New Staff Advisory Council Holds First Meeting

As part of the new Strategic Plan, President Ken Gormley announced the development of the Duquesne University Staff Advisory Council (DUSAC) in September to establish a forum for ideas and concerns of non-faculty employees.

The inaugural employee council, comprised of 13 University staff members representing all divisions, gathered for its first meeting on Friday, Dec. 8.

“We are excited to represent our colleagues in administrative and staff positions at the University,” said Dr. Joe DeCrosta, chair of the DUSAC and director of the Office of International Programs. “As a newly appointed group, we are just beginning to formulate our direction and priorities, but we have a number of projects that we are initiating in the next couple of months.”

Members of the DUSAC are:

  • Chair: Dr. Joe DeCrosta, director, Office of International Programs
  • Vice Chair: Rita McCaffrey, administrative assistant, Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies
  • Marlo Ayres, business and operations manager, Enrollment Management
  • Mary Beth Calorie, administrative assistant, Center for Spiritan Studies
  • Sean Flaherty, director of operations, School of Nursing
  • Anthony Kane, resident director, Office of Residence Life
  • Chase Loper, director of shared services, Department of Facilities Management
  • Bobbi Penz, manager, Office of Student Accounts
  • Mike Scerbo, assistant athletic director, Department of Athletics
  • Amy Stroyne, assistant to the dean, School of Pharmacy
  • Paula Sweitzer, director, Department of Environmental Health and Safety
  • Taylor Tobias, senior graphic and multimedia designer, Office of Marketing and Communications
  • Terri Widenhofer, financial coordinator, Department of Biological Sciences.

Currently, the group has formed a number of subcommittees that will explore creating and conducting a climate survey to assess ideas and concerns of staff members; reviewing other institutional staff council plans and procedures; conceptualizing a committee vision and mission; and creating a committee website.

The council plans to meet regularly with colleagues in the Faculty Senate and to conduct public staff meetings each semester.