Staff Senate elects 2023-24 officers

Leadership has a new look for the University of Louisville Staff Senate. On June 13, the senate elected new officers for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Kevin Ledford, who served as the senate’s vice chair for 2022-23, was elected as the new senate chair. He succeeds John Smith, who after five terms as chair, decided not to run for a sixth term.

“Over the coming year, my goal is to continue to lead our Staff Senate into an era of growth, influence and shared governance,” said Ledford, who is enterprise systems programmer III for UofL's Information Technology Services. “I firmly believe that our Staff Senate should be a central pillar of our institution, representing the voices, concerns and aspirations of our dedicated staff. By working together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive and engaging environment that benefits us all.”

One of Ledford’s primary objectives is to raise awareness and understanding of the essential work the senate undertakes. Ledford adds that he will advocate for creating an institution where staff feel valued in a workplace that nurtures both personal and professional growth.

“To effectively champion our staff, we must cultivate strong relationships, build bridges and promote open dialogue,” said Ledford. “I am dedicated to fostering an inclusive and transparent environment where everyone feels heard and represented.”

Kari Donahue, director of communications and marketing for the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, was elected as the senate vice chair, and Carcyle D. Barrett, a paralegal in the Office of University Counsel and past president of the Black Faculty/Staff Association, was re-elected secretary-treasurer.

Smith, assistant director of Intramural and Recreational Sports, will remain on the Staff Senate as an at-large member. In his remarks to the senate, Smith noted how grateful he is to have served the university throughout leadership transitions, the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to improve employee compensation.

“I think our senate is much stronger than it has been due to the number and quality of individuals who commit to this service,” said Smith. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with every one of you.”

In other news:

Additional security cameras will be installed throughout Belknap Campus in the coming months. The new cameras are a proactive measure to improve campus security. Additionally, UofL’s security cameras are connecting to 135 City of Louisville cameras in the immediate vicinity of campus to improve coordination between Louisville Metro and University of Louisville Police Departments.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems will be replaced in several university buildings in the coming months. This may cause disruption in some workspaces. Unit managers will be advised on the timing of HVAC replacement.

The agenda, committee reports and other information from the June 13, 2023, UofL Staff Senate meeting is available on the Staff Senate meetings webpage.