New Staff Senators and President-Elect FY 2026

Jessica Chilcoat, Associate Director, Finance Shared Service Center

I have been a staff member at KU since 2010. In my current position as Associate Director for the Finance SSC, I am focused on service delivery, campus outreach, and staff development and training. I have served as a Senator for the past 6 years and as Staff Senate President during the 22-23 session. I have also served as Treasurer, Public Relations Committee Chair and on the University Senate and University Senate Executive Committee for several years during my tenure. While Staff Senate President, I engaged in work stemming from the Resolution to Restore Shared Governance and in helping to develop action plans to address staff concerns brought to light by the 2022 Docking Employee Satisfaction Survey. If elected as Staff Senate President-Elect I will work to strength institutional shared governance ensuring staff concerns are heard and that staff play a more significant role in decision-making at KU. I take very seriously the role of advocate and representative and believe that KU should be a place where all staff feel welcome, recognized, and have the chance to grow. 

Mataia Gales, Assistant Director for Student Senate Leadership Development, Student Affairs 

Mataia Gales is the Assistant Director for Student Senate Leadership Development within the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a marketing communications concentration and an accounting minor from Emporia State University in 2017. Previously, Gales was the Administrative Assistant for the Vice Provost for Student Affairs office for 5 years. Prior to coming to KU in 2019, she worked for the Job Corps Outreach and Admissions in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She returned to Kansas to be closer to family and friends before joining KU Student Affairs.

With five years of experience in Student Affairs, I am excited about the opportunity to serve on the Staff Senate as I am eager to become more involved on campus and contribute to the university community in a meaningful way. And with two years working directly with Student Senate, I am particularly interested in learning more about the structure and functions of both the University and the Staff Senate, while advocating for the needs and interests of staff members across campus.

Michelle Wilson, Assistant Director of Academic and Professional Development, TRIO SES & STEM 

Michelle D. Wilson is the Assistant Director of Academic and Professional Development for KU TRIO SES & STEM, a doctoral candidate in Communication Studies, and an instructor for UNIV-101 and Leadership & Communication at KU. She holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies from KU and a Master of Public Administration from Washburn University. 

With expertise in organizational communication, leadership, and workplace culture, Michelle's research focuses on power dynamics, workplace bullying, and hostile work environments in higher education. She integrates principles of fairness, representation, and workplace belonging into her research, training, and coaching. 

Michelle has been a KU Staff Senator since 2017, serving as Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair, Chair, Personnel Affairs Chair-Elect, and now Personnel Affairs Chair. Passionate about advocating for KU staff, she is running for re-election to continue this work. She also serves as KU Black Alumni President, KU FIRST Staff Advisor, and Heartland College Reading & Learning Association Chapter President. 

Xoe Cranberry, Office Manager, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (Environmental Studies/Geography & Atmospheric Science)

As a dedicated staff member at KU, I am passionate about fostering a workplace that values all employees and ensures every voice is heard. I currently serve on the Staff Senate Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the Sexuality and Gender Diversity Faculty Staff Council, and the Employee Recognition Committee, where I help celebrate and support the contributions of our colleagues.

I believe that staff play a crucial role in shaping the university community, and I am committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that promote equity, respect, and professional growth. Through Staff Senate, I hope to continue working toward an environment where all employees feel valued and have access to opportunities for success.

I would be honored to represent my colleagues and contribute to meaningful discussions that support staff well-being and recognition at KU.

Jessica Brown, KU Residential Custodial Assistant Director, Custodial Services 

I have been at KU for 18 years. I have served on the KU Staff Senate since 2019 and have held the roles of Elections chair/elect and am currently the Treasurer of the Staff Senate. It would be my honor to continue representing Operations in the KU Staff Senate if elected. 

Abby Coffin, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Success, Academic Affairs

Abby Coffin serves as the Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Success, reporting through Academic Affairs.  Abby has worked at KU since 2005 in various student support focused roles.  Abby previously served on Staff Senate from 2007-2011 and enjoyed her time advocating for staff and staff roles in the University governance process.  She is interested in returning to Staff Senate service to resume this advocacy and with broader understanding of organizational governance and University administration, especially during a time of shifting politics and priorities.

Trina Weekly, Business Director, Achievement and Assessment Institute 

Greetings Fellow Staff! My name is Latrina Weekly. I am the Business Director of Accessible Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Systems (Achievement & Assessment Institute). I have been with the University since October 2020.  I have a passion for impacting positive changes in policies and practices and advocating on behalf of staff. 

I currently serve as a member of the Staff Senate, and I am seeking re-election. I currently serve as the Chair of the Staff Senate Diversity & Inclusion Committee and as a member of the Personnel Affairs Committee (Compensation and Benefits Action Team). The Staff Senate does great and important work that benefits all staff. I really enjoy participating and it would be my honor and pleasure to be re-elected to the Staff Senate. Thank you in advance for your support. 

Kennedy Chrisco, Microbiology Lab Coordinator, Undergraduate Biology  - At Large Staff Senator

I am a KU alumnus and have been working as a Microbiology Laboratory Coordinator for Undergraduate Biology for almost two years. As a staff member, I am involved in the Biology Event Planning Committee, a member of the Belonging and Success Committee, and a Co-Instructor for our Biology Orientation course. My commitment to representing students and staff at the university goes beyond Undergraduate Biology, as I am also pursuing a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration to strengthen my knowledge of our Institution.

I am running for Staff Senate because I believe all students, staff, and faculty should have a voice. I will aim to incorporate my experience as an alumnus, staff member, and current graduate student to offer insight into the staff perspective. I pride myself in my attention to detail as well as my determination to be an active problem-solver. I will strive to represent our community by using my KU experience to the best of my ability.

Chris Wallace, Locksmith Senior, Facilities Planning & Development 

I have been on Staff Senate for a few years now and would like to continue to serve as your representative on senate. I have 33 years at KU. I'm a Locksmith Senior under FPD. I'm a past President of Staff Senate. I'm the current Chair for the elections committee and will be the Chair the 2025-2026 year if elected back. 

Joseph Andrew, Research Associate, Geology 

Candace Bond, Managing Editor, ATLAS

I am honored to run for a second term as a KU Staff Senator. With 15 years of service, I have had the privilege of supporting the university's mission, particularly in research. My journey began as a KUCR pre-award specialist, where I gained invaluable experience in grant applications and funding processes. For the past 14 years, I have served as Managing Editor for ATLAS at the Achievement and Assessment Institute, contributing to projects that support KU’s research, education, and service initiatives.

In my first term as Chair of the Professional Development Committee, I helped secure and allocate record funding to support a record number of staff applicants. Building on this experience, I remain committed to advocating for staff needs, fostering open communication, and enhancing our workplace environment. I would be honored to continue serving and advocating for our university community.

Andrew Johannesen, Associate Researcher, Molecular Biosciences 

Both my family’s long history with KU and my recent experiences unionizing at the University of Minnesota drive my desire to be more involved with University proceedings. I actively work to fulfill all three parts of the KU mission statement, and believe deeply in the force for good the University has been to the area and the world. Though never a student here, I have been involved with KU for over 13 years and seen many changes. I am an Associate Researcher with the Molecular Biosciences department. Thank you for considering my candidacy for staff senate. 

Améa Chandler, BSW Student Retention Coordinator and Sr. Academic Advisor, School of Social Welfare 

Améa Chandler (pronounced uh-may-uh) is the BSW Student Retention Coordinator for the School of Social Welfare and the Academic Advisor for the Traditional MSW program on the Edwards Campus. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwest Missouri State University. Améa is passionate about helping students navigate their academic journey, having worked for over 15 years in different capacities of student support (housing, counseling, recruitment, advising, and retention). The opportunity to serve her peers and advocate for her colleagues across campus has inspired her to run for the position. She wants to be part of a group that serves all unclassified professional staff and feels that there is good work to be done in relation to employee satisfaction.

Brian Moss, Reference Services Manager, KU Libraries 

I'm running for reelection to Staff Senate to continue my work on behalf of unclassified professional staff and university support staff on the Lawrence and Edwards campuses. I've been extensively involved with Staff Senate for the past decade, including a term as Staff Senate president and several years partnering with students and faculty on University Senate. I’m also one of KU’s representatives to the Unclassified Professional Staff Council, where I collaborate with staff senators from the five other Kansas Board of Regents universities on issues affecting university staff throughout the state. I have two degrees from KU (a BA in English and German and an MA in Global & International Studies), and I've managed the Ask-A-Librarian services for the KU Libraries since August 2012.

Caty Movich, Administrative Associate Senior, Institute for Policy & Social Research - At Large Senator

Hello! I graduated from a KU master’s program in 2022 and have worked as a staff member for 2.5 years. My first position was in University Governance, which was a crash course on all things Staff Senate. I learned a lot during my time supporting senators, both about the challenges facing shared governance and its potential for success. As part of the Staff Satisfaction Survey advisory team, I listened to staff feedback and crafted recommendations that could reach staff in every unit at KU. I also advocated for communication and transparency while serving as a governance representative on the HR Transformation Implementation Planning team.

I now work in a research center, but my involvement in Staff Senate has continued. I serve as co-lead of the D&I Committee Communication Team and am a member of the Public Relations Committee. Serving as a senator has been a dream ever since stepping into the world of shared governance, and I am grateful for the opportunity to formally represent my fellow staff.

Jeremy McLeod, IT Support Technician Senior, Information Technology

Jeremy has been with the University of Kansas since 2018 and has served on Staff Senate since 2022. Recognizing the need for greater staff engagement in technology-related matters, he played a key role in initiating the ad-hoc Technology Committee in 2024. His priority is to formalize it as an official committee and establish clear goals that promote transparency in information technology initiatives. Jeremy is committed to listening to staff concerns and bringing them to Staff Senate for discussion. He also serves on University Senate to represent staff voices at the university-wide level and plans to continue this role if an opportunity is available. If re-elected, he will work to strengthen staff representation in IT decisions, ensuring their voices are heard and their perspectives considered.