Chinweolu Greer:  I have been employed here at The University of Texas at Dallas for six months now. I currently work in the Student Development Suite in the Student Union. My position here is Secretary III assistant to Phyllis Blanck the Associate Dean of Students. I have both seen and heard of the great things that Staff Council has done here at UTD, and I look forward to being a part of more great things to come. GO COMETS!!!!

Tineil Lewis:  I am the coordinator of student activities (SUAAB and SOF advisor) in the student union. I am a native of Baytown, Texas (Southeast side of Houston, TX). I have lived here in Dallas going on 5 years. I began attending UTD in the Fall of 2004 and graduated with my undergrad degree in the Fall of 2008. I begin working full time with the university February 1, 2009.Throughout my college days I was very passionate about being active in many student organizations on campus. I have worked in the Black Student Alliance, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, SUAAB, Empowering Readers, Comet Stars Mentoring Program, and Ideal Women. I love working here on campus because there is never a dull moment.

When it comes to completing a task I am very passionate about getting the job done to the best of my ability. I am opinionated, dependable, hard working, and an all around excellent person to have on your team. I would like to be on Staff Council because I feel that I possess all of the necessary qualities to do a job well done and that as staff members we deserve a channel in which to voice our opinions.  If I am chosen for Staff Council, I would like to work on gaining some access to the health services that are offered here on campus, staff/faculty mixers in which we would be able to net work and get to know our university wide co-workers, a staff/faculty lounge area (not located in the new dining hall) that could be used for rest and relaxation away from hectic daily schedules, a freshman welcome event, staff member of the month, and a staff picnic. It would be my pleasure to serve as your Staff Council representative!

Yolande Porter:  I earned my master’s plus 30 from Grambling State University in 1990.  I taught at my alma mater, Grambling State University Magnet High School, for 10 years while serving as the advisor of the school’s newspaper, yearbook and television studio.

I joined the UT Dallas family in 2000 and have served in many capacities.  As Coordinator of Program Development in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, I now function administratively and programmatically in support of the newly developed Sophomore Year Experience Program as well as the Transfer Student Services Office.  In addition, I teach Rhet 1101, the freshman experience course.

I am actively involved with the Committee for the Support of Diversity and Equity, the Parent and Family Association, the Student Affairs Staff Development Committee, the Advisory Council for the Comet S.T.A.R.S. Program, the Association for the Study of Transfer Students, Tau Sigma National Honor Society where I serve as advisor and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

I have been recognized in America’s Outstanding Names and Faces, National Honor Roll, The National Dean’s List, Who’s Who Among America’s High School Teachers and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

“I feel Staff Council is currently doing an amazing job.  However, it never hurts to have “fresh eyes” viewing a situation.  I want to help make a difference.  I want to actively assist in being a part of the solutions to the issues having significant staff impact.”

Below are some ideas I feel will strengthen the mission.

• Enhance communications with all university staff
• Increase staff involvement in council and university-sponsored events
• Strengthen the relationship with Human Resources
• Foster an effective partnership with the Office of Diversity and Community Engagement

Lori Skillestad:  I have been a student as well as a staff member here at UT Dallas since October 2001.  I received my Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies in May 2004 and my Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies in Fall 2007. I currently work as a Graduate Academic Advisor for the School of Management where I not only work with students, but I also help recruit at different events and I also speak as a representative of the Advising office for Information sessions and the Orientations.  I have had the opportunity to be on the staff council for the past two years and served the last year as the Benefits Committee Chair.  I also had the privilege of being awarded the CARE award for the Fall 2007 semester.