We have two (2) seats available in Job Family 1 for the term starting in July 2013. Learn more about your candidates below

Jamie Hall   Administrative Specialist II   Institutional Research

For the past year and a half I have worked for Missouri State as an Administrative Specialist II in the Office of Institutional Research. I am a Missouri State Alum (I attended MSU-West Plains for two years and then finished out my Theatre B.A. at MSU Springfield). I’m interested in being a part of the Staff Senate because it seems like it would be a good way to stay on top of things going on in the university, as well as being a way to give something back!

Sandy Johnson     Administrative Specialist III     Faculty Senate Office

Sandra Leigh Johnson joined Missouri State University in 2007 as an administrative specialist for the Office of the Provost. She had previously worked as an advertising copywriter for 15 years at Noble and Associates in Springfield. In 2008 she transferred to the Faculty Senate Office as an administrative specialist III. She enjoys working for the Faculty Senate and helped bring the office into the Banner age, creating an online tracking system for curricular proposals and Senate Actions, presenting Curricular Proposal Process workshops, and working with a committee to make the curricular challenge packets accessible in Banner, eliminating thousands of hard copies each year. During her three-year term in Staff Senate, Sandy has enjoyed working on a variety of committees, working with others to help all staff members enjoy a better and more balanced work life. Recently she created and co-chairs the new Administrative Professional Forum Committee—a committee that plans and organizes regular forums on the Springfield campus where admins can hear the latest updates from the departments they work with, ask questions, and receive tips and information about the latest opportunities and processes. The first forum is planned for May 29^th. Sandy appreciates that this committee has a home with Staff Senate, and looks forward to its future work and the benefits that hopefully many offices and departments will receive.

In her personal time, Sandy is a crafty blogger, a published playwright, and has appeared in many Springfield Little Theatre productions on the mainstage at the Landers Theatre during the last 20 years. Some of Sandy’s favorite roles include Truvy in Steel Magnolias, the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, and a royal wife in The King and I. Her husband and daughter have been active in theatre as well. Daughter Lauren is currently finishing up her freshman year here at Missouri State as a Mass Media/Digital Film major. Sandy is also a member of the Bear Spangled Singers—actually inventing that name on the fly, when the singers were standing on the field the first time, and the announcer asked what the group’s name was—the working title MSU Super Singers had never quite worked, and in a quick huddle everyone agreed, and in seconds, they were announced as the Bear Spangled Singers.

Sharon Lopinot Administrative Assistant III Greenwood Lab School

This is my 20th year working at the University. For the last 18 years I have worked at Greenwood Laboratory School. I served on Staff Senate years ago and was also the Chair for one year. I know change takes time. My group actually started the research and submitted a proposal for changing the vacation accrual policy. I am a good listener and would share information with and from staff in my job family. I know that all staff are an important part of the University.

Janelle Melton Administrative Assistant II Honor’s College

As I write this bio today, April 1, 2013, I am remembering that on this day 10 years ago, I began my employment here at (S)MSU in the Bursar’s Office. I was there for 2 years.

I then found a wonderful and newly created position in the Career Center for the next 4 ½ years as the Admin Asst. II to the Asst. Director of the Career Center as well as the Legislative Internship Director. I then left the Career Center because both of my bosses retired and my position there was no longer needed.

A brand new Admin Asst. II position opened up in the Honors College working with the then Asst. Director. I have been here in this wonderful position for 3 ½ years now and plan on staying here until I retire in December of 2016.

I am married to my college sweetheart for 7 years now and between the two of us we have 6 children and 7 grandchildren. My son is getting married this June in Belfast, Northern Ireland to an Irish lassie and that is the last one of the six to get married. We do anticipate more grandchildren in the next few years.

I am a Master Gardener, along with my husband, and am studying Horticulture here at MSU. We live in Marshfield and have 2 large raised bed gardens where we grow our own salsa makings. My husband cans up wonderful salsa and tomatoes and green beans. I am also a member of the Hawthorne chapter of the IAAP and have my CPS/CAP certification.

Karen Sikes Executive Assistant College of Arts and Letters

I am the Executive Assistant to the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. I have been in this position since January 2012, and was the Academic Administrative Assistant for the Department of Communication the previous 8 years I have been working at the university. I’m very interested in university staff matters, and would like to have a voice on Staff Senate. I feel like my presence on Staff Senate would be of value to the university and my colleagues.

Laurie Wilson Administrative Assistant II Agriculture Department

I moved to Springfield in December 2007 and I have been working at Missouri State University in the School of Agriculture since August 2011. I enjoy working on the MSU campus and interacting with the faculty, staff and students. I look at this as a great opportunity to get to know other staff members on campus. MSU is a great place to work and I want to do my part by serving as a representative for my peers.