UC Staff Senate nominations now open
Get involved in the UC community and make an impact on your workplace
Nominations open now through March 31. All UC staff not principally charged with teaching, including part-time and full-time staff, are eligible to serve as a staff senator.
To nominate yourself or a colleague for Staff Senate, complete the online nomination form on Bearcats Landing by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2023. Candidates who have been nominated by another staff member will have the option to accept or decline their nomination, and all candidates must have approval from their direct manager/supervisor.
“Staff Senate is a wonderful place for emerging leaders at UC to learn by doing, to meet mentors who can help you along the way, and to increase your network and exposure at UC,” said Heidi Pettyjohn, chair of the staff senate. “Staff Senate can best represent the voice of all staff when we are as diverse as our labor force.”
Visit the Staff Senate nominations page on Bearcats Landing for more information about the nomination process.
As a senator you are expected to:
- Attend all senate meetings (minimum of five per year).
- Attend monthly committee meetings (as needed by your assigned committee).
- Participate in various other events based on availability.
- Must have prior approval from your manager/supervisor.
- Serve a two-year term
- Read the Staff Senate Bylaws.
Staff members do not have to be a senator to take part in Staff Senate activities, attend general Senate meetings or participate in a Staff Senate Committee. To get involved, email us. We welcome your nominations and your questions or comments.
Staff Senator Spotlight
Heidi Pettyjohn. Photo/provided.
Heidi Pettyjohn
Executive Director, Accessibility
Senate Service: Senator - 2019 - 2020; Chair Elect- 2020 - 2021; Chair 2021 - 2023; serve on Cabinet and Governance
"I was excited by the chance to get to be part of something so new at the university, that could really impact the experience of staff across UC."
"I was nervous about not understanding the structure and how we would impact change. I think we have made a big impact on how this group can impact change at the leadership level."
"What I enjoy most is meeting other senators who I never would have met, and building relationships across the university."
Featured top image: Staff meeting at the University of Cincinnati. Photo/provided.
Tags
Related Stories
‘Designer drug’ shows early neuroprotective signal in acute ischemic stroke
October 28, 2025
Medscape highlighted new trial results led by the University of Cincinnati's Eva Mistry that found an experimental drug shows promise in protecting injured brain cells for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Is menstrual fluid ‘the most overlooked opportunity’ in women’s health?
October 27, 2025
The Guardian recently reported that period blood has long been thought of as ‘stinky and useless’, but startups are exploring using the fluid to test for a wide range of health conditions — including endometriosis.
Tackling children’s health
October 27, 2025
Randi Bates, assistant professor in the UC College of Nursing, focuses on advancing childhood health and wellbeing in her research. This month she was honored with a Crane Excellence in Early Childhood Award from The Ohio State University. Bates is also the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Nurse Researcher Award from Mount St. Joseph University.