including In-Service Center, Office of International Programs, Office of Research and Service, and Technology Support), and the Director of Financial Affairs. Elected members will serve a staggered two-year term to begin in January each year. Members can be re-elected when terms expire.

Each department in the College will conduct an internal election process for their Staff Council representative. A Staff Council election among all other College of Education staff not affiliated with a department will be conducted for the three at-large members. The Dean’s Office Operations Coordinator will conduct the election in the same manner as other College-wide elections starting with a ballot strike opportunity followed by emailed ballots. One staff member from each of the six categories below will be elected to fill the six at-large seats:

To ensure full College representation, a fourth at-large member may also be appointed by the Dean. The Director of Financial Affairs will represent the Staff Council on the College’s Leadership Council. Adopted by College of Education Leadership Council November 6, 2014.

MEMBERS

Melinda Alsobrook

Secretary, Office of Clinical Experiences (2023–2025)

Lori Burroughs

Office of Financial Affairs (standing)

Mikayla Cain

Chair-elect, Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology, and Counseling (2025-2027)

Elisa Cerrina

Dean’s Office (2023–2025)

Kim Easterwood

Department of Kinesiology (2021–2024)

Carina Larbig

Events Coordinator (standing)

Renita Lewis

Office of Research and Service (2023–2026)

Dr. Carlton McHargh

At-large Dean’s Appointment

Gavien Rutledge

Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies (2023–2025)

Tracie Sellers

Chair, Technology Support (2023–2025)

Lisa Smith

Inservice Center (2023–2025)

Zach Smith

Adapted Athletics (2024–2027)

Lauren Taylor

Department of Music Education (2020–2023)

Isis Thomas

Dean’s Office

STAFF COUNCIL PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE RECOGNITION AWARDS

Staff Criteria:

Award Criteria:  

The awards will be based on the employee’s outstanding professional performance and contributions to the College.  This can include any or all of the following attributes:

Nomination Process: 

Prepare a letter of nomination (or self nomination) addressing the staff member’s outstanding performance and contributions to the College including any or all of the award criteria attributes.  Send letter to the Staff Council Chairperson.