My name is Christina Bowman, and I am running for re-election on Staff Council. I began working at DePaul in December 2006. Over the past 18 years, I have held various roles in the Division of Advancement & External Relations as well as earning a Master of Education degree from the College of Education. I am currently serving as the Salesforce Instructional Designer, working on Advancement & External Relations' project to convert to a Salesforce CRM and developing a training program and materials for end users.

I joined Staff Council in 2019 as a way to stay informed about decisions made at the university and their impact. Previously, I felt fairly insular in my job. Since joining, I have created and fostered relationships around campus allowing for greater knowledge sharing. This greater understanding has allowed my colleagues and I to improve all of our work. 

As the university evolves, it is imperative that staff have a voice in developing our future that represents our unique interests, concerns, and perspectives. I am proud of the council's work to advocate for staff and I want to remain persistent in our efforts. I hope to maintain the focus on transparency in decision-making and the dissemination of information broadly. It is important that we remain engaged in dialogue with colleagues in other units as we strive to find new and creative ways to use our resources while we help DePaul without losing our core values and mission.

DePaul is somewhat unique in that staff members have an integral role in university governance through Staff Council. I'm honored to be a part of that and would be proud to continue my work on the Council.

I have been involved in Staff Council both as a committee chair (chairing both the Diversity, Mission, and Inclusion committee and the Effectiveness Committee) and as a general member. I have learned from my colleagues on council through their leadership and from staff at large who are passionate about ensuring DePaul upholds its Vincentian character. I have been privileged to work with staff and faculty in various capacities and it's helped me understand and appreciate a complex organization like DePaul in a new way. I'm proud of the work we've accomplished the last several years in collaboration with staff, through their input and suggestions, and working with other governing bodies to continually improve DePaul.

It's become a cliche: We face a difficult, uncertain future. I aim to be a sounding board, a repository for staff questions, and trusted person to whom staff can provide feedback and would be pleased to have staff contact me with their thoughts. Using my professional background in policy & compliance, perhaps I may be able to make sense of what lies ahead. I wish to ensure staff are informed, empowered, and to provide voice to their concerns. It is in that spirit that I wish to continue my work with the Council; I appreciate your consideration of my candidacy.

I am running for re-election for DePaul University's Staff Council and respectfully request your 2025 vote! I have been part of the DePaul family in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) for 15 years and have worked in higher education for more than 25 years.   

Every year it seems we find that DePaul is at a significant tipping point. The combined stressors of the post-pandemic recovery, "demographic cliff," budgetary concerns, and the policies and political interests of a new presidential administration present challenges for which there is no obvious historical blueprint. DePaul is not alone in the higher education community in facing these challenges, but DePaul has an opportunity to effectively manage these challenges by staying true to the question St. Vincent asked 400 years ago: "What Must be Done?"

I am fairly pragmatic when it comes to approaching problems and considering solutions and have carried this philosophy over to my initial term on Staff Council. I believe this blends well with focusing on the aforementioned issues through a lens of "What Must Be Done?", as it allows one to search for reasonable and practical solutions given the reality of the situation. Here are the circumstances we face, what can we do to improve them?

I am confident that I can advocate for staff effectively and I welcome your continued support!

I have been employed at DePaul for just under two years, having become an employee after completing my B.A. in Secondary Education History in 2023. During my time at DePaul, I have worked in the International Admissions Office, where I've had the opportunity to recruit and connect with international students from around the world. I am eager to join Staff Council to engage in the pressing issues facing our university and collaborate with others to reach solutions. One of the major takeaways from my undergraduate experience was the power of teamwork and building of coalitions to solve problems. Taking those same skills and building cross council coalitions will be key to addressing the challenges facing DePaul. In today's world, the issues that face DePaul cannot be solved within a vacuum. DePaul must improve communication between staff, faculty, and leadership. As a member of Staff Council, I aim to bridge the information gap that arises when too many people are excluded from important conversations. By improving communication, ensuring it is timely, and prioritizing those most impacted, DePaul can work towards creating a safer and inclusive university community.

In my experience as a student worker and staff member at DePaul, I have personally witnessed the dedication of our community and the critical role staff plays in shaping the success of the university. My interest in maintaining and strengthening a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic work environment for all staff members is what motivates me to submit my candidacy for Staff Council. 

For the past ten years, I have worked as an Instructional Designer / Video Producer at The Driehaus College of Business, helping faculty and staff produce content for online modalities: before, during and after the pandemic. My time here has taught me the importance of collaboration and problem-solving, the value of open-mindedness, and the need for empathy in a sometimes cold and impatient world. 

I believe in the power of staff voices to create positive action. If elected, I will focus on strengthening communication between staff and university leadership, promoting intercollegiate collaborations, and ensuring staff concerns are heard and addressed effectively. I am particularly interested in initiatives that enhance workplace equity and accessibility, improve staff resources, and foster a culture of engagement and recognition.  

In conclusion, I would be honored to represent my colleagues and thank you for your consideration. 

I am Tom Judge and I am running for my 4th term on Staff Council. At DePaul, I serve as a chaplain within the Division of Mission and Ministry as well as an occasional adjunct faculty. I have been at DePaul for just over 20 years and am truly grateful and honored to be a part of this university community. 

I would like to continue serving on Staff Council because I believe in DePaul's commitment to shared governance and common cause between faculty, staff, administration, students, alum and friends and I have witnessed the positive impact Staff Council can have on the welfare of our community as a whole. I believe Staff Council plays a valuable role helping to communicate about and advocate for the interests of staff with the larger university community and I very much enjoy being a part of that work. A strong Staff Council and an engaged staff, as a whole, are a benefit to all of DePaul.

If reelected, my goals are to help Staff Council contribute to DePaul's taking a balanced, mission-based approach to the many challenges currently facing higher education. By mission-based, I mean being led by our commitment to social justice, human dignity, access to education and the common good. I would especially like to focus on strengthening the sense of community at DePaul, particularly among staff, as well as contribute to enhancing DePaul's identity as a place where all people, including staff, are able to flourish. Thank you!

My name is Eric Liberacki, and I am excited to be a candidate for Staff Council. I joined DePaul University in April 2013, starting as an Assistant Stage Manager at the Loop Campus in the College of Computing and Digital Media. In my current role as Manager of Equipment Operations at the Cinespace Film Studios campus, I oversee the School of Cinematic Arts' film production inventory.

Since Spring 2016, I have also taught film production courses in the School of Cinematic Arts. As a graduate of DePaul's MFA program, I hope to bring multiple perspectives to the council. If elected, I will work to support the university's Vincentian values and contribute meaningfully to Staff Council and its committees.

Hi!  I have been a member of the DePaul community for over 25 years, earning two degrees from the School of Music (one BM and one MM) while working as a Resident Advisor in Residential Education and as a Peer Minister / Project Connect Intern in University Ministry. After joining the Modern Languages department in LAS as a full-time staff member, I also began teaching within the Chicago Quarter (both Discover and Explore), which allowed me the truest Vincentian personalism experiences while working with other staff, faculty, and DePaul students. In fact, this Autumn will be my 18th year with the program, 19 if you count when I was a DePaul First Year Student in Theatre in Chicago. I think serving on Staff Council will allow me another level of serving the DePaul community, this time with a focus on staff advocacy while bringing a robust perspective from the academic side of DePaul. In my spare time, you can often hear me singing soprano around the area (including at DePaul masses!) or join me exercising with other staff members at the Ray's spinning and yoga classes. I also enjoy making my own perfume. I hope to advocate for better and increased benefits for DePaul staff, increased engagement between the academic and non-academic parts of DePaul, and increased communication to staff from the upper parts of the university. I hope you have a great day!  

Hi everyone! I'm Reina and I use they/she/he pronouns. I'm the Liberal Studies Program Coordinator in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. I've been working at DePaul since 2018 when I was a student employee, working my way to a part-time staff role at the Center for Teaching and Learning and beginning my current role in the spring of 2023. Having held a variety of positions around campus, I've come to learn about so many different ways that staff help keep the university running - and I look forward to learning more during my time on Staff Council.

I'm motivated to serve on Staff Council because I firmly believe in the power of workers collectively seeking to improve their working conditions. As university workers, I believe that what makes our workplace better makes our students' experiences better. Coming from a background in disability justice and accessibility advocacy, a goal I'd like to work towards is making DePaul a more accessible and safe workplace. Further, I hope to use my role on Staff Council to empower other staff workers to speak up about their needs and find connection with each other. 

My name is Patrick Rezek, and I am the Assistant Director of Fraternity Sorority Life & Civic Engagement in the Office of Student Involvement. I am running to continue serving on the Staff Council, where I currently serve as a member of the Communications Committee. I have been at DePaul for 3.5 years. In my role, I oversee our Fraternity and Sorority Life community, serve as an advisor for our Dance Marathon Student Organization, and lead our voter and civic engagement initiatives across the university.

Over the past year, I’ve been actively involved in the Staff Council Communications Committee, where I have supported the Monthly Staff Newsletter, assisted colleagues in organizing logistics for staff council meetings, and advocated for staff needs across our university campuses. I am a strong believer in DePaul’s Vincentian mission and feel that while the Staff Council has accomplished a great deal, there is always room for continued opportunity and growth. I am committed to challenging systems, exploring new opportunities, and continuing to advocate for the evolving needs of our staff members at DePaul. This past year, working alongside fellow staff on the Staff Council, we have been challenged with navigating the complexities of higher education and made some great strides in intentionally naming ways to better support our staff. I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving as a voice and advocate for staff on the Staff Council.

My name is Damien J. Rodriguez, and I am the Ministry Coordinator for Service in the Division of Mission and Ministry. I've been with DePaul University a little over 7 years, but I have worked in university settings for 25 plus years (Loyola, UChicago, Northwestern and DePaul). My interest in Staff Council stems from my own experiences as a staff member at DePaul and previous institutions where I felt the university did not always support the best interest of its staff. My relevant experience stems from serving on DePaul's staff council the last four years, specifically chairing the Diversity, Mission, and Inclusion committee (twice), and co-chairing the Staff Vetting committee for the Presidential Search. In addition, my previous staff roles were as expansive as overseeing the Obama Presidential Library proposal at University of Chicago, to managing communication between Professor James Heckman (Nobel Laureate) and the previous White House Secretary of Education (Arne Duncan) regarding new studies in Early Childhood Education. My goals if reelected to Staff Council would be to work to include more staff in decisions regarding the future direction of DePaul University. Specifically, as university models continue to change due to our current political climate and continued resizing at DePaul, I feel that the direction of the university should not be decided exclusively by the President, VP's and Deans but by the essential staff that help keep our wonderful institution running.

My name is Laura Swierzbin (she/her) and I've been at DePaul for 7 years as the School of Music Box Office Manager. I've had the privilege to serve on Staff Council for the last 5 years, first as Effectiveness Committee Chair, then four years as Secretary. This past February I stepped into the Vice President role after Dani Blackwell's departure, and if re-elected to Staff Council, I intend to run for VP for a full term.

I am seeking re-election because I want to help us survive and thrive through the challenges we face from many sides, including enrollment gaps and the national government. DePaul is different from so many other places because we actually live by our Vincentian mission and strive to take care of the most marginalized folx in our communities. I will continue using my voice, my relationships, and my organizational skills to center the staff needs, uplift others, and amplify our marginalized staff. I want to be someone on Staff Council that anyone can come to, whether they need help navigating conflicts with other employees, have concerns about a new DePaul policy, want to make DePaul a safer and more accessible workplace, or want to find new ways to celebrate and appreciate staff. I will continue our work to improve our benefits, including advocating for yearly paid volunteer service days and better professional development opportunities. Thank you for your consideration.

Greetings, colleagues! My name is Katy Weseman (she/her), and I am excited to be considered for a spot on Staff Council. I have called DePaul my professional home for over 12 years and have had the privilege of serving in a variety of roles during that time. From advocating for LGBTQIA+ students to managing new student orientation to coordinating assessment and evaluation initiatives, the university's mission has given me direction throughout my tenure.

My interest in running for Staff Council comes from my commitment to that mission - treating others with dignity and advocating for those on the margins. I am dedicated to DePaul and its people. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the shared governance of the university by serving on Staff Council. One of my strengths is relating to people and I do my best work when I connect with others in pursuit of a common goal. I hope to contribute to this spirit of connectedness on Staff Council with my analytical skills and deep knowledge of the university's systems.

If elected to Staff Council, I would advocate for communication and transparency across all levels of staff and faculty. Looking to help staff utilize information more effectively, I would assist in finding ways to streamline the university's digital systems. Finally, I hope to facilitate ongoing opportunities for staff learning and development.

Thank you for reading my statement and considering a vote for me!