Councils and Committees
Staff Senate has several standing councils and committees. Standing councils and committees primarily serve to facilitate the work of internal Staff Senate programs and initiatives and are made up of both senators and staff members at-large. Staff Senate standing councils and committees are used to investigate and discuss staff-related issues, plan service and social activities and programs for staff members, provide guidance and support for Staff Senate, and fulfill the mission of the University.
Staff Senate also sends senate representatives to serve on various University committees at the request of the Administration. These committees are referred to as external committees.
Membership and Participation
As stated in Article VI of the Staff Senate bylaws, "Standing committees may consist of both current and former Senate members, as well as staff members at-large. Staff members at-large must first receive the consent of the committee chair before joining meetings and activities of the committee. All senators shall be required to serve on at least one standing committee per term year."
All senators are required to serve on at least one standing council or committee per term year, but senators may serve on multiple standing councils and committees. Staff members at large are welcome on all standing councils and committees and may join any council/committee at the discretion of the council/committee chair. For more information, please email staffsenate@missouristate.edu.
The Staff Senate Chairperson appoints senate representatives for the University committees (external).
2026-2027 Committees
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The Public Affairs Committee is charged with coordinating activities and developing proposals to produce citizens of enhanced character that contribute to the University community and society, and demonstrate civility in thought, speech, and action. Responsiblities include:
- Promoting the public affairs mission and events/activities (donation drives, book series, volunteer opportunities) that support it
- Facilitating Cherry Street Adopt a Street
- Reporting updates to the Coordinator of Staff Senate Committees
Co-Chairs Senator Sharon Harter & Senator Emma Watkins -
The Staff Activities Committee may have work groups which serve to facilitate planning and coordination for Staff Senate organized events and fundraising opportunities. Responsibilities include:
- Creating new fundraising opportunities for the Staff Senate Scholarship
- Planning staff appreciation events throughout the year, such as football game tailgates
- Budgeting for and securing event (athletics, theatre, etc.) tickets for staff
- Reporting updates to the Coordinator of Staff Senate Committees
Co-Chairs Senator Blanca Mallonee & Senator Charles Babb -
The Staff Development Committee is charged with generating and vetting ideas to increase staff recruitment, retention, professional development, and morale. Responsibilities include:
- Proposing ideas, benefits, and policies to Staff Senate to increase staff recruitment, retention, and morale
- Facilitating implementation of proposed recruitment/retention ideas
- Providing staff with information on professional development opportunities on and off campus
- Sponsoring educational workshops and programs
- Reporting updates to the Coordinator of Staff Senate Committees
Co-Chairs Senator Stephanie Van Rhein & Senator Lesa Anderson -
The Staff Outreach Committee is charged with connecting with, hearing from, and serving groups that Senate has typically had trouble reaching. These groups include, but are not limited to, part-time staff, 2nd and 3rd shift staff, West Plains Staff Senate, Student Government, and faculty. Responsibilities include:
- Identifying barriers to participation in campus activities for the above-mentioned groups
- Creating and promoting accessible avenues for engagement tailored to varying schedules
- Collaborating with other committees to ensure inclusive communications and event planning
- Reporting updates to the Coordinator of Staff Senate Committees
Co-Chairs Senator Galen Martin & Senator Kelly Schlinder -
The Goal Three Committee is charged with ensuring the university's alignment with the Strategic Plan Goal Three strategies and ensuring that workplace communication is transparent. Responsibilities include:
- Monitoring the university's progress toward achieving meaningful gains in employee satisfaction, providing competitive pay and compensation, and improving work environments
- Assessing the assigned strategy three implementation team's and working group's headway in regard to bringing the plan to life, strengthening shared governance, and investing in leadership development and talent retention
- Communicating how the university is making advancement concerning designing a culture of connection, recognition, and purpose and enhancing employee well-being and work-life balance
- Reporting updates to the Coordinator of Staff Senate Committees
Co-Chairs Senator Ryan Reed & Senator Phil Bridges -
These Senators represent Staff Senate interests on committees external to our body.
Committee Required Representative Name Appointment Term Academic Calendar Committee one Senator Phil Bridges 1 Year Appointment Administrative Budget Committee Chair Elect Mary Bohlen Length of Term Board of Governors Executive Committee Meetings Chair/Chair Elect/Past Chair Misty Webster/Mary Bohlen/Phil Bridges Length of Term Council for Staff Excellence in Service Awards two Senators Adam Niesen, Christina Bowles 2 Year Appointment Employee Wellness one Senator Galen Martin 1 Year Appointment Executive Budget Committee Chair Misty Webster Length of Term Faculty Senate one Senator Stephanie Van Rhein, Austin Ball; subs: Serena Whorton, Eric Shively 1 Year Appointment Health Care & Benefits Committee Chair Misty Webster Length of Term Inclusion Awareness Team one Senator Sharon Harter 1 Year Appointment IT Council one Senator Mary Bohlen; subs: Will Hader, Kevin Piercy 2 Year Appointment President's Council on Accessibility one Senator Chris DePriest; sub: Lesa Anderson 1 Year Appointment Presidential and President’s Cabinet Retreats Chair/Chair Elect/Past Chair Misty Webster/Mary Bohlen/Phil Bridges Length of Term Representative Bodies Leadership Lunches Chair/Chair Elect Misty Webster/Mary Bohlen Length of Term Shared Leave Committee three Senators Blanca Mallonee, Kelly Evans, 2 Year Appointment
with one seat offset
from the other twoStudent Government one Senator Heidi Culbertson, John Elkins, Morgan Townsend, Emma Watkins, Gene Brewer 1 Year Appointment Sustainability Advisory Committee one Senator Emily Letterman 1 Year Appointment Sustainability Commission one Senator Misty Webster 1 Year Appointment. Unlimited Reappointment Transportation Advisory Committee one Senator John Bogue 1 Year Appointment University Council Chair Misty Webster Length of Term University Space Allocation
Advisory CommitteeChair/Chair Elect/Past Chair Misty Webster/Mary Bohlen/Phil Bridges 1 Year Appointment Wall of Fame Selection Committee Chair Misty Webster 1 Year Appointment West Plains Staff Senate one Senator Dee Dee Mings 1 Year Appointment Williams Welcome Chair Misty Webster Length of Term Wyrick Commission one Senator Angie Piercy; sub: Margaret Osler 1 Year Appointment
Unlimited Reappointment