Vote now for your 2026–27 Staff Senate

Candidate Statement: Chair-Elect of the Staff Senate

Andy Eaker-

Current Chair, Staff Shout Out Committee

To my fellow Staff Senators and Colleagues,

It is a profound honor to accept the nomination for Chair-Elect of the Staff Senate. Serving this campus has allowed me to witness firsthand the resilience and dedication that define the Appalachian State staff. From the seamless daily operations that keep our university moving to the extraordinary, heroic efforts displayed in the wake of Hurricane Helene, our staff truly is the backbone of this institution.

If elected, my vision for this role is built on three pillars: Advocacy with Purpose, Infrastructure for Living, and Community through Collaboration.

1. Advocacy: Long-Term Funding & Disaster Preparedness

For too long, our staff has been asked to "do more with less." I am committed to collaborating with University Administration to lobby the North Carolina General Assembly for pay increases that accurately reflect the rising cost of living in the High Country. Beyond annual increments, we must advocate for a long-term fiscal plan that fosters economic opportunity while addressing infrastructure shortfalls. This includes the creation of a "Resiliency Fund" to ensure that when we face future disasters or significant spikes in energy costs, our staff and their families are protected.

2. Infrastructure: Housing, Childcare, and Flexible Work

We cannot thrive as an institution if our employees cannot afford to live in the community they serve. I will prioritize working with the University, local government, and the legislature to address the critical shortage of affordable housing and the urgent need for expanded child care access.

Furthermore, I will champion a standardized, robust Flexible and Remote Work policy. As the largest employer in the county, our commuting habits directly impact local infrastructure. Where possible, hybrid work reduces the heavy financial burden of vehicle maintenance and fuel costs—returning precious time to families and simultaneously alleviating our campus parking crisis. By modernizing our work-life approach, we proactively combat burnout and invest in staff morale.

3. Community: The "Mountaineer Experience" & Lifelong Growth

I want to move beyond the "day-to-day" and foster an environment where every staff member feels a sense of belonging and investment. This includes:

• Academic & Faculty Partnerships: Creating a bridge between staff interests and our campus expertise. I aim to establish programs where staff can engage with faculty on specialized topics, fulfilling long-held intellectual curiosities and leveraging the world-class knowledge already present on our campus.

• Collaborative Mentorship: Formalizing networks that encourage professional development, cross-departmental efficiency, and career upward mobility.

• Intentional Engagement: Partnering with UREC, the Cyber Summit, or the High Country Beer Fest to create "special interest groups" that break down departmental silos.

• Athletic & Cultural Ties: Strengthening our connection to traditions like the Bell Ringers Society and Boonerang, while leveraging our Athletics platform for community-impact initiatives like App Kids.

My Commitment to You As your Chair-Elect, I will be more than a voice at the table; I will be an active listener and a persistent advocate. I am ready to work with HR, Administration, and each of you to ensure Appalachian State is not just a place of employment, but a community where every staff member has the opportunity to flourish.

I appreciate your support and look forward to the opportunity to serve.

Kathryn Leslie-

Current Co-Chair, Staff Senate

"What would the chair-elect position look like for you"? 

As chair-elect, I will support the chair in continuing and strengthening processes I initiated this past year as co-chair while also helping to advance new initiatives. 

During my time as co-chair, I strengthened communication between the senate and the campus community by improving the timeliness, clarity, and engagement of our email outreach, as well as advancing updates to our website. I also worked with the marketing committee to increase the senate’s visibility through more consistent and branded communications across campus. In addition, I helped rebuild senate representation by recruiting new employees as members and fostered an inclusive, collaborative culture, one that emphasizes representing all staff, not just individual departments. 

In the next year, I aim to provide training for new senators, connect members with meaningful professional development and networking opportunities, and develop clear, comprehensive documentation for the senate, executive committee, and senate committees to make involvement and engagement more accessible. 

I will perform the basic duties of chair-elect, such as assisting in leading meetings in the chair’s absence and helping share responsibilities to make the chair role more manageable. Additionally, I hope to deepen our senate's engagement with the UNC Staff Assembly and peer institutions, exploring ways to elevate our collective voice through proclamations and advocacy to create impact both on campus and at the state level. 

"What are two things you want to see happen with staff senate?" 

1. Elevate the Senate as a Strategic and Intellectual Resource

• Position the senate as a strong, unified voice that not only represents staff concerns but also brings thoughtful, data-informed ideas to help address campus challenges.
• Increase involvement with the UNC Staff Assembly and learn from other campuses how to better use available resources and make our voices heard, while continuing to build positive, collaborative relationships with administrators, Faculty Senate, and the Student Government Association.
• Create opportunities, like focus groups, to gather input and develop practical, data-driven solutions that can lead to meaningful change.

2. Strengthen Senate Structure and Processes

• Continue improving staff senate internal operations by creating consistent practices for communication, meetings, and committee work, while improving overall organization so the senate can keep growing and working effectively.
• This includes expanding recruitment efforts, creating an onboarding process to support new senators, and encouraging greater participation in shared governance and collaborative initiatives. It also means being more transparent, putting clear structure and documentation in place, so it’s easier for senators, and others on campus, to participate.