2025 Candidates

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• Academic Affairs

   

  

  Antoinette Marvels

  Program Manager, Chemistry

  Antoinette has been with the university since 2015. She has served with Staff Council since 2019 where she has worked and served as co-chair with the Events committee.

   

   

  

  Elsie Myers 

  College Business Administrator, College of Optometry

  I am a College Business Administrator for the College of Optometry. I have been a UH employee since March 2002 and have served on Staff Council since 2009. I've served as Staff Council President from 9/2011 to 2012 and 9/2015 to 2016. During my time of voluntary service on Staff Council, I have served on many UH Committees and Staff Council Committees that include Events, Cougar First Impressions, Staff Affairs, and Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee. During my terms as Staff Council President, I have always been a voice for the staff community regarding hot topics on campus, such as parking cost, ePerformance process, and merit. When communicating with Administration, I’ve been vocal about these topics, so they hear our concerns.

  I would love to continue to serve on Staff Council to be part of this vital staff governance at the University of Houston. Thank you!

    

  

  Golda Hallett 

  Program Director, Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research

  I have been with the University of Houston College of Pharmacy for 16 years. I love my Pharmaly (😉) and working at UH as a whole. During my tenure, many conscientious people have represented the Coog Spirit to me. I want to represent the Spirit by joining the fostered collaboration of the Council.

  Fun facts: I was raised in Montreal, Canada where I half my life eating poutine and I speak Quebecois French. My husband (the reason I left Canada) and I moved to Texas from Massachusetts in 2008 and have been married for 24 years. We have 3 children: one daughter graduated from UH then worked here for several years, the other daughter cares for animals, and our son is working toward admission to UH next Spring. Finally, we have two grand-Yorkipoos: Sophie and Xena, who are now sitting at the door waiting for our return home.

   

  

  Laura Brown

   Academic Advisor 2, College of Nursing

  Laura Brown currently serves as an Academic Advisor II at the University of Houston’s College of Nursing, where she advises a caseload of over 400 students on academic planning, degree audits, and curriculum requirements. With more than 10 years of experience in higher education—including roles in academic advising, curriculum development, and program compliance—Laura has a strong track record of supporting student success and driving institutional improvement. She is well-versed in academic tracking systems such as PeopleSoft and Banner and brings a collaborative, student-centered approach to her work.

  Laura believes that student empowerment is the cornerstone of meaningful academic advising and has made it a foundational principle in every initiative she leads. She is excited about the opportunity to serve on the Staff Council to help advance inclusive academic policy, faculty-student engagement, and curriculum alignment across UH.

  

  Whitney Johnson

  Program Director, Student Success

  Whitney has been with the University of Houston for over 17 years, bringing dedication and leadership to staff advocacy and engagement. She has been actively involved in Staff Council, having served as President, Staff Affairs Co-chair, and contributing to various Staff Council committees and initiatives aimed at enhancing the staff experience. With a commitment to collaboration and meaningful change, Whitney continues to champion initiatives that support and empower the UH staff community.

• Administration and Finance

  

  DaNesha Allen 

  Sr. Director, Auxiliary Services

  I am the Sr. Director for Auxiliary Services. I have also worked in the Division of Administration and Finance for the last 7 years. 

  I have served on Staff Council for the last six years and have enjoyed supporting staff-focused initiatives. I would love the opportunity to continue serving staff. 

   

  

  Jacqueline Chee

  Accountant IV, State Appropriation Accounting

  I am seeking a 5th term of Staff Council. I have been an active council member since 2013. Currently, I am the co-chair for the Scholarship and Advancement Committee where I oversee the scholarships, professional development reimbursement and fundraising campaign. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in Staff Council. It allows me to learn and build long-lasting friendships. I believe everyone can make an impact on others’ lives. Looking forward to continuing serving on Staff Council again.

   

  

  Ron Gonyea 

  Power Plant Electrician, Facilities Operation and Maintenance

  Ron Gonyea is a licensed Journeyman Electrician and graduated from the JATC Electrical Apprentice Program in 1989. Prior to joining UH Utility Services in 2005, he worked in construction for 20 years. Ron has consistently demonstrated a passion for helping workers get their voices heard and concerns and issues addressed. He has been a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 716 for 37 years and a member of Texas State Employees Union CWA Local 6186. For 17 years, Ron produced and hosted Voices At Work, a labor related radio program. He has served as a delegate to the Harris County AFL-CIO for both IBEW Local 716 and TESU CWA Local 6186. He served as a job steward on many occasions. Ron previously served as UH Staff Council President from 2012-2013. His current duties include maintaining the Cougar High Voltage substation and high voltage distribution on campus; reviewing drawing for new building; and supporting other electricians with troubleshooting complex equipment.

  

  Sharon Pellas

  Program Manager 2, Campus Safety (Fire, Life and Safety)

  Sharon Pellas is a Program Manager II with 18 years of experience at the University of Houston. Sharon graduated in 2010 with double major in English Literature and Political Science with a Paralegal Certification from Rice. Sharon has been part of Staff Council since 2018 and is currently the co-chair of Take Your Child to Work Day since 2022. Sharon wishes to continue her involvement with Staff Council and support the staff needs at the University of Houston.

   

• At-Large

   

   

  

  Larry Cox

  Systems Analyst 1, Technology Services and Support

  I started working at UH in September of 2023 for UIT in ITAC (Information Technology Availability Center) as a Systems Analyst. Prior to this, I have worked in many different industries at many different levels, from President to janitor! Most notably I served for 30 years in the U.S. Navy, both active and reserve, until I retired in 2016 as an E-7, Chief Petty Officer.

  I am most interested in serving on the Transportation & Parking Advisory Committee. Since working here, I find it strange that parking is such an issue for Staff personnel and would like to help streamline the process of available parking that is located near a new staff member's place of work.

   

  

  Dr. Marti Trummer-Cabrera

  Assistant Director, CAPS Outreach

  Dr. Marti Trummer-Cabrera is a licensed psychologist with over 10 years of experience in university counseling and career centers, community mental health, and inpatient psychiatric hospitals. She has experience conducting individual and group therapy, psycho-education and assessment presentations, providing mental health consultations and administering psychological evaluations. Dr. Trummer-Cabrera creates a safe place to explore life changes and challenges. She values cultural humility and gender-affirming care in her treatment approaches. Her clinical and research interests include developmental psychology, trauma, adjustment and acculturation, multicultural factors in therapy, and program evaluation.

• Fertitta Family College of Medicine

  

  Henry Ramirez

  Program Coordinator 1, Medical Education

  Thank you for this nomination. I am Henry Ramirez, currently I work for the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine in the Center for Clinical Arts, Skills, and Experiential Learning (CCASEL) as the Simulation Coordinator. In my role I help oversee and carry out various simulation activities such as skill training, CPR certification, and exams. Every medical student comes to CCASEL throughout the school year and with them come the various hard-working staff that make the classes and the college function. Education departments, IT, marketing, business, security, janitorial staff, building operations etc. Through talking with these outstanding individuals, I realized that it would great to be able to connect Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine with the rest of the University in some capacity to give a voice to my colleagues and I. Thats why I think I would be a good representative for my peers.

• Student Affairs

  

   Gabriel Jackson

  Program Manager 2, Student Affairs

  In my role as the Assistant to the Vice Chancellor/Vice President, I oversee the office operations and provide administrative support while also serving as a capable project manager and liaison between various support staff members across the division. I have served within this role for almost 2 years and have nearly 8 years of experience in Higher Education. My goal in joining Staff Council is to continue my commitment towards supporting the mission of UH and ensuring the success of staff and students through hard work, dedication, and excellence.