Staff Council Representatives Bios

Each staff council member has contributed a brief bio so you can learn more about the individuals you have elected to serve you and the EKU community.

Beverly Burrus - Continuing Ed. and Outreach (incl. Extended Campuses), Planetarium
Chair, EKU Staff Council
Currently I serve as the Senior Coordinator for Student Support Services in Continuing Education and Outreach.  I am an EKU alumna and have been employed at Eastern for 31 years serving in the College of Business, University Advancement and the President's office prior to my current office.  I believe these years of services in various areas has given me the background and experience to be beneficial to our staff.  Eastern, her students, and all of the folks that work together to make EKU such a great place have been much of my life for these years.  I look forward to returning to EKU all that she has given me by serving on the Staff Council.

Ann Cotton - Student Affairs, Public Safety
Secretary, Staff Council; Chair, Staff Recognition and Professional Development Committee
I work as an Administrative Assistant in the office for the Vice President for Student Affairs at Eastern Kentucky University. I have been here at the University for 11 years working in Career Services as a Recruiting Coordinator, and in University Development as an Account Examiner. I love working at Eastern Kentucky University and have had many active roles on campus including being the Secretary for EKU Women.  I am excited to serve on the Staff Council and cannot think of anything more worthwhile or rewarding then representing my coworkers to help them have a voice in their working community.

Matt Schumacher - Enrollment Management
I serve as the Coordinator of Academic Support & Tutoring Services in the office of Academic Advising & Retention at Eastern Kentucky University. I am a proud, three time alumnus of EKU and have been employed with the University since 2005. I have worked in several other capacities at Eastern while I was a student, including; the College of Business & Technology, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Multicultural Student Affairs. I enjoy working with students and engaging them in the higher education community. It is an honor and a privilege to represent Enrollment Management on EKU’s Staff Council.

Stephanie King - ITDS, Media Resources
Vice-Chair, Staff Council
I have worked at EKU for ten years; I started as a student worker in Academic Computing and worked my way to a full-time position with the department.  I have worked as a Secretary, Senior Clerk, Senior Secretary, Computer Lab Associate and currently Telecommunications Coordinator and I am an EKU Alumni.  I have been married to Bruce for 9 years and have a beautiful 3 year old daughter named Haylie Grace.  I am proud to serve the University and its staff members as a representative of the first Staff Council.

Jey Marks - Athletics, Alumni, Development, EKU Foundation, Arlington
After graduating with a degree in Business Administration from EKU in the spring of 2000, I began my career at EKU as an Admissions Counselor. Later that year, I moved to the Office of Student Development serving as the Coordinator of Student Activities and Leadership Development.  In 2001, I became Coordinator for Student Activities and Greek Affairs.  In 2002 I came to serve in the same capacity with additional responsibilities under a new title, as Assistant Director for Student Involvement and Leadership in the Office of Student Life. During which time I worked with our Greek Community and advised the Student Activities Council.  In January of 2005, I took a lateral move over to the Office of Alumni Relations as the Assistant Director. I now am currently serving as the Associate Director of Alumni Relations. Helping to build upon relationships with other alumni forged as an undergraduate student and staff member. I have been involved in the Richmond community serving as a Richmond Ambassador in the past, I am a Leadership Madison County graduate. I also currently serve on the EKU Colonel Club Board, and have served on the Richmond Tourism Board. I am married to fellow EKU graduate April League Marks and we have a great 3 year old son named Maddox. I enjoy being active in both the Richmond and EKU community. I have complete enjoyed my involvement on the EKU Staff Council over the past 6 years serving as the Student Affairs and now University Advancement council member.

Carol T. Thomas - College of Education, Library
Chair, Issues and Benefits Committee
I have worked for EKU at EKU Libraries for 30 years in 2009. I am a Richmond native and have 3 children and 3 grandchildren! I am an avid supporter of EKU Football. I am currently an Ex-officio member of the Libraries Classified Staff Advisory Team and have been a member of this team since 2000. EKU staff are a very vital part of the EKU community and I look forward to continuing my service to EKU's staff. The experience of being a member of EKU's Staff Council has been overwhelmingly educational! I am honored that your confidence in me has given me the opportunity to serve you.

Nancy Davis- Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Business & Tech., and related programs
I came to EKU as a full-time student in Jan. 2005. I received my B.A. in Paralegal Studies in December, 2006. I began working part-time as the Senior Office Associate for Paralegal Studies in January, 2006. I then began my MPA studies which will be complete as of May 2009. In August , 2008 I became the Administrative Assistant for the Department of Government. I look forward to working with the EKU Staff Council to increase benefits for all staff members of this University.

Jennifer Evans - Training Resource Center
Chair, Communications Committee
I have been employed by EKU for 14 years with 12 of those years in the Training Resource Center.  My current title is Online Learning Specialist and involves working with grant funded staff to deliver online learning to employees of the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services.  I’m extremely appreciative that my co-workers in the Training Resource Center have given me this opportunity to represent them and to give the staff at EKU a voice in matters that directly affect them.

Debra Simpson - Maintenance and Skilled Trades (Facilities Services, Housing)
I have worked at the University for 17 years in Facilities Services. I started in the Family Housing Department as a Custodian for 4 years and Head Custodian for 4 years. The last 9 years I have worked in the Front Office at Facilities Services as Senior Clerk, Senior Secretary and Senior Offices Associate. I am married to Tommy Simpson he also work in Facilities Services in the Paint Shop.  I have one son Travis who is a freshman at Madison Central High School. I hope to use my years of services and experience to service the other staff members in Facilities Services as their representative on the Staff Council.

Sheila Adkins - Colleges of Health Sciences and Justice & Safety, DOCJT
While employed with EKU for over twenty-three years, I have held positions in the areas of Academic Computing (now IT), the College of Business and Technology, and currently serve as an Academic Administrative Specialist for the College of Health Sciences. My husband and I have been married for 37 years, have two sons, and five grandchildren (2 boys and 3 girls ranging in age from 1 year to 9 years old). We have called Richmond home since moving here in 1982 from a small coal-mining community in Mingo County West Virginia. I feel honored and look forward to representing the staff from the College of Justice & Safety, Department of Criminal Justice Training, and the College of Health Sciences.

Sharon Smith - Custodians (Facilities Services, Housing)
I have been an employee of Eastern Kentucky University for 22 years in the Facilities Services department. I began working at E.K.U. as a custodian servicing Walters Hall and in 3 years I was promoted to Custodial Foreman. After 14 years of service as custodial Forman I was promoted to my current position as custodial Supervisor where I have served for 5 years. When not on campus I enjoy spending time with my husband of 30 years, William, our son Michael and our 4 year old Grandson, Jayden. I look forward to serving on the staff council and representing Facilities Services Department and the Custodial Staff.

James Zabawa - Financial Affairs, Administration
James Zabawa, a native of Augusta, Georgia, serves as the Associate Director of Purchases and Stores at Eastern Kentucky University. He also serves as a Staff Council representative on the Strategic Planning Council; as a Thesis Mentor for Eastern’s Honors Program; and as Treasurer for Vineyard Community Church in Richmond. James graduated from Augusta State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Shortly after graduation, he and his wife committed to a one-year stay in Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains, where he helped a friend establish his business. That was in 1981, and he quickly grew to love Kentucky and its people. Twenty-three years later, in 2004, the Kentucky resident became employed at Eastern Kentucky University. Following the transition, the family began to establish themselves as part of EKU’s community; his wife, Debbie, works in the Office of Equal Opportunity. His daughter, Krista, is an Eastern graduate, who is currently enrolled in the Master’s program. His son, Jared, is working toward his Bachelor’s degree at the University, and is a student worker in the History Department. James enjoys being a part of the EKU community and therefore welcomes the opportunity to serve on the Staff Council.

Steven Fulkerson
Member Ex-officio

VOLUNTEER MEMBERS

Diane Tyer - Communications Committee, Issues and Benefits Committee

Patsy Hodge - Issues and Benefits Committee

Gladys Johnson - Issues and Benefits Committee

Connie Dirks - Staff Recognition and Professional Development Committee

Shelley Park - Staff Recognition and Professional Development Committee

Carey Parks - Staff Recognition and Professional Development Committee

Tosha Sparks - Issues and Benefits Committee

Garry Hicks - Issues and Benefits Committee

Karen Lynn - Communications Committee

Tom Arnold - Issues and Benefits Committee

Gary Barksdale - Issues and Benefits Committee

Wally Skiba - Issues and Benefits Committee

Tina Nix - Issues and Benefits Committee

Steve Fulkerson - Issues and Benefits Committee

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