Staff Council

Authorized Governance Organization (AGO)

The Staff Council is a formal, College-recognized body that represents the interests of staff professionals to College decision-makers and Administration. The Council facilitates communication among staff, liaises with other College bodies, meets regularly with Administration and other AGOs, reviews and considers proposals, policies, and procedures, is a visible and proactive voice on staff issues, ensures adequate staff representation on college committees, ensures recognition of staff contributions, and advances professional growth opportunities.

The Staff Council is an important part of the College community, and its work helps to ensure that the voices of staff members are heard and that their needs are met.

Events & Meetings

Staff Council had been slowly transitioning back to meeting on campus since the COVID restrictions, and we had been primarily gathering & discussing over Google Meet. In 2025 we are encouraging meeting more often in person. If you are interested in joining any meeting, please contact us at “Askstaff@hawaii.edu” and we will happily provide you with details.

Time
Purpose
Venue
Jan 22
12:00pm - 12:50pm
Monthly Meeting
Kalia 103, the Arts & Sciences breakroom
Feb 4
12:00pm - 12:50pm
Monthly Meeting
Kalia 103, the Arts & Sciences breakroom
Mar 4
12:00pm - 12:50pm
Monthly Meeting
Kalia 103, the Arts & Sciences breakroom
Apr 2
12:00pm - 12:50pm
Monthly Meeting
Kalia 103, the Arts & Sciences breakroom
May 7
12:00pm - 12:50pm
Monthly Meeting
Kalia 103, the Arts & Sciences breakroom

Members

These individuals are dedicated to representing the interests of all staff at the College. They are committed to listening to your concerns and advocating for your needs.

Since the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have temporarily suspended the traditional executive committee structure. Instead, all members of the Staff Council are sharing equal responsibility for all roles within the Staff Council.

Email
Role
S Pope
spope@hawaii.edu
Chair
Cheryl Miyahara
cherylmi@hawaii.edu
Past-Chair
Kevin Andreshak
kandresh@hawaii.edu
Vice Chair of Membership, Governance, and Finance
Brandon Marc Higa
higabran@hawaii.edu
Co-Vice Chair of Professional Development
Shaun Kiyabu
kiyabus@hawaii.edu
Co-Vice Chair of Professional Development
Raphael Lowe
rlowe@hawaii.edu
Vice Chair of Communications
Denise Pierson
dpierson@hawaii.edu
Vice Chair of Mission and Advocacy

Reach out to us

The Staff Council is committed to representing the interests of all staff at the College. We believe that it is important for staff to have a voice in the decision-making process, and we are here to help you raise your concerns and advocate for your needs.

Staff Questions or Concerns

If you have a question or concern about your job, your department, or the College as a whole, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can help you to connect with the right people, find resources, and resolve your issue.

We value your feedback and we are here to help you succeed.

Action Requests

If you have a request for some kind of governance action, please use the form below to submit your request. We will review your request and take appropriate action.

When submitting your request, please be as specific as possible about the type of action you are requesting. For example, are you requesting a change to a policy, a new program, or a review of a decision that has already been made?

Meeting Minutes

Meeting minutes are an important tool for communication and record-keeping. They can help to ensure that everyone who attended the meeting is on the same page, and they can also be used to track progress and make sure that decisions are being implemented.

Access Minutes

By-Laws

The ByLaws of the Staff Council are intended to provide a framework for the organization and operation of the Council. They establish the Council’s purpose, structure, membership, and procedures.

View Bylaws

Staff Development Application

The Staff Development Application is a tool for staff to request funding for professional development activities. The application process is designed to be simple and to ensure that all requests are considered fairly.

To be eligible for funding, staff must be current employees of the organization.

Staff Council Development Application Form (Kuali)

Archive & Forms

Access Staff Council forms and archived materials conveniently in our Google Drive

Access Public Drive