Coordinates PACE General Board involvement in discussions and communications related to university benefits. Attends monthly and ad-hoc University Benefits Committee, as called by the Benefits Office. PACE President and President-Elect/Past President also attend University Benefits Committee. PACE has two votes on the University Benefits Committee.
Benefits Chairperson
Laura Lewis began her career in the California Workers’ Compensation system where she worked for a vocational rehabilitation firm providing services for industrially injured workers. She learned a great deal about workers’ compensation benefits, employment law, educational and career counseling, and advocating for individuals with disabilities. During that time she decided to pursue higher education eventually earning a BS in Behavioral Science and an MA in Education with an emphasis in Counseling. She also has a post-graduate certificate in Assistive Technology Applications.
Maintains PACE Bylaws and Procedures documents. Aids PACE Committees and Senators in updating committee procedures, and performs at least an annual review of all procedures. Makes and receives recommendations for changes to PACE Bylaws, and explains Bylaws changes to PACE membership at the annual PACE General Meeting. Ensures PACE Executive and General Boards follow Bylaws and Procedures in all activities.
Bylaws / Procedures Chairperson
Natalie started working at UVU in 1998 while pursuing and earning her degree in Behavioral Science, Psychology emphasis at UVSC, and has worked in various roles throughout the years. These include working in the Payroll office, Administrative Support for Philosophy and Humanities and Communication departments and currently works as an Academic Advisor, advising Public Relation students in the Communication department. She earned a Masters degree from Fort Hays State University in Organizational Leadership in 2015. Natalie enjoys helping her students succeed both academically and personally and finds great satisfaction in journeying with students through their educational path. Natalie is part of a big, brady bunch blended family with 6 kids ranging in ages from 19 to almost 3, which keeps her busy. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking and reading.
Promotes and coordinates annual PACE Elections process. Verifies eligibility and willingness of nominated individuals. Gathers and disperses candidate information to PACE members. Oversees voting and announces election results.
Election Chairperson
Stacy Fowler’s connection to UVU started in 1998 in the Distance Education department. 10 years later she chose to stay home with her three small children, but continued to work for UVU as a part time grader. In 2012, when her youngest started school, she was excited to return to UVU as the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Planning, Budget and Human Resources. Stacy received recognition for Distinguished Employee of the Year Award in 2005-2006 and the Planning, Budget, and Human Resources Divisional Award of Excellence in 2014-15. Stacy served as the PACE Secretary/Treasurer in 2016-2018 and would love the opportunity to serve on PACE again.
Promotes PACE programs for recognizing exemplary employees. In coordination with university leaders, and in accordance with university recognition policies and procedures, selects PACE Distinguished Employee Award recipients. Encourages peer recognition and selects recipients of Wolverine Sighting Awards. Coordinates with university divisions and departments to promote recognition programs and to provide meaningful awards to employees. Provides recommendations for programs to recognize great employees.
Employee Recognition Chairperson
Emmy Bell has always had a knack for making people feel like the most valuable individuals in the room. As a leader, one of Emmy's highest priorities is involving her teams in projects and initiatives that they want to excel in. She believes that people will show up and do their best work as long as their leaders have faith in their abilities and they are provided adequate resources to do so. Emmy also believes that employee recognition is the easiest way to make a large impact within your organization. She understands that a simple thank you note or uplifting call out in front of colleagues can instantly lift the spirits of employees and remind them that they are valuable; that the work they do does not go unnoticed. In every company Emmy has worked, she has done her best to foster a positive, enjoyable culture for her coworkers. Through event planning, social media posts, employee spotlights, and other activities, Emmy has gone out of her way to make employees feel special, no matter her role in the companies she's worked for. Emmy believes that investing in people is the smartest investment you can make in your business, because people bring unique, special talents that money can't buy.
Coordinates and promotes involvement of PACE members with the university community and encourages social interaction between employees. Oversees various social events for employees annually. Encourages involvement of university employees in social and service opportunities.
Events Chairperson
UVU Ambassador- 2015-2017
Center for the Advancement of Leadership, LEAD program graduate- 2017
UVUSA Traditions Chair- 2016-2017
UVU Homecoming Committee Member- 2016-2017
UVUSA Special Events Chair- 2017-2018
UVU Campus Connection Executive Assistant- 2018
Bachelors of Science in Marketing
Business Management Minor
Distinction in Leadership
Promote and encourage PACE member involvement in the legislative process. Coordinate PACE legislative efforts with university legislative liaisons and efforts. Coordinate PACE legislative efforts with those of the Utah Higher Education Staff Association (UHESA).
jakell.larson@uvu.edu
Legislative Affairs Chairperson
https://www.uvu.edu/universityrelations/legislative/
Jakell “Jake” Larson has been working at Utah Valley University as the Internship Manager for Government and High Impact Internships for the last two years. She graduated from Utah Valley University in 2017 with a Bachelors of Science in Political Science degree and a minor in Constitutional Studies, and the University of Utah in 2020 with a Master in Public Administration degree. One of Jakell’s job functions is to oversee the Utah State Legislative Intern program where she prepares and manages students interning for legislators during the session. She also dual reports to UVU’s Government and Community Relations and understands UVU’s relationship with state decision makers. Jakell was appointed to serve as the Student Regent in 2018-2019 where she served as an advocate for over 180,000 students to the Utah State Legislature and the Utah State Board of Regents. Jakell is fueled by the political process (and RedBull) and understands that closely following the legislative session and clearly communicating needs and decisions are important to this position. She would be thrilled to serve UVU Staff by being the PACE Legislative Affairs Chair.
Provides tools and guidance for communications from PACE and PACE Committees with PACE membership. Maintains PACE web and social networking sites. Makes recommendations to PACE Executive Board on communication best practices.
Marketing & Communication Chairperson
I love working at UVU! Since 1994, I have enjoyed being part of the team here at UVU in many capacities. Currently, I am the Director of Web Development Services where I have the privilege of connecting with many folks across our great campus regarding their websites. I am dedicated to the strategic focus of the campus and I endeavor in working with all departments across campus to reflect that vision on their websites.
I look forward to serving in the capacity of PACE Marketing and Communications Chair. With my past experience serving on PACE and with my involvement in the Digital Transformation efforts across campus, I have the experience and the vision to fulfill this new role and take our PACE communications to the next level. I am excited to interact and collaborate with other PACE members from across campus, finding innovative ways to help us communicate, connect, and be involved together as UVU Staff. The next few years are going to be full of growth and change at UVU and I am excited to be part of it!
Coordinates PACE review of stage 2 policy drafts. Coordinates with University Policy Office related to the policy pipeline. Disperses policy drafts to PACE General Board for review. Gathers and compiles feedback from PACE General Board members and conducts a vote to accept feedback as PACE’s official comments. Submits official PACE comments to policy stewards and policy office.
Policy Review Chairperson
My name is Ransom Cundick, and I've loved all 8 years I've been here at UVU! I've had the opportunity to graduate as the Valedictorian from UVU's accounting program, be a student employee for 2 years, and now be a full-time staff member for almost 4. The employees at UVU, and their focus on student success, provided me the support and the resources I needed to be able to graduate.
Why do I care about policies? Because I work with them on a daily basis! Working in the Internal Audit Department at UVU, I work with staff all across campus to collaboratively find areas for growth. This includes reviewing policies and finding, frequently, that those policies should be clarified and improved.
The PACE policy process can be clunky and, at times, lacks involvement. If I were elected, my commitment would be to improve the efficiency, the transparency, and the involvement of staff and senators in the policy review process. I don't want to take over the world as the auditor, I just see this as an area for growth that I feel confident I can contribute to.
Promotes Staff Education and Staff Development Fund programs to employees. Gathers and compiles requests for funding. Selects funding recipients according to policies and guidelines. Coordinates budgets for Staff Education and Staff Development, including check requests for funding recipients, according to policies and guidelines.
Professional Development Chairperson
I have been with UVU since 2001. Previous positions include High School Relations Coordinator, and Director of Enrollment Marketing. I have taught Student Success (1.5 years), Career Prep (5 years), Public Speaking (6 years), and am in my seventh year of teaching Marriage and Relationship Skills.
I get to help people with the two biggest decisions of their lives: what they will do for a career (as director of the Career Development Center), and who their partner in life is going to be (as an instructor of Marriage and Relationship Skills). It is very rewarding.
I have a BS in Communication (Weber State University) with a minor in Sociology of the Family; an M.Ed. in Educational Counseling (University of Phoenix), and will complete my doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership (Abilene Christian University) with an emphasis in Conflict Resolution during the summer of 2020.
I am a husband to one, and a father to five. My focuses in life are Family, Faith, Fitness, Friends, Failure, and Forgiveness. I'm a published author, love traveling, riding motorcycles (dirt bikes and road bikes), grilling tri tip roast and fish tacos, college football, documentaries, and weekly date night with my wife.
Approves Service Leave requests by all employees according to university policy and guidelines. Compiles reports received about service performed by employees. Coordinates PACE service opportunities and projects. Coordinates with university scholarship offices on all details related to the PACE Scholarship program. Promotes PACE Scholarship to employees to solicit donations. Selects and recognizes scholarship recipients according to policies and guidelines.
Service & Scholarship Chairperson
Justine's passion for UVU started six years ago when she was the first person in her extended family to attend college. After graduating with a degree in Communication, Justine had the opportunity to continue her UVU journey by accepting a role in HR as the Learning and Development Coordinator. In this role, as well as in her new role of HR Generalist - Communication and Culture, Justine has advocated PACE's mission throughout remote work, onboarding, and the Leadership Competency Experience (UVULEAD, Supervisor Reviews, etc.). Having a passion for continuing education and feeling immense gratitude for the generosity of others who helped her achieve that goal, Justine and her partner started The Gamble Professional Development Fund in 2020: a scholarship program for those pursuing higher education in the form of college or trade school. In her free time she loves to read fantasy novels, jam to music, train for her first Spartan (send good vibes please, she'll need them), and dance.
Promotes school pride among employees, especially staff, through activities, communication, and spirit building. Coordinates with students, faculty, departments, and administration to promote and enhance employee attendance at athletics, the arts, and other university sponsored events, provides leadership and support to the University Wolverine Pride Committee. Chairs the University Wolverine Price Executive Committee. To stay up to speed on current Wolverine Pride events, take the pledge at wolverinepride.uvu.edu.
Wolverine Pride Chairperson
Chris has been with UVU for over 23 years. He is employed with the facilities department as an electrician and lead lighting specialist.
Chris thoroughly enjoys UVU and attending as many sporting events as he can. He is an avid UVU basketball fan and was even awarded UVU fan of the year.
Chris enjoys spending time with his family and is looking forward to welcoming a grandchild in the fall.
Chris bleeds green and is the definition of a true wolverine!
Go UVU!
