Staff Senate ‘Ready to Move to the Next Level’ as It Concludes Successful Year

At its final meeting of 2025, the Staff Senate at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center celebrated its achievements, honored university leadership, and welcomed its new president for 2026.

Among the Staff Senate's accomplishments in its second year were approving bylaws and operational procedures and securing a budget to help it recognize and build the staff community. "We are ready to move to the next level," 2026 President Peggy Reisser told the senate.

Reisser, strategic communications manager in the Office of Communications and Marketing, has served on the Staff Senate since it began. She succeeds Keshia Giboney, financial coordinator in the College of Pharmacy, as president. The senate will elect the other 2026 officers at its meeting in January.

"I am excited at the prospect of helping to continue the growth of this organization, which represents such a vital part of the UT Health Science Center community - the staff members, who support everything that happens at the university," Reisser said.

The Staff Senate was formed in 2024 with the merger of two longtime employee organizations, the Employee Relations Committee for non-exempt employees and the Exempt Staff Council for exempt employees up to the director level. The senate meets monthly to discuss university issues and share opinions on policies, procedures, and activities with the administration. It serves as the voice of the staff across UT Health Science Center's campuses and as a channel for university leaders to communicate with the staff.

At the December meeting, the Staff Senate honored two outstanding leaders whose service, commitment, and energy have helped strengthen the staff community across the university.

Giboney received the Star Leadership Award for her exemplary service and steady, visible leadership within the senate. The award honored her for consistently championing staff interests, fostering collaboration, and contributing in ways that elevate both the senate and the broader university community. It also recognized her integrity, commitment, and impact that have made her a trusted role model among her peers.

Patti Smith, grant strategist in the College of Nursing, was honored with the Maximum Effort Award for her unwavering dedication and hands-on involvement in advancing the senate's mission. The award recognized her active committee service, thoughtful engagement in discussions, and consistent willingness to take on the work needed to move initiatives forward.

The Staff Senate also shared letters of appreciation for Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, and Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Raaj Kurapati. In the letters, the senate thanked the leaders for their support and engagement with the senate's work.

"Your support not only validates the importance of our initiatives, but also empowers us to move forward with confidence, knowing that our ideas and priorities are recognized at the highest levels of leadership," the letter to Kurapati read.

In the letter to Chancellor Buckley, the Staff Senate wrote, "We value the respect you show for our perspectives, how you value our opinions, and the way you regularly invite feedback. Your dedication to the Staff Senate strengthens our confidence that staff voices are heard and considered in shaping the future of the university."

In 2026, the Staff Senate aims to focus on three Cs: communication with staff members so they are informed about the senate's meetings and know their input matters; collaboration across the UT Health Sciences community to help build campus culture; and commitment among the senators to actively participate in meetings and events and to share their opinions, concerns, and perspectives.