Vice-President/President-Elect:
Tony Lazarowicz
Current Position: Assistant Director, College of Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center
Years with UNL: 7 years
Years with UAAD: 5 years
I’ve been a member of UAAD since I joined the College of Arts and Sciences in 2012. UAAD has provided me an opportunity to connect and grow alongside other staff on campus. While generally those involved with academic advising on campus have found their home for professional development within the Academic Advising Association, I have appreciated the opportunity to grow and connect in different ways through UAAD. Previously, I served as chair and co-chair of the Community Outreach committee and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to help coordinate opportunities to give back to the Lincoln and UNL communities. I stepped back in my involvement with UAAD this year to help start a new Young Professionals Network here at UNL and served as the president of that association in the 2016-2017 academic year.
As I transition out of the leadership role in YPN, I am looking forward to an opportunity to serve UAAD as the Vice President/President Elect. UAAD has a great opportunity to reach many managerial and professional employees across campus, and provide opportunities to grow in leadership, professional development, and networking throughout campus. If elected as vice-president, I’d make it my goal to work alongside Amy Lanham and the rest of the board and committee members to determine what we’re doing great and where we can improve. In the midst of significant budget discussions across campus, this type of association plays a crucial role for staff morale and providing affordable professional growth opportunities. I’ll look for ways to be innovative and create new ideas to attract new members, and seek ways to ensure that our organization is helping with meeting the mission and direction the President Bounds and Chancellor Green has envisioned for UNL.
Suzan Lund
Current Position: Associate Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Years with UNL: 12 years 7 months
Years with UAAD: approx. 12 years
If elected to serve as UAAD’s 2017-18 Vice President/President-Elect, my main goal will be to learn from, and support the President in her responsibilities. I’m excited to support ongoing professional development and outreach opportunities following a year of excellent offerings in both. I’m also committed to creating ways to highlight the important role of UAAD’s university-wide committee/board representatives. I believe this representation is essential during such a pivotal time for the university. There are challenges ahead, but I know this organization of talented, dedicated people will find creative and innovative ways to not only meet the challenges but encourage and support one another along the way. It would be my honor and privilege to serve UAAD in this role.
Jennifer Rutt
Current Position: Evaluation Project Manager
Years with UNL: 5 years
Years with UAAD: 5 years
Jennifer has been a member of UAAD since starting with the University in 2011. During her time with UAAD, she has served in various capacities such as co-chair of the Professional Development Committee, UAAD representative to the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women, and on the Webmaster/Social Media Committee in charge of UAAD’s social media presence for the past two years. This past year, Jennifer volunteered to assist a climate assessment of the UAAD organization by serving on a special survey committee, lending her expertise to survey methodology and data analysis.
Through Jennifer’s many outlets to serving the UNL campus and community, she was recognized in 2014 with the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Invaluable Service from Dr. Prem S. Paul in the Office of Research and Economic Development.
In addition to employment with the University, Jennifer is also pursuing a doctorate degree in Educational Studies, with a specialization in Leadership & Higher Education from the College of Education and Human Sciences. She is also an active participant in the First-Plymouth Choir and Handbell Choirs. Previous/additional boards served include: ServeNebraska Commissioner Board (volunteer); Nebraska State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW), a subgroup of the Nebraska Prevention Advisory Council (PAC); and UNL Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women.
Jenny Schnase
Current Position: Assistant Director, Project Controls Manager
Years with UNL: 7 years
Years with UAAD: 5+ years
I am honored to be nominated for Vice President/President-Elect for UAAD. I enjoy UAAD for a variety of reasons. What I value most is connecting with peers on campus and being an active part of supporting efforts to build a stronger Staff community and to enhance their collective experience going forward. I believe UAAD strives to do great things and will continue to be a positive channel of energy for the campus community. I also enjoy meeting new people on campus and learning from others. I ask for your vote and would enjoy the opportunity to serve UAAD members as Vice President/President-Elect.
Secretary:
Kacey Nelkin Pedersen
Current Position: Grants Coordinator II
Years with UNL: 3 years
Years with UAAD: 1+ years
I have enjoyed contributing to UAAD as the chair of the program committee this year and want to continue to serve on the board next year. I have been secretary for other organizations and volunteer groups I work with, and I know this is role in which I will serve the UAAD membership well.
Treasurer:
Andrea Balkus
Current Position: Grants Coordinator II
Years with UNL: 3 years
Years with UAAD: 2 years
I strongly believe in UAAD’s mission of providing leadership, networking, professional development, and growth for managerial/professional staff. I personally have benefited greatly from being a UAAD member. Co-chairing the professional development committee for the past two years has allowed me to forge great friendships and grow both professionally and personally. Being a part of the UAAD board has been a great experience and I would love to continue to serve our membership in a new capacity as treasurer.
Jennifer Hellwege
Current Position: Associate Bursar
Years with UNL: 21 years
Years with UAAD: 15 years
UAAD is a great organization that offers a place where you can network, learn from others, and grow. Its continued presence and voice will be important in the years to come. I am excited at the possibility of becoming involved with the board again and welcome the opportunity to contribute more directly to the organization. I feel my experiences on campus and accounting background will be a good fit to the position, and I would enjoy fulfilling the role of Treasurer.
Karen Wills
Current Position: UPC Program Coordinator with Student Involvement
Years with UNL: 17+ years (September 1999)
Years with UAAD: 17+ years (October 1999)
Thank you for the nomination to run for UAAD Treasurer. I have had a wonderful time learning and growing as a professional while serving as the UAAD Secretary for the past two years, previously as the UAAD Nominations Committee Chair, and as the UAAD Secretary for the two years prior to that. I have also served as a UAAD “Birds of a Feather” Moderator for Mentors and Advisors and chosen as the UAAD Member Spotlight for January 2011. As professionals, we must continue to learn just as we encourage our students to do, therefore modeling what we teach. Being Treasurer will provide me the opportunity to utilize my organizational skills, attention to detail, and accountability, as well as expand my financial knowledge from overseeing a $275K budget for the University Program Council (UPC). If elected Treasurer, I will provide accurate budgets, timely reports, and continue to assist with outreach efforts through social media for membership recruitment/retention and promotion of our motivational and educational workshops.