Staff Senate officers are elected by the Senate membership for a term of one (1) year by written or voice nomination during the last regular monthly meeting of each year.

The executive committee meets a minimum of five times during each term year to:

  • Set the agenda for Senate meetings.
  • Report on the work of the Senate to the UMB President, the Council of University System Staff (CUSS) and the UMB campus community.
  • Act as liaison or point of contact with the UMB President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
  • Recommend to the Senate the establishment, composition, and responsibilities of standing and/or special committees; fill irregular vacancies on committees; and recommend participation in campus committees.
  • Manage the Senate’s annual operating budget.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Senate or UMB senior leadership.
Fiama Romero, MS

Fiama Romero, MS

President of the Staff Senate
Program Manager, Office of Student Research

Email: fromero@som.umaryland.edu

As President, Fiama presides at all meetings of the senate, finalizes the agenda of each senate meeting, and serves as chief liaison to UMB President Dr. Bruce Jarrell, and other senior leadership.... Read More

Tom Hockensmith, MA

Tom Hockensmith, MA

Vice President of the Staff Senate
Executive Director of Central Administration IT Services, Center for Information Technology Services

Email: thockensmith@umaryland.edu

As Vice President, Tom assists the Staff Senate President and performs the duties of the president in her absence. He also facilitates presentations to inform the senate body on upcoming, present, ... Read More

Christina Way

Christina Way

Sr. Organizational Change Management Analyst, Change Management Advisory Services

Email: cway@umaryland.edu

As Secretary, Christina is responsible for maintaining and distributing accurate records regarding all official business conducted by the Staff Senate, including meeting agendas, minutes, and atten... Read More

Briana Clark

Briana Clark

Equity and Action Officer
Director of Research Administration, School of Nursing

Email: blclark@umaryland.edu

As Equity and Action Officer, Briana is responsible for leading the Staff Senate’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.  She ensures that the Staff Senate’s equity and inc... Read More

Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes

Communications Officer
Office Manager for Student Services, Francis King Carey Law School

Email: amanda.barnes@law.umaryland.edu

As Communications Officer, Amanda chairs the senate’s Communications Committee, contributes to The Elm, and serves on the UMB Communications Council. She is responsible for the development, m... Read More

Kelly Sikorski

Kelly Sikorski

Member-at-Large
Senior Program Specialist, Shock Trauma and Anesthesiology Research (STAR) Center, School of Medicine

Email: ksikorski@som.umaryland.edu

As Member-at-Large, Kelly serves as a representative of all senators to the Executive Committee to ensure that all opinions within the University receive full consideration by the senate. Additiona... Read More

Michael Penney

Michael Penney

Operations Officer
Manager, Facility Service Center Operations and Maintenance, Central Administration

Email: mpenney@umaryland.edu

As Operations Officer, Michael helps facilitate the year-to-year transition between Executive Boards by communicating with past board members and documenting and sharing relevant information to ens... Read More