SAA Committees
Commencement
This committee is responsible for organizing the sale of bouquets of roses during UNI graduation ceremonies in December and May. The duties of this committee include ordering the roses from Blossom Express, transporting roses to Redeker from the Admissions Office upon delivery, soliciting volunteers to sell roses at commencement, selling roses. These are the only SAA fundraisers throughout the year and are vital to the success of the group. Funds are used to promote membership development. This committee also works with the Registrar’s office to organize and arrange banner carriers at each commencement ceremony.
Advisor: Paul Sapp
Exec: Dan Pelzer
Committee Chairs: Adam Burns, Betsy Lindahl
Members: Kelsey Staudacher, Darion Watson
Community Outreach
This committee works to strengthen SAA’s interaction with the Cedar Valley community by coordinating philanthropy efforts. Past activities have included Adopt-A-Highway, Habitat for Humanity, National Education Week, Special Olympics, Relay for Life, and volunteering at local schools, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. The committee coordinates all outreach events and asks volunteers throughout the academic year.
Advisor: Paul Sapp
Exec: Bobbi Meyer
Committee Chairs: Elizabeth Pastrano, Amy Costliow
Members: Brock Holman, Brad Streicher, Erin Conrad, Amanda Larson, Emily Sorenson, Libbe Hassenfritz, Jill McDermott, Jessica Staudt, Jordan Glaser
Development/Foundation
The Development Committee’s purpose is foster relationships between the University and the University’s alumni and friends. Committee members represent UNI students, campus greeters, hosts and opinion leaders. The committee reports back to the larger SAA group about the Foundation’s role in UNI history, current projects and involvement, and future endeavors. Committee members benefit through leadership opportunities and have the privilege to network with successful alumni and friends of the University.
Advisor: Amy Schipper
Exec: Shannon Donovan
Committee Chair: Andrew Morse
Members: Jenny Connolly, Rob Carroll, Clarence Lobdell
Homecoming
The Homecoming Committee encourages SAA to catch the UNI spirit by coordinating a series of events throughout Homecoming week. Some of these activities include window painting on the Hill, constructing and decorating a parade float, Panther Pride Cry, Panther Feud, painting Panther Paws around the Campanile, and volunteering at Campaniling. SAA members also honor the finalists and recipients of the LUX Service Award, the University’s highest service award given to two undergraduate students. The Homecoming Committee is responsible for planning and executing a successful, spirit-filled Homecoming experience for all members.
Advisor: Amy Schipper
Exec: Erin Iossi
Committee Chair: Kevin Swanson
Members: Sara Frantum, Alison Bickle, Molly Steffen, Alejandra Garcia
Membership Development
The Membership Development Committee serves one of the most critical roles in the entire organization. In conjunction with the Public Relations Committee, "Mem Dev" advertises and carries out an extensive application and interview process each semester. The Committee members seek the best and brightest student leaders UNI has to offer and work to select new members who will continue our commitment to serving UNI. The Committee also organizes a variety of social outings such as hockey games, movie nights, bowling, theme parties and Winter Formal to enhance interactions of members already in the group.
Advisor: Paul Sapp
Exec: Dan Pelzer
Committee Chairs: Haylie Davis, Nick Hanson
Members: Sahid Kamara, Afton Burke, Bart Upah, Molly-Jo Brink, Taylor Schaa, Diane Wilson
Public Relations
This SAA committee is responsible for maintaining an effective channel of communication with prospective students and alumni of our organization. Responsibilities include overseeing the distribution of "Thank You for Visiting" postcards to prospective students, taking pictures of SAA activities, acting as group historian by maintaining photo gallery website, maintaining the SAA website, putting together and distributing the "Panther Press" newsletter each semester, and promoting SAA to the UNI campus and local community. The PR committee works in conjunction with the Membership Development committee to advertise and promote SAA during new member recruitment each semester.
Advisor: Amy Schipper
Exec: Teresa Zmolek
Committee Chair: Amanda Carls
Members: Matt Bries, Maggie Ryan, Ellen Nuss, Nikola Todorovic
Special Events
This new SAA committee will be in charge of coordinating Family Weekend activities in the fall semester and the
Apple Polishers event in the spring semester.
Sundaes on Saturday is an event held on Saturday evening during Family Weekend. Ambassadors are invited to bring
their parents to an ice-cream social events. The Special Events Committee with organized and host this event.
Apple Polishers is an annual event that allows each Ambassador to recognize an UNI faculty or staff member who has
had a positive influence on their development while here at UNI. During the event, each Ambassador takes 3-5 minutes
to share with the group why he/she wants to recognize their guest. Each recognized guest, in turn, receives a
certificate and a gift for making a difference in the life of a student. The Apple Polishers Committee organizes
the entire event from selecting location and ordering food, to picking out the gifts, decorations, and invitations.