Staff Senate officers are elected by the Senate membership for a term of one (1) year by written or voice nomination during the last regular monthly meeting of each year.

The executive committee meets a minimum of five times during each term year to:

  • Set the agenda for Senate meetings.
  • Report on the work of the Senate to the UMB President, the Council of University System Staff (CUSS) and the UMB campus community.
  • Act as liaison or point of contact with the UMB President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
  • Recommend to the Senate the establishment, composition, and responsibilities of standing and/or special committees; fill irregular vacancies on committees; and recommend participation in campus committees.
  • Manage the Senate’s annual operating budget.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Senate or UMB senior leadership.
Aaron Graham, JD

Aaron Graham, JD

President of the Staff Senate
Associate Director, Career Development, Francis King Carey School of Law

Email: A.graham@law.umaryland.edu

As President, Aaron presides at all meetings of the senate, finalizes the agenda of each senate meeting, and serves as chief liaison to UMB President Dr. Bruce Jarrell, and other senior leadership.... Read More

Taylor DeBoer, MA

Taylor DeBoer, MA

Vice President of the Staff Senate
Acting Director, Graduate Research Innovation District

Email: taylor.deboer@umaryland.edu

As Vice President, Taylor assists the Staff Senate President and performs the duties of the president in his absence. He also facilitates presentations to inform the senate body on upcoming, presen... Read More

Tom Hockensmith, MA

Tom Hockensmith, MA

Executive Director of Central Administration IT Services, Center for Information Technology Services

Email: thockensmith@umaryland.edu

As Secretary, Tom is responsible for maintaining and distributing accurate records regarding all official business conducted by the Staff Senate, including meeting agendas, minutes, and attendance ... Read More

Nia Speaks

Nia Speaks

Equity and Action Officer
Senior Business Manager, University of Maryland School of Social Work

Email: nia.speaks@ssw.umaryland.edu

As Equity and Action Officer, Nia is responsible for leading the Staff Senate’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.  She ensures that the Staff Senate’s equity and inclus... Read More

Fiama Romero, MS

Fiama Romero, MS

Communications Officer
Program Manager, Office of Student Research, School of Medicine

Email: FRomero@som.umaryland.edu

As Communications Officer, Fiama chairs the senate’s Communications Committee, contributes to The Elm, and serves on the UMB Communications Council. She is responsible for the devel... Read More

Allison Deitz

Allison Deitz

Member-at-Large
Social Worker, Senior Health Program Specialist, School of Medicine

Email: adeitz@som.umaryland.edu

As Member-at-Large, Allison serves as a representative of all senators to the Executive Committee to ensure that all opinions within the University receive full consideration by the senate. Additio... Read More

Anthony Weldon, Jr.

Anthony Weldon, Jr.

Operations Officer
IDEA Program Manager, School of Medicine

Email: aweldon@som.umaryland.edu

As Operations Officer, Anthony helps facilitate the year-to-year transition between Executive Boards by communicating with past board members and documenting and sharing relevant information to ens... Read More

Greg Brightbill, EdD, MBA, MEd

Greg Brightbill, EdD, MBA, MEd

Past President
Associate Director, Student Leadership & Involvement

Email: Gbrightbill@umaryland.edu

As past president, Greg serves as an advisor to the Executive Committee to provide continuity and perform other duties as assigned by the Senate. This position is typically filled by the immediate ... Read More


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