| | | Advocacy in Action
Your Voice for a Better UI
May 2022 | | Staff Council President Kevin Zihlman Reflects on a Successful Year
As Kevin Zihlman gets ready to conclude his term as Staff Council President later this month, he reflects on his priorities for the past year, Staff Council successes, and his perspective for the upcoming council year as Jackie Kleppe takes over as President. Kevin credits others this way: “My leadership journey is never taken alone. It’s the work and support of others that ultimately matter when success is to be achieved, not one person with a title.” Read more | | | | Staff to Help Make Iowa Beautiful On Saturday, May 21st, Staff Council members plan to beautify a 2-mile stretch of Highway 6 in Johnson County near Kent Park. The “Adopt-a-Highway” (AAH) program is a great way to give back to our community and to spend time with staff and other volunteers from around campus and the community. Read more...
| | | UI President Barbara Wilson addresses Staff Council University of Iowa President Dr. Barbara J. Wilson joined for the Annual President’s address to Staff Council at the April meeting. This came as she concludes her first academic year at UI having taken the helm on July 15, 2021 after serving as the executive vice president for the University of Illinois System. Read more... | | | | Legislative forum examines issues impacting UI faculty and staff Staff Council University Relations Committee and Faculty Government Relations Committee organized a hybrid in person and virtual legislative candidate forum for local contested races that will appear on the June 7 primary ballot. The April 18 event was the first such political forum the governing bodies have hosted in recent memory. Approximately 30 people attended in person – many tied to campaigns – and about 50 online. We were able to hear a variety of viewpoints on issues relevant to the UI faculty and staff. The Daily Iowan had a nice write up about the event. | | | Return of the UI Staff Council DEI Annual Celebration Event proves to be a learning opportunity on multiple levels On March 7, 2022, The Staff Council DEI Committee held its 4th UI Staff Council DEI Annual Celebration Event. The event celebrates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on campus and the efforts of all who work tirelessly answering that test by making our campus and community the best it can be. Due to limitations brought about by the pandemic the last celebration event held was in 2019. Read more...
| | | | Leaving Staff Councilors, Thank You! Late May to early June is the annual time of transition for Staff Council as a portion of the council membership complete their terms, new councilors are welcomed on board, new officers and Executive Committee members are elected and Staff Council prepares for a new council year.
Today we would like to thank the councilors whose Staff Council terms are ending effective May 31. Their contribution and service in representing staff has been significant, and they will be sorely missed! Read more...
| | | Molly Rechkemmer – Student Advocate UISC member Molly Rechkemmer is a recent recipient of the Mary Louise Kelley Staff Excellence Award. This award was created "to recognize staff members of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who performed exceptional service or contributed ideas that improved the work of the department or the College.” Molly was nominated for going above and beyond in her role as an Academic Advisor. This past year, Molly worked tirelessly to help a student who had stopped going to class and replying to emails. With Molly’s support to find a schedule and practices that worked for the student, they were able to achieve a 4.0 during Fall Semester 2021. This is yet another example of the commitment of UI Staff to the success of students and to the mission of the University of Iowa. | | | |
