Voting is now open for the University Staff Senate and will remain open until Friday, June 19, at 4:30 p.m. Eligible staff members may cast their ballots here.
There is one opening for an academic senator, one for an administrative senator, and two openings for at-large. This year, there is also one opening for a staff member in the University Academic Senate.
University Staff Senate represents Marquette employees whose primary designation is staff. The University Staff Senate is composed of 16 representatives elected for three-year terms along with two University Academic Senate representative who is also elected for a three-year term. Members may be re-elected without limit.
Following are bios for each of the candidates:
Academic candidates
Debbie Contreras-Tadych
As a licensed psychologist and diversity coordinator in the Counseling Center, I have spent the past 7.5 years supporting the well-being of Marquette students. I am also a proud three-time Marquette graduate, having earned my bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees here. My experience as a student, staff member across multiple departments, and now clinician has given me a uniquely comprehensive view of the Marquette community.
As a student, I was actively involved in Residence Life, and while completing my graduate training, I worked full-time in the Office of Marketing and Communication and the College of Business Administration. These roles, combined with my current work in the Counseling Center, have allowed me to see firsthand how student experience, staff support and campus climate are deeply interconnected.
Through my clinical and coordination roles, I bring a perspective grounded in student well-being, staff support and a commitment to fostering an inclusive campus community. I see every day how staff well-being, communication and campus climate directly impact student success, and I am especially passionate about strengthening these areas. I value collaboration, thoughtful dialogue and creating spaces where people feel heard and respected.
Marquette is deeply meaningful to me — not only as my workplace, but as a community that has shaped my personal and professional path. I am excited to bring this perspective to Staff Senate, contribute at the university level, and advocate for staff in ways that strengthen our entire campus community.
Kristian Guenther
I am an access services specialist at Raynor Library with a focus on student employee operations and development. I am running for Staff Senate because I believe that we can only act in the best interest of our students when we work collaboratively to figure out the best ways our university can serve its students and employees alike.
My journey to the library profession was an interesting one. I have worked at Mt. Rainier National Park, as a program manager at a small-town zoo and here in Milwaukee as a nature educator at Hawthorn Glen. All of these jobs had one major thing in common (and no, it wasn’t the snakes) — quality connection and communication were at the heart of each one of these positions, and those are traits I look to carry through all my work.
I feel grateful for my role here at Marquette because it gives me the opportunity to connect with so many people, students and staff alike, and hear their experiences outside of myself. In my everyday work and through Staff Senate, I hope to help make this a healthier campus and to aid the message of cura personalis by listening to the needs of the staff and calling for action.
Mario Hamilton
I am currently a proud member of the educational program known nationally as TRIO, serving as an UpwardBound Pre-College Counselor. This organization supports passionate, intelligent and tenacious students from underprivileged backgrounds throughout Milwaukee Schools. Our mission is rooted in making meaningful, lifelong differences in students’ lives in high school and post-secondary pathways. To advocate for our program and achieve the impact our institution strives for, we must have a voice in the right places. Therefore, I am running for a seat in the University Staff Senate to connect with colleagues across campus and ensure a better collaborative future for our workplace.
As a Marquette alum and staff member of Marquette Pre-College Programs for over seven years, I bring insight from the perspective of a Milwaukee native in higher education, understanding the needs of students while recognizing the strengths and the areas for improvement within our institution. I am committed to ensuring that our voices are heard and that we feel supported in our roles. Your vote will allow me to represent our collective interests, advocate for necessary changes and foster a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. I look forward to contributing my perspective through the University Staff Senate and working together to achieve our shared goals.
Lizzie Kerrick
At Marquette University, staff play a vital role in advancing the institutional mission, and I wish to serve on Staff Senate to help ensure our voice is thoughtfully represented.
As director of Graduate School operations and a staff member for more than 12 years, I have worked across academic units to navigate institutional processes and support collaborative, mission-driven initiatives. In addition to this work, my involvement in university committees — including the Carnegie Re-Classification for Community Engagement project, the Graduate School/ORI Merger exploration team, the Graduate School Strategic Planning Committee and ad hoc membership on the University Board of Graduate Studies (UBGS) — has provided a broad perspective on how decisions impact staff across roles and departments. My academic background—an M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Marquette University and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Alverno College — has further shaped my approach to organizational effectiveness and student-centered practice.
If selected, I would like to focus on strengthening Staff Senate’s role on campus by helping to develop a clear set of strategic priorities; establishing measurable goals to assess impact; and focusing continued attention to professional development and recognition of staff contributions.
I would approach this role with a commitment to open-mindedness, intentional engagement and practical problem-solving, and would be honored to contribute to the work of this dedicated group of staff members.
Tammy Meyers
I have been in higher education for about 28 years, 13 of which have been with Marquette in the Office of International Education. I started at Marquette as an office associate at the front desk, welcoming all visitors to the office, including students, staff, faculty and international partners. As the years progressed, I started taking on more responsibilities, learning more about international education and eventually earned the role of international education coordinator. I love working with the international students and being their “home away from home.” I have come to appreciate the professional development opportunities I have received within OIE as well as the benefits of working within the supportive Marquette community. Recently, I joined the Student Employee of the Year Committee and have been a part of the faculty/staff bowling league for many years. As a member of the University Staff Senate, I will advocate for continuing to foster community support and the wellness of staff by listening to colleagues, bringing creative ideas to the committee and being a dedicated and active committee member to ensure that staff have a positive experience at Marquette.
Ryan Nordmeyer
Hello! My name is Ryan. I am the business operations coordinator in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences’ Office of Academic Business Affairs. I’m running for Staff Senate out of a deep passion and love for Marquette University, its mission, and care for those we serve.
I attended Marquette for both undergraduate and graduate school, studying criminology and business, respectively. Marquette was the only school I applied to on both occasions, as it has been a part of my life since my dad started to work here in 2001. I’ve watched campus grow and morph into what it is today, and I feel called to be a part of that every day.
Now having worked here as a staff member in more roles than one after being a student, my passion for this place and what we do has grown even more. I am honored to have once been in a position to directly support students (FP&M) and to now be in a place where I support faculty, research, the college and the university as a whole. Now, I’m running so that I can expand that support for our staff.
I envision a Marquette that everyone can be proud of. I want to be a part of that for everyone that steps foot on this campus.
#WeAreMarquette”
Rachel Novak
I am the Marquette Central adviser lead in Marquette Central. I am running for Staff Senate because I enjoy engaging with folks across campus, and I am interested in continuing to foster the Marquette community. In my position, I advise students on information relating to financial aid, bursar accounts, registrar information and student employment. I have been at Marquette for almost five years. I have a bachelor’s degree in family social science from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and I am currently working towards my master’s degree in communication here at Marquette.
Through my position, I have many opportunities to work with other offices on campus, such as presenting at international student orientations and coordinating with admissions to assist incoming families. Additionally, I have participated in development opportunities offered by offices on campus, like the Spanish for Higher Educational Professionals course. Being situated within the campus’ one-stop, I have seen firsthand how faculty and staff come together to solve problems and support students. I have gained a deep appreciation for the dedication that faculty and staff have for our students, our campus and each other. I would love to be able to contribute more to the Marquette community through the Staff Senate.
Administrative Candidates
Tina Aiello
I am the accounts coordinator at the Spirit Shop. Over the past 45-plus years, I’ve served as a part of the Student Employment and Quarter Century Club committees.
Throughout the years, I have been honored to be a part of the student body and earned my Bachelor of Science in organization and leadership with a double major in communication. As an alumni, I take pride in the relationships I’ve made and continue to be a proud advocate of students and staff and community alike.
I am grateful for the nomination to serve as a part of the Staff Senate. I believe that everyone in our university system should be heard and represented in efforts to support our mission. Being elected as a member of Staff Senate will lend an opportunity to recognize voices that do not feel heard, work together to make positive changes, and transform ideas into successful innovations.
Emily Hernandez
I am the accounts payable supervisor within Marquette University’s Comptroller’s Office and have been a dedicated member of the Marquette community for nearly 24 years. As a committed Marquette alum, I value the university’s mission and guiding principles both professionally and personally.
Over the past six years, I have led essential payment services for employees, students, and suppliers while collaborating with departments across campus to resolve complex, time-sensitive challenges. I am often called upon to help troubleshoot urgent campus issues and “put out fires,” ensuring smooth and effective payments across multiple areas of the university.
My experience spans both academic and non-academic sides of campus, allowing me to build strong relationships and work closely with a wide range of partners. As a former Committee of Staff member, I am excited to run for Staff Senate and am energized by the opportunity to elevate staff voices, strengthen communication and continue serving the Marquette community I deeply value.
University Academic Senate Candidates
Kate Bracciano
I serve as the director of visits and special programs in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. I have worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for 11 years, and it is a joy to contribute to the mission of Marquette through recruiting and enrolling Marquette students. I oversee all visits and events for prospective students, along with the supervision of 90 student staff members. I also work closely with campus partners on our enrollment efforts. I truly enjoy building partnerships and collaborating with others across campus to reach our shared goals and to live out the mission. My interest in running for University Academic Senate is inspired by the partnerships I’ve made with faculty and staff in the colleges. I have developed a deep appreciation for their work. I am interested in supporting the academic mission of the university and ensuring that staff have a voice in policies and processes. I have been on Staff Senate for two years, and I believe it has prepared me well to step into this role.
Lisa Chase
I am the assistant director of the Engineering Education Program, housed within the College of Engineering. Being embedded in a college has given me a firsthand perspective on the challenges faculty, students and staff navigate every day — and it’s shaped how I think about serving this university.
Over the past two years as a member of Staff Senate, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of staff concerns and how to advocate effectively. In my day-to-day role, I work alongside faculty as a co-teacher, instructional designer, and a resource many turn to across campus — including colleagues in the Diederich College of Communication, College of Nursing and the College of Business Administration. That cross-campus experience has reinforced how interconnected our academic community really is.
Joining the University Academic Senate feels like a natural next step. It would allow me to collaborate with an even broader range of faculty, contribute to academic purposes, and ensure that staff perspectives are represented in the conversations that shape this university. I truly believe that being a part of the Academic Senate will not only help me grow but also benefit the faculty and staff I would have the privilege of representing.
Kristian Guenther
I am an access services specialist at Raynor Library with a focus on student employee operations and development. I am running for Staff Senate because I believe that we can only act in the best interest of our students when we work collaboratively to figure out the best ways our university can serve its students and employees alike.
My journey to the library profession was an interesting one. I have worked at Mt. Rainier National Park, as a program manager at a small-town zoo and here in Milwaukee as a nature educator at Hawthorn Glen. All of these jobs had one major thing in common (and no, it wasn’t the snakes) — quality connection and communication were at the heart of each one of these positions, and those are traits I look to carry through all my work.
I feel grateful for my role here at Marquette because it gives me the opportunity to connect with so many people, students and staff alike, and hear their experiences outside of myself. In my everyday work and through Staff Senate, I hope to help make this a healthier campus and to aid the message of cura personalis by listening to the needs of the staff and calling for action.
Tia Langnes
Hello! I’m Tia Langnes, an international program coordinator in the Office of International Education, and I’m excited to be running for the 2026 University Academic Senate (UAS) as a voting staff member.
I’m passionate about contributing to the success, development and recognition of Marquette’s incredible staff because I truly believe an institution’s greatest asset is its people. When staff feel supported, heard and valued, the entire university thrives.
My journey at Marquette began in September 2017 as a contracted employee, and I officially joined the university as a full-time staff member in March 2022. I’ve been working in higher education since 2005, which has given me a deep appreciation for the dedication, creativity and problem-solving staff bring to their roles every day. I hold a degree in business management and marketing from the Pennsylvania State University, and I am proud to have earned my MBA from Marquette University, giving me a unique perspective as both a longtime staff member and MU alum.
I’m running for the University Academic Senate to gain deeper insights into academic governance, collaborate with colleagues across campus, and advocate for the perspectives and contributions of staff within the shared governance structure. Problem-solving and teamwork are what energize me, and I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to help strengthen our campus community through thoughtful collaboration and shared purpose.
Thank you for your consideration. I would be honored to serve.
