2011 PSO Board Election
Spring Elections Results Coming Soon
The following candidates ran for officer and open positions on the PSO Board of Directors during the spring 2011 election. The current list of PSO Board Members is now available. Congratulations and welcome to our new board members!
Candidate for President
Anita Rocha
Statistical Programmer and Data Manager
Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology
I've worked at the University of Washington for eight years and at my current position for more than six. I've thoroughly benefitted from serving as the President of PSO for the last year. It's taught me more than I could ever have imagined about the triumphs and challenges of being part of this amazing and complex institution, and the vital role that professional staff play in this intricate mosaic. I've served our members by listening to individual concerns, representing our interests to internal and external entities, and lending a hand to members of our energetic board that directs this organization. I work to keep initiatives moving forward, and in turn moving professional staff upward in our standing and recognition within the university. I look forward to serving in the future for the benefit of all of us.
Candidate for Vice President
Joyce Agee
Associate Director of Advancement
UW Libraries
Over the last year on
the PSO Board, I have
had the opportunity to
meet members who bring
exceptional skills to their jobs
and value to the UW. From
financial services and human
resources to research and advancement,
PSO members are integrated in almost
every area of the university across three
campuses. With the creation of the new
Prostaff Awards, members' achievements
are being acknowledged and our visibility
is increasing. As your Vice-President, I
will encourage greater recognition of the PSO, and, as we deal with the pressures
in the work environment, I will be active
in supporting members and finding
opportunities to communicate about
the valuable role PSO members play in
advancing the University's mission in
research and education.
Candidate for Secretary
Lydecia (Deci) Evans
Program Operations Specialist
UWMC
I have worked between
Harborview and the University
of Washington Medical Center
for 13 years. My experience
working in the different
environments of the medical
centers has helped me prepare
for this PSO leadership role. I am very
excited to be considered for this position
and will bring the skills I have learned to
help continue to make the PSO successful
and informative to all of its members.
Candidate for Treasurer
Hollye M. Keister
Registrar
Burke Museum of Natural History and
Culture
I have enjoyed my
experiences working with
the PSO board of directors
and would like to continue
my service for another year
in the role of treasurer. The
treasurer's responsibilities
are to maintain an accurate accounting
of member contributions, provide timely
account reports, distribute funds in support
of PSO scholarships and activities, and
prepare the annual budget. My work
at the UW involves many of the same
budget oversight and audit functions, and
I regularly participate in department and
unit-level budget planning. In the coming
year, I look forward to using my experience
to further PSO priorities and continuing a
tradition of responsible financial oversight.
Candidates for Open Board Positions
Carmen Cook
Curriculum Manager
Information School
I have a strong desire to
lead and make a difference
and have richly benefited
at the UW. The PSO board
would be an opportunity
to give something back.
I bring energy, curiosity
and fourteen years of UW experience.
At the equal opportunity office I trained
employees about university conflict/
complaint resolution processes and
employee workplace rights, including nondiscrimination
policies. I was a key player
in the distribution of the affirmative action
plan and prevention of sexual harassment
policies. The history and importance of
affirmative action, non-discrimination and
equal opportunity are near to my heart.
I am proud of my position as curriculum
manager at the iSchool, where everyday
values such as diversity, collaboration,
insight, and team participation are
celebrated. My knack for creative problem
solving, a positive attitude would serve well
in the PSO position. It would enhance my
experience and instill continued pride in the
UW community.
Robert Corbett
Coordinator of New Programs
Undergraduate Education
My reason for running
for the PSO Board is to help
facilitate communication
about opportunities and
university initiatives for
professional staff. I am
currently the chair of the
PSO Communications Committee, which
produces the biannual newsletter that
precedes the spring and fall membership
meetings. I have previously served two
terms on the PSO Board and one year as the
secretary. My work at the university puts me
in touch with various parts of the university,
as I help coordinate state approval of
academic programs for all three campuses.
Doing this has helped me learn about the
many activities that university engages in. I
look forward to learning more and putting
that knowledge in service to the PSO in
general.
Christopher Glenn
Administrator for Residential Life,
Conduct & Compliance
Housing and Food Services
As a UW professional
staff member for nearly 10
years and a recent mid-term
addition to the PSO Board,
I'm eager to continue
serving our community
during the upcoming term.
Since joining the Board in December, I have
been further inspired by the commitment
of its members to increasing the presence
and effectiveness of the PSO. It is my desire
to help further the current work of the
Board to increase professional development
opportunities for staff within the current
economic climate, and strengthening
the Board as a catalyst for exploring and
sharing information regarding policies
and legislation potentially impacting our
positions and workplace. Thank you for
the current opportunity to serve. I would
sincerely appreciate your continued support
of my participation with the PSO.
Nadine Gruhn
Managing Director, Center for Enabling
New Technologies Through Catalysis
Chemistry
I would like to serve on
PSO so that I can learn
more about the governance
of UW and connect with
my fellow professional
staff. I've spent my entire
career as professional staff
at flagship state research
universities. Since March 2008 I have been
with UW as Managing Director of the
Center for Enabling New Technologies
Through Catalysis, which is a National
Science Foundation Center for Chemical
Innovation administered out of UW with
participants at 13 universities and National
Labs around the U.S. and Canada. Previous
to my position at UW, I was a staff scientist
at the University of Arizona Department
of Chemistry for over 12 years. During
my time at Arizona I was very active as a
representative and officer in the Appointed
Professional Advisory Council, the Arizona
governance organization comparable to
PSO. I look forward to continuing to learn
more about UW and contributing my skills
to PSO. Thanks for your consideration.
Kathy Hanken
Executive Chef/General Manager 1101 Cafe
Housing and Food Services
I have been working on campus in Housing and Food Services for just over ten years and have been excited to see all of the growth and changes we have embraced. The future holds a great deal more challenges and we have the opportunity to impact these changes for positive outcomes. As important members of the campus community it is imperative that we participate in order to impact change. PSO provides a venue for community, information and collaboration and I feel my skills working with diverse groups, collaboration with others and my energy would serve the PSO.
Suzanne Hunter
Information Technology Project Manager
Chemistry
I have worked in the
Department of Chemistry as
an Information Technology
Project Manager since 2006,
and have enjoyed serving on
the PSO Board since 2010.
I contribute to the PSO
communication and award committees,
and also help maintain the PSO website. I
would be honored to continue serving the
community of professional staff at UW.
Mark Shaw
Director of Health Promotion
Hall Health Primary Care Center
I have worked in my
position at UW for 10+
years, and have a good
understanding about the
university and how it
functions. At Hall Health
Center, in addition to my
health promotion activities,
I chair an employee recognition committee
that strives to bring positive attention
to our staff, and the good work they do.
I also chair the Website Committee, as
well as a newly formed Art Committee,
which is focusing on decorating our newly
painted walls, once an extensive remodel
is completed. In my work, I collaborate
with numerous professionals in various
UW departments. Among them are
Student Life, New Student Programs,
Residence Life, FIUTS, Evening Degree
program, International Outreach and
English Language Programs. My interest
in becoming a member of the PSO Board
comes from wanting to contribute on a
larger scale on the campus, as well as learn
more about the PSO and the activities it
organizes.
Brian Tyl
Manager
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Neurology
I have served on the PSO Board over the past two years and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The PSO has given me the opportunity to meet people across campuses and see how rich the UW is in employee talent and dedication. I have been involved in some exciting work with the PSO: co-chairing the ProStaff Award Committee, co-chairing the Outreach and Membership Engagement Committee, initiating the PSO member survey last year, and participating in the monthly board meetings and quarterly HR meetings. I work in dept administration and HR and am committed to improving processes. Participating in the PSO has given me a unique perspective on how processes are similar or different across units. My ultimate goal is to understand and improve the work experience of UW employees. Thank you for considering my nomination.
Candidates for Open Board Positions, Tacoma Campus
Curtis Black
Admissions Advisor
UW Tacoma Admissions Advising &
Outreach
UW Tacoma is a pretty
awesome place. If you
haven't visited the UWT
campus yet, you need to
find an excuse to come
visit our wonderful UW
staff and faculty members
who have been working so hard to
transform downtown Tacoma into a really
cool place to hang out. I enjoy bragging
about all things UW to my friends, my
family, and even the occasional server in a
local watering hole. I am one of the folks
responsible to update twitter for UW
Tacoma Admissions. I have been directly
involved with the development, planning,
and implementation of a wide variety of
creative, entertaining, and informative
events on the UW Tacoma campus. I
have a background in both government
and labor lelations. I have established
good relationships with UW staff on all 3
campuses. I am looking forward to bringing
my talents to the UW PSO.
Alison Navarrete
Administrator and Adviser
UWT, Education
As a leader within the
Education Program at UWT,
I work diligently running
a collegial department
where people are valued.
I am aware of individual
strengths and assists staff
through difficulties. I also have strong
communication skills, listen well, mediate
discussion and synthesize information.
I'm sensitive to the needs of the staff,
responding to issues in a receptive
and perceptive manner, subsequently
maintaining a collegial and supportive work
environment. I have a strong interest in
supporting employees at UW. I've been a
member of the University of Washington's
President's Advisory Committee on Women
as a representative for women on the
Tacoma campus. Through my work on this
committee and the Governor's Interagency
Committee of State Employed Women, I
have collaborated with others to improve
the state of and environment for all UW
women and employees.
Professional Staff Organization
ContactE-mail psoboard@u.washington.edu
Web depts.washington.edu/psoweb
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