Chair-Elect Candidate: Alexandra (Alex) Fields

Biography

Alexandra (Alex) Fields is honored to serve as the Director of the Office of Student Conduct and as an adjunct instructor in the Higher Education Student Affairs program at Western Carolina University (WCU). Since joining WCU in June 2017, Fields has held various roles, beginning as an Area Coordinator and progressing to Associate Director of Residence Life. In October 2022, she was appointed Interim Director of the Office of Student Conduct, officially assuming the permanent role in March 2023.

Before her tenure at WCU, Fields worked in Student Affairs at the University of Cincinnati (2015-2017) and the University of Kentucky (2012-2015). She also served as a crisis counselor and advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in central Kentucky (2013-2015) and held administrative leadership positions at Walt Disney World Resort (2004-2010).

An ardent advocate for shared governance in higher education, Fields served as an elected delegate for the WCU Staff Senate from 2021 to 2024. During her time in the Senate, she chaired both the Staff Engagement Committee (2021-2022) and the Governance Committee (2022-2023). In 2023, she was appointed as a delegate to represent WCU on the UNC Staff Assembly, where she is currently in her second term. Fields has contributed to the Assembly as a member of the Ad Hoc Governance Committee (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024) and the Ad Hoc Committee to Review Standing Committees (Spring 2024), and she served on the host team for the June 2024 Assembly meeting at WCU. Additionally, she recently led efforts for WCU to participate as a “hole sponsor” at the Chancellor’s Cup Golf Tournament (2024).

Fields holds an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Valencia College, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Florida, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) in Clinical Social Work from the University of Kentucky.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Fields is currently a doctoral student in the Educational Leadership EdD program at UNC Wilmington, with an anticipated graduation in Fall 2025. Her academic interests include sense of belonging, appreciative inquiry, and student conduct and learning. She is also the 3rd Anti-Basileus (Vice President) of the Gamma Upsilon Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and serves as an advisor to the Upsilon Zeta chapter at WCU.

Fields resides in Franklin, NC, with her partner, Travis, and their spirited (and stubborn) cat.

Interest Statement

It is a privilege to be nominated for the role of Chair-Elect of the UNC Staff Assembly. I strongly identify with the principles of servant leadership and view this opportunity as a means to support my fellow staff members across the UNC System while giving back for the invaluable experiences I have received as a staff member.

I am enthusiastic about the prospect of serving on the Executive Committee and leading the Assembly, where I aim to enhance our capacity to listen, engage, and advocate for those we represent. My experiences in the Staff Senate and within my sorority have equipped me with a solid understanding of Robert’s Rules of Order, organizational governance, event planning, and philanthropy. As a compassionate and empathetic leader, I am committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Additionally, I excel in administration, demonstrating strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities with integrity, dedication, and resilience.

If elected, I will focus on advancing the Assembly through collaboration, service, and commitment. My experience on the Ad-Hoc Governance Committee has equipped me with valuable insights into the Assembly’s bylaws and mission, as well as the potential opportunities for improvement. I want to acknowledge the important and valuable work that our current and past leadership have accomplished. Their efforts have laid a strong foundation for the Assembly, but there remains much to achieve. With fresh perspectives and renewed energy, we can build upon this legacy and effectively tackle the challenges that lie ahead. I firmly believe that leadership thrives on constructive dialogue and healthy challenge. I have consistently demonstrated my ability to provide thoughtful feedback to leadership, fostering an environment where a variety of perspectives are encouraged. This collaborative approach will not only enhance decision-making processes but also drive innovation and growth within the Assembly.

Thank you for taking the time to consider me for this role.

In Service,

Alex

Alexandra M. Fields, MSW
Western Carolina University

Chair-Elect Candidate: Alan Porch

Having the chance to serve as Chair Elect for Staff Assembly is an opportunity that I take seriously and with significant understanding of what is required of the position, should you choose me. Let me say again, I really hope to serve you as Chair Elect and Chair.

I joined the NC State staff senate to make a difference for all the staff at NC State. I ran for chair because I know we can do more together. Policy continues to change, competition for skilled workers continues to be fierce, and we are still losing good employees every day. We don’t do enough to recognize and reward achievements of our staff and we don’t do enough to create opportunities for career paths and paths for success for the employees that do stay. The benefits that used to make working for the state attractive are slowly disappearing. The landscapes we have to navigate continue to become more complex and we have staff who do not feel appreciated and don’t feel heard or part of our communities. Our staff are critical to the success of our campuses and they deserve more.

What continues to stand out is that we do more together. We do more when we work with others on our campuses, in assembly, and in our communities. I want to work harder to bring us together. When we build stronger relationships, we have the opportunity to amplify our voices and make real change happen, together as a community.
What became a motto for my year as chair at NC State-”Be the community we want to be, build the community we want to see for a better NC State…” is a part of the thought and something we’ve been able to do at NC State. We have built stronger relationships with our Student Government and Faculty Senates and are continuing to find ways to move forward in any situation, together. That “motto:” is something I can see us doing in Staff Assembly every time we meet. It is something we can work harder and more collaboratively to continue to achieve results that benefit our staff across the UNC system. We can and should model the change and we can do that best together- What I hope to accomplish is a stronger relationship with our faculty and staff counterparts. What I will continue is an ability to build on a solid foundation with our bylaws and procedures to make what we do as an Assembly and how we do it more clear and more easily understandable and accessible to our delegates. What I hope to see is a better place for all of our system employees to work. It’s not easy work, but none of us are here for easy work. We all work more than we should, doing what we can to make our institutions, and really all of our system institutions, a better place we want to be and stay. I want to bring us together, and continue to work to make our schools and our system a better place for staff.

Staff Assembly has done a tremendous job of bringing more benefits to all university employees. Our voices together can do more and create opportunities for all. I want to help bring those voices and opportunities together for every system employee.I hope you will consider voting for me for Chair Elect.

Chair-Elect Candidate: Brian Wayne

Hailing from a small-town Kinston, NC, I knew that there was better out there for me. Raised by a single mother, whose life calling was to be an educator, I sometimes had no choice but to excel, and excel I did. After completion of high school in 2008, I left Kinston with the intention of attending North Carolina Central University. That was until I attended the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) summer bridge program at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) and learned of their aviation science program. I was instantly hooked and made what I believe was one of the best decisions ever, to attend ECSU. Four years later, I graduated and began a career in law enforcement on the state and county levels. Knowing that education beyond a bachelor’s degree was necessary to progress in any field, I enrolled at Grantham University (now University of Arkansas at Grantham) and completed my Master of Science in Information Technology degree in 2021. In December of 2021, I began my current role as the Graduate Programs Recruiter “back home” at my alma mater, ECSU. In any position that I’ve had, my number one goal is to make a positive impact in someone’s life. As an employee, I am reliable and resourceful. During my time at ECSU, I have put my best effort forward to showcase my extreme work ethic and dedication. I’ve always put a premium on initiative and willingness to learn among my colleagues, and I never failed to deliver on both fronts. If elected Chair-Elect, I will continue to serve those that I will have a direct and indirect impact on. For it is not about me, but what I can do for others.

Delegate At Large Candidate: Nikki Cofield

Bio:

I have been employed with NC State University for the past 16 years, where I have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles, including Administrative Support Associate, Administrative Support Specialist, Executive Assistant, Accountant, and Program Manager. In my current role as Executive Assistant in the Faculty Senate Office, I provide administrative and strategic support to the Faculty Senate, contributing to the university’s governance and advocacy efforts.

Beyond my role at NC State, I have been actively involved in initiatives that promote inclusivity and staff engagement. I proudly chaired the African American Faculty & Staff Organization, advocating for diversity and fostering a sense of community on campus. I have also served as a Staff Senator for multiple terms, during which I chaired the Public Relations Committee (now the Communications Committee), furthering the connection between staff and key stakeholders.

Additionally, I have been deeply involved with the State Employees’ Association of North Carolina (SEANC), where I served as Vice Chair of District 39. I am currently the Membership Chair for District 39, helping to grow and engage our membership base.
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Interest Statement:

I am deeply committed to the well-being and success of staff across the UNC System, and I believe my experience at NC State University and my involvement with SEANC has provided me with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities we face. As a long-time staff member, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of policies on staff morale, engagement, and professional development. I am passionate about creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all employees and ensuring that staff voices are heard and respected at every level.

As a Delegate-at-large, I would bring my experience in leadership, advocacy, and communication to the UNC Staff Assembly, with the goal of fostering collaboration and driving meaningful change that benefits all staff across the system. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance the workplace experience for staff and help build a stronger, more united community.

Delegate At Large Candidate: Keith Hines

My name is Keith Hines, and currently a Marketing Manager for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Development Office. I am the vice chair of UNC’s Employee Forum and have been a member of Staff Assembly for five years. I have a degrees from Chapel Hill and North Carolina Central, and currently working toward another at UNCW. I am fully invested in the benefit and well-being of the UNC System and its staff. I am a firm believer that the only things in life worth doing are the things you are willing to do with your whole heart, and that is what I have tried to do with Staff Assembly, put my whole heart into. For me, that is the bare minimum. If I am not going to give it my all, then why waste my time. I am here to be fully committed.

Delegate At Large Candidate: Katie Musgrove

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Katie Musgrove and I work at UNC Chapel Hill School of Law. I’ve been serving on the Employee Forum, UNC Chapel Hill’s staff senate, since 2015, serving as chair of their Community Service Committee during my first three years and subsequently stepping into the Forum’s Vice Chair role for an additional three years before becoming Chair of the Employee Forum in 2021. I have really enjoyed serving as a delegate of the UNC System Staff Assembly during my time as Chair of the Employee Forum. I am due to roll off as Chair of our staff senate next June, serving four years in that role and thus on the Staff Assembly. I would love to continue serving in on the Staff Assembly, but would only have the ability to do so as Delegate-at-Large given UNC Chapel Hill’s Staff Assembly delegate election process. Shayna and I make a great team and I hope to continue supporting her as Chair of this body however I can. Our advocacy efforts on behalf of UNC System staff are more important now than ever before and I take that responsibility very seriously. I think our body is uniquely capable of supporting staff while maintaining a strong relationship and line of communication with UNC System Office administration. I think with some strategic changes and improvements to this body like meeting more regularly remotely and engaging delegates through committee work, we could be much more powerful in advocating for and constructively addressing the concerns of UNC System employees as an advisory body to President Hans and the UNC System Office. In the last year, I’ve particularly heard several Staff Assembly needs enumerated that I would love to continue working on: 1) providing our voice and feedback regarding potential UNC System Office policy changes prior to their enactment, 2) continued evaluation of our governance, including our bylaws and meeting cadence, 3) advocacy around improvements to UNC System employee benefits and leave given the continued erosion of the benefits package afforded to North Carolina state employees. I hope that you will put your trust in me to serve as a Staff Assembly Delegate-at-Large and Executive Committee member leading our body forward with Shayna at the helm. I just want to take a moment to thank her for all of her guidance and mentorship over the years. Her “leads with heart” mantra has served all of us so well and I am so appreciative of her and all of her hard work and dedication to the UNC System and the university employees at its heart. Thank you!

Delegate At Large Candidate: Roni Stearns

Roni D. Stearns is a proud FSU Bronco bringing a wealth of experience and dedication including 14 years of distinguished service in higher education. She currently serves as the HR Consultant for Training & Professional Development at Fayetteville State University. Her service at FSU is marked by a decade of active membership in the FSU Staff Senate, where she has diligently served most of those years as Secretary on the Executive Committee and now leads as President with her husband, Jermaine L. Stearns, who serves as Vice President.

Roni’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Fayetteville State University, a Graduate Certificate in Communication & Human Services from Liberty University, and a Master of Science in Human Resources from Western Carolina University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership-Higher Education from Fayetteville State University. Her robust educational background complements her professional expertise, giving her unique insights into staff advocacy and workplace dynamics.

Beyond her professional achievements, she is a passionate servant leader who is deeply committed to creating a harmonious and thriving work environment for staff. As a dedicated mother of three children and two fur babies, she understands the importance of balance, empathy, and leadership in both personal and professional spheres.

Roni’s track record of servant leadership, advocacy for staff well-being, and commitment to professional development uniquely position her to effectively serve as a Delegate At-Large. She looks forward to helping steer the UNC Staff Assembly toward continued success and supporting the well-being of staff across the university system.

Delegate At Large Candidate: Zachary VanHekken

Zach VanHekken serves as the Donor Engagement and Experience Officer for the College of Natural Resources at NC State University. In this role, he creates events that highlight the impact of philanthropy, builds partnerships across the university to strengthen donor engagement, and supports the team’s data and relationship management systems.

Zach is a proud NC State graduate with degrees in Science Education and Chemistry and was a Park Scholar. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration part-time.

As a candidate for the Delegate-at-Large position, Zach aims to represent and advocate for staff across all UNC system institutions, ensuring that diverse voices and ideas are heard and valued. He also seeks to foster connections among staff from different campuses to promote collaboration, share best practices, and identify new opportunities.

The UNC System has given Zach more than just an education—it has provided lifelong friendships, his partner, and a career with purpose. He is passionate about giving back to the system that has shaped his life by supporting its continued growth and success.

Delegate At Large Candidate: Carla Wilson

Carla Wilson hails from Duplin County on the east coast of North Carolina. She embarked on her academic journey by earning degrees from Western Carolina University and Appalachian State University, both nestled in the scenic western region of the state. Carla’s dedication to higher education took root with her eight plus years of service to Western Carolina University and continue to grow as she moved closer to the heart of NC to give nearly two years of service to Winston-Salem State University.

After a brief hiatus from the UNC System, Carla returned in 2017, joining UNC Greensboro, where she has been an active and dedicated member of the university community. Since 2019, she has served on the UNCG Staff Senate, initially contributing as a senator on the Information Resources Committee and later stepping into the role of co-chair. As co-chair, Carla has championed initiatives focused on upskilling and reskilling staff, emphasizing the importance of continuous professional development to enhance the capabilities and knowledge of staff members across campus.

I am eager to continue my service to the UNC System as an At-large delegate on the Staff Assembly. My journey through various roles within the UNC institutions has provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that staff members face. I am passionate about fostering an environment where staff are empowered to grow both personally and professionally, and I believe that my experience on the UNCG Staff Senate has equipped me with the skills and insight needed to effectively contribute to the Staff Assembly.

Technology Officer Candidate: Matt Horvat

Having served in multiple capacities with Staff Assembly, it would be my pleasure to continue on as Technology Officer, having previously served as Secretary and Delegate At-Large. I bring to the role a wealth of institutional history and enough knowledge of WordPress to keep the Staff Assembly website from imploding (most of the time).

I am a product of the UNC System through-and-through, holding degrees from UNC – Chapel Hill (BS in Business Administration), UNC School of the Arts (MFA in Performing Arts Management), UNC Pembroke (MBA) and UNC Greensboro (MS in Accounting with a concentration in Financial Reporting and Assurance. I’ve been a staff member of UNC School of the Arts for over a decade, working in Advancement, Financial Services and Student Accounts.

I’m constantly impressed with what this body accomplishes and hope to continue on in service to those aims.