Professional News

Staff Senate Welcomes New Leadership for 2013-14

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 20, 2013) — The University of Kentucky is welcoming five new leaders for the Staff Senate for the 2013-2014 year.

The mission of the Staff Senate, according to its website, is to “create stronger bonds within the staff and encourage cooperation among staff, faculty, students, administration, and the Board of Trustees for the benefit of the University.” In addition, the senate strives to provide the “opportunity for all staff members at the University of Kentucky to have an interactive role in defining and maintaining a workplace that encourages input from all staff in creating a harmonious environment.”

That is what this year’s new chair, Jeff Spradling, will strive to uphold.

Spradling is in his 10th year of serving the university. He has directed the Robinson Scholars Program since December 2009, and has also served as the research administrative coordinator at the Center for Poverty Research as well as the assistant director of the university’s Appalachian Center.

UK graduate Jonathan Burns is vice chair. Serving his third year as a staff senator, Burns came to the university through the STEPS program, the Student and Temporary Employee Placement Service, in February 2009. In August 2010, he joined the College of Pharmacy as the department administrator of Pharmacy Practice and Science. He currently serves as the director of non-grant accounting for the college.

Emily Valentino is this year’s secretary. A graduate of Saint Louis University in 2004, she has worked at UK since 2009. She was elected to the senate in 2012 and served as the Public Relations Committee secretary.

Shelli Hilton is treasurer. An alumna of the university, she earned her MBA from Morehead in 2011. This will be Hilton’s third year serving on the Staff Senate and her second term as treasurer.

Glen White is parliamentarian. He joined UK HealthCare in 2004 at the Chandler Hospital where he currently serves as a customer relations specialist in the Office of Service Excellence. White was elected to the Staff Senate in 2006 before being elected as parliamentarian the year after.