Elections
The Council consists of 27 representatives elected from the staff of the Oklahoma State University Stillwater campus. According to the SAC Constitution and Bylaws, one-third of the membership shall be elected each year.
Voting
Voting for the 2024-2025 election will begin April 8, 2024, and close April 19, 2024.
Only staff employed on a permanent basis (50 percent or more and benefits eligible) are entitled to vote in SAC elections.
The University President, Vice-Presidents, Associate Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents, faculty members, contractual labor, and student employees (including GRAs and GTAs) of the University may not vote in such elections.
Learn more about this year’s nominees below.
2024 Staff Advisory Council Nominee Statements
Suni Hertt, Ag Econ
Candidate Statement: As an active member of the Staff Advisory Council since January 2024, I have gained valuable insights into the needs and concerns of our staff community. My experience extends beyond the council—I’ve served on the Tulsa County Retirement Board of Trustees and held leadership roles within the Association for Talent Development. Being elected twice by my peers to the Board of Trustees demonstrates my ability to collaborate effectively and make informed decisions. Additionally, my contributions as the Statewide conference planning committee chair underscore my commitment to enhancing professional development opportunities. As part of the Faculty and Staff Community Special Committee, I’ve worked diligently to improve quality of life for OSU faculty and staff in Stillwater. My passion for service and proven leadership skills make me a strong candidate for continued service on the Staff Advisory Council. I am eager to continue contributing to the Staff Advisory Council for another term.
Emily Billings, University Counseling Services
Candidate Statement: I have worked at OSU a little more than 7 years at University Counseling Services. I would be honored to be considered to serve on the Staff Advisory Council. If selected, I would like to help advocate enhancing the OSU workplace environment, further promote the overall well-being of all staff, and continue to recognize OSU employee's many achievements.
Nominator: Brandi Parker-Nunley
Nominator Statement: I am nominating Emily Billings for the Staff Advisory Council (SAC). In recognition of her exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment to the OSU family. Emily consistently goes above and beyond. One of Emily's standout qualities is her proactive approach to problem-solving. She does not merely meet expectations, she exceeds them by taking initiative and finding innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity within our team. Another one of Emily’s outstanding qualities is service. She is always willing to serve OSU and the Stillwater community. I recommend Emily for the SAC and believe she will be an invaluable member.
Lisa Crane, ITLE, OSU Online
Candidate Statement: I'm the academic program specialist for OSU Online. I really enjoy serving on SAC and would love to continue. Thank you!
Deidre Parrish, Division of Health Affairs
Candidate Statement: I'm a proud employee, alumni and legacy parent of OSU. Before joining OSU, I spent 25 years in the private sector working in HR and business operations. I'm certified as an SPHR (Senior Professional of Human Resources) which has provided me experience and the ability to hone my skills of listening, problem solving, and working towards organization missions while taking care of employees. I would love the opportunity to apply this experience in any way that would be advantageous to the university I call home.
Nominator: Jack Henneha
Nominator Statement: Deidre has been a member of UHS for the past 14 months. Her extensive background in the fields of HR and financial services has been beneficial to our department. With her candidacy for SAC, I am confident that Deidre will expand her connections within the campus community and provide valuable contributions to the council's endeavors.
Sherri Buntin, Fire Protection Publications
Candidate Statement: I have lived in Stillwater for over 30 years and have worked at OSU since 2019. I have a servant's heart in volunteering and offering support to Stillwater and the OSU community. I have happily served as a member of OSU's Staff Advisory council since 2020. While I am organized and understand budgets, I am also enthusiastic, positive, an attentive listener, and a hard worker. I believe my qualifications meets what the OSU’s Student Advisory Council expects in a representative and would love the opportunity to continue to serve as a member of SAC.
Angie Duckworth, Facilities Management, Operations & Maintenance
Candidate Statement: I believe I could be a positive representation from the Facilities Management group. I love all the things that SAC is involved in and would love to become more active and involved in the activities across campus.
Nominator: Jeff Sweeden
Nominator Statement: Angela is very caring individual that wants the best for all our staff members. She currently runs our onboarding program and is familiar with common questions and concerns.
Kegan Herrick, OSU Agriculture Digital Team
Candidate Statement: Hi, my name is Kegan Herrick and I am part of the digital team for the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and an OSU alumna. I love the Stillwater community and OSU deeply, and I would like to serve on the Staff Advisory Council to support, communicate, and collaborate to continue to create a healthy, positive working environment for staff.
Working at OSU has brought me joy and memories to last a lifetime, and I want to be involved to help show appreciation across the college and contribute to the decision-making to provide quality policies and procedures staff members need. I aspire to be a voice and good listener to bring in new perspectives and ideas to continue making OSU, "The University of Choice in Oklahoma."
Nominator: Laura Wray
Nominator Statement: Kegan is an alumna of OSU and has been a valuable member of the Digital team for approximately 5 years. She is dedicated to OSU, demonstrates exceptional work ethic, and I believe that the Staff Advisory Council would greatly benefit from her expertise.
Mili Jha, Honors College
Candidate Statement: Mili Jha is an advisor in the Honors College and serves as Honors' K-12 Outreach Coordinator. Mili is completing their first term on the Staff Advisory Council and their first term as a member of SAC's Access, Community, & Engagement and Awards Committees. Through their role on campus in extension, Mili works with various OSU departments, as well as governmental agencies and nonprofits, on statewide, nationwide, and international K-12 extension programs. They also advise the Honors College Student Association, further creating connections between Honors, greater OSU, and the Stillwater community. Mili strives to represent their colleagues' and students' needs in SAC spaces, while also representing their own marginalized identities and advocating for these perspectives to be included in important, university-wide action. Mili is proud to represent trans, disabled, and racially minoritized staff on Oklahoma State University's campus, and hopes to continue contributing to SAC through these perspectives in the upcoming year.
Joshua Hawkins, Department of Wellness
Candidate Statement: As a former K-12 educator, K-12 administrator, and university faculty member, I am keenly aware of how organizational culture and practices affect the “morale, well-being, working conditions, and professional welfare” of the employees of an educational institution. In my current position as Assistant Director of Accessibility Programs, which includes managing the Student Accessibility Services office, I daily interact with professionals both in my unit and across campus who I would love to support through intentional activities related to the maintenance and enhancement of services for OSU employees.
My work in disability services as an educator and administrator has enabled me to work closely with people with individual challenges to achieve their goals. I thrive on such work. Further, from an organizational standpoint, I am very interested in systems-level concerns and ensuring that effective measures are in place to evaluate and remediate systems so that they function efficiently and effectively.
I am collaborative, preferring to work with others to achieve mutually beneficial goals; conscientious; professional; and hard working. It would be my honor to serve and represent Accessibility Programs, the Department of Wellness, the Division of Student Affairs, and Oklahoma State University as a member of the Staff Advisory Council. Thank you for your consideration.
Nominator: Allyson Robinson
Nominator Statement: Dr. Joshua Hawkins has a servant heart with much experience in teaching and administration at the higher ed level. He cares for people and is fully capable of and interested in representing the interests of staff in the development and implementation of policies and procedures that directly affect their morale, well-being, working conditions, and professional welfare here at OSU.
He would be a great addition to SAC based on his personal and professional skills, talents, and abilities. He's passionate about the community and will be a valuable contributor to further the mission of SAC and OSU at large.
Amy Phipps, Agriculture Human Resources
Candidate Statement: I have worked in Ag HR for the past 10 years and love it! Currently, I work with posting jobs and processing workers' compensation claims. I have a heart for working with our injured employees because I know that it is a confusing, scary time and I'm happy to be their guide.
I, along with my pup, Tillie, am also a member of Pete's Pet Posse. It is wonderful to go out and meet our students and staff and bring a little happiness to their day. It is amazing how a little quiet time petting a dog can turn someone's day around. Through Pete's Pet Posse, I've been able to be an ambassador for our university. I've spoken with parents who are thrilled we have this program available for the students.
I would love to join the Staff Advisory Council because I love to serve. I think that OSU has many amazing programs and I'd love to be a part of implementing, supporting, and spreading the word about the ones we have and any new ones that are developed. I love staying busy and being part of a cause.
Thank you for your consideration!
Nominator: LaTricia Snider
Nominator Statement: Amy works in our OSU Ag Human Resources department for 10 years serving the entire division and working with others university wide. She has a heart to help serve others and is committed to and exemplifies our OSU core values. Amy has the natural ability and the drive to want to support all employees to the very best of her ability.