About Staff Council

Staff are at the heart of all we do!

group photo of staff council members with chancellor — Staff Council Membership

2025-2026

Our Purpose

group photo of Executive Board with chancellor

The purpose of The University of Mississippi Staff Council (the Council) is to support the mission of the University by serving as an advisory group to the chancellor (or the chancellor’s representatives) in matters that affect the welfare of the institution and/or its staff. The Council is committed to assessing, prioritizing, and communicating concerns relating to staff and in seeking solutions in order to promote the welfare of staff while contributing to the success of The University of Mississippi. Staff Council serves this purpose through:

Engagement

Staff Council Membership serve as the voice of UM staff by serving on the Chancellor's Standing Committees, Advisory Group to the Chancellor, and advocacy for improving the lives of UM Staff.

Education

Staff Council promotes the education of UM Staff through staff development and financial resources, such as the Textbook Scholarship Fund and Children of the Staff Scholarship Fund.

Events

Staff Council hosts and sponsors staff-focused events to promote personal and professional development, networking and fellowship, and to show appreciation for all our staff does for our UM community. Events include Red & Blue Graduation Ceremony, Staff Appreciation Week, staff luncheons, cooking classes, intramural tournaments, and more!

Employees

UM Staff are always at the heart of everything Staff Council does through advocacy, education, and other opportunities that engage staff at the University of Mississippi.

A Message from the President

Presidential Theme: Ignite the SPARK!
Service • People • Advancement • Recognition • Kindness

Dear UM Staff,

It is my great honor and privilege to serve as your Staff Council President for 2026–2028. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the dedicated staff whose hard work, talents, and commitment make the University of Mississippi such a special place to learn, work, and grow.

At the heart of every great university are its people. From those who work behind the scenes to those who interact directly with students, faculty, and our community, each of you plays an essential role in advancing the mission of Ole Miss. Your contributions matter and your dedication deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

Our presidential theme, “Ignite the SPARK!”, reflects five values that will guide our Staff Council.

SERVICE – Strengthening our commitment to serving one another, our university, and the broader community.

PEOPLE – Valuing our staff as the heart of our university by fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels appreciated, connected, and empowered to contribute.

ADVANCEMENT – Supporting opportunities for personal and professional growth while advocating for initiatives that enhance staff well-being and success.

RECOGNITION – Celebrating the achievements, dedication, and everyday contributions of our outstanding staff.

KINDNESS – Building a culture of compassion, respect, and belonging through meaningful connections and simple acts that make a lasting difference.

As your Staff Council President, I am committed to listening, advocating, and working collaboratively with our staff, university leadership, campus partners, and the broader community to strengthen communication, encourage engagement, and create opportunities that benefit our entire Ole Miss family.

I encourage each of you to connect with your Staff Council representatives, share your ideas and concerns, participate in our events, and recognize colleagues who make a difference. Staff Council is your partner in strengthening collaboration, and together, we can turn ideas into action and challenges into opportunities.

A single spark can inspire change, but together, we can ignite a brighter future for our Ole Miss community.

Let us continue to build a legacy of meaningful service, strengthen connections, celebrate shared accomplishments, and spread kindness that enriches our entire Ole Miss community.

Together, let's Ignite the SPARK!

Hotty Toddy!

Premalatha Balachandran, Ph.D., MBA

President, Staff Council
Principal Scientist, National Center for Natural Products Research
Instructor, School of Business Administration

prembala@olemiss.edu
662-915-3463

2026-2027 Executive Board

President: Premalatha Balachandran, Ph.D., MBA
Vice President: Tripp Sanders, Ph.D.
Secretary: Nyterica Jenkins, MA
Treasurer: Wesley Dickens, MBA
Scholarship Manager: Kiara Willis, Ed.D.
Marketing Manager: Anna Lauren Heavener, MA
Staff Member of the Month Manager: Jessica Coker-Hughes, MA
Webmaster: Matthew DeLoach, MA, CPP
Immediate Past President: Lolita Gregory, MS