Center Stage: Your 2025–26 Staff Council Leaders | | |
Asraiel Harewood, Treasurer
Director of Enrollment Operations and Strategy, Office of Enrollment Management
Meet Asraiel
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AnaBella Lassiter, Secretary
Senior Academic Coordinator, Heinz College
Meet AnaBella
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Staff Council Representatives
Staff Council is made up of 60 representatives who are elected to serve two-year terms. This includes 30 Divisional Representatives for the term 2024–2026 and 30 At-Large Representatives for the term 2025–2027. These representatives work closely with university administration to address issues and develop effective solutions for both staff and the university community.
You can find a list of CMU divisions represented by the Staff Council Division Representatives here.
Take a moment to get to know who we are!
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A Note from Your Chairs
Dear Carnegie Mellon Staff Community,
Welcome to the start of a new academic year! Sgt. Mark and I hope that each of you had a restful summer break as campus just got a whole lot busier.
Whether this is the start of your first school year as an employee or 21st, Staff Council has been and continues to be here to support you and amplify your voices through our advocacy and community engagement efforts.
Each fall we lead the Campus Wide Food Drive to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and will once again be supporting Take Our Children to Work Day and the Community Picnic in the Spring. If you’d like to play a role in these events or serve on one of our committees, I encourage you to do so. Staff Council is a great way to get to know others from across the university.
Our monthly meetings are open to all and we’d love to have you join us to share your ideas in input.
Here’s to a year of growth, connection and success!
Cheers,
Ryan, Chair
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Have you heard of SmartSpending?
It’s a new discount platform available directly on the CMU=You homepage and via iOS or Android apps. While TicketsatWork features outings and experiences, SmartSpending is focused on everyday retailers, allowing you to save money through discounted instant vouchers (used like gift cards) or by accessing instant savings when you purchase through an affiliate link.
While you’re exploring the platform, take a moment to brighten a colleague’s day with one of our seasonal eCards, like “Sweet Summer Thank You” or “Your Contributions Shine,” a simple way to share appreciation during the summer months.
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Check out SmartSpending today by clicking on the Discounts Home in CMU=You. Learn more by checking out the HR News Item.
Note: SmartSpending is only available to U.S.-based CMU employees at this time. For any questions, please contact HR Communications.
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Building a More Inclusive Campus with Digital Accessibility
Carnegie Mellon University’s Digital Accessibility Office (DAO) has grown into a vibrant resource center dedicated to making digital spaces usable by everyone in our community. Through training, outreach, and hands-on support, the DAO empowers staff and faculty to create inclusive materials that ensure equitable access for all.
This work also supports the university’s Digital Accessibility Policy, adopted in January 2025, which establishes processes for ensuring accessibility across our digital content and services. The DAO plays a key role in helping the campus community meet those standards through practical tools and training.
Each fall, the DAO offers a series of webinars designed to build everyday skills. Upcoming fall sessions include Digital Accessibility 101 (September 24), Grackle Workspace (October 1), and Accessible Spreadsheets (October 8). These interactive trainings provide step-by-step guidance on how to remediate common accessibility issues—such as using text tools, adding alt text to images, ensuring readable color contrast, and adding headers to tables.
Beyond individual workshops, the Digital Accessibility Allies program provides a nine-month cohort experience for employees across the university. Participants gain a deeper understanding of accessibility best practices, explore the legal requirements shaping higher education, and join a growing network of allies who champion inclusive practices in their departments. This long-term commitment has already helped strengthen CMU’s culture of accessibility and advance compliance with our policy.
Whether you are new to the topic or looking to deepen your skills, the DAO’s training opportunities provide actionable tools you can apply right away. By participating, staff not only improve the accessibility of their own work but also contribute to a broader campus effort to remove barriers and create a welcoming environment for all.
Upcoming Events
- Digital Accessibility 101 – September 24, 12:00 p.m.
- Grackle Workspace for Google Docs and Slides – October 1, 12:00 p.m.
- Accessible Spreadsheets in Excel and Google Sheets – October 8, 12:00 p.m.
- Digital Accessibility Allies Cohort – Applications deadline September 1
Learn more at cmu.edu/computing/dao/training
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Google Product Education Program (PEP)
Our campus community is curious, especially about how to get the most out of our collaboration tools. Computing Services formed the Product Education Program (PEP) with these goals in mind:
- Share the newest Google Workspace features.
- Provide the CMU community with a forum for sharing best practices in Google.
- Connect those on campus with a passion for Google products.
Our webinars have explored everything from organizing Google Drive to uncovering hidden productivity gems in Gmail, Docs, and Sheets.
Everyone at CMU is welcome, and we’re always looking for guest presenters. If you have a favorite Google tool or workflow, PEP is a great place to share it!
Find upcoming events and recordings on our PEP website.
Join the PEP Google Group to receive future invites.
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A Letter from the Veterans Alliance and the Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance (LFSA)
Dear Staff,
Two of the Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have upcoming events that are open and welcoming to all staff on campus!
The Veterans Alliance ERG will be co-sponsoring the 4th Military Community Reception. It's an opportunity to connect with other members of the CMU community that have, or had, ties with the military, employees, students, ROTC staff.
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Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
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Time: 4:30 – 6:00 PM
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Location: Hamburg Hall
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RSVP here.
The Latine Alliance ERG is thrilled to host their annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration! There will be food from local Latin restaurants, music, and activities.
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Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
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Location: Rangos 1, CUC
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RSVP here.
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In Case You Missed It: August Meeting Highlights
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Committee Sign-Ups – The Staff Council committees are starting up for the year. Each representative is required to join at least one committee, with opportunities available in areas such as benefits, communications, wellness, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI+B), sustainability, and food drive planning, among others.
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Committee Highlights – The latest updates include plans for the annual Food Drive. Additionally, there are initiatives to expand wellness events, enhance staff discounts, improve communications through our newsletter, social media, and the website, and focus on enhancing equity.
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University Engagement – Staff Council representatives continue to participate in university committees, including Dining, Green Practices, Community Standards and Community Picnic Planning.
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Leadership Updates – There are upcoming opportunities to engage with President Jahanian during town halls on September 4 and September 10. The Staff Council meeting on September 18 will include a closed session with the President’s Office.
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Labor Day; No Classes & University Closed
Monday, September 1, All Day
A day off for faculty and staff, allowing for rest and rejuvenation. Limited campus operations will be open, such as Dining Services, University Libraries, and the Cohon Center.
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Scotty Strong Self-Defense Classes
Wednesday, September 3, 10 and 24, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The CMUPD is hosting two-hour Scotty Strong self-defense classes—open to all CMU community members with an Andrew ID. These sessions are designed to equip you with practical awareness and defense skills in a compact, empowering format.
Want a custom session just for your department or group? You can request one via the CMUPD’s online form.
Hosted by the CMU Police Department (CMUPD)
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Carnegie Mellon Women’s Association Annual Fall Reception
Wednesday, September 4, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the PNC Foundation Rooms, Tepper Building
Join the CMWA to celebrate the diversity and achievements of women at Carnegie Mellon and to build a greater sense of community life on campus!
You can learn more by visiting the CMWA webpage.
Hosted by the Carnegie Mellon Women's Association (CWMA)
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Military Community Reception
Wednesday, September 10, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. in Hamburg Hall
Connect with CMU employees, students, ROTC staff, and others who have or had ties to the military.
RSVP today!
Hosted by the Veterans Alliance ERG
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Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Wednesday, September 17, from noon – 2:00 p.m. in Rangos 1, CUC
Enjoy food from local Latin restaurants, music, and cultural activities in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
RSVP today!
Hosted by the Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance (LFSA) ERG
| | The Staff Voice is a monthly newsletter distributed by the Staff Council Communications Committee. You are receiving this email because of your status as a staff member of the university. | | | | |
