Emmons aims to be voice for others as chair of Management and Professional Staff Advisory Committee

Amanda Emmons, chair of the Management and Professional Staff Advisory Committee. (Purdue University photo/John Underwood) Download image

Amanda Emmons has always been a natural leader. In the nearly 15 years she has worked at Purdue, Emmons has consistently served as the point of contact for questions within her department. When she first saw the application to join the Management and Professional Staff Advisory Committee (MaPSAC), she knew she had to apply.

“I have always been that go-to person, and this just opened me up to the rest of campus so I can be that go-to person for more than just people who know me,” Emmons said.

After three years of serving on the committee, Emmons is now taking on the role of MaPSAC chair for 2022-23. Here, she answers questions from Purdue Today about her plans for leading the committee.

How long, and in what positions, have you worked at Purdue?

I have worked at Purdue for 14 years. I started out as a business manager in ITaP and eventually transferred over to the Office of Treasury Operations to work as a credit card security specialist. I then took on a business manager role in the College of Health and Human Sciences before moving to Purdue Extension to help with grants. Then, I found my home working as the assistant bursar of payment processing in the Bursar’s Office.

What do you like most about what you do at Purdue?

I love working with students within my department. In the past, I have worked alongside faculty and staff within the administrative and academic areas. In my current role, I adore the parent and student connections I get to create. Being outside of the academic and administrative side of things is such a different environment.

What has been your favorite memory during your time as a Purdue employee?

It’s hard to pick just one thing, but something that stands out to me is the networking opportunities. I have been on every social committee in every department I’ve worked in, and now I’m leading MaPSAC. I just really enjoy the opportunity to bring people together, and building those relationships has allowed me to grow as a professional.

When you’re not in the office, what do you most like to do on or around campus?

I have a 5-year-old and a 6-year-old who love to come to the fountains on campus. If we are doing something on campus, it’s usually playing in the water. Another one of my favorite things to do is enjoy the variety of food options.  I lead the charge for my office to order or go get lunch anytime I’m on campus. Summer is the best with the farmers market on Thursdays. Who can possibly resist Nothing Bundt Cakes? I joke and say I’m going to get my vegetables because carrot cake counts, right?

When did you first become involved with MaPSAC, and why did you decide to become a member?

I like being a voice for others, and I saw that the application was out there. I’m not afraid to have conversations with people. Even before I joined MaPSAC, people would come to me with questions, knowing that I might be able to find them answers. That’s what really made me want to be a part of it.

What do you consider to be your most significant accomplishments since becoming a MaPSAC member?

I would say bridging the gaps between MaPSAC, CSSAC (Campus Support Staff Advisory Committee) and our regional campuses. We have quarterly meetings with all of our regional campuses, and we meet monthly with CSSAC leadership to make changes and bring things full circle. I have also scheduled meetings with leadership teams from both regional campuses to see how we can better communicate with and represent those groups.

What have you learned about the University from your time as a MaPSAC member?

Because of my particular role, I attend meetings with the provosts and other senior leaders on campus. I can access information and provide feedback before a process changes or an idea is rolled out to everyone else. Being able to provide that feedback from the early stages has been so eye-opening. I have always been that go-to person, and this just opened me up to the rest of campus so I can be that go-to person for more than just people who know me.

What did you learn as a vice chair or committee member that will guide your leadership this year?

My main goal is listening to our committee members, implementing their ideas and making sure they have professional development activities to help them better interact with the campus community. I want to make sure our MaPSAC committee members are fully engaged and taking things away from this experience. Last year, I implemented a vice provost speaker series for our executive team, and this year, I’m having vice presidents join our meetings to share their visions and discuss what’s going on in their areas.

What will MaPSAC be working on during the upcoming year? What do you hope MaPSAC will accomplish under your leadership? 

I want to increase engagement within our groups and make sure we have plenty of professional development activities. We have grown our partnership with CSSAC and the regional campuses, which have been huge pushes from me. We are looking to revamp our monthly newsletter to make it more engaging for employees. We are also in the process of starting a monthly employee luncheon, where all new employees will be given the chance to network and get to know their representation from MaPSAC and CSSAC.

What would you like faculty and staff to know about MaPSAC?

We want everyone to know who we are. Coming out of the pandemic, people have a lot of concerns, frustrations and ideas. We just want people to know that we can take that information up to senior leadership, where it can be heard and potentially be a conduit of change. If nobody says anything, then nothing will ever get done.

How can staff get involved with MaPSAC?

Our annual membership drive starts in the spring. We send direct emails to the individuals in areas where we have openings, and everyone who applies gets an interview. MaPSAC hosts a variety of events, awards professional development grants, and honors individuals annually with the Community Spirit Award and staff memorial. Staff can get involved just by reaching out and joining those events we open up to everyone.

Writer: Carly Rosenberger, rosenbe4@purdue.edu