2019 Elections are under way!!

Election period is April 22 thru May 3.

The question now is.......who will be representing your group? Take a look at the statements below from the candidates in your group. Then, you can vote to help determine the outcome.

All voting will be thru the my.ilstu.edu site. You will logon and there's a link to your voting form.

Group 1 - 1 Seat Open - Term ends June 30, 2022 - One (1) Candidate

Beth Theobald, Alumni Engagement - I am very excited and honored to have been nominated to be a part of the Civil Service Council. I am very passionate and proud part of the Redbird Community and would greatly enjoy the privilege of working with others who feel as passionate as I am.

Working for Illinois State has shown me the many opportunities our institution offers its employees to serve, lead, and make change. I am looking to do just that by being a member of the Civil Service Council.

I have been looking to get more involved with organizations where I can use the skills I have gathered with my degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Communication and Politics Science from Lincoln College. I am also starting my grad degree with Illinois State University this coming fall and would love the opportunity to learn more about Illinois State University and I believe this is just the place to start.

Being a part of the Council means I will have the opportunity to grow my connections among the University, build a network, and help others that are new to the University build a network and feel at home.

Thank you!

Group 2 - 1 Seat Open - Term ends June 30, 2022 - Two (2) Candidates

Juliana Nelson, Alumni Engagement - My name is Juliana (Duncan) Nelson and I would like to utilize my experiences at Illinois State University to serve on the Civil Service Council. I have been an employee of Illinois State for over 23 years, starting in September of 1994. I began my career with ISU in Facilities Management/Campus Services as the Office Manager. I then transferred to University Advancement, working with Presidential Events, the Development Office, and Media Relations. I am currently an Assistant Director in Alumni Engagement and have been in this department for over 15 years. In 2014, I graduated from Illinois State University as a non-traditional student. After working as a full-time, single mom and a part-time student, along with 14 years of hard work, I received my Bachelor of Science, in Human Development/Family Relations.

I am interested in being a member of the Civil Service Council because I empathize with the needs of my fellow Civil Service colleagues. I am aware of many procedures that are essential to the overall function of the University. I understand that the enthusiasm, teamwork, and dedication of all Civil Service employees directly contributes to Illinois State’s standing as an outstanding university for our students and our community. I’m also quite familiar with many of the great activities of the Civil Service Council, having participated in the raffle to benefit the Civil Service Dependents Scholarship Fund by purchasing tickets, submitting articles to the council’s OpenLine newsletter, attending the Children’s Holiday Party with my family, and also having had the privilege of receiving from the council, both the Civil Service Distinguished Service Award in 2003 and the Carl Johanson Scholarship in 2011.

I am a proud volunteer of Move-In Days, Welcome Week, and other groups on campus. Outside of the campus community, I am a volunteer for the Baby Fold, Festival of Trees, and Evergreen Assisted Living Facility. Serving as a member of the Civil Service Council would be a great opportunity for me to be more active in more ISU initiatives. I would be honored to be a member of our Civil Service Council to support my fellow colleagues.
Sean Thornton, University Marketing and Communications - My name is Sean Thornton and I have worked for the University as a graphic designer in University Marketing and Communications for seven years. I am also an alum of Illinois State, having received my undergraduate in graphic design in 2000 and my masters in communication in 2017. Previously, I have served on the @Midwest Social Media Conference marketing committee (2014), Richland Community College’s graphic design advisory committee (2013-2015 and 2018), the Koos re-election campaign (2017) as the graphic design/marketing advisor, as well as the McBride (2019) re-election campaign and the Shields election committee (2019). I also served on the Political Engagement Project: Climate Assessment team. I believe in the mission of the Civil Service Council, to give the “non-academic staff a voice on campus” and would like the opportunity to contribute to that collective voice and give back to the university.

Group 3 - 1 Seat Open - Term ends June 30, 2022 - Two (2) Candidates

Leslie Green, University Housing Services - I have worked at Illinois State University and University Housing Services for 11 years and after many years in the corporate world, I love the combination of non-profit and learning that I see on campus. In the time I have been here at Illinois State, I have worn many hats and worked with many other departments.

That Illinois State University has shared governance on campus amazes me, as not all Universities have that benefit. I hope it will always be that way, but I believe everyone’s involvement is what will keep that in place. I know that Civil Service employees bring great value and knowledge to the University and we should all do our part to be involved and represented.
Lisa Kelly, University College - After previous positions in juvenile justice and in a university research unit, I am happy to be the Office Support Specialist for the TRIO Student Support Services program in University College. I have been in my current position for over a year. I feel that Civil Service Council membership will give me the opportunity to offer my skills, talents, and experience to monitor, communicate, and address issues of concern to employees like me—issues like legislation, health care, and parking. Why? I have great respect for the work of my fellow civil servants and appreciation for all they bring to ISU, and I would love to work with administration and other bodies to help maintain and enhance a healthy, satisfying, and challenging work environment for all.

Group 4 - 1 Seat Open - Term ends June 30, 2022 - One (1) Candidate

Sarah Bollman, Facilities Management - Greetings! My name is Sarah Bollman and I am the Training & Development Coordinator within Facilities Management (FM). I have been in my position just shy of five years and during this time I have been fortunate enough to be able to give back to my department and the University in a variety of ways. I currently chair the FM Awards and Recognition Committee which puts on an annual employee breakfast, dinner and chili cook-off for Facilities Services employees. I am also on the HR Training Council which provides campus wide professional development opportunities for Faculty and Staff. I feel serving on the Civil Service Council would be another fantastic opportunity to continuing building relationships across campus, fostering collaboration and providing support and a voice for those in Group 4.

Group 5 - 1 Seat Open - Term ends June 30, 2022 - Six (6) Candidates

Becky Franz, Facilities Planning & Construction - My name is Becky Franz and I am the Director of Design Services for Facilities Planning and Construction. I have worked on campus for not quite 5 years. I am interested in getting more involved on campus and thought the Civil Service Council would be a great opportunity. I enjoy working in higher education and the variety of projects I have the opportunity to be involved in keeps me always meetings someone new.

I have been involved in several organizations over the years and served at various levels within those. Most recently, I currently serve as Fundraising chair for the PTO at Cedar Ridge Elementary school and have had this role for four years now. Prior to this role, I was PTO president for one year and Vice- President the year prior to that. I have also participated on the Community Advisory Council for Unit 5 school district for the past three years. I have held roles of Province Collegiate Chairperson, National House Corporation Board Director, and Chapter Advisor for Alpha Chi Omega national sorority and was a Girl Scout Troop leader for two years as well. On campus, I currently serve as the Faculty Staff advisor for Sigma Pi Fraternity. As my roles at Cedar Ridge are preparing to change, I am looking for a different outlet for participation and volunteering.
Jena Garrett, EMDH - Hello fellow Redbirds! My name is Jena Garrett and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Group V as part of the Civil Service Council. I have been with Illinois State University for just over a year as the Assistant to the Director of Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality. In my role, I work collaboratively with many Civil Service members already, and would love to bring your questions, comments, and concerns in front of University administration as your representative.

On campus, I am part of the University Hearing Panel through the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution and am a part-time graduate student in the College Student Personnel Administration program here at ISU. You might also see me out and about assisting with the many projects happening throughout EMDH and the Bone Student Center. Outside of work and school, I am a member of the Bloomington-Normal Young Professionals through the Chamber of Commerce and volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association as a Community Representative at local health fairs. And after all that, my fiancé and 2-year old daughter are the ones who truly keep me on my toes! As your Civil Service Council representative, I will do no less than my best in serving the needs of the members and the greater ISU community.
Zeb Houle, CAST - Since arriving at ISU about seven years ago, I have been involved in many university and community projects. I have also participated in a number of civil service council meetings and had the opportunity to learn more about how the council works to help civil service employees and the university. For over three years, I have been an IT systems administrator in the School of Information Technology. I am also a graduate student in the department of technology.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve as a Group 5 representative in the council and to work with the rest of the representatives for all civil service employees.
Bart Lytel, Administrative Technologies - You must always give back more than you take.

This has been my driving force in everything I do, and it would be my honor to serve on the Civil Service Council

From my military service in the United States Marine Corps, to being elected to our local school aboard and serving 8 of my ten years on that board as its president, I believe in giving back, being engaged, working for others.

I was a volunteer paramedic with the local ambulance service for over 12 years, as well as a 911 dispatcher for police, fire and ambulance. I am currently on the board of directors for my credit union and have been in that position for over 3 years. Additionally, I sit on my city council for Bellflower, and was recently re-elected to an 4 year term.

Giving back is the very foundation of who I am, and I want to bring that to the Civil Service Council. I want to give back to the campus that has been a part of my life for the last 20 years, and has been the most remarkable place to work.

Thank you for your consideration.
Lauren Palmer, School of Music - My name is Lauren Palmer and I am the Office Administrator at the School of Music. I have been employed at Illinois State University in the Civil Service system for 8 years, beginning as the Fleet Dispatcher and Customer Service Representative in Facilities Management. I graduated December 2018 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music.

I am interested in serving on the Civic Service Council as I would like the opportunity to make even more of an impact on the campus community and be a voice for my colleagues across campus. Through my position as the Fleet Dispatcher and Customer Service Representative, I was given the opportunity to meet many faculty and staff members from across campus. It was such a great opportunity to see the impact the Faculty and Staff had on the University and the opportunities they provided. I truly believe that is one of the reasons that ISU is so unique and community centered.

The Fleet Dispatch position allowed me to make a name for myself as well as develop my reputation across campus, which has allowed me to progress in my professional career and gain additional experiences. I am an active Redbird! I have volunteered for the past 7 years as the Homecoming parade BAND coordinator and I have served on many search committees. I would like the opportunity to expand my involvement on campus and continue to give back to the community that has helped make me who I am today!
Timothy Wickenhauser, Comptroller’s Office - My name is Tim Wickenhauser, and I have been employed with ISU for almost 3 years now after spending 20 years in Accounting and Banking roles in the private sector. I currently work in the Comptroller’s Office in Student Financial Services. I am married to my wonderful wife Dawn and have 2 daughters, both currently in college.

I am interested in serving on the Civil Service Council so I can be more engaged as an employee, learn about the greater University community, and represent fellow employees throughout the University and the greater Bloomington-Normal community. I enjoying giving back and being an active participant in where I live and work. It would be an honor to represent ISU and the civil service employees through giving back to the communities and being a voice for all.

I feel I would be a good fit for the council based on prior volunteering experiences. I have served as a Youth Mentor at a local High School through the Colin and Alma Powell’s America’s Promise Alliance foundation, volunteered and been an active participant in a local High school’s Booster Club, and serving on boards while a student and remaining active as an alumni for two honors fraternities. I enjoy giving back and serving something greater than self.

So, who will you vote for?