Members

Current Members	Representing	Term	Date of Terms
Syndey Bongard	Labor	1st Term	7/1/24 - 6/30/26
Sarah Carroll	APSA	2nd Term	11/01/22-6/30/25
Heather Dover	APA	2nd Term	11/1/21 - 6/30/25
Rachel Duncan	APSA	2nd Term	7/1/22 - 6/30/25
Dorreen Gordon	CTU	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
Rati Walther	APA	2nd Term	11/1/22 - 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

EX-OFFICIO	Department
Jabbar R. Bennett	Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Christina K. Brogdon	Human Resources

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WACSS Member Features

• Member Feature: Heather Dover

  Heather Dover (she/her)

  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 Perrien (she/her)
  

  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 Storrs (she/her)
  2022-2023 Secretary, 2021-2023 APA Member

  Immediate Past Chair

  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 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 Carroll

  Sarah Carroll
  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.

• Member Feature: Rati Walther

  Rati Walther
  2022-2024 APA Member

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

  I am greatly influenced by the committee's values of advocacy, engagement, empowerment and development of women support staff across the campus through effective partnership with the senior leadership and management at the University. I wish to contribute to and enhance the impactful change and outcomes of the committee.

  Where is your favorite place on the main MSU campus?

  I enjoy taking walks by the Beaumont Memorial Tower.

  Do you volunteer somewhere? Where, and why do you give your time there?

  I have volunteered at my children's schools through various school and school related extra curricular activities. Teachers leave an indelible mark on the learning and development of the children, and I find assisting them in their commitments very fulfilling.

  Where do you go for your favorite hot beverage and what do you order there?

  Starbucks or Biggby - Soy Latte

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

  Banana

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

  I would love to visit Greece, for the love of food, history, nature and people.