Letter from the Incoming President | Spring 2026

As we approach the close of FY26, I want to offer my deepest appreciation to all of our Staff Senate members. To the senators concluding their terms, thank you for your dedication, your perseverance, and the meaningful impact you have made throughout the year. Your service has strengthened the voice of staff at KU, and your contributions will continue to shape our work long after your term ends. To those continuing into next year, I am grateful for the leadership and commitment you bring to this important work. 

I also want to extend heartfelt gratitude to our committee chairs and committee members. Your energy, creativity, and collaboration are the driving force behind Staff Senate’s accomplishments. Through your efforts, we have built momentum that benefits staff across our campus. Thank you for the countless hours you have invested and for the care you bring to each discussion and project. 

On April 15 we will gather for our transition meeting which will officially close the FY26 Senate and open the FY27 Senate. This annual moment of renewal is one I always look forward to. We welcome our new senators with excitement and optimism as we prepare to embark on a new year of growth and opportunity. Each new senate brings new ideas, new strengths, and fresh perspectives, and I cannot wait to see what we will build together. 

Looking ahead, FY27 will be a year centered on connection and outreach. We are committed to further strengthening our presence across campus through events such as the Staff Leadership Summit and the brand new half day Professional Development Conference on April 8 being hosted by HR. I encourage all staff to attend the conference and to join Staff Senate afterward for a networking hour from 4 to 5 p.m. Opportunities like these help build community, spark collaboration, and elevate the staff experience at KU. 

One of our major initiatives for next year will be the creation of a comprehensive new Staff Senator Orientation and Mentoring Program. This program will help prepare new senators for success while fostering relationships that support learning, leadership, and a sense of belonging. By investing in our senators from day one, we strengthen the entire senate and the campus community we serve. 

This spring the university also completed the Great Colleges to Work For survey for the first time. This national benchmarking survey will give us valuable insights into how the staff experience at KU compares with our peer institutions. Staff Senate will have the opportunity to review the results and provide thoughtful feedback and recommendations to the Campus Constituent Survey Implementation Team. This is an important step in understanding where we excel and where we can continue to improve for the benefit of all staff. 

We are also excited to begin working closely with KU’s new provost, Provost Mafi. He has already shown genuine support for Staff Senate and a strong interest in the staff experience at KU. We look forward to building a collaborative relationship grounded in open communication, shared goals, and mutual respect. 

Throughout FY27, Staff Senate will continue partnering with campus leaders and colleagues to champion progress on compensation and benefits, appreciation and recognition, and culture and inclusion. Our mission is to represent staff, uplift staff voices, and create pathways for connection and growth across the university. Every staff member belongs in this work and every voice matters. 

I encourage all staff to attend Staff Senate and University Senate meetings, listen to our guest speakers, share ideas or concerns, and get involved in any way that feels meaningful. You can reach us at staffsenate@ku.edu and you do not need to be a senator to join our committees. Our committees are where ideas take shape and where real change begins, and we welcome all who want to participate. 

Thank you for your dedication to the University of Kansas and for the many ways you contribute each day. Together we will continue building a workplace and a community we are proud to call home. 

Jessica Chilcoat | Associate Director 

Finance Shared Service Center | ssc.ku.edu | WELIFT 

President-Elect |  KU Staff Senate|  staffsenate.ku.edu 

jchilcoat@ku.edu  | 785-864-5242