The voice of staff across the UNC System
Delegates from all 17 institutions bring staff perspectives to UNC System leadership and the Board of Governors.
2006-26
Celebrating 20 years of staff advocacy
Since President Erskine B. Bowles signed its charter in 2006, the Staff Assembly has advised UNC System leadership on the issues that matter to SHRA and EHRA non-faculty employees, and recognized staff service through awards and scholarships.
Next meeting
April 1-2, 2027
University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem
Awards and scholarships
Recognizing staff service
Erskine B. Bowles Staff Service Award, Thomas W. Ross Sr. Visionary Leader Award and Janet B. Royster Memorial Staff Scholarship
Chancellors’ Cup
$65,810 raised in 2026
92 golfers and more than 100 volunteers supported the Janet B. Royster Memorial Staff Scholarship fund
One System, 17 institutions
Staff from every corner of North Carolina
From the mountains to the coast, staff organizations across the UNC System come together to support one another, including at the 2026 Chancellors’ Cup.
Purpose
Established in 2006 under UNC System President Erskine B. Bowles, the University of North Carolina System Staff Assembly is an advisory body of State Human Resources Act (SHRA, formerly SPA) and Exempt from the Human Resources Act (EHRA, formerly EPA) non-faculty employees. Its delegates represent staff at the 17 institutions of the UNC System.
History
President Erskine Bowles addressed the first meeting of the UNC Staff Assembly, October 16, 2006:
I began visiting campuses a year ago. As I met with students, faculty and staff, it never occurred to me that a Staff Assembly did not exist. I took a leap of faith in you, the staff, when I signed the Staff Assembly charter. I want you to be candid with me and tell me what you think I need to be doing. I want your advice and your support. I’m glad the Staff Assembly was modeled after the Faculty Assembly because that model works well. Having the ability to call Brenda Killingsworth (Chair of the Faculty Assembly) when I have questions is a big help to me.
I would like to underscore two points. First, the Staff Assembly is an organization that needs to deal with system-wide issues only, not problems on individual campuses. Second, this is an advisory group, not a decision-making body. I need your candid, strong, straightforward advice. With that, I can make better decisions. I will listen to your input because I want to make well informed decisions.
- Alan Porch, NC State, 2025-27
- Shayna Hill, UNC-Chapel Hill, 2023-25
- Crystal Woods, NCSSM, 2021-23
- Garrett Killian, ECU, 2019-21
- Dawn Brown, UNCW, 2017-19
- Pernell Bartlett, ECSU, 2015-17
- Susan Colby, NC State, 2013-15
- Charles Brink, UNC-Chapel Hill, 2011-13
- Kelley Eaves-Boykin, UNC Charlotte, 2008-11
- J.C. Boykin, NC State, 2006-07
- Stevan Clifton, UNC Charlotte, 2006 (interim chair)