Chancellor's Commission on Women Confirms New Slate of Membership and Officers

The new and continuing members of the Chancellor's Commission on Women met to elect officers and determine a plan for the 2023-24 academic year. Members are nominated by the campus and appointed by the chancellor and provost. 

Michela Cupello, campus planner, Facilities Management Planning and Design, was elected chair of the commission. Martha Anderson, director of organizational development and digital services department head, University Libraries & Latinx Employee Resource Group, was elected vice chair. Parice Bowser, assistant vice chancellor for Greek Life, representing Student Affairs, was elected secretary.

Membership comprises both graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff who serve on staggered three-year appointments to ensure there's a fresh and diverse point of view represented. The group collectively decides what issues to tackle each year and relies on input from colleagues, students, and occasional surveys to gain a sense of the campus' interests and needs.

Cupello stated, "Since its establishment in 2010, the Chancellor's Commission on Women has expanded its goals and grown its activities. I joined this commission last year and contributed to restructuring the bylaws to reflect its growth. The membership has been expanded to 41 members plus the ex officio to increase access, participation, and diversity of representation. New subcommittees — internal affairs, recognition, communication, and special events — have been created to support and recognize the many contributions of women on campus."

"We continue to advocate for the interest of the entire community of women at the University of Arkansas; the agenda of this year includes initiatives about childcare, nursing mothers, sponsoring women in leadership, and connecting women of different generations. I'm honored to chair this commission during this exciting time."

The commission recognizes and thanks Alishia Ferguson, associate director of the School of Social Work, for her service as chair and Danielle Williams associate vice chancellor and executive director, Equal Opportunity, Compliance & Title IX, for her service as secretary, for the past two academic years.

The commission this year will work to set two campuswide events in the spring of 2024, in addition to the celebration of Women's History Month in March. Details about both events will be announced as plans are confirmed. Commission members actively seek campus partner organizations with similar goals to partner with on upcoming events.

The commission also will continue to recognize extraordinary women and women's advocates on the U of A campus. Nominations can be submitted from the commission's website (uawomen.uark.edu) through March 11 for this spring's recognition.

ROSTER OF MEMBERS FOR 2023-24

Officers

• Chair — Michela Cupello, campus planner, Facilities Management Planning and Design  
• Vice Chair — Martha Anderson, director of organizational development and digital services department head, University Libraries, representing Latinx Employee Resource Group 
• Secretary — Parice Bowser, assistant vice chancellor for Greek Life, representing Student Affairs

Members

• Isabel Whitehead-Adams, coordinator for Honors Program, Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences & Lavender Employee Resource Group
• Amy Allen, university archivist, University Libraries
• Lindsey Aloia, director of honors studies, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
• Michelle Childress, instructor of science education, Curriculum, and Instruction, College of Education & Health Professions & Indigenous Employee Resource Group
• Karla Cruz, graduate assistant, On-Campus Student Employment
• Alisha Ferguson, associate director, School of Social Work, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
• Taylor Gathings, president, Black Students Association
• Michelle Gray, professor and department head, Health, Human Performances & Recreation, College of Education & Health Professions
• Payton Holmes, president, National Pan-Hellenic Council
• Synetra Hughes, managing director, Dr. Barbara A. Lofton Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Walton College of Business & Black Employee Resource Group
• Er-Gene Kahng, professor, violin, researcher, and educator, Music, Fulbright College of Arts and Science 
• Kara Karstedt, executive assistant, University Information Technology Services
• Aisha Kenner, director of Title IX, Equal Opportunity, Compliance & Title IX
• Sydney Kincaid, president, National Panhellenic Council
• Suzanne Kucharczyk, interim department head, Curriculum & Instruction, College of Education & Health Professions
• Christiane Long, visiting assistant professor, School of Social Work, Fulbright College of Arts and Science
• Xong Lor, assistant director for College Project Talent Search & Asian Pacific Americans Employee Resource Group
• Skyler Ames-Patton, learning specialist, Razorback Athletics 
• Abigail Patty, admissions counselor, Honors College
• Shirin Saeidi, assistant professor of Political Science, Political Science, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
• Abigail Schmitt, assistant professor of Exercise Science, Health, Human Performances & Recreation, College of Education and Health Professions
• Melinda Ann Schroeder, instructor, Mathematical Sciences, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences & Armed Forces Employee Resource Group
• Karen Sebold, assistant professor of Political Science, Political Science, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
• Lobat Siahmakoun, instructor, Human Environmental Sciences, Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences & International Employees Resource Group
• Teresa Simpson, assistant director of recruitment, College of Engineering
• Ashley Smith, program coordinator, Global Campus 
• Myrlinda Soedjede, manager, human resources operational and fiscal projects, Human Resources
• Autumn Spicher, director of development, Honors College
• Heather Sprandel, instructor, Management, Sam M. Walton College of Business
• Amy Stringer, academic affairs coordinator, Provost Office
• Kadesha Treco, graduate assistant, Sociology & Criminology, & Disability Employee Resource Group
• Elizabeth Vega, president, United Greek Council
• Danielle Williams, associate vice chancellor and executive director, Equal Opportunity, Compliance & Title IX

Ex-Officio Members (voting members to include representation from Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, Chancellor's Office, Provost's Office, and Associated Student Government)

• Hailey Hoog, vice president, Associate Student Government
• Laura Jacobs, chief of staff, Office of the Chancellor
• Krystle Merry, secretary, Graduate and Professional Student Congress
• Samantha Robinson, Vice Chair, Mathematical Sciences, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, Faculty representative, Senate/Campus Faculty
• Anna Zajicek, vice provost for faculty development, Provost Office

The designated staff liaison to the commission is Angela Mosley-Monts, director, Belonging and Engagement, Equal Opportunity, Compliance & Title IX.

About the Chancellor's Commission on Women: Founded in 2010, the Chancellor's Commission on Women is an advisory group charged with reviewing and monitoring policies, programs, and issues to ensure that all women at the university are given the best possible opportunities for success within the institution and in their professional and college careers. Membership comprises both graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff who serve on staggered three-year appointments to ensure there's a fresh and diverse point of view represented. The group collectively decides what issues to tackle each year and relies on input from colleagues, students, and occasional surveys to gain a sense of the campus' interests and needs.