2024 Summit Program

The 2024 Staff Leadership Summit was held Thursday, September 26, at the Kansas Memorial Union.

The theme was "Coming Together: The Power of Human Connection." Please see below for the schedule as well as descriptions of the breakout sessions and biographies of the speakers.

Schedule at a Glance

Schedule of Breakout Sessions

Information Tables

Breakout Session Descriptions

Keynote Speaker

Closing Remarks

Breakout Session Speakers

Each of the sessions held in Woodruff Auditorium was livestreamed. The recording is available above.

Schedule at a Glance

TIME	EVENT
8:15 am	Registration Begins (coffee available in the Parlors)
9:00 am	Keynote Address (Woodruff Auditorium)
10:00 am	Breakout Session 1
11:00 am	Breakout Session 2
12:00 pm	Lunch (Ballroom) Information Tables (Jayhawk Room)
1:00 pm	Breakout Session 3
2:00 pm	Snack Break (5th Floor Lobby and Jayhawk Room)
2:15 pm	Breakout Session 4
3:15 pm	Closing Remarks (Woodruff Auditorium)

Schedule of Breakout Sessions

ROOM	LEVEL	10:00 AM	11:00 AM	1:00 PM	2:15 PM
Alderson	4	The Social Cure: Combating the Loneliness Epidemic through Human Connection		Embracing Diverse Perspectives and Effectively Navigating Workplace Conflict
Big 12	5	Supporting Transformative Change Efforts Using KU's Community Tool Box			We Are Like a Family Here: Breaking Toxic Supervision Patterns
Centennial	6		Inner Connection: Joining Breath with Body Awareness for Mental Presence and Clarity	Staff Mentoring Program Brainstorm Session – Mentees	Staff Mentoring Program Brainstorm Session – Mentors
English	6	Jayhawks Take Action: Being an Active Bystander	Becoming Financially Empowered	Communication, Connection, and Technology: KU IT and Animal Care Unit
Kansas	6	A Care-Centered Approach to Human Connection	From Workspace to Place	From Workspace to Place	Unlocking Operational Excellence: Communicating for Success
Malott	6	Intro to Jayhawks Talk: A Suicide Prevention Training for the College Population	Rethinking Mentoring to Maximize the Power of Human Connection	Yoga Practices for Managing Stress	AUMI: Individual and Community Empowerment, On and Off Campus
Union Entrance - West	1			Art and Adaptation (Gather at the Mississippi Street entrance to the Union. Look for the volunteer with the yellow flag.)
Union Plaza - South	4		The Campus Landscape and Human Connection (Ascher Plaza - 1920 Jayhawk; look for the volunteer with the yellow flag.)
Woodruff	5	Natural Supports in the Workplace and Across the Lifespan	The Workplace and Your Social Biome	Tools for Participatory Engagement	The Power of Affirmative Leadership - Creating a Culture of Positivity and Productivity

Information Tables

Participating organizations listed alphabetically

Audio-Reader Network
Benefits (Human Resources)
Douglas County Community Emergency Response Team
Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
Dole Center for Politics
Faculty and Staff Wellness Committee
Hall Center for the Humanities
Information Technology
Kansas Public Radio
Libraries
OCRTIX & Impact & Belonging
Ombuds Office
Police Department
Recreation Services
Staff Senate
University Theatre
Watkins Health Services

Breakout Session Descriptions

Listed alphabetically by title

Art and Adaptation

Saralyn Reece Hardy

1:00pm, Spencer Museum of Art (Gather to the north of the main Union entrance. Look for the yellow flag)

This session will explore the opportunities for adaptation and growth at KU using art and artists as guides for personal reflection, models for work practices, and tools for community-building, Reece Hardy will share works from the Spencer Museum of Art, discuss examples of creative leadership that suggest next practices, and facilitate a session that draws upon the strengths and experiences of participants. Attendees are encouraged to visit the Spencer Museum of Art before the session and send one picture of your choice to srh@ku.edu and racheldquist@ku.edu (Maximum of 20 participants.)

AUMI: Individual and Community Empowerment, On and Off Campus

Ray Pence

2:15pm, Malott

I will offer a workshop in which participants enjoy using the Adaptive Use Musical Instrument (AUMI). This free software facilitates music making by people with ALL abilities. Since 2011, AUMI-KU InterArts, coordinated by principal investigator Professor Sherrie Tucker of KU American Studies, has been active at KU and in Lawrence. Drawing from my thirteen years of participation in AUMI-KU InterArts, I plan to share brief remarks on our history and accomplishments before launching the workshop. This session calls attention to issues of access and agency for all groups and individuals, but with focus on the needs and potential of disabled people. AUMI has, for instance, been central to empowering activities for children with developmental disabilities. An invaluable resource for collaborative, interdisciplinary work that crosses academic and community borders, AUMI will be the centerpiece of this event.

Becoming Financially Empowered

Stephanie Hass and Adam Knowles

11:00am, English Room

Financial empowerment can be achieved in life-changing ways when given well-rounded information and knowledge. This class will challenge participants to consider how values and confidence in relationships impact financial choices and strongly contribute to the development of community.

The Campus Landscape and Human Connection

Joe Fearn

11:00am, Ascher Plaza (Gather at 1920 Jayhawk near south end of Union Plaza. Look for the yellow flag.)

Starting at Kansas Union we will stroll some of Jayhawk Boulevard discussing how the landscape supports staff and students on campus.

A Care-Centered Approach to Human Connection

Carolyn Caine, Ward Lyles, Emily Ryan, Celka Straughn, and Megan Williams

10:00am, Kansas

This session will begin with a brief introduction by each speaker, who will share about their own work and orientation to the topic. From there, it will move into a mini-session, using the Spotlight on Care model, which features an exercise in identifying strengths drawn from the book “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants,” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The session features a compassion-centered approach to participation and facilitation.

Communication, Connection, and Technology: KU IT and Animal Care Unit

Kendra Clark and Tennille Fincham

1:00pm, English

At KU the primary animals being used in research are rodents, however there are various other species that make up the research animal population at our university. Until a few years ago any health condition or concern had to be written down by a technician caring for the animal, and then faxed or hand delivered to a veterinarian. All records were kept cage-side. You can imagine the frustration not only for animal care staff, but for all research staff. The Animal Care Unit reached out to KU IT with an idea. In this session, they’ll share how the two areas worked together to knock down the communication barriers that had existed for so long!

Embracing Diverse Perspectives and Effectively Navigating Workplace Conflict

Alesia Woszidlo

1:00pm, Alderson

Diverse perspectives are almost always present within our work teams and groups. When perspectives clash, some may find it difficult to work through the perceived differences, often resulting in conflict situations. This session discusses various communication strategies that you can use to effectively manage interpersonal conflict through a leadership lens.

From Workplace to Place

Thom Allen and Bonnie Johnson

11:00am, Kansas

1:00pm, Kansas

In this presentation, we will explore the essential elements that contribute to a positive and productive work environment. Focusing on both formal and informal connections, we will discuss strategies to create engaging and collaborative spaces that foster a sense of community and well-being. Join us to learn practical ideas and insights on transforming workspaces into places where people thrive.

Inner Connection: Joining Breath with Body Awareness for Mental Presence and Clarity

Melinda Ball

11:00am, Centennial

This session will guide you through practical breath control with simple movements to help cultivate a present state of mind and connection with the self.

Intro to Jayhawks Talk: A Suicide Prevention Training for the College Population

Emily Kubalik and Jeffrey Stolz

10:00am, Malott

Jayhawks Talk is an interactive training in suicide prevention and crisis response specifically created for college faculty and staff. This presentation presents a modified version of the Jayhawks Talk training and will help you: increase your awareness of the warning signs that someone may be considering suicide; feel better prepared and more confident in responding to someone in crisis; and, learn about referral options and how to assist those seeking help.

Jayhawks Take Action: Being an Active Bystander

Kim Conard, Desiree Neyens, and Lauren Spain-Eddington

10:00am, English

This session is an introduction to staff on being an active bystander. We give guidance on how to safely intervene once you have identified a situation at work involving unprofessional, inappropriate, and/or aggressive behavior.

Natural Supports in the Workplace and Across the Lifespan

Brad Linnenkamp and Sean Swindler

10:00am, Woodruff Auditorium

Everyone relies on others for supports as we are truly interdependent. This session will discuss how all people rely on natural supports, friendships, and supported decision-making to live their most successful like both in the workplace and at home. This includes helping others in your workplace and community contribute in their areas of strength and receive support in areas where they may need it. Real examples will be provided including examples of how to provide natural supports.

The Power of Affirmative Leadership – Creating a Culture of Positivity and Productivity

Karen Ledom, Linda Luckey, Arash Mafi, Kemi Obadare, and Jacob Thomas

2:15pm, Woodruff Auditorium

Affirmative leadership practices can have a dramatic impact on your personal motivation and satisfaction, as well as the overall climate of the office, even if you are someone who feels they don’t need constant praise to do well. In this panel discussion, with time for Q&A, we’ll share the key characteristics of this leadership style, and the “domino effect” that affirmative leadership has had on our team, including examples of how small gestures result in a more trusting, empowering, and positive environment for all.

Rethinking Mentoring to Maximize the Power of Human Connection

Jennifer Ng

11:00am, Malott

People usually agree that "mentoring" is important, but what it actually refers to and looks like is less clear. In this session, we’ll have an opportunity to reflect on some of the assumptions and challenges associated with conventional mentoring. Then, we'll have an opportunity to consider our own mentoring needs using a networked model of mentorship from the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD).

The Social Cure: Combating the Loneliness Epidemic through Human Connections

Tracey LaPierre

10:00am, Alderson

Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a critical public health issue with significant impacts on mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This workshop will delve into the role of loneliness in contributing to various health problems, from depression to chronic illness. Participants will explore current research on social isolation and learn practical strategies to build meaningful connections in both personal and professional settings.

Staff Mentoring Program Brainstorm Session – Mentees

Kelly Bellmyer and Mishelle Denton

1:00pm, Centennial

The Staff Senate mentoring program went dormant during the early days of the pandemic, and we are working to revive it. If you’ve ever wondered if having a mentor would be helpful, come share your thoughts and ideas in this open discussion about what a staff mentoring program could look like at KU.

Staff Mentoring Program Brainstorm Session – Mentors

Kelly Bellmyer and Mishelle Denton

2:15pm, Centennial

The Staff Senate mentoring program went dormant during the early days of the pandemic, and we are working to revive it. If you’ve ever wondered what serving as a mentor to another KU staff member might entail, come share your thoughts and ideas in this open discussion about what a staff mentoring program could look like at KU.

Supporting Transformative Change Efforts Using KU’s Community Tool Box

Christina Holt

10:00am, Big 12

This session will introduce participants to the Community Tool Box, a KU-based global resource offering thousands of pages of practical guidance for bringing about change and improvement. Looking for supports for building partnerships and effective collaborations? Guidance for addressing complex issues? Enhancing cultural competency? Engaging in advocacy? Building leadership? Implementing innovative solutions to community challenges? This session will help participants reflect on what is important to them, ideas for taking action, and learn about tools to support their efforts.

Tools for Participatory Engagement

Shannon Criss and Nils Gore

1:00pm, Woodruff

Decision-making in organizations happens in a variety of ways. Sometimes from bottom-up, sometimes top-down, sometimes in-between. Successful (or unsuccessful) outcomes resulting from decisions can hinge on the process by which the decision was made. Broad-based, engaged participation with members of an organization during the process often leads to more nuanced results by harnessing community knowledge, and thus a wider buy-in from all involved and ultimately a better, collective outcome. This session will look at some participatory engagement tools that we have developed in our community-based design agency and provide a brief, interactive workshop among all participants.

Unlocking Operational Excellence: Communicating for Success

Shawn Harding, Cameron Lauer, Nelson Mosley, and Gowri Nagarajan

2:15pm, Kansas

This workshop offers a deep dive into how effective communication can break down silos, create seamless workflows, and foster a collaborative work culture. Learn from experienced KU campus leaders as they share practical communication strategies, real-world examples, and valuable insights to help you unlock operational excellence. The session will conclude with a Q&A segment, giving you the chance to ask questions.

We Are Like a Family Here: Breaking Toxic Supervision Patterns

Jen Brockman

2:15pm, Big 12

As professionals we spend thousands of hours establishing ourselves and perfecting skills, unfortunately we do not take the same intentionality when it comes supervision. Toxic supervision patterns can have far-reaching consequences, affecting employee well-being, survivor care, organizational culture, and professional sustainability. The presenter will explore evidence informed organizational leadership practices, practical supervision tools, and actionable strategies for building a culture of trust.

The Workplace and Your Social Biome

Jeffrey Hall

11:00am, Woodruff

Friendship is an essential component of social health and well-being. The workplace is one of the most common places where people meet friends, and social interactions at work mitigate loneliness. Has the post-pandemic shift toward remote and hybrid work contributed to rising rates of loneliness? As Dr. Hall has written for the Wall Street Journal, the risks are particularly acute for Generation Z, but the challenges of workplace loneliness are very real for workers of all ages. In this session, Dr. Hall will ask, who tends to the social biome of your organization? In this session, Dr. Hall will discuss what individuals and organizations do to combat workplace loneliness and build meaningful relationships at work.

Yoga Practices for Managing Stress

Erin Sampson

1:00pm, Malott

This session is an introduction to meditation and yoga. Learn how to incorporate meditation and yoga poses into your workday with the goal of relieving stress and calming the mind. All movements will be gentle and can be done while seated in a chair.

Keynote

Barbara Bichelmeyer, Provost

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer, an academic leader in the field instructional design and technology, was appointed provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of Kansas in February 2020. Bichelmeyer, a Kansas City native, also holds an appointment as a professor in the KU School of Education & Human Sciences.

As KU’s chief learning officer, she is primarily responsible for advancing the university’s mission in concert with the Chancellor, administrators, faculty, staff, and students across the Lawrence campus. She leads the Lawrence campus in championing and furthering the goals outlined in the university’s strategic plan.

Prior to joining KU, Bichelmeyer served as provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a position she held since August 2015. She had previously served as executive associate vice president for University Academic Affairs for the seven campuses of Indiana University, as well as founder and senior director for IU's Office of Online Education. Bichelmeyer was a tenured full professor at Indiana University - Bloomington.

For most of her 30-year career as a faculty member and administrator, Bichelmeyer has examined the process of performance-based instructional design, and how technology is incorporated into classrooms in order to facilitate more personalized learning experiences.

Bichelmeyer earned a bachelor’s in journalism degree in 1982, a bachelor of arts in English in 1986, a master’s in educational policy and administration in 1988, and a doctorate in educational communications and technology in 1991, all from the University of Kansas.

Bichelmeyer has served as consultant for performance-based instructional design, technology integration, human and organization performance effectiveness, and evaluation of instructional and organizational development programs to numerous organizations including the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indiana Supreme Court Commission for Continuing Legal Education, Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, Microsoft, Sprint, the United States Coast Guard, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Closing Remarks

Angie Loving, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources

With nearly 30 years of experience in higher education administration, Angie has excelled in both human resources and finance. At the University of Kansas for nearly 23 years, she was recently appointed Vice Chancellor for Human Resources for the Lawrence Campus after serving in an interim role. Angie is highly regarded for her expertise in problem-solving, strategic thinking, and process improvement.

A lifelong learner, she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from KU and maintains advanced HR certifications. Known for her collaborative approach, Angie is committed to making a positive impact on the KU workforce and fostering a supportive work environment.

Breakout Session Speakers (in alphabetical order by last name)

Thom Allen

Thom Allen is an innovative academic leader focused on community engagement and design. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, he fosters creativity and effective communication that drives forward thinking objectives for public space. This is done through tactical urbanism, creative placemaking, planning, and urban design. Allen has worked for the New York City Department, District of Columbia Office of Planning, and currently is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Urban Planning Program in the School of Public Affairs and Administration. He also serves as the associate director of the University Honors Program, leading faculty engagement to strengthen honors courses, advises students in the honors programming series Common Cause, and teaches an honors first-year seminars centered on initiatives related to the United Nations.

Melinda Ball

Melinda Ball, IT Analyst, Information Technology - Melinda began her yoga journey over 20 years ago while exploring physical activities to help her recover from running injuries. She quickly noticed how yoga postures made her feel deeply connected to her body as well as relieving the pain of past physical trauma. Melinda is incredibly grateful for her teachers, humbled by the study of yoga, and honored by the opportunity to share what she continually learns on this path. Outside of yoga and class instruction, Melinda is a system administrator for ServiceNow and TeamDynamix
in Information Technology.

Kelly Bellmyer

Kelly Bellmyer is the Office Manager in the Linguistics Department at KU since March 2022. Kelly also worked at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) for 20+ years. She is very passionate about helping others and professional development. She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, family and 2 dogs. When she is not working, she spends time playing Mahjong, reading books, fishing, camping, and swimming.

Jen Brockman

Jen Brockman is the Director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center at the University of Kansas. She has worked in the field of victim advocacy and gender based violence prevention since 2001, in three different states at community programs, flagship institutes, and state coalitions. During her career Jen worked as the Sex Crimes Investigation Trainer for the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and is a certified Law Enforcement Trainer in Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence. Jen is the recipient of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Visionary Voice Award and the Arkansas Attorney General’s Crime Victim Advocate of the Year Award. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Drury University in Criminology and Sociology and a Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.

Carolyn Caine

Carolyn Caine (she/her) is an associate researcher for the Institute for Policy & Social Research, focusing on qualitative methods and evaluation. With fifteen years of experience in higher education from different vantage points, she seeks to understand how organizations can advance the needs of their community members as a first priority and how community members can work together across complex organizations.

Kendra Clark

Kendra Clark has been with the University for almost 9 years. She began her career at KU as the husbandry supervisor of the Animal Care Unit and is currently the Associated Director of Animal Care. Kendra is a registered veterinary technician and also a certified laboratory animal technologist.

Kim Conard

Kim Conard (she/her) is an AMS Team Grant Coordinator in the Office of Research. She has been working at KU for 10 years. She has been a Staff Senate D&I committee volunteer since 2017 and an elected Staff Senate senator for the past 3 years. On that committee, she has volunteered as a facilitator for Unpacking Whiteness in the Workplace since 2018. She has also volunteered as a facilitator for SAPEC’s Jayhawks Give a Flock for 4 years.

Shannon Criss

Shannon Criss is a licensed architect and a Professor in the Architecture Department at the University of Kansas. Through her work at KU, she is able to bring focus to community engagement processes and service learning opportunities to create an architecture that serves the greater good. The endeavor requires that we think beyond the singular architectural object and develop deep, long-term, loose-fitting principles to guide the work we do as architects; developing strategies that make the architectural object the right fit, for many people, for a long time. In order to be effective, this premise requires collaborative thought and work, where students identify and examine ideas driven by their empathy for others’ needs and their own natural curiosity to explore and offer new insight to a given problem, with the premise that good design is enduring design.

Mishelle Denton

Mishelle Denton is the Security Manager for Campus Solutions (Enroll & Pay). She serves as a member of the Staff Senate on the Personnel Affairs Committee and is co-chair of its Leadership, Appreciation, and Recognition Action Team. She is the Chair of the Technical & Reporting Advisory Group (TRAG) within the Higher Education User Group (HEUG). Additionally, she has contributed to HEUG as a member of the Mentor Program Committee.

Joe Fearn

Joe is a long-time grounds management professional starting at KU in September 2021. Joe and his team seek to provide a landscape that is complementary to the University of Kansas vision, pleasing the students and greater KU community all while living within the ecosystem and ecology of NE Kansas. Joe lives in Lawrence with wife Piper (works in KU Admissions!) and has 3 sons.

Tennille Fincham

Tennille has been at the university for over 10 years and is currently the manager of the Technology Instruction and Engagement team. In this role, she helps users across campus reach their technology goals through training, consultation, increasing productivity, and improving workflows.

Nils Gore

Nils Gore is a licensed architect and a Professor in the Architecture Department at the University of Kansas, where he focuses on community engaged scholarship through completion of student design/build projects in the public realm. These projects include work in Mississippi, Lawrence, New Orleans and, most lately, Wyandotte County, Kansas. In all of these projects, he works with students to develop innovative material and tectonic design solutions that enhance and support an enriched community life for those that dwell in the community. The work in Wyandotte is focused on projects that promote public health through healthy eating and active living and is supported by external funding from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Wyandotte Health Foundation.

Jeffrey Hall

Jeffrey A. Hall, Ph.D., is a professor of communication studies. He is the former chair of the Human Communication and Technology Division of the National Communication Association and is currently the Chair of the Interpersonal Communication Division of the International Communication Association. He was awarded the Early Career Award from the Interpersonal Communication Division of the National Communication Association in 2015. He has been interviewed by National Public Radio, New York Times, USA Today, Time Magazine, Washington Post, Financial Times, and CNN, and written on workplace relationships and interiority in the Wall Street Journal.

Shawn Harding

Shawn Harding has been the director of Facilities Services at KU for the last 5 years and various operations leadership roles at KU for the past 13 years. Prior to becoming director, he worked as the program manager and co-architect of the university’s CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) reimplementation effort in 2017. This project specifically marked Shawn’s talent for visioning the big picture and relentlessly connecting the small details until the big picture is achieved. Shawn leads a dedicated staff of maintenance technicians of all trades including plumbers, HVAC techs, electricians, carpenters, painters, movers and grounds staff to make KU the best it can be at a value to the university. Shawn has presented multiple times at national CMMS, maintenance and risk management conferences.

Saralyn Reece Hardy

Invested as the first Marilyn Stokstad Director of the Spencer Museum of Art, Saralyn Reece Hardy has led the only comprehensive art museum in Kansas since 2005. Prior to her arrival at the Spencer Museum, Reece Hardy served as Director of Museums and Visual Arts at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and as Director of the Salina Art Center in Salina, Kansas. She is an active consultant, lecturer, and advocate for arts and cultural organizations on local, regional, national, and international levels.

Stephanie Hass

Stephanie Hass is the Vice President Strategic Initiatives Manager at Central Bank. She has a demonstrated 23 years of experience working in the banking industry. Managing and leading internal and external partners to success. In her role at Central Bank, she leads the Bank@Work program. Providing an exclusive wide range of educational topics to support financial decisions in life. Giving financial wellness access to the employees of Central Banks partners. Empowering over 100+ individuals in their financial decisions. Stephanie is passionate about mentoring and leading those that she works with to accomplish their goals.

Christina Holt

Christina serves as Assistant Director of the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas. She works to give people tools to change the world. At the KU Center for Community Health and Development, Christina directs the Community Tool Box, a free global resource which offers 7,000 pages of practical guidance for creating community change and improvement, and she specializes in capacity building for community change and improvement and supporting evaluation of community-based efforts. Christina has served as a speaker and technical consultant for groups including the World Health Organization, World Bank, United Nations, Peace Corps, and the Institute of Medicine. Christina provides trainings to non-profits, coalitions, and those implementing collaborative community-based efforts. Her passion is helping people make a difference on socially important issues. Christina received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Kansas.

Bonnie Johnson

Bonnie J. Johnson, PhD, FAICP is Assistant Director of the School of Public Affairs & Administration and Professor of Urban Planning. She teaches planning theory, politics, and public management courses. Research focuses on the profession of city planning. Contributions to the field include the use of new media for neighborhood organizing, creation of the civic bureaucracy model, groundbreaking research on staff reports, and comparative studies of public service professions and their codes of ethics. Before returning to school for her doctorate, Johnson was a practicing city planner for eight years designing citizen engagement processes for neighborhood, corridor, and city/countywide plans. She was project manager for the City of Liberty, Missouri’s national award-winning Blueprint for Liberty: Land Use Plan. She is the elected Professional Development Officer for the Kansas Chapter of the American Planning Association and member of the Planning Accreditation Board. She served on the Ethics Committee for the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and was inducted into the AICP College of Fellows in 2020.

Adam Knowles

Adam Knowles is a Commercial Relationship Manager for Central Bank of the Midwest. He is responsible for developing new commercial clients as well as maintaining and servicing existing customers. Prior to his current role, Adam worked for three years as a credit analyst where he was responsible for providing guidance on credit risks within the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio. He is also an Eastern Jackson County Advisory Board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City.

Emily Kubalik

Emily Kubalik joined the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) team in December 2023. She is currently a Senior Staff Clinician and Suicide Prevention Coordinator. Emily received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology in 2013 from Fort Hays State University and achieved clinical-level licensure in 2019. She’s worked in a variety of mental health care settings including college mental health, community mental health, and an acute/residential inpatient hospital. Emily’s areas of specific training and interest include evidenced-based approaches to suicide prevention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-focused approaches, and trauma-informed care. Emily is passionate about creating an accepting and affirming environment therapeutically and within the community.

Tracey LaPierre

Tracey LaPierre is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and an Honors Faculty Fellow in the University Honors Program. Her research focuses on how social policies, social structure, and relationships affect health and well-being.

Cameron Lauer

Cameron Lauer has served as the Director of Custodial and Recycling Services at the University of Kansas for 7 years. With a focus on operational logistics, leadership, and employee development, Cameron has worked with his entire leadership team to foster a culture that prioritizes employee well-being and growth. Helping to create an efficient and supportive work environment has undoubtedly contributed to the success of the university's facilities management, has improved the day-to-day lives of the people in his department, and is one of his proudest achievements as a professional.

Karen Ledom

Karen Ledom is the Assistant Dean for College Undergraduate Academic Services, serving KU in various leadership positions for the past 36 years. She began her career working in student records and has served the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences since 1992, using her acquired experiences to shape her leadership of the College’s undergraduate student services to help best position our large undergraduate student population for success.

Brad Linnenkamp

Brad Linnenkamp is an Assistant Researcher at the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities. Brad worked for the Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas for over 19 years before leaving to work at KU. B rad sits on many state and national committees including the Self-Advocate Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) National Advisory Board where advocates from across the United States are gathering resources for advocacy to be available in one place. In 1990 Brad received the “Achievement Against the Odds Award” from President Bush for overcoming obstacles in his life and assisting others to achieve independence. In his spare time Brad enjoys anything sports related but especially the Royals, Chiefs or Jayhawks!

Linda Luckey

Linda Luckey is Assistant Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She retired as Chief of Staff to the Provost in 2021, after 25 years of supporting senior leadership at KU. Last year she returned to the College Dean’s Office to assist with strategic planning and operations. Linda feels fortunate to have worked closely with many gifted leaders, appreciating the impact of leaders who value and foster a positive workplace culture.

Arash Mafi

Dr. Arash Mafi is the Executive Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas and has served in various academic leadership positions since 2015. He is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy, a Fellow of the Optical Society of America, and a Fellow of the International Society for Optics and Photonics. His research focuses on integrating fundamental science and application at the intersection of quantum nonlinear optics and complexity. Through his leadership of all who serve in the College he is dedicated to supporting students in all phases of their journey at KU.

Nelson Mosley

Chief Nelson Mosley began his law enforcement career in 1987 with the Wichita Police Department, rising through the ranks to serve as Interim Police Chief before retiring in 2016. He then led the Rose Hill Police Department until 2021 and currently serves as Police Chief/Director of the University of Kansas Police Department. Chief Mosley holds a master’s in management and a bachelor’s in human resource management from Friends University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He has taught as an adjunct professor, received numerous awards, and remains active in various professional organizations, including serving as a Regional Representative and board member for the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police.

Gowri Nagarajan

Gowri is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Operations at the University of Kansas. She has a background in software engineering, having worked with IBM in India and Barclays Capital in Singapore. She holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from India and a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from KU. Currently, she is also pursuing a second master’s in business analytics at KU. Gowri is passionate about project management and data-driven decision making.

Desiree Neyens

Desirée Neyens (she/her) has been working at KU for almost ten years. In that time, she has served several departments, taught many Leadership Studies classes, and earned two master’s degrees. She is currently a Grant Coordinator in the Office of Research, an elected member of Staff Senate, and working on her PhD in Library Science through Emporia State University.

Jennifer Ng

Dr. Jennifer Ng is a professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Kansas. She has also served in several senior leadership positions at KU, including Interim Vice Provost for the Office of Diversity & Equity and Associate Vice Provost for the Office of Faculty Affairs. Prior to her career in higher education, Jennifer was a middle school English teacher in Houston, Texas.

Kemi Obadare

Kemi Obadare is the Student Support Coordinator for College Undergraduate Academic Services. Kemi provides a wide range of individualized support for undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts & Services and their families. She works closely with students to help connect them with needed resources and oversees front office operations of the CUAS as a team supervisor. Prior to joining KU and the College 15 years ago, Kemi lived and worked in Africa and in Europe.

Ray Pence

Ray Mizumura-Pence teaching professor of American studies at the University of Kansas. He has participated in AUMI-KU InterArts since 2011. His publications appear in Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, American Quarterly, and American Studies. Ray currently focuses on veterans with disabilities, the impact of multiple sclerosis on the late Richard Pryor, and oral histories by disabled people in Kansas.

Emily Ryan

Emily Ryan (she/her) is the Director of The Commons. She works with faculty, staff, and students at KU to identify areas of research for interdisciplinary inquiry and engagement; address global and local challenges through collaboration; and create opportunities for meeting people across specializations. She works with individuals to create unique formats for programs to ensure that the goals of each session can be reached through the content and structure of engagements. Outside of work, Emily is an avid vegetable grower. She is passionate about food access, environmental advocacy, and education around food policy. She is a grateful steward of the land, always seeking to grow and learn in community.

Erin Sampson

Erin Sampson is a Lawrence native, passionate about the Lawrence & KU community. She received her B.A. in History from KU and became certified as a Professional in Human Resources in 2017. She has been practicing yoga since 2008, acquired her 200-RYT certification in 2022, and is a “forever student”. Through teaching yoga, Erin emphasizes a spiritual connection with nature, an awareness of the self, and respect for the roots of yoga.

Lauren Spain-Eddington

Lauren Spain-Eddington (she/her) is the Assistant Director of the Undergraduate Biology Program and has worked at KU since October 2018. Lauren began in KU Biology as an academic advisor, and now coordinates the orientation seminar for the biology program, assists with planning biology events, advises the Biology Majors Advisory Committee (BMAC), and is chair of the DEI Committee for Undergraduate Biology. She has facilitated Unpacking Whiteness in the Workplace sessions with the Staff Senate D&I Education Action Team since 2019.

Jeffrey Stolz

Jeffrey Stolz is the Mental Health and Wellbeing Director in Human Resources at KU. He is a Licensed Master of Social Work. After receiving his MSW at KU, he worked for ten years at Van Go, Inc., an arts-based social service agency for teens and young adults who face a barrier to success in education or employment. In his current position in HR and as chair to the Employee Wellness Committee, he is working to expand employee opportunities and resources that foster holistic wellbeing in the Jayhawk community.

Celka Straughn

Since joining the Spencer Museum of Art in 2009, Dr. Celka Straughn (she/her) has worked to integrate the Museum into the mission of the University, while integrating university teaching, learning, research and other activities into the Museum's practices. She also teaches courses for KU’s Honors Program and Museum Studies and is affiliate faculty in German Studies and Museum Studies. Her doctoral dissertation (University of Chicago, 2007) and related publications examine Jewish art and Expressionism in early twentieth-century Germany. She has curated exhibitions at the Spencer with colleagues across the university and edited a major volume about the founding collection of the museum in 2017.

Sean Swindler

Sean Swindler, M.S.Ed. has joint appointment as Director of Community Program Development and Evaluation at The Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART) and Project Manager at Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD). Mr. Swindler has a master’s degree in special education and has worked in the field of developmental disability and Autism for over 30 years. Mr. Swindler has been at K-CART since 2008 and has led K-CART in managing community partnerships and the K-CART Autism Resource Center. Mr. Swindler has been involved in multiple federally and state funded research and training projects. Prior to coming to KU Swindler was coordinator for the Self-Advocate Coalition and as a Kansas I/DD Waiver Targeted Case Manager. He is also the parent of a young adult with Autism and I/DD on the I/DD Waiver Waiting List.

Jacob Thomas

Jacob Thomas is a Degree Analyst for College Undergraduate Academic Services. He has served in this role since arriving at KU in 2019. He is a dedicated member of the team that oversees the certification of all undergraduate students’ degree completion in the College and assesses student athletes’ academic eligibility for participation in KU sports. Jacob also coordinates a number of student outreach events, working to connect undergraduate students in the College with each other, College leaders, and campus partners all working together to help students succeed.

Alesia Woszidlo

Dr. Alesia Woszidlo is the Director of the Institute for Leadership Studies and an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies (COMS) at the University of Kansas. For the past 3.5 years, she has also served as the Director for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access in the COMS Dept. She specializes in communication processes such as conflict management, coping, and stress management as well as examines the ways that people can expand their leadership capacity to thrive in their personal relationships and the systems and communities they belong to.