Elections

All nominees were asked to provide a brief paragraph describing themselves and their interest in serving on USC.

Administrative Support

Karen DeSchepper

Professionally, since beginning at UWL almost 14 years ago, I've had the pleasure to be involved with several campus organizations, one of which is no longer active: Program Associate Professional Development (PAPD), Organization of Campus Women (OCW), currently serving on two USC subcommittees: University Staff Excellence Committee (3rd year) and now chair of the USC Programs/Grants/Fundraising Committee.  I’ve previously served on the Enrichment Day Committee as well.  Since working in the Financial Aid Office, I'm a member and have been involved with the Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA) and serve on this year's spring conference planning committee (here in La Crosse this April). Personally, I am active with my church as part of their Outreach Committee, serve as financial secretary, reader and communion assistant.  Also, I'm involved with our local Sons of Norway-Wergeland Lodge and currently serving on this year's conference registration committee (conference here in La Crosse end of June) and served as auditor for one year.

Leslie Fell

My name is Leslie Fell and I work in the Records and Registration Office as the customer service coordinator.  I started here in November 2013 so about 4 ½ years now.  I am also an alumni of the university graduating with my Bachelor’s Degree in Dec. 1998 in Elementary Education.  I enjoy the work I do here and love that I am able to help and assist not only the students but the faculty and staff as well.

Mary Grattan

My name is Mary Grattan. I am very interested in representing you on the University Staff Council. I believe it is important to take part in campus governance so that University Staff have a voice on campus. I have taken an active role with governance since starting at UWL in early 2011.  I have served on a couple different committees including the Bylaws Committee for the past 6 years. Currently I am also serving as a representative for the Administrative Support classification. I have held positions in several different offices on campus, and therefore have a varied perspective.  I look forward to moving ahead with the future of this Council and hope to continue to establish relationships with the other governance groups as well as the administration. If elected to the Council, I will work very hard for the betterment of university staff, and I hope you will give me a chance to represent you again.

Ryan Preuss

Hi, My name is Ryan Preuss and I am a Financial Specialist Senior in Business Services.  I’ve been employed with UW–La Crosse for 4 ½ years. I started out in the Cashier’s Office for just about a year before I transitioned over to Accounts Payable. My specialty areas include Academic Affairs, Administration & Finance, and Student Faculty Organizations (SFO’s). The best thing about my job is the variety of people that I get to work with on a daily basis.  When I am not at work, I am enjoy spending time with my wife and our two young sons. We enjoy camping, traveling, and attending our boys’ sporting events.

Kimberly Schultz-Schliebe

 Hi, my name is Kimberly Schultz-Schliebe and I am the Office Operations Associate in the Custodial Services Department. I have been with UWL for a year and am very happy to have this opportunity.  My favorite part about working at UWL is being a helpful resource for students and staff.  I am currently serving on the University Staff Excellence Award Committee, which is a sub-committee of the USC.  I look forward to serving on the council and representing the University Staff.

Becky Yoshizumi

My name is Becky Yoshizumi and I have been an academic department associate (ADA) in the computer science dept since 1998.  I have been active in various organizations on campus over the years serving on different committees.  Those include the Organization for Campus Women (OCW), the former Program Associate Professional Development (PAPD), Employee Enrichment Day, and University Staff Council (USC).  I was fortunate to serve on the first USC at UWL and have served as vice chair, chair and have been on various program committees within USC.

Professional Services

Larry Gottshalk

My name is Larry Gottschalk.  I am a Security Officer 3 in Police Services, having been at UWL for under a year.  My 20 plus years’ experience working in security has provided me the opportunity to meet and work with a diverse population.  I have worked at institutions of higher education (St. Mary’s University of Minnesota), at medical facilities (Gundersen, Winona Health, and Olmsted Medical Center), and at the Rochester International Airport.  I’ve provided security services in the areas of Minneapolis-St. Paul and Rochester, MN, including VIP protection for foreign dignitaries and congressman.  I have been a volunteer fire fighter, first responder, and a search and rescue volunteer.  I believe my experience and interpersonal skills will allow me to be a contributing member of the USC, and I would welcome the opportunity.

Brandon Harris

Over the past 8 years, I have worked at UWL in the ITS department performing roles such as Lab/Classroom Coordinator, Software Deployment Specialist, and, currently, the Eagle Help Desk Coordinator. In the last 3 years, I've served on the USC as the Secretary/Treasurer, Vice Chair, and I am currently the Chair of the council. In addition to USC committees, I represent University Staff on the Joint Planning and Budget committee. Outside of work, I serve as the President Elect Nominee for the Rotary Club of La Crosse After Hours and the President Elect of the area Rotary Works Foundation. While juggling these responsibilities, I am actively pursuing an MBA and MS in Information Systems degrees from Indiana University - Kelley School of Business. I strongly believe in the idea of servant leadership, and I find joy in helping others. I welcome your vote to continue working with University Staff to make UWL a great place to work.

Brian Oyen

My Name is Brian Oyen, I am a Police Liaison Officer for UW La Crosse Police Department. I started working December 2001 as an LTE (part time) for UWL Police. I gained full time employment in 2003 for UWL working second shift 3pm to 11pm as a patrol officer.  In August 2016 I was promoted to Police Liaison Officer, my duties now include working with the campus community where I provide training and walking the buildings. This is a very important role for the UW La Crosse Police Department and its mission of community policing.  I previously worked for the Arcadia Police department as a patrol officer.

David Pohnl

Hello, my name is Dave Pohnl. I am a Supervisor here at UWL, working in the Custodial Services Department of Facilities Planning and Management. I began working here in April of 2012, and I am sincerely grateful to have had the opportunity to serve at this very prestigious university campus. I love being in such a diverse environment, not only in the department in which I work, but in all of the campus facilities. I have served on the Administration and Finance Customer Service Task Team, and was a member of the survey development group of the Investing In Our People pillar of UWL’s Strategic Plan. I would look forward to serving on the University Staff Council, in the Professional Services category.

Facilities and Maintenance

 Simon Lee

 My name is Simon Lee and I have been working for the UWL Custodial Services department for 7 years.  In the last two years I had the opportunity to promote from a regular Custodian to a Custodian Lead worker. UWL is a wonderful work place and I love keeping the facilities safe, clean, and sanitized in order for all those who use the facilities feel comfortable and productive. Because of about 40% of the Custodians are non-English speaking, one of my jobs is to interpret both verbal and document from English to Hmong language so it will be easy for them to understand and work properly according to the Custodian guidelines. Other than working at UWL, I also volunteer as a Vice Chair for Emmanuel Alliance Church for the last 5 years and still continue until now. I am looking forward to serve on the University Staff Council and representing the University staff.

At Large

Tom Fell

My name is Thomas Fell. I have worked in the Facilities Management office since 2005. I have enjoyed working in the Facilities call center on campus were I lead the office to make sure work operations run smoothly. One of the great things I get to do is interact with employees, students and contractors each day to resolve their issues they might have. I have been away from the USC for the last three years to let other employees on campus serve on it, but I am excited to run for the council again. I served on the very start of the University Staff Council on campus for 5 years where I helped established the bylaws, assisted with the fundraising of rotary lights in La Crosse to raise funds for guest speakers on campus.
My strengths I would bring to the council is to be a team player, problem solver where I use this to help improve our office work load on how work orders get handled and charged out to our campus and be the voice of the university staff and find ways to improve the culture on campus. UW-La Crosse is a great place to learn and work and I would be very proud to represent the university staff on the council.

Megan Stauffacher

I have worked at UWL in the Human Resources office since January 2011. I am also currently serving on University Staff Council as the Secretary/Treasurer. I was appointed to take over a vacated seat on council last year, so this was my first full year as a USC member. As the Secretary/Treasurer, I have been able to serve with the Chair and Vice Chair on the USC Executive Committee and attend monthly meetings with the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor of A&F. I have learned a lot over the past year through those meetings and through my interactions with staff all around campus. I have also been on the USC Programs, Grants, and Fundraising committee for several years and had the opportunity to be involved in a lot of the great things USC does, like planning campus events, creating the USC newsletter, and the developing the new Professional Development Grant for University Staff.