2021 Staff Advisory Committee Candidates
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2021 Staff Advisory Committee Candidates Below are the explanations from each candidate on why they would like to join SAC. This year, we have eight (8) openings on SAC: three (3) at-large seats open, one (1) temporary employee seat, and an organization-based seat open in these four (4) units - UMEP, Public Safety, Academic Schools, and Custodial Services/Building & Grounds. Please scroll down to view each candidate.
Academic Schools Candidates
Alicia Awdeh Hospitality Administrative I would appreciate the opportunity to engage with colleagues across the college to
and Tourism Coordinator collaborate on ideas to improve staff morale, contribute to the balance of work and home,
and represent the voices of my peers with respect to their goals and desires where the college
is concerned.
Syndia Hill Accounting Administrative I nominate myself because I believe this is a good platform for reinforcing relationships
and Legal Assistant between and among college staff and college administration. Although it is important that the
Studies administration make every effort to initiate and strengthen these relationships, staff, too, must
work to maintain these relationships in order to be heard regarding any questions or
concerns. Everyone needs to be heard and the Staff Advisory Board can be among the most
direct ways of accomplishing this. In light of the new initiatives being implemented in the
"Tradition & Transformation" Strategic Plan for the College, it is crucial that communication
and information be accessible and inclusive throughout the campus. I believe this is a priority
in the responsibilities of the Staff Advisory Committee and I would look forward to being an
active participant as a member of this Committee.
** Can also be considered for At Large Seat
Katie Hiott Department Administrative I am an alum of the College and have been a staff member for a little over four years. I
of Assistant recently changed departments so I am excited to be working on the main campus and
Mathematics becoming more active in the campus community. I appreciate the SAC's work and have
benefitted from the planned events, dissemination of information, and professional
development support. I would appreciate the opportunity to contribute back to the group and
to advocate for and with staff across the campus as a member of the committee.
**Can also be considered for At Large SeatFanio King School of Assistant to I would consider it an honor to represent the perspectives of fellow employees as a member
Humanities the Dean, of the Staff Advisory Committee to the President (SAC). I grew up in Charleston with an
and Social Director of appreciation and sincere respect for the College’s key role in the community, its academic
Sciences Marketing excellence, and its outstanding national reputation. Since joining the staff in late 2020, I have
and been fortunate to learn even more about the talented and dedicated group of professionals
Communicati here, their many responsibilities and contributions, and the dynamics of our campus
ons community. I would come to the committee with an open mind and open ears as well as fresh
insights and ideas gathered from my experiences both inside and outside of the College. I’m
excited about the opportunity to be of service in my new work home. While any organization
will benefit from reflection and a commitment to growth and improvement, we face distinct
challenges and opportunities as we begin to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. At
this point in time, it will be more crucial than ever to support staff morale and wellness,
encourage open and transparent communication, and promote professional development. In
addition, the staff must continue to be an invested partner in creating a more equitable and
diverse workplace. In a happy and productive work environment, employees feel respected
and valued, have positive relationships with their coworkers, and find their endeavors
meaningful. I look forward to working as part of the committee to advance goals that support
these ideas, which benefit everyone and will increase the success of the College overall.
**Can also be considered for an At Large seat
Claire Long Arts Program I am a staunch advocate for cross-campus collaboration and working together to foster
Management Coordinator/ community, navigate issues, and provide a platform for all voices to be heard. As a member of
Director of the Staff Advisory Committee to the President, I would bring my unique perspective as a staff
Experiential member, adjunct faculty member, and alumna of the College to do this work alongside others
Learning who are equally invested in the wellbeing of our campus community.
**Can also be considered for an At Large seatKristen School of SB Student It certainly has been a year full of challenges for all of us. As we navigate what comes next, our
McMullen Business Success Staff Advisory Committee will play a critical role in listening to and supporting staff across the
Center College. I would look forward to contributing experience from my previous positions having
Director served on the Penn State Staff Advisory Committee as well as the Penn State Commission for
Women where I chaired the Mentoring Program and had a presidential appointment to the
Commission’s Executive Committee. In addition, the experience gained from having served
on the University of Pennsylvania Professional Staff Assembly where I participated in the
University Council Committee on Facilities as well as the Duke University Fuqua School of
Business Staff Advisory Task Force. I would proudly bring this knowledge and the skills gained
from these opportunities to serve the staff of the College of Charleston. As we all know,
institutions of higher education are complex organizations that currently face numerous
challenges and opportunities. Staff members help to elevate the College and it is vital that we
have representatives at the table who can be a voice on important issues. It is also important
that we continue to build a strong network for staff across campus. As a member of the Staff
Advisory Committee, I would look forward to getting to know all of you and discussing ideas,
needs, concerns, and feedback to build an even stronger campus community.
Carrie Spence History Administrative I have been debating doing this for the past couple of years. I wanted to find a way to be a
Coordinator large part of the campus community and have my voice make a difference to my fellow co-
workers and to the college as a whole. We all too often think that our position, opinions, or
voice aren't good enough or don't matter. I want to prove to myself and others that it does
matter, and we can make a difference and be a part of the positive progress that is happening
around us. I look forward to joining the committee and seeing what we can do as a group.
**Can also be considered for an At Large Seat
Marla Robertson MPA Program Program In my 19 years on this campus, I have severed in Academic, Business, and Student Affairs
in Grad Coordinator divisions. In my time, I have been endlessly dedicated to collaboration, student and staff
(Incumbent) School (HSS and CAP support, and institutional diversity. I have volunteered to work with several departments
School) Director across the years to help support the campus during capacity issues. I support staff and look
for ways to engage and celebrate my co-workers. It is my hope to be able to bring new and
innovative programming that supports all staff on this campus, and I want to use my voice to
elevate the voices of others. It is my passion to push the dial forward with climate and culture
shift here and to do what I can for staff to feel appreciated and included in the overall
dynamics of this campus.Building and Grounds and Custodial Services Candidates
Paul Andrade Grounds Assistant As part of FM and the grounds dept. I work all over campus and get a chance to
Supervisor interact with many different people. I think that these interactions offers me a unique
perspective that can help the committee.
Benjie Davis Carpenter Shop Carpenter To make things better at the college! If not. What is the point. Getting ready to start
the summer refresh that I have been asked to do for the last 2 years. Historic Houses
for student living. To make them the best I can. And that is the point. Hope is good
with all! Benjie
Steve Robinson Grounds Groundskeeper I have worked for a wide range of businesses including corporations, family owned,
non-profit, and for myself. In each, I saw areas where simple measures can be taken
that would improve the workplace, not only to make it more successful but also more
enjoyable to those working there. In a nutshell, I strongly believe in the concept
presented in the TV show Undercover Boss where an owner goes undercover and
works within their business to understand what's going on from the people who really
make the difference in it...I want the common employee's voice at the table and I
want to be their voice. In addition, I see a lot of employees "going through the
motions" so to speak, I would like to find become a part of making our work day and
work place awesome!
**Can also be considered for an At Large seatPublic Safety Candidates
Chrystal Grant Public Safety Records As an alumni, employee, and parent of a former student; I have witnessed the growth
Coordinator that has transpired here at the College. Although I have seen and noted progression,
as a woman of color with an "invisible" disability, I see there is still yet work that needs
to be done that must begin within our beloved institution before it can truly be taught
to our students and community. As a staff committee member, I would love to learn
more, to work to build with other staff, and share any wisdom or insight that I may
have in order to aid CofC in being the best college campus in the state to work, learn
and visit.
**Can also be considered for At Large Seat
David Public Safety – Fire Fire Marshal I am interested in serving on the Staff Advisory Committee to help support the mission
McDonough and EMS of the college and better serve my fellow colleagues within the Department of Public
Safety, as well as, all Staff members across our campus.
Peter Russell Public Safety Sergeant I am interested in serving on the open SAC seat for Public Safety or one of the open
at-large seats. I am in my third year of service here at Public Safety, but I am also a
veteran law enforcement Officer with 27 years of prior experience. In addition, two of
my three children are CofC students, my oldest daughter is a 2016 graduate, and my
youngest daughter is a rising senior in the Class of 2022. My interests include: •
Expanding the relationship(s) between Public Safety personnel and our fellow college
faculty, staff & students. • Coordinating our security effort with the entire CofC
community in order to remain an open campus in a metropolitan city and still maintain
the low stress environment we enjoy. • Addressing infrastructure issues that improve
campus security, i.e. lighting & call boxes. My thanks for your consideration! ~SGT
Peter Russell, CofC Department of Public Safety.Temporary Employee Candidates
Matthew Athletics Development Hello! My name is Matthew Creeron, and I am running for the temporary employee
Creeron Officer and at-large seat. In my two and a half years here at the College, I have taken strides
to build relationships with individuals across campus. I look forward to continuing to
build relationships in this role and elevate CofC to new heights. The College is a very
special place to me, and I want to ensure that all employees are able to have the best
experience, professionally and personally, during their time working here. I want to be
a voice for all employees, regardless of title or department. I am open to all ideas and
will work hard to represent all Cougars. I work in the Athletic Fund here at the College
and feel that I can bring a unique perspective to the Staff Advisory Committee with
this role. I am a good listener and action-oriented. If granted this position, I would
honor CofC’s traditions while simultaneously taking steps to grow as a community. I
am originally from Queens, New York, and am proud to now call Charleston home
(and yes, I am a foodie!). I love learning about the College of Charleston, and I want to
share that love with others. I look forward to being a representative of all employees
when advising and working with President Hsu. I would personally like to thank the
current and past Staff Advisory Committees, and I would be honored to carry on the
success that has been established.
Leigh Meadows- Admissions Assistant I am interested in serving on the Staff Advisory Committee to get involved, learn more
McAlpin Director of about the College's initiatives, to build relationships with other staff members and
Visitor Services campus partners, and to help represent my team and division.
and Volunteer
Outreach
Deb Silver Jewish Studies Hillel Director After two years on campus, I am ready to be more involved in shaping the student and
(Director of staff experience.
Jewish Student
Life)University Marketing and Enrollment Planning Candidates
Marissa UMEP Digital Media My name is Marissa Bamonte, and I am a two-time alumna from College of Charleston.
Bamonte Specialist I completed my undergraduate degree in International Business in 2018 and earned my
Master’s in Communication in 2020. As the Digital Media Specialist for the University of
Marketing, I am interested in connecting with colleagues to learn more about the
initiatives and programs around campus. In doing so, I hope to provide a more detailed
perspective on what the College of Charleston has to offer our incoming and current
students across all of our digital platforms. Ultimately, I believe that serving on the Staff
Advisory Committee to the President will enhance my leadership skills, relationships
with colleagues, and the University of Marketing Enrollment Planning by advocating for
matters that impact the UMEP team.
Rebecca Drewry UMEP, Office of Associate Having graduated from CofC in 2015 and now having worked for CofC since, I feel I can
Admissions Director, bring a unique perspective to the Staff Advisory Committee to the President as a young
Regional alum working in Admissions. I also have recently become a regional admissions
Admissions counselor and live/work in Virginia. I would be honored to represent all those who work
for CofC from near and far!
**Can also be considered for an At Large seat
Kenyatta Admissions Associate Throughout my 12-year tenure at the College of Charleston, I feel that I have exhuasted
Grimmage Director of myself in not only recruiting but serving students, building relationships across campus,
Admissions and leading in the area of diversity recruitment and retention. I have been awarded
countless awards and recognitions for the work that I do; Yet, much to often, I've felt
over worked and underpaid and grossly underappreciated. I feel the college is a pivitol
point where talented and capable staff members all across campus are really evaluating
rather the college values the work they do to help recruit and retain students and
ultimately secure it's bottomline. I would love to join SAC and have an opportunity to
express these and many other concerns while working with upper administration to
find solutions.
Mike Ledford UMEP Photographer I'd like to be more involved the discussion of development, retention and career
advancement of our staff.At Large Candidates, who are not already listed above
(Note: candidates from an organization with a named seat open had the option to run in both elections simultaneously)
Rachael Facilities Planning CAD/GIS/Graphi I believe that I would make a good addition to the Staff Advisory Committee to the
Bradford cs Administrator President for several reasons. While I have not sat on this type of committee, I have
been on others at another institution. As a member of the Campus Climate
Committee at Gettysburg College, I helped plan how to make the college a more
inclusive welcoming place for all members of the campus community. While working
in Facilities Management, I was a member of the Safety Committee, responsible for
coming up with creative teaching techniques and incentives that encouraged all staff
to follow campus safety standards. In addition to my former committee work, I bring
the viewpoint of a single parent of a college student, a former facilities staff worker
and technical specialist, as well as a current technical administrator and degree
seeking student. All these facets help focus my attention to not just the college’s
perspective, but that of the parents, students, staff, as well as administration. My
experience with various new and emerging technologies would be helpful in finding
current solutions for issues across campus. Lastly, I have a deep appreciation for the
tradition and transformation talked about in the strategic plan. I strongly believe that
to genuinely move forward you need to have a rear window. If you cannot see where
you have come from, you will not know what to avoid or embrace in the future.
Jennifer Bradley Academic Associate When I walk around campus, I see so many employees that make the College of
Experience (Center Director of Peer Charleston a successful institution. All employees at the College deserve to be
for Excellence in Education represented and heard. I have worked here for over 10 years, and I would like to serve
Peer Education) on SAC to help represent and be a voice for employees at the College.
William Buckley Facilities Carpenter As witnessed by my time on the Safety Committee, as both a member and as
Management Chairman, I have always tried to open as many lines of communication as possible. I
Carpentry have always felt that enhanced communications benefits all involved tremendously
and I feel that the Staff Advisory Committee is a perfect example of such.Franklin Office of the Catalog and I have been with the College since May 2008. I have served within CACRAO, the
Czwazka Registrar Curriculum state’s admissions and registrar professional association, in various capacities since
Systems 2012 including 5+ years of experience serving on the Executive Committee. My
Manager experience has given me insight to the great things going on at the College
compared to some our peers within the state but it has shown me that things can be
better. With the new strategic plan, I believe that the College is beginning to make
strides in the right direction for staff and want to contribute so that great things
happen on campus.
Darcy Everett Sustainability/Facili Climate Manager I’ve been a part of the College of Charleston community for almost two years. And, I
ties Management and Zero Waste can say the best part of the College, outside of our amazing students, is the amazing
Coordinator staff that keep this place running on a day-to-day basis. In my job, I’ve been lucky to
work across multiple departments and have had the opportunity to meet so many of
our great staff team. I’d be honored to represent my fellow staff members as a Staff
Advisory Committee member. I am interested in serving on this committee to be a
voice for staff members, to help recognize the great work of our staff members and
to continue meeting and engaging with colleagues across the campus.
Cathy Ficzner Center for Office Manager I am interested in serving as an at-large member on the Staff Advisory Committee to
Academic the President because I would like an opportunity to have positive impact on the
Performance and campus community as a voice for staff members. I am currently the Office Manager in
Persistence the Center for Academic Performance and Persistence and have been at the College
for two years. I have been in Higher Education for over 15 years with roles in
Registrar’s Offices and Education Abroad. In the CAPP Office, we work with a large
cross-section of the student population. I would like to have that same experience
with working with staff across campus. I am proud of the relationships I have built on
campus so far and I am eager to get involved more and make connections with other
staff members. In the College of Charleston’s Strategic Plan, I have hopes that staff
members across all levels will be able to have their input considered with the
strategies outlined in Pillar 3. While earning my MBA, I became interested in
developing employees and employee satisfaction. I am passionate about giving
employees all the tools they need to succeed in their role during onboarding and
beyond. I welcome conversation on how staff members of different backgrounds can
come together to better support the campus as a whole and feel that their voice is
being heard and included. I am excited to be a part of making the College of
Charleston an even better place to work.Victoria Gaunt Controller’s Office Accountant/Fisca I am interested in being on the SAC in order to learn more about the college and
l Analyst I campus, build relationships with colleagues to foster better communication, grow my
leadership skills, and ensure that staff have a voice in the implementation and
development of institutional policies and governance.
Joy Heinzman Residence Life Assistant I am interested in serving on the Staff Advisory Committee because I value the work
Director being done by the staff each day on our campus and would like the opportunity to
assist with and impact the staff experience. With the emphasis on employee
satisfaction in the new strategic plan, I would like to provide a voice for employees
who are on the ground level, providing direct service to students daily. As the staff
member in my department responsible for most of our recruitment, I have firsthand
knowledge of what entices people to apply to work at the College and the barriers
that prevent many entry-level candidates from accepting offers. I have ideas on how
we can use the flexibility practiced during the pandemic to improve work-life
harmony and satisfaction. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with
many offices from all branches of the College. I work with colleagues from Academic
Affairs, Business Affairs, and Student Affairs in my role as Assistant Director of
Residence Life. I have a broad network of connections that make me an ideal At-Large
member. I hope to contribute to a more inclusive work environment, assist staff with
understanding the benefits available to them, and enhance community relationships
that will ultimately provide a better experience and service to our students. Overall,
SAC is a positive way to invest in the development and retention of staff. I would be
honored to serve you as a member-at-large on the committee.
John Holladay Facilities Energy Engineer My name is John Holladay and I am the Energy Engineer in Facilities Management for
Management the College of Charleston. My job is to manage and reduce our campus energy
consumption. I was born in Charleston and an alumnus of the College of Charleston.
As an engineer, I am trained in continuous improvement. I would like to serve on the
Staff Advisory Committee to the President to offer my problem-solving experience as
we develop solutions for ongoing issues. After completing my first two years of
college at the College of Charleston, I transferred to Clemson to finish my Electrical
Engineering Degree. While working, I went to school at night to get my Master of
Business Administration (MBA) degree from USC. I have the experience, education,
and background to advise President Hsu on complex financial and operational issues.
I am committed to the college. Please vote for me so we can keep making our
campus better!Shannon Horn Theatre and Dance Office Manager I am both passionate about the College of Charleston and service to the school.
and Operations Being a part of the Staff Advisory Council would allow me to marry the two. I am also
Coordinator invested in creating the best working environment for all as this, in turn, makes the
college even stronger. Staff are the backbone of CofC and it would be an honor to
serve in this capacity.
**Can also be considered for Academic Schools Seat
Bri McKenny Treasurer’s Office Cashier/Custome I would love to connect with fellow colleagues and get more immersed in the
r Service Rep Colleges initiatives and programs. I am interested in getting to know my colleagues
and getting more involved on campus.
Becky McManus Human Resources Director of For the last few decades, the focus of my career has been on employee engagement -
Training and specifically, devising methods to retain employees, to make employee feel connected
Development and a part of the organization, to involve employees and provide them with the
sense of a better work/life balance, and to recognize and incentivise employees. I've
been challenged to communicate information to employees who work all over the
country and "connect" them to our HQ as a valued employee. I have a passion
around people and creating a positive culture. I would like to be a part of the Staff
Advisory Committee and help accomplish these same goals at the College of
Charleston.
Josh Miller Facilities Plumber I feel as if a lot of issues that affect the average worker on a day to day basis are often
overlooked or unheard. I would relish the opportunity to help advise the president
and other upper management regarding issues, needs, and growth opportunities that
would help make our lives as employees and staff better and more productive.
Britton Neville Registrar – Graduation Hi ya’ll. I started here at the College in 2003 when I became a Freshman studying
Graduation Coordinator Classics. I graduated in 2009 and was excited to come back as a staff member in 2018.
I have been in my current position as Graduation Coordinator in the Registrar’s Office
since November 2019. I am nominating myself so that I can get to know and work
with more people on campus as well as offer my strengths to the SAC. I enjoy
working with the students here at the College and I would love the opportunity to
also engage more with my colleagues. I believe this will allow me a platform to voice
opinions and ideas to make a difference for everyone on campusMelissa Ochal Center for Associate I am interested in serving on the Staff Advisory Committee because I see
International Director opportunities to improve the experiences of staff at CofC and I would like to be a part
Education of those changes. I believe that CofC learned a great deal about what staff members
are capable of during the COVID-19 pandemic and I would like to see those lessons
applied to improve the work-life balance of staff including flex scheduling, remote
work, and cross-training. Additionally, I would like to foster more collaboration and
communication between the various staff groups on campus so that we may better
serve students. Through my advocacy for international students at CofC, I’ve been
fortunate to work with a variety of CofC departments and I find that there are
communication gaps between departments that can be to the detriment of students.
I would like to work with my colleagues to find ways to better connect us.
Rick Renzi Procurement QA/QC Contract I work with many of the departments on campus which affords me the opportunity to
Enforcement interact with a large populace of staff employees. I had the honor to serve on many
Manager different Advisory Boards over a 24 year career in the Air Force. I bring to the table
insight and perspective that can enhance employee morale, improve the work
environment by identifying current work issues and challenges, and offer suggestions
to the President for positive changes.
Markus Williams Facilities Interim Electrical I am interesting in serving on the SAC to better my leadership skills as well as be a
Management Shop Assistant part of what matters around campus. Being on the SAC would help me understand
Supervisor more about the many programs and different ways that the campus is currently
progressing towards. I currently serve on an appreciation and recognition committee
called the ARC for our department so being on the SAC would definitely help towards
growing within our department committee. Hopefully as part of the SAC it can help
me build the values to what matters to the SAC as well as the things that matters to
my department such as: continuous improvements, integrity, engaging workplace,
and employee satisfaction. Thank you!You can also read
