2026 Staff Council Election

Important Dates:

  • Nomination Submission Deadline: April 24, 2026
  • Nomination Acceptance Deadline: May 5, 2026
  • Supervisor Approval Deadline: May 11, 2026
  • Voting Period: TBD
  • Election Results Announcement: TBD

Positions up for Reelection (Click for Duties and Responsibilities):

Nominee Summaries

Staff Council Chair

Jessica Waldman:

I have been an active member of Staff Council since returning to the University in 2018. Serving as area representative, secretary, and one term as Chair I have spent a lot of time learning how to be a leader on campus and look forward to another term as Chair to set goals and work with the council towards measurable achievements. I am deeply entrenched in the success of UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff. I am a two time graduate of the Criminal Justice program here, and I have worked a couple different roles which have allowed me to better understand students and faculty alike. A well rounded view of how the University functions is important for everyone, but especially for staff, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to elevate staff needs and advocate on behalf of staff across campus!

Communications Officer

Carrie DaSilva:
I have served on Staff Council as a Representative for Area 1 and as Communications Officer. I stepped into the Communications Officer role to fill a vacancy and was selected to continue in the position for the following term. Since joining the university in February 2015, I have remained committed to supporting staff and strengthening campus communication. I currently work in the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.

I hold a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from UNC Wilmington, as well as degrees in Speech Communication from UW–Oshkosh and in Language and Digital Technology from UNC Charlotte. I take pride in applying my educational background and communications expertise to enhance Staff Council initiatives.

In my role, I have led the transformation of the Golden Nuggets program from a paper-based process to a fully electronic format, significantly improving accessibility and efficiency. I am excited to continue building on this progress and further strengthen the program in the upcoming term.

In addition, I actively serve on the Operations Committee and the Staff Engagement Committee. I support the Staff Engagement Committee by creating promotional materials, sending event reminders, and serving as a backup to the Technology Manager. Through these efforts, I contribute to improving processes and fostering a more connected and engaged staff community.

I truly enjoy working with staff and engaging with the campus community, and I am passionate about continuing to support and enhance the experience of our campus. Having already served in this role, I bring proven experience and a clear understanding of the position’s responsibilities.

Jamie Sheppard:

It is an honor to be nominated for the UNC Charlotte Staff Council Communications Officer position. I have been part of the campus community since 2017 and have had the privilege of serving as a Staff Council Representative for the past two years. During my time at UNC Charlotte and on Staff Council, I have contributed to several committees, gaining valuable insight into staff engagement and campus communication. I would welcome the opportunity to build on what I’ve learned through my work in Communication Studies, Enrollment Management, and Staff Council to help share clear, consistent, and meaningful communication with our staff. I am eager to continue serving the UNC Charlotte community in this capacity.

Secretary

Pamela Erickson:

I have been a dedicated employee of University of North Carolina at Charlotte since 2009, serving in the College of Education (now Mebane Hall) for ten years and in Facilities Management for the past six and a half years.

I have also been an active member of Staff Council for more than fourteen years. My involvement began through regular attendance at monthly meetings and events, followed by my appointment as Volunteer Coordinator. After two years in that role, I transitioned to serving as an Area Representative for Area 7 and later Area 12. While serving as the Area 7 Representative, I was asked to take on the role of Secretary, a position I have held intermittently for approximately ten years.

I am interested in this role because of my strong commitment to the mission of Staff Council and my dedication to serving the entire UNC Charlotte staff community. I bring valuable institutional knowledge that can help inform decisions and provide continuity when needed. In addition, I currently serve as the Retreat Committee Chair, where I am leading the planning and coordination of the annual Staff Council Celebration Event scheduled for July 2026.

Area 02

Austin Abernathy (Representative):

I am an Assistant Director in the Niner Central Office here at UNC Charlotte. Working in the Niner Central Office has allowed me to work first hand with many all of our partner offices that work together to create such a harmonious Enrollment Management Team! I have served on the Staff Council as the Area 2 Representative from 2024 – current, and would look forward to continuing that role moving forward! For the past year I have also served as Co-Chair for the Staff Council Engagement Committee, helping to plan events such as the Fall Festival, Homecoming Door Decorating Contest, Third Shift Giveaways, and Coffee & Conversation events. In September of 2025 I was lucky enough to attend the UNC System Staff Assembly Chancellor’s Cup Golf tournament in Waynesville, NC! Working with students so often throughout my everyday responsibilities, Staff Council is such an awesome opportunity to connect with peers from all around campus to help harbor a welcoming and exciting environment for all!

Area 04

Gary Ritter (Representative):

I am the Director of Academic Technologies for the College of Education. I started this position and my career at Charlotte in March of 2025 after working more than 20 years at Central Piedmont Community College as both a history instructor and executive leader in the information technology services unit. I am also an alumni of Charlotte having earned my doctorate in Educational Leadership from the College of Education in 2014. I am very interested in serving on the staff council to help grow my knowledge of the university and the opportunities it offers to our staff. I have attended a few council meetings in the past, but I have not served in any specific role nor on any other university committees.

Kara Hite (Alternate):

I am a proud alumnus of UNC Charlotte, currently employed in OneIT Client Engagement as a trainer and instructional designer. With twenty years of experience as a Special Education teacher and Instructional Technology Coach, I developed a strong background in leadership and advocacy. In my coaching roles, I led committees, designed and delivered training programs, and facilitated weekly support meetings for students with disabilities.

Having worked in K-12 educational settings, I am an advocate for a growth mindset, viewing learning as a lifelong journey. I also believe that schools, regardless of size or age, are communities where everyone should feel welcome and included. As an Area Representative Alternate, I would support the Representative in maintaining open communication with staff about available resources and ensuring that all staff members have a voice in expressing their concerns and needs.

Jasmine Terrell (Alternate):

Jasmine Terrell is a Community Engagement Specialist for OneIT with a deep commitment to clear communication and campus advocacy. She partners with leadership to translate complex technical changes into accessible narratives, ensuring campus stakeholders stay informed and engaged.

With a professional background spanning UComm and higher education, Jasmine brings a wealth of experience in brand management, user experience, and strategic design. She consistently uses her expertise to facilitate transparent communication, represent varied viewpoints, and advocate for her colleagues’ needs.

Area 06

Monica Burke (Representative):

Business Services Coordinator, to build leadership, represent concerns, ideas of staff, build governance, and communication skills while gaining a broader insight into the university operations. I have attended several Staff Council Meetings and participated is events hosted by the Staff Council.

Area 07

Daniel Etim (Alternate):

As a member of this great community and a Simulation Specialist in the school of Nursing, the Area representative alternate will afford me the privilege to be the voice of the voiceless and assist in building a community where people are informed about the happenings in our community and create a forum where people are heard and questions about our community is answered. These will serve as a launcher into other campus activities that will foster a stronger community.

Ashton Atmore (Alternate):

I am honored to be nominated to serve on Staff Council. I currently serve as the Simulation Operations Manager for the School of Nursing Learning Resource Center, where I support healthcare simulation operations, faculty and student learning experiences, technology integration, scheduling, logistics, and day-to-day lab management. I have been at UNC Charlotte for five years, and during that time, I have grown to appreciate the dedication, creativity, and resilience of our staff community.

This would be my first time serving on Staff Council, and I am excited about the opportunity to become more involved in shared governance and campus-wide service. I have a strong interest in advocating for staff, supporting meaningful communication between staff and university leadership, and helping ensure staff voices are heard, valued, and represented. I believe staff are essential to the success of UNC Charlotte, and I would be honored to contribute to efforts that promote a more supportive, collaborative, and inclusive working environment.

If elected, I hope to bring a thoughtful, dependable, and solutions-focused perspective to Staff Council. I am passionate about making a positive impact, supporting my colleagues, and helping create meaningful change that strengthens the experience of staff across campus.

Area 08

Rania Sorour (Representative):

I currently serve as the Department Manager for the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) in Bioinformatics, where I support faculty, staff, and students through operational leadership, event coordination, and community‑building initiatives. My work centers on strengthening communication, improving processes, and creating a positive, connected environment for our college. I am interested in serving as an Area Representative because I value advocacy, collaboration, and ensuring that staff voices are heard and supported across the university. I have been active on several campus committees, including the Admin Forum Committee, and regularly volunteer at campus events such as the International Festival, Spirit Week, Wear Green Wednesday, and cultural engagement programs. These experiences have deepened my commitment to fostering belonging and supporting staff across UNC Charlotte.

Kristy Lowman (Representative):

I have been an advocate for advisors through mentoring, the advising tiers restructuring committee and am I vocal member of the new Undergraduate Advising Team. I have advocated for staff within WSLCOE through my role on the Strategic Planning committee and serving as vice chair and chair of CESO. I would like to continue to advocate on a broader scale with the backing and resources of the staff council to create open dialog about the lack of advancement opportunities for staff.

Area 10

Jessica Berrios (Representative):

Current Role
For over three years, I have served as the Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Safety and Security, managing complex travel, purchasing, and financial operations. I am currently leading initiatives to integrate AI into our departmental projects to modernize workflows and increase efficiency.

Staff Council Experience
As the Area 10 Alternate Representative for the past two years, I have gained a deep understanding of our colleagues’ concerns through active participation in Council discussions. In 2026, I successfully introduced the “S.T.E.P.” (Staff Teamwork, Energy, & Play) ad hoc committee to prioritize staff wellness and community.

Interest in the Position
I am seeking the Representative role to transition from a supporting capacity to a primary, “day-one ready” voice for Area 10. I aim to leverage my experience to effectively advocate for staff interests and ensure our area is well-represented in every decision-making process.

Kyle Lanasa (Representative):

Hi! I currently serve as your Area Representative and am happy to serve again! I assist the Office of Emergency Management in planning and preparing for emergencies on campus. I am also currently serving on Staff Council’s Operations Committee and have assisted with the Staff Appreciation Tailgate at the 49th Acre. Happy to serve again, with your support.

Area 12

Coming soon.

Area 14

Kameron Roach (Representative):

I currently serve as the Director of Student Athlete Development at Charlotte where I support more than 450 student athletes through programming focused on career readiness, leadership, personal development, and community engagement. This past year I served as the Area 14 Representative on Staff Council, which helped me better understand staff needs across campus and strengthened my commitment to supporting a positive and collaborative work environment.

I am interested in continuing my service on Staff Council because I value the opportunity to represent colleagues, elevate staff voices, and contribute to efforts that improve the overall staff experience at Charlotte. My work requires strong communication, relationship building, and problem solving, and I enjoy bringing those strengths into campus wide service.

Arman Jones (Representative):

My name is Arman Jones, and I currently serve as an Athletic Academic Advisor working directly with Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, Cross Country, and Women’s Volleyball. I became interested in this position after it was brought to my attention by the current Area 14 Alternate, Adam Hatem. After reviewing the responsibilities of the role and learning more about the Staff Council as a whole, I felt this opportunity aligned well with my collaborative passions and would allow me to become more involved on campus.

Since the cohort of academic advisors was hired in July 2024, we have remained closely connected and consistently support one another when questions arise which is something I truly value. I view the Staff Council as a similar space where professionals across campus can advocate for and support one another. While I am not currently active on other campus committees here, during my time at Western Carolina University I was the athletics liaison for the First Generation Committee.

Area 16

Pearl Brown-Muhammad (Representative):

I look forward to serving on Staff Council as the Area 16 Rep. I have been on the council for many years, and I enjoy working with wonderful staff members to make change happen.

Area 18

Ben Still (Representative):

I am a UNC Charlotte alumnus currently serving as an Academic Advisor and finishing a term as the Interim Assessment Coordinator for the College of Arts + Architecture. In addition to these administrative roles, I serve as a part-time Instructor of Saxophone in the Department of Music. My background as both a student and a dual-role employee provides me with a unique perspective on our institutional landscape and the critical role staff play in maintaining our university’s excellence.

I am interested in serving as the Area 18 Representative to ensure that staff within our college have a consistent and meaningful voice in campus-wide dialogue. I am committed to advocating for equitable professional development and improving communication between leadership and frontline staff. Through my service on the Part-Time Faculty Committee, the Advisor Fall Retreat Planning Committee, and the Honors College 50th Anniversary Committee, I have developed the collaborative skills necessary to represent my colleagues effectively. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the Niner community in this expanded capacity.

Ryan Mulkeen (Representative):

As an Academic Advisor in the Belk College of Business, I regularly interact with students, staff, and faculty within the department as well as across departments. In my almost 12 years of experience at Charlotte, one of my favorite parts has been developing these relationships, and I hope this will allow me to contribute positively to staff council.