Elections

2012 P&S Council Elections

Elections are underway and voting is open May 14-28. Please login and submit your ballot at myuniverse.uni.edu. 

About the candidates

Academic Affairs candidates

Nevin Nolte, Assistant Database Administrator/Oracle

Years at UNI: 1.5

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience
I served on the hiring committee for the Assistant LMS Applications Administrator.

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
I believe I could bring a fresh and exciting point of view to the P&S Council. I am easy to work with and am eager to contribute to the Council in a positive and productive way.

The Council is an important part of life working at UNI, it serves in an incredibly important role and I would love the opportunity to contribute.

 

Nadia Korobova, Assistant Director, Office of International Programs

Years at UNI: 3.5 years (6.5 counting student employment experience)

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience
Committee/Volunteer Efforts:

  • Employee Relations standing committee member for Professional and Scientific Council, September 2011 – Present
  • Reaching for Higher Ground Planning Committee member, University of Northern Iowa, November 2010 – Present
  • Pandemic Planning Committee member, University of Northern Iowa, April 2009 – Present  
  • International Programs and Services Advisory Council member, University of Northern Iowa, September 2008 – Present 
  • Cedar Valley Conference on Human Rights (former Cedar Valley Conference on Race) Committee member, City of Waterloo, January 2005 – Present
  • Wellness Committee member, Hawkeye Community College, February 2008 – September 2008
  • Employee Development Day Committee member, Hawkeye Community College, December 2006 – September 2008
  • Equity Committee member, Hawkeye Community College, January 2005 – September 2008
  • Search and Hiring Committees member, Hawkeye Community College, 2003 – September 2008
  • Center Advisory Committee member, Waterloo Center of Upper Iowa University, April 2008 – September 2008
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress Committee member, Hawkeye Community College, January 2003 – September 2008
  • President of the Crimean League of Young Lawyers, Simferopol State University, January 1996 – January 1997

Other Relevant Experience:

  • Internship at the Office of Compliance and Equity Management, University of Northern Iowa Summer 2000
  • University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, Master of Arts, May 2001
    Major: Public Policy
  • Iowa State University, Ames, IA, Doctor of Philosophy, in progress (May 2012)
    Major: Education (Educational Leadership and Policy Studies)

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
As a P&S employee, I believe it is my obligation to serve the P&S community, and the P&S Council presents an excellent opportunity to serve because it is so important to all of us since it represents and protects our interests. The work of the Council is significant, and after enjoying the benefits, I would like to be able to contribute into the Council’s activities.

It is evident from my record that I take committee membership/volunteering seriously and give 100% to the tasks I commit to. The purpose of the Council is to study, formulate, and recommend to UNI administrators policies of interest to P&S employees. Having a MA in Public Policy and presently finishing a PhD in Educational Leadership, I have formal education and experience in policy studies, which will make me an effective Council member.

If selected for the Council, I will work tirelessly to represent employees’ interests and concerns and serve as a liaison between P&S employees and the Council. Being a UNI alum, I am both familiar with and known at the University, and will be able to successfully facilitate dialogues between P&S employees and other campus groups. I have been a member of the Employee Relations standing committee since September 2011; and now it is my hope to join the Council as a representative and readily accept the challenge and leadership opportunities that present themselves. Thank you for your interest and any support you can provide my candidacy.

 

Seth Bokelman, Senior Systems Administrator

Years at UNI: 12

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience
Served previously on P&S Council for two terms

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
I've served on the P&S Council in the past, and enjoyed my involvement with it. I've enjoyed serving as a representative for my fellow employees and having an opportunity to help solve problems that we all face here at UNI.

Administration and Finance candidates

Eric O'Brien, University Sustainability Coordinator

Years at UNI: 2

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience
Standing Committees/councils:

  • University Sustainability Council - Member
  • Sustainability Action Committee - Chair
  • UNI Stormwater Committee - Member
  • City of Cedar Falls, Sourcewater Protection - Member

Project committees:

  • Green Month
  • Earth Week
  • Panther Pickup
  • Strategic Planning for Sustainability

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
My position works with all of the divisions across campus. This perspective of working with a variety of people at UNI would lend itself towards being a good representative.

 

John Streicher, Senior Facilities Engineer

Years at UNI: 13

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience
UNI Strategic Plan 2010-2015, Facilities Services Strategic plan 2012, Sustainability Action Committee, 5 years as an adjunct professor, numerous faculty and staff position interview committees, numerous capital project consultant selection committees. Electrical Interconnection Operating Committee.

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
During these times of budget decline, employee representation is extremely important and I am interested in participating in the process. I believe serving on the council will be an excellent learning experience. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow P&S employees to improve our working environment.

At-large candidates

Eric Lukens, IT Security Policy and Risk Assessment Analyst

Years at UNI: 6

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience
I have served as a proxy on the P&S Council for three years and have served on the P&S council for the last 9 months, completing the term of a retired member. I regularly interact with students, staff, and administrators from all divisions and departments as part of my job duties. I also use my expertise in computer security to provide advice, presentations, and service to members of the UNI community and the greater Cedar Valley area.

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
I have been at UNI since 2002—4 years as a student and student worker, and about 6 years as a P&S employee. I consider it a great privilege and responsibility for anyone to serve on the P&S council. If elected, I will be committed to highlighting P&S employees’ dedicated work at UNI to the administration and state government. I will strive to make UNI administration and state government aware that further cuts to employee benefits will drastically hurt UNI’s abilities to find and keep qualified employees. The fiscal crisis has often been unpredictable in its impacts to P&S employees. As such, I will direct my attention to keeping P&S employees informed by improving communication between the P&S council and UNI administrators. Further, I believe communication between the P&S council and P&S employees can be improved. If elected, I will investigate methods to improve communication. I also understand that we must continue to collaborate with the UNI administration regularly to make sure the P&S council is not seen as a hindrance.

With your support, I believe we can accomplish these goals and have the P&S council provide an outstanding service to P&S employees.

 

Steve Schofield, Associate Director of Athletics

Years at UNI: 5 years, 8 months

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience

  • Student-Athlete Advisory Council, former staff advisor
  • UNI Center for Violence Prevention, Internal Advisory Board member
  • Various volunteer events on behalf of UNI Athletics

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
My reasons for wanting to serve on the Council are twofold: 1) I have a keen interest in matters concerning UNI and specifically P&S employees and 2) I have a desire to help integrate my specific area (Athletics) into the broader campus community.

 

Trent Ames, Assistant Director of McLeod Operations; UNI Athletics

Years at UNI: 5

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience
Served on several job search committees across campus. UNI Commencement committee member for five years. Served vital role in setup/production of the visits by the Dalai Lama and our First Lady, Michelle Obama.

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
I would like to have a seat on this council to become more familiar with the protocols and rights that we, as P&S employees have. I would relish the opportunity to take part in the studies and to help represent all P&S employees here at UNI.

Student Affairs candidates

Jean Wiesley, Assistant Business Manager

Years at UNI: 10

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience

  • P&S Committee member 3 years
  • Disability Advisory and Advocacy Committee member 3 years
  • Disability Specialist Search Committee Member Summer 2012
  • Massage Therapist Search Committee Chair Spring 2012

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
I believe the Council serves as a valuable means for P&S employees to voice concerns and comments about the variety of issues that affect us daily here at UNI. During my 3 years on the council we have discussed many budget issues and the impact these budget decisions have had on P&S staff here at the university.  The Council serves as the voice of our employee group to university administration and this input from the council is well received. I expect to see a lot of change at the university in the next several years and expect budget to continue to be an issue.  I am running for re-election with the hope to continue to serve our P&S staff.

 

Todd Thomas, Residential Technology Support Coordinator

Years of UNI: 10

Past committee/volunteer efforts at UNI or other relevant experience
I've served on UNI's re-accreditation and Foundations of Excellence committees. I also actively participate in various IT groups around campus and various hiring committees.

Why I want to serve on the P&S Council
As a UNI alumnus and employee for the past 10 years, I take great pride in seeing how our University can continue to provide a great education to Iowa, out-of-state and international students and also contribute back to making Iowa such a great place to live. By serving on the P&S Council, I see this as a way to serve my colleagues and use my skills and abilities to continue to improve UNI's excellent strengths.