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Members

WACSS 2024-2025 committee photo

Do you wish learn more about or join the Workforce Action Committee for Spartan Staff? You can find the information and complete the application HERE!

Members are eligible to serve for two consecutive two-year terms.  If you have any questions please contact wacss@msu.edu.

 

Current Members Representing Term Date of Terms
Syndey Bongard Labor 1st Term 7/1/24 - 6/30/26
Sarah Czinder APSA 2nd Term 11/01/22-6/30/25
Heather Dover APA 2nd Term 11/1/21 - 6/30/25
Dorreen Gordon APA 1st Term 7/1/24 - 6/30/26
Lindsay Lake-Hefner APA 2nd Term 7/1/23 - 6/30/25
Arianna Perrien Immediate Past Chair 2nd Term 7/1/22 - 6/30/25
Taren Storrs APA 2nd Term 7/1/21 - 6/30/25
Sandy Tran At Large 1st Term 7/1/24 - 6/30/26
Taylor Unrath CTU 2nd Term 7/1/22 - 6/30/25
Harmony Van Valkenberg APSA 2nd Term 7/1/21 - 6/30/25
Ashley Wilson APA 2nd Term 7/1/22 - 6/30/25
Amber Wise APA 2nd Term 7/1/23 - 6/30/25
Advisors Department
Jabbar R. Bennett Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Alexis Travis University Health and Wellbeing

WACSS Member Features

  • Member Feature: Heather Dover

    headshotHeather Dover (she/her)

    2024-2025 Events & Engagement Subcommittee Chair, 2022-2023 DEI Subcommitee Chair, 2021-2023 APA Member

    Why did you join WACSS and what are you hoping to accomplish?

    I've enjoyed attending a number of WACSS events in the past. I wanted to give back and help support WACSS.

    Do you volunteer somewhere?

    I am President of the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Although I don't actively practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I enjoy staying engaged with the profession. I also serve on the Ingham County Board of Health as a way to support my local community.

    What WACSS initiative are you most proud of?

    The WACSS Insight Series highlights issues relevant to support staff, as well as opportunities to be in community with others who identify as women

    Where is your favorite place on the main MSU campus?

    Lewis Landscape Arboretum

    If you were coming out onto a stage or up to bat, what would your entrance theme song be?

    Call Me by Blondie

    Tell us who your hero is and why.

    Wonder Woman, because she's awesome and would totally beat Superman!

  • Member Feature: Arianna Perrien

    Arianna PerrienArianna Perrien (she/her)

    2023-2024 Chairperson, 2020-2023 Treasurer, 2020-2022 CTU Member

    Why did you join WACSS and what are you hoping to accomplish?

    My two primary reasons for joining WACSS were to invoke positive change for support staff through advocacy and networking/gaining friendships and professional partnerships.

    What WACSS initiative or project are you most proud of?

    I am extremely excited about the launch of our Beyond the Book, book club.

    Where is your favorite place on the main MSU campus?

    The food court of course! Anywhere I can get a good bite to eat is a place of pure happiness in my book!

    If you were coming out onto a stage or up to bat, what would your entrance theme song be?

    Isn't No Rest For The Wicked - Cage The Elephant

    Where's the next place on your travel bucket list, and why?

    Colorado or Montana - I would love to see ranches and scenery there, it looks absolutely breathtaking - and QUIET!

    If you could only eat one item of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

    Steak! We raise our own beef and there is nothing better than a delicious ribeye!

  • Member Feature: Taren Storrs

    Taren StorrsTaren Storrs (she/her)
    2024-2025 Chairperson, 2022-2023 Secretary, 2021-2023 APA Member

    Why did you join WACSS and what are you hoping to accomplish?

    Professional development opportunity, a chance to expand my network, and pursue passion for advocacy for those whose voice isn't always represented

    What WACSS initiative(s) or project(s) are you most proud of?

    The effort to the president for getting additional paid time off over the 2021 holiday season, more lactation rooms across campus for pumping/nursing moms, and the WACSS Annual Report.

    Where is your favorite place on the main MSU campus?

    I love walking from the Union, past Beaumont Tower, over the bridge behind the library to Wells Hall.

    Where's the next place on your travel bucket list?

    Norway and Finland

    If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your smartphone, which ones would you keep?

    IG, FB, MSUFCU

  • Member Feature: Harmony Van Valkenberg

    Harmony Van ValkenbergHarmony Van Valkenberg (she/her)
    2021-2023 APSA Member

    Why did you join WACSS and what are you hoping to accomplish?

    I hope to make a positive impact on women support staff at MSU.

    What WACSS initiative or project are you most proud of?

    The Spring Forum and the summer get together are a great way to connect across campus.

    Where is your favorite place on the main MSU campus?

    The MSU Gardens

    What is your go-to, binge-worthy TV show?

    I Love The Bachelor and The Bachelorette

    Where's the next place on your travel bucket list?

    Europe

    If you could only eat one item of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

    Tacos

    Tell us who your hero is and why.

    My mom is my hero. We lost her in 2012 to breast cancer but she fought for 20+ years. She was kind, strong and most of all loved us all so deeply.

  • Member Feature: Sarah Czinder

    Sarah CarrollSarah Czinder
    2022-2024 APSA Member

    Why did you join WACSS and what are you hoping to accomplish?

    In the spring of 2022 I completed serving five years on the CANR Staff Advisory Committee, most recently as the chair, and this opportunity with WACSS is a logical next level to continue providing a voice for support staff across the university.

    What WACSS initiative or project are you most proud of?

    Being new I'm most excited to see the work that has been done to promote collaborations and exploring the opportunities to expand representation of the committee.

    Where is your favorite place around your place of work?

    I work off-campus at MSU's Kellogg Biological Station on beautiful Gull Lake. The views along the lake are beautiful and the hiking trails at MSU's Kellogg Bird Sanctuary are perfect for an afternoon break.

    If you could only eat one item of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

    Salad! I know, odd choice, but you can do so much with a salad.

    Where's the next place on your travel bucket list?

    Iceland for the Northern Lights

    If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your smartphone, which ones would you keep?

    Spotify, YNAB (You Need A Budget), Apple Maps

    Tell us about your pets!

    Both are rescues; Domer is a 10-year-old mutt who sleeps 22 hours a day but is like velcro. Prim, our lab/cattle dog mix, is a 3-year-old spazz who has an unhealthy obsession with tennis balls.