People
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee represents the University of North Carolina System Staff Assembly on matters involving the Assembly and University policy.
The committee sets the time and place of meetings, appoints ad hoc committees and makes recommendations to the full Assembly. Members include the officers and four at-large delegates. The Chancellors’ Cup Golf Tournament co-chairs work alongside the committee.
Leadership
Officers
Officers serve staggered two-year terms and are elected at the first regular fall meeting of the Assembly.
Chair
Alan Porch
NC State
Calls and presides over meetings of the Assembly and the Executive Committee, represents the Assembly to UNC System administration, including the Board of Governors, and appoints committee leadership.
About Alan Porch
Working for the university system wasn’t my first career, but it’s one that continues to teach me and help me grow.
I received a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Appalachian State University, and that has led me down some fun paths. Along the way I had the opportunity to work as a DJ and Traffic Coordinator for a small AM/FM combo station in Watauga County, served as a Rainmaker at Tweetsie Railroad and then decided to pursue a career in theatre. I received a Master of Arts in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University and went on to serve as Resident Stage Manager and Business Manager for a small professional theatre in Lewisburg, West Virginia: Greenbrier Valley Theatre. Greenbrier Valley Theatre showed me the power of theatre to create and educate. When life changed and I needed to return to Raleigh, I was lucky to transition my communications and theater skills into a new opportunity at NC State University.
NC State gave me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow professionally. I started as a temporary accounting tech and was able to find opportunities to move myself forward in roles as an Accounting Tech, Executive Assistant, Business Services Coordinator, Business Officer and Business Manager. Each opportunity allowed me to see not only the academic, but the business and service center sides of university operations. My time at NC State showed me how HR, Finance, Academics and Advancement work. My career progression showed me firsthand how staff, students, and faculty align for the success of the entire university and system.
Our staff are critical to the success of our campuses and they deserve more, and I know we can do so much more when we all work together. I look forward to collaborating with our delegates, Executive Committee and staff across the System to actively advocate for a more supportive and empowering system for all.
Chair-Elect
Timothy Sampson
UNC Pembroke
Elected at the start of the second year of the sitting chair’s term. Serves one year as chair-elect before a two-year term as chair, with duties assigned by the chair.
About Timothy Sampson
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 is Chair-Elect of the UNC System Staff Assembly after serving as its Vice Chair, and he 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.
Vice Chair
Position open
Conducts Assembly meetings and represents the Assembly in the chair’s absence, and chairs the Chairs’ Committee.
Secretary
Brynne Pulver
UNC Greensboro
Records the minutes of all Assembly and Executive Committee meetings and, with the technology officer, conducts roll calls and distributes official communications, agendas and minutes.
About Brynne Pulver
Brynne Pulver serves as the executive assistant to the vice chancellor for enrollment management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She chairs the UNC Greensboro Staff Senate for the 2026-27 academic year. In addition to her roles at UNCG, she is actively involved in the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education, serving on the board, as the chair of the communications committee, and as a member of the conference planning committee.
Prior to her work at UNCG, Brynne worked as a paralegal and executive assistant at Kara Law Offices in Boston, and served as the director of operations and administration for MassOpera. She is a proud alumna of the UNC System, having earned her bachelor’s degrees in voice performance and music education from Appalachian State University, and is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She also holds a master’s degree and a graduate performance diploma from The Boston Conservatory, as well as a paralegal certificate from Boston University. With more than 12 years of administrative experience spanning higher education, law, and the arts, Brynne is grateful to have the opportunity to lend her abilities to the Staff Assembly in the secretary position.
Brynne firmly believes that staff are the heart of our collective universities, and as secretary, she is committed to delivering accurate and timely minutes, streamlining records, and enhancing communications to allow the Assembly to effectively serve and advocate for our staff. She is honored to serve on the UNC System Staff Assembly Executive Committee and looks forward to working with the Assembly to foster growth and positive change within the UNC System.
Technology Officer
Charles Hall
NC State
Manages the Assembly’s digital presence, including electronic ballots and polls, the website and internal communications, and works with the secretary on roll calls and official communications.
About 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.
Parliamentarian
Jameco McKenzie
NC State
Advises the Assembly on parliamentary procedure under Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, ensures meetings follow the bylaws and chairs the Governance Committee.
About Jameco McKenzie
Jameco McKenzie is a higher education leader and scholar-practitioner dedicated to student success, organizational leadership, and staff advocacy. Since 2019, he has served within the UNC System and at NC State University, where he currently directs Multicultural Student Affairs and chairs the NC State Staff Senate, representing more than 7,100 staff members.
Since joining the NC State Staff Senate in 2020 as a Senator for the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, McKenzie has served as Chair of the Access & Belonging Committee, 2023-24 Parliamentarian, and Chair-Elect. These roles have strengthened his commitment to fairness, collaboration, and transparent governance.
McKenzie holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs. His background equips him to navigate the complexities of higher education systems while ensuring that staff perspectives are valued in institutional decision-making.
As Parliamentarian of the UNC System Staff Assembly, McKenzie applies his experience with Robert’s Rules of Order to promote fairness, respect, and clarity in proceedings while supporting a unified voice for staff across the UNC System.
Executive Committee
At-Large Delegates
Four at-large delegates are elected to two-year terms on the Executive Committee. They chair the committees for the Janet B. Royster Memorial Staff Scholarship, the Erskine B. Bowles Staff Service Award, the Thomas W. Ross Sr. Visionary Leader Award and Executive Officer Nominations.
About Mario Lewis
My name is Mario Lewis and I have been 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 mature 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. Always approachable and personable I have never shied away from any subject nor not spoken up when something must be said.
About Katie Musgrove
My name is Katie Musgrove, and I work at UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law as the Program Manager of the Clinical Programs. I’ve been employed at UNC-Chapel Hill for more than 11 years now. 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, then stepping into the Forum’s Vice Chair role for an additional three years before becoming Chair of the Employee Forum from 2021 to 2025. I served for one year as Immediate Past Chair through June 2026. I really enjoyed serving as a delegate of the UNC System Staff Assembly during my time as Chair of the Employee Forum and I’m honored to have been selected as one of the Assembly’s At-Large Delegates for the next two years. Our advocacy efforts on behalf of UNC System staff are more important now than ever before and I take that responsibility very seriously. As an advisory body to President Hans and the UNC System Office, I think our body is uniquely capable of supporting staff while maintaining a strong relationship and line of communication with UNC System Office administration. In my time as At-Large Delegate of the UNC System Staff Assembly, I hope to work with Staff Assembly Chair Alan Porch and the others on the Executive Committee and Staff Assembly body to work towards the following: 1) making strategic changes to this body like meeting more regularly remotely (similar to Faculty Assembly’s meeting cadence) and better engaging delegates through committee work, 2) providing our voice and feedback regarding potential UNC System Office policy changes prior to their enactment, 3) continued evaluation of our governance, including our bylaws and procedures, and 4) advocacy around improvements to UNC System employee benefits and leave given the continued erosion of the benefits package afforded to North Carolina state employees.
About Shagail Reed
My name is Shagail Reed, and I serve as the Office Manager in the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). I currently serve as Chair of the WSSU Staff Senate and have been an active member since becoming a permanent employee in February 2015. Prior to this role, I served as Vice Chair for two years, and my Staff Senate journey began as Chair of the Employee Recognition Committee. This role ignited my passion for boosting morale and celebrating the accomplishments of staff across campus.
I am honored to serve as one of the At-Large Delegates for the UNC System Staff Assembly. As someone deeply committed to advocacy and service, I believe strongly in the power of shared governance and collaboration across all 17 institutions. In this role, I am excited about the opportunity to work alongside my colleagues to advance policies, initiatives, and programs that empower and uplift staff throughout the System.
Before joining WSSU, I dedicated 29 years of service to the Housing Authority of the City of Winston-Salem, where I led the Hospitality and Employee Appreciation Committees. These experiences strengthened my lifelong dedication to creating environments where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired. I’m eager to bring this same passion to the Staff Assembly as a whole.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from High Point University. My greatest joy is spending time with my family, especially my 2-year-old grandson, who is the love of my life. Outside of work, I serve on several community committees and ministries at church. My favorite, the Sunshine Ministry (Share, Uplift, Nourish, Share, Help, Inspire, Nurture, Encourage), reflects my personal mission to uplift and empower others.
I plan to serve according to my personal motto:
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Gandhi
About Penny Smith
Penny, a Greensboro, NC native, has dedicated more than 23 years to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she currently serves as an HR specialist in the Division of Human Resources’ Talent Solutions Unit. With deep expertise in student and temporary employment, eligibility verification, and foreign national employment, she also supports talent recruitment efforts and leads New Hire Orientation for permanent employees. Penny’s commitment to her role and her strong working knowledge make her a valued resource across multiple areas within Human Resources.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Penny is actively involved in university and community service. She is a longstanding member of the N.C. A&T Staff Senate, where she is a Past Chair and currently chairs the Community Service Committee. Penny also serves on the Faculty and Staff Combined Campaign Executive Committee, proudly leading as “Penny’s Prize Patrol” to encourage faculty and staff giving both to the University and to local agencies. Additionally, she contributes to the February One Executive Committee, serving as a trusted resource and a central point of information for her colleagues.
Penny’s passion for service extends into her personal life as well. She is an avid volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro, representing homeowners, and also volunteers at the Child Development Laboratory. A music lover, she performs with In Tune Inc. and Knights of Soul Band, inspiring fellow musicians and supporting the Praise and Worship Team at Elim Christian Fellowship.
As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Penny treasures her family time, bringing the same warmth and encouragement to her personal life that she shows at work. Committed to positively impacting pay, morale, and retention across the UNC System, Penny is ready to serve the UNC System Staff Assembly and campus communities with dedication and vision, recognizing that meaningful change comes from collective effort and a shared commitment to progress.
Working with the Executive Committee
Chancellors’ Cup Golf Tournament Co-Chairs
The co-chairs lead the annual Chancellors’ Cup Golf Tournament, whose 2026 naming sponsor was the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC). The tournament funds the Janet B. Royster Memorial Staff Scholarship. They manage sponsorships, promotion, event logistics and volunteers, working with the chair, the Executive Committee and the UNC System Office.
About Kathryn McMillan
Kathryn McMillan is a dynamic higher education administrator, educator, and strategic leader whose work bridges creativity, collaboration, and organizational excellence. With more than 20 years of experience in arts education and academic leadership, Kathryn has established a distinguished record of developing innovative programs, leading institutional initiatives, and fostering inclusive, student-centered communities.
As Assistant Vice Provost for Strategic Operations & Planning, Managing Director of Performance Facilities, and Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), Kathryn provides campuswide leadership and oversees major university initiatives while serving as a key liaison between the Provost’s Office, deans, directors, faculty, and staff. Her leadership promotes cross-divisional communication, process improvement, and the advancement of institutional priorities that align with UNCSA’s mission and vision.
Prior to her current appointment, Kathryn served as Dean of Students and Chief Wellness Officer at AHA International School and Dean of Students at the American Hebrew Academy, where she developed wellness frameworks, student success initiatives, and leadership programs that promoted holistic student growth and global awareness. She also served as Interim Director for High School Life at UNCSA, where she led residential life operations, managed departmental budgets, and helped design the university’s COVID-19 response for student safety and well-being.
Her earlier career as an arts educator, department chair, gallery manager, operations director, program developer, and entrepreneur reflects her lifelong dedication to arts education and creative development, demonstrating broad expertise in program design, cultural leadership, and strategic business growth. Kathryn holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Arizona Global Campus and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Photography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is also College Board certified in Advanced Placement Studio Art through the Savannah College of Art and Design.
A passionate advocate for collaboration and community engagement, Kathryn also serves as Chair-Elect of the UNCSA Staff Council, co-chair of the Chancellors’ Cup Golf Tournament (2026-27), and Committee Chair for Scout Pack 103. Her leadership blends strategic vision with empathy and innovation, advancing equity, creativity, and institutional growth while empowering others to achieve meaningful personal growth.
About Lisa Petersen
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a Master of Social Work from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and a Master of Health Administration from Rasmussen University. Currently, I am pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
For the first 18 years of my career, I worked as a social worker in child welfare and hospice, focusing on providing critical support to vulnerable populations. In 2021, I shifted my professional path to the research field, which led to my relocation to the Raleigh/Durham area in December 2022 for my current role as a Compliance and Finance Manager in Pediatric Research at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Since joining UNC, I have actively contributed to the university community through various leadership roles, including serving on the Employee Forum, the Staff Assembly Executive Committee, and the STACC Committee to the Chancellor. Additionally, I am an IRB Member at UNC-Chapel Hill and have participated in several other committees. These experiences have not only deepened my connection to the Carolina community but have also enriched my personal and professional growth.
I have been married since 2003, just one week before graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. My husband and I have three children: our oldest son is a sophomore at East Carolina University, and we have a son and daughter who are both in high school.
The tournament
Chancellors’ Cup Golf Tournament
Each fall, staff from all 17 UNC System institutions come together on the course to raise money for the Janet B. Royster Memorial Staff Scholarship. SEANC was the 2026 naming sponsor.