Laurinda Lara:  I work in Payroll.  I have been with UTD for 4 years and enjoy my work.  I have a 21 month old daughter who is a charm and the love of my life.  I enjoy spending time with my daughter, family and friends.  I like to go shopping, work on my yard, bake and cook.  I just graduated with my Associates degree from DCCCD and my next goal is to graduate with a Bachelor.  I take most of my classes online so that I can spend time with my daughter.  When I worked for GISD I was a member of the Social Committee, we planned faculty and staff activities such as luncheons, barbeques and retirement/receptions for faculty and staff.  I would design the menus, create the theme for receptions and luncheons and set up tables and decorate areas.  I would like to see many things change for the staff for instance a Day Care for the staff at a reasonable monthly cost.  More staff luncheons so that people in all departments can meet new employees around campus.  More fund raisers to be able to raise more money for more scholarships, staff activities and appreciation gifts.

Misty Williams:  I have been with the university since September 2008. I received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of North Texas. I am an Academic Advisor for the ATEC program.  As a fairly new addition to the university, I am interested in being on Staff Council because it will allow me the opportunity to not only establish new relationships with those across campus but become an essential part of the decisions that affect staff members. I believe that as a Staff Council member I will be able to effectively serve my institution by bringing my own skills and talents. In my both professional and non professional career I have served on many committees. I believe the knowledge I have gained from these past experiences will adequately prepare me to work with multiple other members for a common purpose. Being that Staff Council currently works on so many vital issues I found it hard to come up with a new issue that this thorough council had not already addressed. However, one issue that I would like to see addressed would be separate identified parking for staff. I believe that this will prevent staff from competing with students for spaces as well as help increase morale because staff will feel more appreciated and less stressed about beating students to spaces.  I look forward to the opportunity of serving on such a distinguished council.