My name is Carolina Martinez, and I've been part of the University of San Francisco Community for ten years. Since 2013 I've enjoyed working with various teams within Information Technology Services (ITS). Whether working with students, staff, faculty or members of our Board of Trustees, I've always strived to provide the best service possible to our community. Beyond being where my partner and I work, we hope this will be the community our two sons choose to be part of when choosing a college. My interest in joining the Staff Council stems from the opportunity to learn more about how decisions account for current and future staff. I could bring a diverse perspective to the Staff Council to ensure representation to all when ushering in change. I also look forward to collaborating with other teams and departments. I would be honored to be considered part of the conversation about the future direction of university initiatives.

My name is Will Vitagliano and I am excited to be running for a Staff Council position. I have worked in the Office of the University Registrar for almost 8 years as the Associate University Registrar and Director of the Degree Audit & Graduation Center. During my time at the University, I have been fortunate to work with many offices across the entire campus community and have created strong partnerships with them, which lends itself in being able to advocate for and be a meaningful voice on the council. I currently sit on several non-profit boards across the country and have been an active leader and pioneer in those areas, and I hope to continue to bring that active voice to the USF campus community. I hope to continue to expand shared governance across campus and push for representation on various Board of Trustee committees, and other key campus committees, to bring a staff voice to vital discussions and decisions being made. Further, I hope to bring a balanced perspective to the discussion table that can provide different angles on a topic, while subsequently bringing increased understanding and education throughout the decision-making process. I do recognize that the Staff Council is new, but am excited about this opportunity because it is a chance to pave the way for future councils and the overall direction of the University of San Francisco.

Hi! My name is Luca Ameri and I work as the Studio Manage for Art + Architecture. During the 2 and half years I've worked at USF, my role has grown considerably in scale and scope. The change occurred organically without much conversation with the Department or Dean's Office or adequate change to compensation. I've since realized that this was not unique to me and is in fact fairly common amongst staff in the College of Arts and Sciences and potentially the University as a whole. 

In joining the Staff Council, I look forward to engaging with staff from across the University and find where our struggles intersect. The more we can find areas of overlap and join together in collective action, the more successful we will be in rectifying issues such as insufficient compensation, overburdening employees and understaffing. I hope to create more direct lines of communication from the administration, as well as transparent pay structure including those at the very top. 

If that's not enough, I also hope to create a stronger sense of community for all employees at USF. When I joined in September 2021, there was little to no opportunity to meet other employees outside of my department. After a few years, I've started to create bonds with other staff and faculty and would like share that opportunities with others. 

Thanks! I look forward to working with and hearing from all of you!

I have been working in ITS at USF since March 2018.  My current roles are Senior IT Business Analyst and member of the Business Automation (Laserfiche) Team.  I am a native San Franciscan and a proud USF Alumni (BS Computer Science, 1985).  Through my work roles over the past five years, I have been privileged to work with and get to know many staff members throughout our wonderful USF community.  I am unfailingly humbled when I see their dedication to the university – creating our environment that educates and uplifts our students.  I am seeking election to the Staff Council to increase visibility of our staff’s varied and valuable contributions to USF. 

Hello, my name is Kimberly Bruno and I am the Graduate Program Administrator for the PsyD program in the School of Nursing and Health Professions. I have been with the University for almost a year and a half. Prior to working at the University of San Francisco I worked for a smaller university in the East Bay where I served on the Staff Senate for a total of four years. The first two years I was the treasurer and then I served as a co-chair. From that experience I understand the importance of shared governance. Additionally, I think it’s important for my college to have representation on the Staff Council as well as relaying important information from Staff Council to my colleagues in SONHP. I have worked in higher education for over 10 years. I enjoy supporting students reach their educational goals and watching their journey as they become skilled clinicians. If elected to the Staff Council I look forward to the opportunity of getting to know staff outside of my college.

I'm very passionate about the USF Mission Statement and ensuring that my work supports that. I have a good feel for what is happening on our campus and feel strongly that I could contribute to the Staff Council to improve our community. 

My name is Pedro González, and I've been a dedicated member of the University of San Francisco community since 2015. For the past several years, I've served as a dispatcher for the University's Department of Public Safety, ensuring the safety and security of our campus. Throughout my time here, I've witnessed the importance of fostering an inclusive environment for all members of our community.

Joining the Staff Council is an opportunity for me to further contribute to the betterment of our university. One of my primary goals for the upcoming year is to advocate for better accessibility around campus for people with disabilities. I believe that every member of our community should have equal access to our facilities and resources, and I am committed to working towards achieving this goal.

I was surprised and honored when informed that I was nominated for a position to serve on USF's Staff Council.  In accepting to serve, I hope I will hold and serve with distinction and validate the nomination. 

I hope that during my time in the council, to serve as voice for student advocacy and equity.  As well as offer perspective which comes from interaction with students, their families and the larger community when they reach out to the Student Accounts / Student Financial Services.  

Greetings, my name is Corey Kowalczyke (he/they), and I am a candidate for the Staff Council. As a Program Assistant at the Career Services Center since July 2021, and a recent graduate of the B.A. in International Studies program at USF from 2016-2020. Moreover, I am currently pursuing a Master's in Organization and Leadership at the School of Education. My goal in seeking a position on the staff council is to promote shared governance and elevate the voices of our hard-working staff members who contribute to making USF a better place for our students. I believe that USF has tremendous potential for growth, and my unique perspective as a former undergraduate student, current graduate student, and full-time staff member provides valuable insights into USF's culture. In particular, I am passionate about advocating for the needs of early-career higher education professionals, supporting and empowering staff, and cultivating enthusiasm for working at USF. I am also interested in fostering a culture of confidence and connection between leadership and entry-level and mid-level staff while addressing the underlying factors that impact staff retention.

My name is Jessica (she/her/hers), and I have been an integral part of the USF community since August 2022. Serving as a Career Counselor, my primary focus is assisting undergraduate students in securing internships and navigating their transition into the professional world post-graduation. My diverse background encompasses experience across various sectors, including non-profit, tech recruiting, ed tech, and private sector work, all viewed through the lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

I hold a Master of Science in Career Counseling from SF State and possess a keen interest in job motivation and retention. Furthermore, I am passionate about empowering individuals to identify and pursue strategic career advancements while fostering a sense of community engagement. My approach involves understanding the unique motivations and strengths of each individual, thereby enabling them to thrive in their professional endeavors.

My aspiration to join the Staff Council stems from a desire to advocate for diverse opportunities for our esteemed staff members. I aim to serve as a bridge between staff and administration, facilitating communication and fostering an environment conducive to professional growth and retention, both within USF and beyond.

I'm looking forward to bridging divides between offices when it comes to culture, priorities and communication. I think an organization can achieve it's goals when there is greater communication and understanding between departments and its people. 

Hello, my name is Tina Ricafrente and I am the SEVIS Administrator and an International Student Advisor in International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). I started at USF as a temporary contract employee during COVID in October 2020 and then was hired on as a full-time staff member eleven months later. In my role at USF, I enjoy working with international students and helping them navigate their immigration status while also supporting their adjustment to the US. Additionally, I ensure our data is accurate across multiple campus platforms and that immigration data is updated timely to the government system. 

While being a representative and advocate for all staff, I would also like to be a voice for staff who have joined USF during COVID and help to create deeper connections to the USF community. Being a part of the Staff Council will allow me to move towards this goal while also engaging more as a part of our Jesuit family. It would be a wonderful opportunity to work alongside USF colleagues to build bridges of support, understanding and representation for staff across campus.
 

My name is Alexandra and I work on the clinical placement team in the School of Nursing and Health Professions. I earned my bachelor’s degree in business management from USF, left to attend graduate school at Stanford’s School of Medicine, and promptly returned to USF for employment after graduating. I feel so fortunate to stay connected to USF in different capacities over the years. 

As a member of the Staff Council, I’ll commit to collaboration, advocating for change, and ensuring that my colleagues' voices are heard.
 

Hello, my name is Daniel Tayakin. It is an honor to be nominated and I look forward to working with the USF Staff Council on addressing the interests and concerns of all staff members. My current role necessitates a high degree of cross-departmental collaboration and I am happy for the opportunity to expand that collaboration even further by joining the Staff Council.

I have worked in Strategic Enrollment Management at USF since the fall of 2021. I am also a graduate student (class of 2025) at USF’s School of Management. Being both a staff member and a student provides me a broader perspective and I’m happy to share my insights. We have a wonderful community at USF and it is a privilege to represent it. 

My name is Nicholas Ynami. I am the ITS Help Desk Student Coordinator. I started my career at USF in April 2019 as a contractor in the ITS Department. I worked as a Level II and Classroom Technology Technician, supporting the technology needs of faculty, staff, students, and alums. I then attained Full-Time employment for the same position at USF in March 2021 and then was promoted to my current position on November 2022, where I mentor and support the help desk student workers.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, I was one of the few technicians that worked on-site as an essential service to the university. During this time, my colleagues told me stories of the days when they had a sense of belonging to a greater community and the times they helped out by volunteering their time. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a lack of community involvement, which can be revitalized now that the university is starting to run at capacity with more in-person services. In the Catholic Jesuit tradition of USF, I also hope to invigorate the community to find joy in helping others less fortunate by pushing for more community service and engagement.
 

I have been fortunate enough to have had a 23 year career at USF, beginning in the ITS Help Desk for 7 years and then in Educational Technology Services for the last 16.  In the last few years, especially during the pandemic, I became acutely aware of the need for staff to feel supported and connected; I know that keeping connected with all of you I met with during remote work and the return to campus encouraged and strengthened me.  I have always envisioned myself as an agent for change on an individual level, trying to make a difference one life at a time.  With the Staff Council, I feel it is time for me to step out of my comfort zone and strive to make a difference on a larger scale, for all staff.