We have four (4) seats available in Job Family 4 for the term starting July 2012. Learn more about your candidates below!

Christina Bowles — Academic Advisor | Academic Advisement Center

I am originally from Kansas City, MO, and I moved to Springfield in 1998 to attend Missouri State University. I graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and in 2005 with a Master of Arts in Religious Studies. After working in the produce industry for two years, I returned to Missouri State to pursue a Master of Science in Student Affairs in Higher Education. Just prior to graduation, I accepted an advising position at Ozarks Technical Community College where I worked for about a year before accepting my current position as an advisor in the Academic Advisement Center in June of 2011. I feel very strongly about higher education, and I love helping students realize their potential and achieve their educational goals. I would like to serve on Staff Senate because I want to be more involved, and I am interested in continuing to build a sense of community among Missouri State staff members.

Kelly Cara — Assessment Research Coordinator | Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning

I have been a full-time staff person at Missouri State University since September 2010, but I have been an active member of the MSU community since I first came here as an undergraduate student in 1999. Ultimately, my goal is to serve this community in any way that I can so that when I leave our university, it will be an even better place than when I first arrived. In the summer of 2011, I began attending and inviting my colleagues to attend Staff Senate meetings. I immediately got involved in two Staff Senate work groups, including the CPS work group, and both produced actionable results. I would be proud to continue my service by becoming a staff senator, and as a senator, I would be earnest in my pursuit of input from those in my job family. It is my firm belief that actions speak louder than words, and though I am known to speak up at most meetings, I am also one to act on my ideas, convictions, and duties. It would be an honor for me to serve my fellow staff members as a staff senator.

Yvette Medley — Academic Advisor/Retention Specialist | Business Advisement Center

I have been a staff member at Missouri State University since September 2010 as an Academic Advisor/Retention Specialist. I have been attending Staff Senate meetings for over one year. In Fall 2011, I became the Chair for the Staff Activities Committee. As Chair, it has been my responsibility to organize the workgroup meetings and communicate progress with the Executive Board. Our committee has been very active and is currently planning two staff activities coming up in May and June. I really enjoy getting involved on campus and hope to represent fellow staff members as a Staff Senator. I feel Staff Senate is a great way for Staff to have a voice and work together in improving our University and working environment.

Allison Overmeyer — University Animal Facilities Manager | Research & Economic Development

I started working full-time for Missouri State University in July 2008. July 2008 – January 2010 I worked in Dr. Paul Durham’s lab as a Research Specialist. From January 2010 – Present I have been the Manager, Animal Research Facilities out of the Office of Research Compliance. I have been involved in organizations (high school clubs, college groups, and my neighborhood association) and taken leadership roles (Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) in those organizations. I take pride in being a staff member of Missouri State and have always been interested in getting more involved with the University and being a part of a group such as Staff Senate. I have sat in on meetings as a proxy for my boss and found the discussions interesting and look forward to possibly being able to give my opinions and work on future projects/discussions.

If you are a staff member in Job Family 4, you can vote for your representative anytime between May 1 and May 31, 2012!