Professional Staff Senate

This Professional Staff Senate supports the principle that Wayne State College is a community of learners, existing to serve the needs of its students and subject to the laws and governance of the State of Nebraska and the Nebraska State College Board of Trustees.

The Professional Staff Senate derives its authority from three main sources:

• the Nebraska State College Board of Trustees;
• the President of Wayne State College; and
• the codes of ethics of the respective members' professions.

The Professional Staff Senate is an advisory and/or review body within the structure of the College, and it serves as an advocacy unit for professional staff members. The Professional Staff Senate is committed to and supports the goal of faculty-staff-student interaction, public service and diversity as noted in the WSC Mission Statement.

Meeting times
The meetings are the third Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. in Conn Library Room 016.

Current senators

• Athletics - Linda Anderson, John Schwarte, Jadin Wagner
• Network and Technology Services - Kirk Christian
• Academic Services - Lisa Nelson, Dawn Hirschman
• Administrative Services - Terri Buck, Jeni Kemnitz, Hayley Hallstrom
• Student Services - Abbie Jueden, Jayne Halsey, Alicia Dorcey-McIntosh, Amy White

Current officers

• Chair - Jeni Kemnitz
• Vice Chair/Chair Elect - John Schwarte
• Past Chair - Terri Buck
• Treasurer - Dawn Hirschman
• Secretary - Jayne Halsey

Senate committees
There are five committees under Professional Staff Senate:

• Mentoring and Membership Committee - The purpose of the Wayne State College mentoring program is to welcome new employees to the college community. The mentoring program provides the structure to foster one-to-one relationships between new staff and current staff, led by an experienced staff mentor to guide and serve as a resource to the new staff mentee.
   
• Social and Recognition Committee - The Social and Recognition Committee is responsible for developing plans to present years of service awards and recognition lunches for professional staff members. This committee also coordinates the presentation of the bi-annual Professional Staff Recognition Award, and the Put Your Paws Together Award.
   
• Continuing Education / Professional Development Committee - This committee keeps campus up-to-date with campus and community educational opportunities and advertising them to the professional staff. The committee organizes programs when the senate identifies an interest in a topic not covered by the usual venues.
   
• Hospitality Committee - The Hospitality Committee is responsible for keeping track of and sending appropriate messages to professional staff experiencing major life events, such as a special award, recognition in their field, advanced degree, new baby, illness, or death in the family.
   
• Policy / Communication Committee -  The Policy and Communication Committee is responsible for monitoring policy changes that affect professional staff and brings the information to the senate for discussion. The committee also keeps the entire Professional Staff on the same page. Occasionally, this involves assisting other committees with information dissemination. We try to find creative ways to increase awareness, enhance visibility, and foster community among professional staff via the use of email, the website, and the campus G drive. To this end, we are totally or partially dedicated, depending on the day.

Additional information and resources for Professional Staff Senate, including the constitution, meeting minutes, etc. can be found on the G drive for employees.