I am the incumbent SAC rep for EEO 6 and I am looking forward to continuing my service. I have been with UIUC for over 14 years and have been an insulator for over 26 years and have a good relationship with all the trades here at the physical plant. 

I have been a Student Financial Aid Administrator at the Office of Student Financial Aid at the University of Illinois for 3 years in June.  
Before working on campus, I had a role with the Illinois state financial aid agency within the outreach division for 3 years. I also worked as an intervention advocate at a crisis center for 1.5 years. 

Currently, I am a part-time graduate student in the Higher Education Counseling in Community Colleges program at Eastern Illinois University. My current class, Legal and Ethical Considerations of Higher Education, gave me inspiration to join this committee.  
I have co-facilitated a support group for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in my community for less than a year.  
While enrolled in my undergraduate program at Eastern Illinois University, I was a work-study student with the Office of the Registrar for 3 years. 

I hold a degree in Computer Science and previously worked as an analyst at Bank of America in the credit line of business, partnering closely with product managers and cross‑functional teams to improve processes and support effective decision‑making. I later earned a management degree from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign and have worked at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) for two years. In my role at NCSA, I wear multiple hats that span business analysis, data analysis, solution design, demonstrations, and communication – essentially functioning in a product management capacity. I support a Business Process Management (BPM) product focused on automating manual, time‑intensive work and making systems easier for staff to use. Much of my work involves listening to staff pain points, identifying gaps in existing processes, and helping develop practical solutions. I also collaborate with Human Resources on efforts to strengthen workplace culture at NCSA.I am interested in serving on the Staff Advisory Council because I believe in community, collaboration, and advocacy. I want to help ensure staff voices are heard and represented by serving as a bridge between staff and leadership, and by advocating for thoughtful, system‑level improvements that help Civil Service employees feel supported and succeed. 

My name is Taylor Dent and I currently serve as  Social and Digital Strategist here at Illinois. I have a Bachelor of Science in Sociology/Anthropology and a Master of Science in Strategic Branding and Communications. I have served as an employee of the University for nearly five years in Civil Service positions throughout the university.  As an advocate for equity in all things, I believe in and promote people-centric strategies when addressing how institutions can serve their employees. As a sociologist, I have a keen ability to identify gaps, issues and inefficiencies in work-place environments and I build strategies, systems and points of advocacy to address these issues. I believe creating equitable practices and supportive communities for our employees and staff on campus ultimately strengthens the efficacy of the institution and its efforts. I believe some of our most important stakeholders are those who make the institution run. In order for Illinois to be successful in all its endeavors, it needs a certain level of buy-in from the community that mobilizes its ideals and principles. I want to help advocate for the many that have a lot to say, but not a lot of time to say it. I want to advocate for people-centered practices that empower the families that serve Illinois. Ultimately, I want to learn the thoughts and perspectives of leadership, while getting a better understanding of the hearts and  minds of our civil service community to determine how we can continue to meet each other on equitable terms and agreements. 

I have nearly 18 years of service on the Urbana-Champaign campus and have worked at varying levels of office support, culminating in my position as Assistant to the Head of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. I began my career at Illinois as a clerk at the McKinley Health Center. I found a place at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology for a few years, upgrading positions to land in the Department of Plant Biology. From there, I supported the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences for five years, during which I was recruited to work at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. In January 2023, I joined the College of Education. Surrounded by educators, I have daily reminders of the importance of staff not only in an academic setting but in higher education as a whole. 

I am pleased to submit my candidacy for the Staff Advisory Council. With over five years of dedicated service to the university, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of our institution by serving in key functional areas such as Finance, Administrative, and Research. My career background is defined by this multidisciplinary perspective. Having navigated the complexities of university budget structures, administrative policy, and the unique demands of the research administration, I possess the “big picture” insight necessary to represent a diverse staff body. I understand that the challenges faced by one department often ripple into others, and I am committed to ensuring that the Council’s recommendations are both practical and inclusive. I aim to serve as a proactive voice for staff, fostering a culture of transparency and mutual support between the units of the university. 

Over the past five years at the University, I have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles that have given me a broad and practical understanding of the staff experience across different units and functions. Through these roles, I have developed insight into key issues that matter most to staff, including compensation, retention, professional development, and the challenges of navigating ongoing institutional change. I have seen firsthand how these factors impact morale and I am committed to contributing to staff-centered solutions. My experiences have also strengthened my ability to listen to diverse perspectives and communicate effectively across departments. I value collaboration and believe that meaningful progress comes from ensuring staff voices are represented in decision-making processes. If selected to serve on the Staff Advisory Council, I would bring a perspective grounded in experience. I am eager for the opportunity to contribute to initiatives that strengthen the overall staff experience at the university. Thank you for your consideration. 

Hello, fellow Civil Service colleagues at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. My name is Medra Roberts-Southerland, an EEO 3 employee, and I am seeking your support for re-election to the Staff Advisory Council (SAC). Currently, I work in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights & Community, where I manage programs that highlight our institution’s mission, cultivate campus and community partnerships, and advocate for institutional inclusivity. With 15 years at the University of Illinois and over two decades in higher education, I have a deep appreciation for the vital role staff play in the success of our land-grant institution Why I am running: For the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving in this capacity. This experience has deepened my respect for our campus community and reinforced my belief in the power of shared governance. I am running because I value: •Collective & Diverse Voices: Ensuring our representation reflects the breadth of our workforce. •Open Dialogue: Creating safe spaces to discuss workplace challenges without hesitation. •Proactive Problem-Solving: Moving beyond identifying issues to recommending tangible solutions that improve our daily lives. My Commitment to You: As a member of SAC, I have worked alongside dedicated colleagues to ask critical questions of university administration. We don’t just attend meetings; we advocate for recommendations that enhance our working and learning environments. I see firsthand the hard work that drives this university, and I am committed to ensuring that those efforts are recognized, valued, and supported. I would be honored to receive your vote to continue this work. Together, we can ensure that the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign remains a place where every employee is heard and every contribution matters. 

I am excited to submit my intent to serve on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Staff Advisory Council. As a staff member of nearly nine years and a proud double alum, I bring both deep institutional knowledge and a strong personal commitment to enhancing the staff experience at Illinois. In my current role as Director of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies program in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, I lead a large-scale, interdisciplinary online degree initiative that spans more than 25 academic departments. This work requires navigating complex structures, building consensus, and advancing strategic priorities while managing day-to-day operations. Through this experience, I have developed a practical understanding of the challenges staff face and the importance of clear communication, collaboration, and efficient processes. Previously, I held several roles within the Gies College of Business, where I oversaw graduate programs, supported significant enrollment growth, and partnered closely with faculty, students, and administrative teams. Across my roles, I have consistently focused on improving processes, strengthening communication, and creating more effective and inclusive experiences. My service on campus committees, including leadership roles on the Online Learning Advisory Committee and the International Career Connections Committee, has further broadened my perspective on university-wide priorities. Beyond my professional work, I bring extensive governance and leadership experience through community organizations, including serving as President of the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana and holding board roles across multiple nonprofits. These experiences have strengthened my ability to represent diverse perspectives, think strategically, and contribute meaningfully in advisory settings. A key priority I would bring to the Council is strengthening the voice of Civil Service staff in shared governance. I am particularly interested in working with the University Senate to explore pathways for meaningful participation of Civil Service staff in campus governance structures. Expanding representation leads to stronger decision-making and a more inclusive university community. I am also committed to being an engaged and reliable member of the Council by attending meetings regularly, contributing thoughtfully to discussions, and following through on initiatives. Effective representation requires both consistency and accountability, and I would prioritize both. As a staff member and alum, I am deeply invested in the success of this institution and the people who support it. Serving on the Staff Advisory Council would be an opportunity to contribute, advocate, and help strengthen the staff experience across campus. 

In my role as Manager of Community Engagement and Programs for the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, I consistently advocate for people. Whether it’s museum visitor experiences, student concerns, or my own interests, I question, challenge, and advocate for common sense policies that center people. People activate the university, and civil service staff are critical to a fully functioning university system.  
In addition to internal committees at the Spurlock Museum, I currently serve as co-chair for the University YMCA’s Board of Governors, and I’m on the programming committee for the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG). I’ve previously served on a university steering committee and multiple search committees. My input is thoughtful, strategic, and people-centric. 

As a staff advisory council representative, I would listen to the concerns of civil service workers under EEO 3 and use my voice to champion their unique challenges. I’ve been with the Spurlock Museum for almost nine years, and I enjoy my work and engagement in the university. There is always, however, room to expand resources and opportunities for civil service staff. I understand many of the challenges in my civil service classification and come with ideas and a sincere spirit of advocacy. Please consider me when you vote for your staff advisory council representative. 

My main qualification for this role is my lengthy and multifaceted role as an employee of the University of Illinois. I was a non-tenure-stream faculty member for 15 years in the Department of English, then an academic professional for three years as director of the Humanities Professional Resource Center (a career services office for humanities majors), and since 2023, I have been proud to be part of the civil service as Director of Career Services for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). I have also been the parent of a University of Illinois student, and I was an active founding member (while I was still faculty) of the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition (NTFC Local 6546). A further qualification is that my work in helping undergraduates get experience and find career direction brings me into contact with many parts of the university. I have experience in communicating formally and informally with units within and beyond LAS to build relationships that can benefit our students, to create new programming and events, and to better understand the world of work. In addition, I have a track record of service to the university, which has included seven years on the Subcommittee on Sexual Misconduct (through the Office of Student Conflict Resolution), chairing the Career Services Council for a year-long term, co-chairing the planning committee for the Career Services Council Annual Conference, and serving on the LAS Curriculum Committee. I am eager to bring the skills honed in these contexts to the new (to me) realm of staff administration. I am prepared to bring my commitment and institutional knowledge to the Staff Advisory Council; I am also eager to learn what I don’t know about staff-related institutional concerns in which I have not yet had a role.  Finally, I am deeply committed to the educational excellence of UIUC and would like to participate in ensuring that the role of civil service staff in advancing that excellence is recognized and supported.