UNMC elects inaugural Staff Advisory Council

UNMC’s inaugural Staff Advisory Council welcomes 32 newly elected members who begin their terms this month.

The UNMC Staff Advisory Council will promote and facilitate communication between UNMC administration and staff throughout UNMC’s colleges and departments.

“I look forward to working with the council as they advocate on behalf of all UNMC staff,” said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “As you know, staff members are critical to the overall success of UNMC’s education, research and outreach missions, and I’m pleased they will have a stronger voice with the formation of this council. I also appreciate all the work done by the special committee that helped create the advisory council’s structure and bylaws.”

Council elections were held in March, followed by run-off elections for three areas of campus whose elections ended in a tie.

The newly elected council members, by college/unit, are:

UNMC College of Allied Health Professions

• Mary Matthiessen, education program coordinator II
• Margaret Winnicki, senior director, enrollment management and student affairs

UNMC College of Dentistry

• Christopher Arnold, systems administrator/workstation specialist
• Emily Gish, office associate II

UNMC College of Medicine

• Jillian McIntosh-Carnes, GME/UME senior program coordinator
• Amber Borchers, grants administration coordinator
• Elora Newton, accounting/office associate
• Erin Snow, director of graduate medical education
• Ryan Forman, finance and business manager
• Jonathan Figliomeni, research projects manager
• Jaclyn Ostronic, operations/program manager
• Brenda Ram, director of educational programs
• Kayla Zaloudek, administrative business associate

UNMC College of Nursing

• Amy Ramirez, academic success coordinator
• Brandi Sestak, student services coordinator

UNMC College of Pharmacy

• Sophia Haorei, office associate II
• Kellie Osler, experiential programs associate

UNMC College of Public Health

• Stacey Coleman, culture and sustainability manager
• Eric Brabb, assistant director, recruitment and admissions

Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases

• Kelly Jordan, grants administration coordinator
• Barbara Cajka, administrative business associate

Munroe-Meyer Institute

• Kaitlyn Forsythe, physical therapist
• Nataly Biodrowski, bilingual child development program evaluator
• Alyssa Payton, autism center program associate

UNMC Academic Affairs/McGoogan Health Sciences Library

• Lisa Willard, Global Center for Health Security office associate
• Gabrielle Jensen, administrative associate III

Administration/Business and Finance

• Marvin Olson, facilities manager
• Charles Williams II, campus security officer
• Gregory Waples, software engineer II
• Steven Williamson, director of support services

Research

• Charles Miller, administrator I
• Alexander Reed, clinical research coordinator II

The first council meeting will be held once a date has been confirmed. Meetings are open to all UNMC staff who are interested in attending. Leadership for the advisory council’s executive committee for the 2025-26 academic year will, per council bylaws, be determined at the council’s first meeting.

Council members serve a three-year term that begins this month and runs through June 30, 2028. Council service time shall be counted toward normal work hours.

For council bylaws, or to learn more, visit the UNMC Staff Advisory Council webpage.