Skip to main content

College of Human Medicine

Dean's Support Staff Advisory Committee

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSUCHM) Dean’s Support Staff Advisory Committee was established in April 2019 so that permanent full-time and part-time MSUCHM support staff can bring pertinent issues affecting MSUCHM’s operations to its dean for prompt discussion and resolution. Send any questions or reach out the committee at CHM.DSSAC@msu.edu.
 

Meetings

 

Bylaws

  • Committee Bylaws

    1.0 | Mission Statement

    The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSU CHM) Dean’s Support Staff Advisory Committee (DSSAC) was established in April 2019 to provide a direct conduit and representation that enable MSU CHM support staff a mechanism to bring pertinent issues affecting MSU CHM’s business and operations to the Dean’s office for timely discussion and resolution.

    2.0 | Charge

     2.1  The Committee is charged with the following:

    2.1.1  Communicating the Committee’s purpose to all MSU CHM support staff and developing the means for MSU CHM support staff to communicate ideas and concerns to the Committee.

    2.1.2  Soliciting and representing ideas and input from MSU CHM support staff for discussion with and advising the MSUCHM dean and on matters brought to the attention of the Committee.

    2.1.3  Selecting and summarizing issues for presentation to the MSU CHM dean for discussion and resolution.

    2.1.4  Developing, proposing, and communicating solutions for resolving pertinent issues to MSU CHM support staff.

    2.1.5  Seeking feedback from MSU CHM support staff when the Committee and the MSU CHM Dean have agreed on a mutually beneficial solution to an issue.

    2.1.6  Recording and cataloging the solution for review and access by current and future MSU CHM support staff. 

    2.1.7 Recognizing and engaging with MSU CHM support staff to foster a welcoming workplace environment.

    3.0 | Limitations

    3.1  No action on the part of the Committee and/or the MSU CHM Dean is intended to supersede MSU CHM support staff rights and obligations available through their particular bargaining units, MSU CHM, and MSU. Any action on the part of the Committee and/or the MSU CHM Dean is intended to address and resolve issues before they reach a point which requires the assistance of a bargaining unit or MSU CHM administration. 

    4.0 | Composition of Committee, Committee Member Terms, and Committee Vacancies

    4.1  With a focus on achieving a fair representation of the diversity of MSU CHM support staff, the Committee will decide the number, composition, and selection of Committee members through its voting membership.

    4.2  The Committee will be composed of approximately 15 MSU CHM full-time/part-time support staff from the MSU CHM East Lansing, Flint, and Grand Rapids locations. However, there may be years where fewer than 15 members could be serving due to committee members departing CHM or MSU, lack of interest in serving on the committee, or any other unforeseen circumstances. The selection committee ensures to maintain committee representation from the APSA, APA, and CT unions, as well as representatives from a variety of CHM departments and Dean’s office units.

    4.2.1 To maintain a functioning committee, there must be a minimum of 12 DSSAC members. If this committee falls below 12 members, committee members will nominate staff members outside of the traditional application process to fill the opening. To fill a vacancy a nominee will need to be confirmed through a committee vote.

    4.2.2 A faculty liaison will be appointed as a conduit to the Dean. This liaison will attend all DSSAC meetings.

    4.2.3 Subcommittees: Subcommittees help move the overall charge of DSSAC through their specific lenses and communicate their efforts at monthly DSSAC meetings in order to increase collaboration.

    4.2.3.1 Communication Subcommittee – Act as the conduit of communication between DSSAC, support staff, and community staff members. This is achieved through the following responsibilities:

    • Manage the support staff listserv
    • Comms maintains sole oversight of listserv
    • Produce a newsletter (at minimum) once quarterly
    • Distribute (not create) announcements to support staff on behalf of other sub-committees or the DSSAC as a whole

    4.2.3.2 Committee Governance Subcommittee – Evaluate and Update bylaws, committee processes and elections

    4.2.3.3 Staff Engagement Subcommittee – Staff engagement will achieve the responsibilities as set by the bylaws through: Research and Development of Initiatives, Programs, Events and subsequent programming. These efforts will include the inclusion of DSSAC and outreach to the whole of the CHM support staff to ensure the following DSSAC bylaw program expectations:

    • Professional Development
    • Health and Wellness
    • Community Service

    4.2.3.4 Recognition Subcommittee - Awards, bring joy to workplace, staff recognition

    4.3  For regular Committee membership, a member’s term of commitment begins on July 1, ending on June 30 of the final year of the term. Membership requires a two-year term commitment.  Members wishing to serve additional terms must reapply.

    4.3.1 Members added outside the regular nomination process shall complete the remainder of the term for the committee member they are replacing (as referenced in 4.2.1).

    4.4  Two Co-Chairs and Secretary will be selected, and each will serve 2-year terms:

    4.4.1  Ideally, the co-chairs will serve off-setting terms, so there is ease in transition, but these bylaws are not intended to enforce that rule, merely use it as a best practice.

    4.4.1.1 Contain a role description if applicant is selected to serve as Chair, Vice-chair, secretary or treasurer on the Committee.

    4.4.1.1.1 Chair - oversees committee, creates agendas, leads meetings

    4.4.1.1.2 Vice-Chair - oversees committee, creates agendas, works parallel with chair

    4.4.1.1.3 Secretary - takes minutes at meetings and submits them to the DSSAC website

    4.4.1.1.4 Treasurer - Budgets any financials for the DSSAC

    4.4.2 At the first meeting in July, those interested in one of the above positions in 4.4.1 will verbally self-nominate. If there is no one running against them they will automatically be awarded the position. However, if there are multiple people interested in the same position each of the self-nominating individuals will give to the group a brief explanation of why they would like that position. After the positions with multiple nominees present their explanation, they will be asked to get off the call, so the remaining committee members can vote. Each member will have 1 vote and the nominee with the most votes gets the position.

    4.5  Should a Committee member resign or is otherwise unable or unwilling to fulfill the term of service, the Committee may select an interim Committee member to serve until the vacancy is filled through the Committee’s selection process, which selection is then subject to approval by the Committee in accordance with Section 6.0.

    4.5.1 If the Vice Chair, Secretary, and/or Treasurer are not able to fulfil their duties, then the committee will vote to fill that vacancy.

    4.5.2 If a regular committee member resigns, another member will not be reassigned until the next term, except for in the case defined in 4.2.1 to maintain a committee of at least 12 members.

    4.6 General Elections

    4.6.1 60 days before the expiration of a Committee member’s term outlined in Subsection 4.3, the Committee shall notify MSU CHM full- and part-time staff of the opportunity to apply for and serve on the Committee subject to the Committee’s selection process.

    4.6.1  Subject to additional contents as determined by the Committee, the notification shall minimally:
    4.6.1.1 List the expected term of service by the applicant.

    4.6.1.2 Require the applicant to explain their qualifications and interest to serve on the Committee.

    4.6.1.3 Describe the selection process and provide a set date by which a decision will be made. 

    5.0 | Committee Meetings

    5.1 The Committee will convene as necessary to establish and develop strategies for meeting objectives - but not less than once per month.

    5.2 The Committee Chair and Vice Chair shall be responsible for calling order and selecting the meeting dates and locations, as well as preparing and sending a meeting agenda to Committee members at least 1 day in advance of the meeting.

    5.3 Any Committee member may request a meeting to address a matter they feel needs immediate attention, subject to the Committee Chair’s review and approval which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

    5.4 Any Committee member may submit an item for an agenda prior to the meeting or move to amend the agenda at the start of a meeting.

    5.5 The Committee Secretary shall provide general minutes of full Committee meetings and include motions and votes (i.e., in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order).

    5.5.1 All Committee meetings will be recorded and/or documented by the Committee Secretary (meeting minutes), who in turn will disseminate a draft of the meeting minutes to the 1) Committee leadership team for review and correction as necessary and 2) the MSU CHM Dean’s Office solely for the purposes of reviewing the accuracy of comments and/or information attributable to the MSU CHM Dean. A copy of the meeting minutes approved by the Committee will be preserved by the Committee Secretary in a location accessible by the full Committee and MSU CHM staff.

    6.0 | Committee Voting

    6.1 2/3 of the committee must have a quorum to act at any meeting.

    6.2 The matter to be addressed and subject to a vote must be noticed in accordance with Section 5.

    6.3 After a request to speak has been raised to the Committee Chair and/or Vice-Chair, a Committee member may have up to 5 minutes of uninterrupted time to address the matter to be voted upon.

    6.4 After any Committee member has had the opportunity to address the matter to be voted upon in accordance with Section 6.3, the Committee Chair and/or Vice-Chair may open the matter for general discussion.

    6.5 Upon motion of the Committee Chair and/or Vice-Chair, the matter may 1) be tabled for further consideration and discussion by the Committee or 2) put forth for a simple majority vote by the attending Committee members.

    6.5.1 A 2/3 majority vote by the full Committee is required for a matter which limits the right or participation of or involvement by any Committee member.

    7.0 | Committee Communications

    7.1 Each Sub-committee will have a lead to represent the sub-committee at DSSAC meetings or provide updates to the chair for reporting.

    7.2 For internal Committee communications, the Sub-Committee lead will be responsible for drafting, distributing, and storing all internal Committee communications in an area accessible to all Committee members, including but not limited to meeting minutes, proposed Committee documents, and survey results.

    7.3 For communications from the Sub-Committee to the MSU CHM community (e.g., surveys, questionnaires, Committee news), the Sub-Committee will be responsible for drafting the proposed communication and submitting it for review and comment by Committee members sufficiently in advance of distribution by the Communication Sub-Committee.

    7.3.1 In the event a simple majority of the Committee members cannot agree on the proposed external communication, the matter will be submitted to the Committee Chair and/or Vice-Chair for a final determination with input from the Committee members.

    7.3.2 In the event of a dispute related to the proposed communication and the Committee Chair and/or Vice-Chairs’ determination, a Committee member may request a meeting under Section 5.0 and a formal vote by the Committee under Section 6.0.

    8.0 | Amendments

    8.1 Any Committee member may submit a proposal to amend the bylaws as an agenda item for consideration during a Committee meeting that has been scheduled in accordance with Section 5.0.

    8.2 The proposed amendment shall be subject to the Committee members' approval in accordance with Section 6.0.

    8.3 Any approved amendment shall be merged with the bylaws

    Having had the opportunity for review and comment, and by a simple majority vote of the Committee members, the MSU CHM Dean’s Staff Advisory Committee Bylaws were approved on 15 May 2025.

    updated 06/18/2025

Committee Members

In 2018, Tae joined the Division of Public Health in Flint. The division became the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health in December 22. She is the Executive Assistant to department chair, Dr. Jennifer Johnson. She enjoys working with and supporting the talented and diverse research faculty and staff. While she is a Wisconsin native, she is a proud MSU mom. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling; and attending cultural and live sporting events, especially taking a trip to watch the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Her hobbies include calligraphy, sewing and loves any creative challenge.

Julia is the Communication Manager for Academic Affairs and Admissions. Previously she was the Assistant Director of the Leadership in Rural Medicine Programs and worked at MSU Extension prior to that role. She also taught Communication at Alma College as a full time Instructor and Adjunct. Her current role within the College is to work with Admissions to help tell our story to our next class of MDs and to work with Academic Affairs to better organizational communication at the College. She is currently in her PhD Program at MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Science: Media and Information Program. When she is not working or in school, she enjoys time with her family, sewing, cooking, and traveling.

Liz has worked for Michigan State University for over 20 years and an Office Assistant IV for the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development. Outside of her primary faculty responsibilities, she coordinates the departments faculty academic curriculum, programs, and conferences, as well as many other administrative duties.

Liz loves to plan youth activities and had the privilege for five years teaching watercolor
art at MSU Grand Parents University. Liz and her husband Cecile enjoy their three grown children
and four grandchildren, with a fourth on the way in the spring 2025 and their cabin regardless of it snowing or camping by a fire. Liz’s favorite hobby is canning seasonal goods.

Kimberly is a Research Assistant I with the Pediatric Public Health Initiative’s Nutrition Team at the College of Human Medicine Flint campus. Her role focuses on the implementation and evaluation of a fruit & vegetable prescription program operating in Flint’s largest pediatric and OB/GYN clinics. Kimberly applied to DSSAC for the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from all campuses who are dedicated to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for all support staff. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys perusing Flint eateries; staying active with soccer, tennis, and weightlifting; and spending quality time with friends and family.

Heather, a College of Nursing alumna, serves as a Standardized Patient Educator in simulation at the College of Human Medicine. In this role, she works with the simulation team to leverage simulation-based learning with a focus in medical science, effective patient interactions and incorporating best practice into patient care techniques. She brings over two decades of nursing experience from diverse clinical settings along with a dedication to deliver exceptional patient care, enhance patient care processes through quality improvement initiatives, and advance healthcare education. Driven by a deep commitment for continuous improvement, her focus on fostering excellence and innovation in medical simulation reflects her passion for improving medical education and healthcare outcomes. Outside of simulation she spends her time with family surrounded by nature as much as possible.

Rachael joined the College of Human Medicine as the Admissions Officer for the Office of Admissions in February 2020. She has two Bachelor’s degrees. One in Human Development/Social Relations and another in Religion with a minor in Jewish Studies from Kalamazoo College. Rachael received a Master’s in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University in 2018.  Prior to CHM, Rachael worked at several universities as a Residence Hall Director. As an Admissions Officer, Rachael oversees admissions operations, screens medical school applications, and manages the Interview Day process for medical school applicants. When she is not working, Rachael enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks with her dogs, cooking, and reading.   

Grace is a Human Resources Professional for the College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids. She started her journey with Michigan State University in October 2018. Grace’s primary responsibilities are coordinating the faculty appointment process for non-MSU-employed faculty. She collects faculty appointment applications, completes faculty appointments transactions, change of statues, and terminations. Along with the East Lansing human resources team, Grace is responsible for the coordination of the university’s annual mass update process for the Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Upper Peninsula communities. Grace also assists with processing various EBS HR personnel transactions and hiring support staff positions.