William Battelle, Events Director (Facilities Management)
Why did you want to run for Staff Council?
Any time I can be part of a culture change in any environment—but especially in an environment I love—it’s important to me to do so. If you want to foster change, you must put in the effort to do it. My nature is to be on the bus when it’s ready to leave the station—and I think it’s even more important to drive the bus when it’s time to step up and do so.
What are the top three things you hope the Council will be able to accomplish?
- I want to help create a safe environment where staff can develop ideas; lift them up consistently in a sustainable manner; and foster respect and relevance among our peers, which will let all of WPI benefit from the Staff Council’s hard work.
- I’d like to establish sustainable guidance and structures that future staff councils can build upon.
- I hope we will work together as a group on diverse topics with diverse people, while being open and honest through it all.
How do you think WPI as a whole will benefit from having a Staff Council?
It will provide WPI staff with a central conduit for reviewing current matters in a consistent and sustainable manner. It will also offer staff a clear pathway to WPI leadership for discussing those matters and provide a vehicle for communicating outcomes back to the staff.
Jennifer Cluett, Associate Vice President of Admissions & Dean of Admissions (Admissions & Aid)
Why did you want to run for Staff Council?
I have worked at WPI for 24 years and felt this was a way to give back to the university.
What are the top three things you hope the Council will be able to accomplish?
- I’d like to elevate the voices of staff in decision-making at WPI.
- I hope to celebrate the contributions of staff through recognition programs.
- I want to identify and create opportunities for university-wide events and programs that promote community and support a positive work culture.
How do you think WPI as a whole will benefit from having a Staff Council?
A Staff Council codifies the value of the staff voice and can serve as a conduit for the staff community to reach WPI’s leaders.
Amy Curran, Director (Accessibility Services)
Why did you want to run for Staff Council?
I was honored to be nominated by a few colleagues and was interested in being considered because I wanted to embrace more leadership opportunities on campus, step out of my comfort zone, and have the opportunity to be part of something that’s new and exciting.
What are the top three things you hope the Council will be able to accomplish?
- I am proud of the thoughtful work that my fellow Staff Council members and I are putting in to develop a clear and meaningful set of bylaws. This will help set the foundation for the Staff Council to move forward in a positive way.
- I would like the Staff Council to create a fair and respectful platform for supporting staff advocacy. I see the Staff Council as helping to build a sense of community by facilitating effective communication.
- I think the Staff Council is in a unique position to make helpful changes for our campus community, whether that is to plan and host staff events on campus or to draw attention to committee work where staff voices would be integral.
How do you think WPI as a whole will benefit from having a Staff Council?
Staff members are essential to our shared WPI campus. This inaugural Staff Council is in the position to create a system that will include the voices of staff as full partners with faculty and students. A thriving Staff Council can offer an opportunity for staff to share concerns, make recommendations, and propose new and exciting ideas.
