Staff Welfare Committee

The mission of the Staff Welfare Committee is to actively listen, communicate and recognize staff needs based on a foundation of the University’s four core themes: faith, reason, service and community. 

The Committee ensures staff is deeply connected to the range of University issues contributing to the success of Saint Martin's University while supporting and enhancing the growth, welfare, and best interests of staff through productive leadership. The Committee does so by promoting active participation, open dialogue, and collaboration between staff, faculty and University leadership.

Committee Information

Meeting Information

Staff Welfare Committee meetings are open for all staff to attend by way of transparency. These meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Microsoft Teams and in Admissions Conference Room.

All-Staff meetings are in a hybrid format on Microsoft Teams and in Cebula Hall Event Space (3rd floor) on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 2:00-3:00 p.m. All represented staff (Director-level and below) and invited guests are invited. The Staff Welfare Committee will send a recurring Outlook invite, as well as an email the morning of each meeting to all staff with the Teams link and password (if applicable). If you have questions, please email SMUStaffWelfare@stmartin.edu.

Election Process

Do you have a colleague in mind that would be a great addition to the Staff Welfare Committee? Are you interested in serving your staff colleagues on the Committee? Annual elections typically take place in the summer, but special elections may be held as needed with email notification of available positions.

Committee members must be prepared to meet at least twice a month for the monthly SWC and All-Staff meetings and be prepared for additional projects as needed. All full-time staff employees, up to and including director level, who have been employed for at least one year are eligible to serve on the Committee.

Staff Resources

Professional Development Funding

Brother Lawrence Vogel, O.S.B. Staff Professional Development Program

It is the belief of Saint Martin’s University leadership and your Staff Welfare Committee that professional development and continuous learning are necessary to maintain the quality of the University staff and their continued readiness and ability to contribute effectively to the mission and goals of the University.

This is an award of up to $500 per request per fiscal year to supplement department training budgets or to give staff without training dollars the opportunity to grow professionally. Departments hosting in-house development events or events that provide development opportunities for all members of their department at once are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 per fiscal year to support the event. All benefit eligible non-faculty staff who have completed twelve months of employment are eligible to apply for funding.

This award is not intended for staff in departments with adequate training budgets and resources, expenses not associated with activities supporting SMU’s mission, expenses that do not relate directly to the staff’s current job responsibilities, tuition and fees, annual or stand-alone certification or licensing, membership fees, or retroactive reimbursement for events or activities.

Apply Here

Committee Membership

Kaycee Selga

Committee Chair

Associate Director of Financial Aid
Office of Financial Aid
kselga@stmartin.edu | 360-688-2144

Sara Brandenburg

Committee Vice Chair

Student Record Manager
Office of Admissions
sbrandenburg@stmartin.edu | 360-688-2110

Cathy Chapman

Committee Secretary

Physical Resource Management Librarian 
O’Grady Library 
cchapman@stmartin.edu | 360-688-2253

Olivia Rackham

Committee Historian

Executive Assistant
College of Business, Engineering and Technology
orackham@stmartin.edu | 360-438-4512