University announces 2026 Staff Fellows
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has announced participants selected for the 2026 Staff Fellows Program, which seeks to strengthen the university by developing leaders at all levels of the institution.
The Staff Fellows Program offers KU employees an opportunity to build their leadership skills, gain experience to advance their careers and work together on a strategic campus project that benefits the university. Each participant is matched with a mentor from KU’s senior leadership.
Human Resources coordinates the Staff Fellows program, with a review committee selecting the participants. This year, 14 Staff Fellows were selected.
Throughout the program, fellows will research and evaluate current perceptions and processes related to employee recognition and appreciation at KU, drawing on literature, internal interviews with academic and administrative units, and external insights from peer institutions and organizations.
Through this work, and in alignment with HR’s broader initiative to elevate recognition and appreciation as essential practices for workforce well-being and productivity, the fellows will develop a summary of their research and findings, providing recommendations for sustainable strategies to strengthen employee engagement, morale and appreciation across the institution, consistent with KU’s IRISE Values.
Visit the Human Resources website for more information about the Staff Fellows program.
The 2026 Staff Fellows:
- Craig Alexander, Jayhawks Elevate
- Amanda Burghart, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Cady Bush, Department of Chemistry
- Sam Deming, Office of Civil Rights & Title IX
- Ashley Kalatusha, Edwards Campus
- MarSue Mackey, School of Business
- Megan Maresh, School of Business
- Erin McElroy, Center for Orientation & Transition Programs
- Pegah Naemi Jimenez, School of Social Welfare
- Carol Rudolph, Information Technology
- Stephanie Schmitz, School of Business
- Katie Williams, Office of Faculty Affairs
- Zephyr Yu, Achievement & Assessment Institute
- Derek Zomer, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.