2025 Elections
Staff Council Officer Elections will take place May 7–14, 2025.
There are two candidates for President, and one for Vice President. Candidate information can be found below. Both the President and Vice President will serve 2-year terms which commence on 7/1/25 and end on 6/30/27.
An open forum will be held at the Monthly Staff Council Meeting on 5/6 for anyone to meet the candidates and ask questions. Click here for additional information on eligibility, duties and responsibilities of leadership.
How to Vote
Ballots will be sent electronically via Qualtrics to all eligible active staff for voting starting on 5/7.
Staff Council President Candidates for 2025 - 2027
Richard Cohen
Assessment Coordinator - Office of Institutional Research & Assessment
Richard Cohen Introductory Video - 3 minutes 35 seconds
What impact would you like to make as Staff Council President?
This summer represents a time of significant change for UVM with numerous changes in senior leadership occurring. I want to serve as an advocate for non-represented staff with this new administration to highlight the important role that we play at the institution and ensure our voices are included in deciding the future direction of UVM.
How do you envision Staff Council supporting inclusive excellence initiatives across campus, and your role in this?
It's important that all segments of our membership feel heard and valued. I feel Staffline can be leveraged to accomplish this by publishing a monthly spotlight on one of our members to highlight the contribution they make to UVM with a special emphasis on their contributions to inclusive excellence initiatives. I do not know if Staff Council currently has a rep on the Diversity Council but, if it doesn't, I'd seek to have a seat added for Staff Council.
Staff Council Involvement History (all the ways you have participated in Staff Council and the dates of service):
Member of Compensation, Benefits & Budget committee starting a few months after I joined UVM. CBB Secretary starting this academic year.
Staff Council representative on University Benefits Advisory Committee (UBAC) for about 1.5 years. Member of Health Insurance Working Group of UBAC.
Jennifer Jorgenson
Director, Child Welfare Training Partnership - CESS
Jennifer Jorgenson Introductory Video - 3 minutes 9 seconds
What impact would you like to make as Staff Council President?
My leadership background has equipped me with the skills to advocate for staff needs, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful initiatives that enhance the staff experience. Additionally, my work in a non-academic, externally serving unit gives me a valuable perspective on how the universitys mission extends beyond campus, emphasizing community impact, outreach, and service.
How do you envision Staff Council supporting inclusive excellence initiatives across campus, and your role in this?
As Staff Council President, I would lead efforts to support inclusive excellence by fostering a culture of equity, belonging, and representation across campus. This includes advocating for policies and initiatives that enhance inclusion of staff, ensuring all voices are heard in decision-making processes. I would work collaboratively with university leadership, affinity groups, and inclusive focused offices to promote professional development, mentorship, and recognition opportunities for underrepresented staff.
Staff Council Involvement History (all the ways you have participated in Staff Council and the dates of service):
Joined as a member at large 2/23, stepped into CESS rep 8/23-6/24, recommitted June 2024- Served first on Community Engagement (CE), then on the Personal & Professional Develpment (PPD) committee
Staff Council Vice President Candidate for 2025 - 2027
Samantha Dickey
Enterprise Technology Services - Business Manager
Samantha Dickey Introductory Video - 3 minutes
What impact would you like to make as Staff Council President or Vice President?
I love to connect with members of the UVM community, to problem solve, and to generally make a positive difference in all of my work. I would love to have a greater impact around campus, and I am always interested to help with the great work staff council does.
How do you envision Staff Council supporting inclusive excellence initiatives across campus, and your role in this?
I think Staff Council is a leader in seeing the various connection between different units and groups and is such a collaborative team. I think the leadership here can play a huge role in advocating for using our resources efficiently and making sure all of our staff members get the opportunity to have access to those resources. By listening to the members of the council, and our Staff community, I would be constantly working hard to move forward initiatives that our community is passionate about.
Staff Council Involvement History (all the ways you have participated in Staff Council and the dates of service):
At large member of Staff Council in the Community Engagement Committee since February of 2024.