At-Large Delegate Candidate: Pearl Brown-Muhammad

Dear Staff Assembly,

My name is Pearl Brown-Muhammad. I have served on the UNC Charlotte Staff Council for 10 years and had the privilege of serving as the Delegate for my university this past year. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the UNC Staff Assembly during this time.

Having worked at UNC Charlotte for 24 years, I truly enjoy representing our university on the state level and helping to make the UNC system better for all of us. I would love to continue my work with the Staff Assembly to help implement policies and procedures that support our staff in growing and thriving, especially in today’s wavering economy. I look forward to the opportunity to serve not just my campus with new and exciting ideas, but the entire UNC system.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

Pearl Brown-Muhammad

At-Large Delegate Candidate: M. Gordon Byrd

I am M. Gordon Byrd, Chair of UNC Pembroke, and I am seeking your vote for Delegate at-large to the UNC Staff Assembly. Having worked at UNCP since 2013, I understand how much our universities depend on knowledgeable, dedicated staff and why staff need a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their work.

As UNCP’s Staff Senate Chair, I rewrote our constitution to reflect our current operations and provide a clear foundation for our work. My experience in staff governance also includes service as parliamentarian, vice chair, and acting chair of UNCP’s Staff Council back in 2015-2017. These roles have taught me the importance of listening carefully, understanding procedures, and following through on colleagues’ concerns.

In my position as University Program Specialist in the Office of General Counsel, I work across campus on policy development, budgeting, compliance, and risk management. This work requires collaboration among people with different responsibilities and perspectives, along with the ability to translate complex issues into practical solutions. I also hold a PhD in Rhetoric, Writing, and Professional Communication from East Carolina University and previously served as a U.S. Army sergeant and intelligence analyst.

I believe effective representation requires both collaboration and independent judgment. I work to find common ground, ask thoughtful questions, and form my own conclusions. As Delegate at-large, I would bring that approach to representing staff across the UNC System, learning from fellow delegates, and helping turn shared concerns into constructive action. I would appreciate your vote.

At-Large Delegate Candidate: Kate Hayes-Elingburg

My name is Kate Hayes-Elingburg and I’m excited to run for a position as At-Large Delegate with Staff Assembly. I have worked for 2 years at UNC Asheville as a Budget Analyst, and I previously worked in local government. I’m a North Carolina native and I’m passionate about our state. In my free time, you can find me doing something outside with my dogs. I’m a product of our UNC system having attended UNC Asheville and Appalachian State. Although I’ve only worked for the UNC system for a few years, I would bring a love of learning to this position as well as a willingness to ask the hard questions. As a Budget Analyst, I’m privileged to learn about all our sister institutions and how each of our priorities come together to inform the System Office requests to the General Assembly. I would be willing to advocate for any unheard voices throughout our system as an At-Large delegate to ensure any decisions are made with as many voices considered as possible. Our Provost at UNCA leads with a “bias to action” and I would approach my term in a similar manner to move priorities forward and projects across the finish line. I believe that the best work happens when more voices are at the table, it would be my privilege to be a voice for the staff across our system. Thank you for considering me for an At-Large Delegate with Staff Assembly.

At-Large Delegate Candidate: Nathan Hodge

I am a proud UNCW alumnus, and I have had the privilege of working at UNCW since graduating in 2008. Over the years, I have become increasingly passionate about serving and representing the staff who make our universities successful. That is what led me to become involved with the UNCW Staff Senate and the UNC Staff Assembly. I believe strongly that staff deserve a voice—not just at our individual campuses, but across the entire UNC System.
My connection to the UNC System also extends well beyond UNCW. I have family members who have attended Appalachian State University, and my niece is currently a freshman at Western Carolina University. I attended NC State University while earning my AOMP certification in law enforcement, and throughout my career I have had the opportunity to work with and support numerous UNC System institutions.
I have assisted UNC Chapel Hill during the Silent Sam protests, supported UNC Asheville following Hurricane Helene, worked with NC A&T during Vice President Harris’s visit, and worked with many other universities over the years.
Those experiences have taught me something that I believe is incredibly important: regardless of which university we represent, the staff are the people who make our universities function.
We may wear different colors. We may work in different buildings, serve different communities, and have different responsibilities. But at the end of the day, we are all part of the same UNC System, and we share many of the same challenges, concerns, and goals.
That is why I am interested in serving as an At-Large-Delegate.
I want to help identify the issues that unite us and make sure those concerns are brought forward and heard. I want to be a voice for staff across the System and help ensure that the needs, experiences, and perspectives of the people doing the work every day remain at the forefront of the conversations that affect us.
Most importantly, I want to make sure that when decisions are made at the System level, no one can say, “We didn’t know that was a concern for our staff.”

At-Large Delegate Candidate: Mario Lewis

Greetings My name is Mario Lewis and I have been in employed within the UNC System in one capacity or another for over 25 years. In those 25 years I have worked as a student employee, Temporary Employee and now serve as a Permanent full-time employee. During that span of time, I have seen a lot of changes. I have also seen what brought about some of those changes that weren’t the product of new personnel/leadership. It was the voice of those who wanted to see the change. I matured from a quick to speak slower to think youth to a matured orator with the wisdom and knowledge to know that the change I want to see starts with me. We all have a desire to be heard. The smallest concern could bring about the greatest change if only it were heard by the proper ears. Since joining the Staff Senate at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University I have gotten the opportunity to be the voice of many and bring their concerns and hopes of change to audiences that could best provide those changes. I ask for your vote of confidence to allow me to do the same for you as one of your At-Large delegates. Always approachable and personable I have never shy’ed away from any subject nor not spoken up when something must be said. Please allow me to continue to do so on your behalf. Thank you for your time and consideration.

At-Large Delegate Candidate: Tenille Naumann

My name is Tenille Naumann, and I am the Business Officer in the Office of External Affairs, Partnerships, and Economic Development (EAPED) at NC State University. I have been a Wolfpack staff member for over 24 years in various roles over the years. I also currently serve as the Vice Chair of the NCSU Staff Senate for the past two years. I have been an active member of Staff Senate since 2012, serving in many other rules such as Vice Chair, Parliamentarian, and Chair of several committees throughout my tenure as a NC State Staff Senator. I hope our constituents know me as a reliable resource when staff-related concerns arise.

I am honored to be a nominee for the At-Large Delegate position for the UNC System Staff Assembly. Community outreach and volunteerism are at the heart of why I strive to be involved and a helping hand. Great things don’t happen until passionate people get involved. I truly believe that and it has become my life anthem. This group of leaders is a perfect example. I would love to join this amazing group of leaders doing impactful work all across this state.

Outside of work, I volunteer my time as the League Cheer and Dance Coordinator for the Piedmont Region of North Carolina for Pop Warner Little Scholars. I have coached for over 24 years with Cleveland Pop Warner and decided this past year it was time to move up and help in a different way. This year I have the privilege to host my first competition locally and I am so excited to see those kids light up with pride and excitement for what they have accomplished this season. I also spend a lot of time dedicated to my church volunteering as a greeter and most importantly on the Kids Leadership Ministry team, impacting young loves through the love of Jesus and the gospel. It brings so much joy to witness a child’s love for Jesus come to life and mature as they get older.

With gratitude and in your service!

At-Large Delegate Candidate: Penelope Smith

Penelope “Penny” Smith is a dedicated Human Resources professional from Greensboro, North Carolina, who has proudly served at North Carolina A&T for 25 years. Throughout her career, Penny has been passionate about helping others grow, develop, and reach their full potential.

One of Penny’s greatest strengths is her ability to train, encourage, and support others. She has a genuine passion for people and is known for being an empathetic and compassionate listening ear. Her fun-loving personality and natural ability to bring people together have allowed her to build meaningful relationships both professionally and personally.

Penny is also deeply passionate about service and employee engagement. She has dedicated her time and talents to the North Carolina A&T Staff Senate and the UNC Staff Assembly, where she has had the opportunity to contribute to the university community and support the interests and experiences of staff. Her involvement reflects her belief in the importance of listening to others, building connections, and creating opportunities for people to feel valued and heard.

Penny’s dedication and excellence in service were recognized when she received the University’s Going the Extra Mile Award of Excellence, an honor that reflects her commitment to going above and beyond in service to others and to the university community.

Beyond her professional and service commitments, Penny has a love for singing and has received awards recognizing her talent. Music is one of the ways she expresses her joy and connects with others.

Whether she is training a colleague, encouraging someone through a challenge, serving her university community, listening to a friend, or bringing people together, Penny is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of those around her. Her career, service, and personal life are a reflection of her heart for people and her desire to encourage others, build meaningful connections, and bring joy wherever she goes.

At-Large Delegate Candidate: Annetta Streater

Hi Everyone!

I’m excited to share my candidacy for Member At Large on the Staff Assembly. Over the past 18 months serving as an Alternate Delegate—representing UNC-CH at our system meetings at UNC Greensboro and Fayetteville State University—my favorite part of the work has been sitting down with staff across different campuses, listening to your experiences, and learning what you need to thrive.

A Bit About My Journey in Staff Governance
I’ve been actively involved with the UNC-CH Employee Forum since 2022, currently serving as Vice-Chair and previously as Treasurer.

• Delegate of the Year (2025): I was deeply honored to receive the Kay Wijnberg Hovious award for my work with our community garden, Habitat for Humanity build projects, blood drives, and direct personnel advocacy.

• Community Building: I’m currently co-leading our local volunteers for this year’s Chancellor’s Cup.

What I Bring to the Table
At the Adams School of Dentistry, where I’ve been since 2013, I serve as Director of Patient Relations and Risk Manager. My background spans clinical dental hygiene, teaching, community outreach, and state board examining. Day to day, my work is all about listening when things go wrong, finding fair solutions, navigating complex rules, and advocating for people. I want to bring that same hands-on problem-solving to system-wide policy for our staff.

I’m a proud UNC-Chapel Hill Tar Heel (B.S. and M.S.) and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. When I’m off the clock, you can usually find me traveling, watching a good murder mystery show, listening to jazz, or spending time with family.

What I’m Standing For
If elected as Member At Large, I’m committed to pushing for:

• Real Career Growth: Ensuring professional development opportunities are accessible and equitable for staff on every campus.

• Work/Life Balance & Safe Workplaces: Championing policies that protect your time, well-being, and workplace safety.

• Open Lines of Communication: Keeping you in the loop on system policy changes before they happen, and ensuring your voices directly shape those decisions.

Thank you so much for your consideration and vote. I look forward to supporting all of you on the Assembly!

At-Large Delegate Candidate: Samantha Williams

Biography:
Samantha Williams serves as a Department Administrator in the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University, where she provides exceptional administrative support and fosters positive working relationships across the university community. In her role, she works closely with faculty, staff, and students to help ensure efficient operations and responsive service.

Samantha is passionate about employee engagement, professional development, and creating opportunities for staff voices to be heard. She values collaboration, transparency, and building connections that strengthen the workplace experience for all employees. Through her work, she has developed strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills that enable her to effectively support teams and contribute to institutional success. Samantha has been active with AppState’s Staff Senate since 2017, serving as Secretary, UNC Staff Assembly Delegate, Chair for two terms, and now as past Chair.

As a candidate for UNC Staff Assembly Delegate At-Large, Samantha is committed to representing staff members’ diverse perspectives, promoting meaningful dialogue, and advocating for initiatives that enhance the employee experience across the UNC System.

Interest Statement:
I am interested in serving as a UNC Staff Assembly Delegate At-Large because I believe staff members play a key role in advancing our System’s mission and success. Serving in this position would give me the opportunity to represent my colleagues, listen to their concerns and ideas, and help ensure staff perspectives are included in discussions that impact our workplace and university community.

My experience as our Staff Senate Chair has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and manage responsibilities with professionalism and attention to detail. I am eager to actively participate in Staff Assembly meetings, serve on committees, and stay informed about issues affecting staff across the UNC System. I welcome the opportunity to contribute my skills, learn from fellow delegates, and work collaboratively to support initiatives that foster engagement, professional growth, and a positive work environment for all staff members.

I am committed to being an engaged and reliable representative who will advocate for staff interests, share information transparently, and help strengthen connections between Staff Assembly, the employees it serves, and our system partners.

Chair-Elect Candidate: Melissa Duffield

My name is Melissa Duffield, and I am the current Staff Senate Chair at UNC Wilmington. I’ve been with the university for nearly 10 years. Before that, I was enlisted in the Navy, and my last duty station was Camp Lejeune. I was a boat tactics and weapons instructor and never, after 3 duty stations, 4 deployments, and several trips around the world, did I think higher education was in my future. When I got out of the military in 2009, I moved to Fayetteville where I finished my undergraduate degree at Methodist University receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Fine Arts Management. After graduation, I joined the university’s Office of Advancement and thus began my higher education journey. I spent two years at MU where I served as the liaison to the Board of Visitors and was responsible for the annual BOV Golf and Tennis Tournament. But it wasn’t long until I was drawn back to the beach and, ultimately, UNCW.

I began my career at UNCW as the Executive Assistant to the Registrar in 2016. While I’ve remained in the Office of the Registrar the entire time, I have changed roles more than once and am now the functional administrator of the university’s curriculum management software. I had a bit of a slow start getting involved on campus – I didn’t volunteer or participate in many events on campus until I joined Staff Senate in 2024. As a brand-new senator, I chaired our Faculty Senate committee and co-chaired our Orientation committee. Within months of serving on Senate, I knew I could serve in more ways, so I ran for chair-elect/chair before the end of my first year.

Serving on Staff Assembly has provided me with meaningful opportunities to contribute to the broader success of staff at all UNC System universities. I see Staff Assembly as a chance to extend my impact beyond my current responsibilities and serve in a larger capacity. I’ve been able to represent my peers and own university through collaboration and discussions that will lead to positive organizational changes. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to advocate for meaning change while continuing to grow as a leader and strengthen connections across the UNC System

Chair-Elect Candidate: Timothy Sampson

Bio:
Timothy Sampson serves as the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UNC Pembroke, bringing 16 years of experience in the financial aid profession. A proud UNC Pembroke alumnus, Tim finds the greatest satisfaction in his work by seeing the success of the students his department has helped support and empower throughout their educational journey.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Tim is actively engaged in shared governance and staff advocacy. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the UNC Staff Assembly and has previously served as Chair and Past Chair of the UNC Pembroke Staff Senate. Through these leadership roles, he has worked to strengthen communication, collaboration, and professional development opportunities for staff across both the university and the UNC System.

Tim resides in Pembroke, North Carolina, with his wife, Troaria, who also works at UNC Pembroke, and their three children, Ethan, Zariah, and Kyndall. In recognition of his commitment to service and leadership, he was honored with the UNC System’s prestigious Erskine Bowles Staff Service Award. His passion for higher education, student success, and staff advocacy continues to drive his efforts to advance the mission of UNC Pembroke and the UNC System.

Interest Statement:
I am interested in serving as Chair of the UNC Staff Assembly because I am passionate about advocating for staff across the UNC System and ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels of leadership. Serving as the current Vice Chair has provided me with valuable experience and a deeper understanding of the issues affecting staff throughout our campuses.

Over the past year, I have enjoyed meeting one-on-one with Staff Senate and Staff Council chairs, visiting campuses, and serving as a resource and listening ear for staff leaders. These conversations have helped identify common challenges and opportunities across the system, allowing the Staff Assembly to better address issues that impact staff statewide. I am also currently serving on the Flexible Work Arrangements Work Group, where I have collaborated with colleagues from across the system to explore solutions that support employee success and institutional effectiveness.

The role of Chair is important to me because it provides an opportunity to further amplify the voices of our staff while strengthening relationships with Chancellors, Chiefs of Staff, the UNC System Office, and the Board of Governors. I believe effective advocacy requires collaboration, communication, and a willingness to engage with stakeholders at all levels. If selected as Chair, I will continue to build upon the relationships established during my time as Vice Chair, promote the sharing of best practices across campuses, and champion initiatives that enhance the staff experience throughout the UNC System.

My goal is to ensure that staff perspectives are represented in meaningful discussions and that the Staff Assembly remains a strong, respected partner in advancing the mission and success of every institution within the UNC System.

Chair-Elect Candidate: Janice Sitzes

My name is Janice Sitzes, and I am honored to be a candidate for Chair-Elect of the UNC System Staff Assembly. I have proudly served at NC State University for more than 23 years and was an active member of the Staff Assembly from 2018-2025. My Staff Assembly service began as a delegate representing NC State—during which I held the roles of chair-elect, chair, and past chair of the NC State Staff Senate—and continued through two consecutive terms as Staff Assembly secretary. During my time with Staff Assembly, I contributed to a range of committees and had the privilege of directing the 2022 Chancellors’ Cup Golf Tournament.
My passion for service is rooted in a deep commitment to giving back to my communities and creating positive, inclusive experiences for everyone. I believe strongly in creating opportunities for all staff to feel seen, valued, and heard, with particular attention to populations that have historically been underrepresented or may not always have a voice in campus conversations, including Extension, Housekeeping, and women.
With more than two decades as a state employee, I have witnessed significant change as well as persistent challenges across our institutions. I also experienced firsthand unprecedented circumstances brought about by COVID-19 while serving as NC State Staff Senate chair in 2019-2020. Today, staff continue to face significant levels of stress and uncertainty. As Chair-Elect, I will collaborate closely with the Executive Committee, campus chairs, the full Assembly, and the System Office to identify opportunities for meaningful change that benefits staff across the UNC System. And for those things over which we have limited or no control, we can focus on reducing pain points, strengthening support, and creating a more rewarding workplace for every state employee.
I am especially committed to strengthening collaboration among the staff, faculty, and student assemblies. By building on these existing partnerships, we can ensure that the collective voice of the UNC System community is heard and respected. My goal is to not only represent staff, but to advocate for them.
I believe my strengths in communication, organization, and relationship-building, combined with my professional experiences and my EdD in higher education administration—which I earned while working full-time and using tuition waivers—have prepared me to serve effectively in this role. I would be honored to bring my experience, energy, and commitment to the position of Chair-Elect and to advocate for staff across the UNC System.
Thank you for considering my candidacy.

Technology Officer Candidate: Charles Hall

Charles Hall is the current Director of Departmental Communications for the College of Engineering at NC State University, with a mission to translate engineering into words, images, and engaging content that accelerates the next generation of innovators.

He has previously operated in communication roles at Vanier College, Montreal, and served as Deputy Director of Leaders International in Washington, DC, working to provide leadership training and opportunities with high school students around the world.

He is a Staff Senate Past-Chair representing the over-7,100 staff at NC State, after serving as the Chair of the Communications Committee. He is also the past co-chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association’s (ECEDHA) Communicators Working Group. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the 9.11 Promise Foundation, enabling scholarships to children of first responders and service members.

***

My professional role is heavily focused on operationalizing communications processes and teams, ensuring that we’re effective, human and outcome oriented, as well as ensuring that we are authentic in how we share stories and celebrate success.

As technology officer for the Staff Assembly, I would love to continue our legacy of seamless meeting operations and to work with partners in the System Office to broaden the Staff Assembly’s digital presence. The accomplishments of this body are considerable, and the effort its members, past and present, have put into it is incredible. Yet we remain one of the best-kept secrets on our campuses. We have the opportunity to go beyond our state motto, “To be rather than to seem,” which we already embody, and to celebrate and broadcast what we already are.

Technology Officer Candidate: Erin McKinney

Erin is an IT Analyst/Programmer supporting Business Systems at Appalachian State University, where she focuses on improving staff‑facing processes through clear, accessible, and user‑centered technology. Her work supports essential campus operations by helping employees navigate complex workflows with greater confidence and less administrative burden. Through collaboration with HR, Payroll, ITS, and other administrative units, she has developed a broad understanding of how staff experience is shaped by the systems that connect campus communities.

Erin’s commitment to staff advocacy is reflected in her service across both campus and systemwide governance. She spent two years as a delegate to the UNC Staff Assembly, where she gained a deep appreciation for the shared mission that unites all 17 institutions. She now serves as Secretary of the App State Staff Senate Executive Team and the chair of the events committee, helping lead communication efforts, staff‑focused programming, and initiatives that strengthen connection and community. Erin brings a service‑driven approach to her work, grounded in the belief that well‑designed tools and strong communication empower staff to do their best work.

To the UNC Staff Assembly Delegation,
I’m honored to be nominated as Technology Officer and excited for the chance to support the UNC System in a new way. In both my work and my governance experience, I’ve seen how much reliable, intuitive, and accessible technology can shape staff success. When tools work well, communication improves, frustration drops, and people can focus on the work that really matters.

My two years as a UNC Staff Assembly delegate gave me a systemwide view of the challenges and opportunities staff face across all campuses. That experience made it clear how important connection, consistency, and transparency are to shared governance — and how much user‑friendly technology helps make those things possible. That experience shapes my approach to fulfilling the duties of Technology Officer.

In my current role as Secretary of the App State Staff Senate Executive Team, I work closely with colleagues to support staff‑centered initiatives, strengthen communication, and tackle challenges together. Blending technical experience with hands‑on governance work has prepared me to contribute meaningfully to the Assembly’s technology priorities and help move its mission forward.
If elected as Technology Officer, I’d bring a user‑centered mindset, clear communication, and a commitment to maintaining and building tools that are sustainable, intuitive, and genuinely helpful for our campuses. I’m excited about the possibility of supporting systemwide initiatives and helping ensure the Assembly’s digital infrastructure continues to elevate staff voices and strengthen collaboration.

Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Erin

Technology Officer Candidate: Lisa Sellers

I am pleased and grateful to run for Staff Assembly Technology Officer.

I have worked at UNC Asheville for a total of 15 years, with 12 of those years working as the Faculty Senate Program Associate. I did many IT tasks including staging their public monthly meetings in person and virtually using Zoom. I also made arrangements and escorted UNCA Faculty Assembly Officers to their meetings downstate setting up means to communicate via google docs so I could pull our institution’s of the moment research as the meeting required.

Currently the past three years, I have worked as their Program Associate for both the Honors and Undergraduate & Creative Activity Programs where I help the directors setup a campuswide research symposium each semester, oversee Honors academic lectures/presentations/classes/social events, update website changes, post on social media, create Canva animated slideshows, create excel/google sheets financials, and other various deliverables across a broad spectrum of software, hardware and network/device systems configurations. I was elected to the UNCA Staff Council and appointed to its Executive Committee and Staff Assembly delegate as well as served as an At-Large Delegate on the Executive Committee. I also have had fun teaching robotics and robotic programming to K-12 children at camps and special Saturday sessions for 8 years.

I am also an alum of UNC Asheville graduating in 2003 summa cum laude with a University Research Scholar Distinction and received the Tackett Award for Outstanding Computer Science Graduate. As a student, I served on SGA and ASG.

Thus, I am familiar with my campus, many other UNC System campuses as well as the UNC System Office.

In the private sector, I worked nine years in banking that is known for cutting edge programming systems a decade before other industries utilize technology. I got to work on early digital signatures to replace actual signature cards and Y2K issues in the late 80s and 90s before the world was aware of a Y2K computer issue. I was their network / systems administrator as well as program analyst / coder. I also worked five years in the legal profession for prominent Asheville law firms as an installer of the new legal brief transmission system for federal courts. I also created and updated websites and social media accounts for various nonprofits in WNC.

To succeed in such diverse environments and tasks, I listen to user requests and seek out the experts in that field inhouse to resolve needs. Every arena I have been given to oversee, I learned how they each work currently, fix the issues and create backup plans in case the power or internet fails. As the representative from the Chancellor’s Office relayed last week when reserving our Laurel Forum for an event that included presentations and music, “You keep this space running like a well-oiled machine.”

It would be an honor to bring my technology talents to serve the Staff Assembly.

Thank you,
Lisa