New Staff Assembly President Hits Ground Running

For newly elected Staff Assembly President Matt Eastman, Project Manager in ITS, there are immediate things to take care of: Election of his new executive council in April, an Open Meeting featuring President Thayne McCulloh, Vice President Ray Kliewer and Associate Provost Julie McCulloh on Feb. 8, and meetings to schedule with incoming Faculty Assembly President Tom McKenzie, Staff Assembly administrative liaison Charlita Shelton and President McCulloh.

The Open Meeting will feature McCulloh’s university recap on the state of the university, Kliewer’s update on HR projects and the associate provost’s enrollment outlook.

Eastman, who succeeds Whitney Franklin as leader of the Staff Assembly, expressed his appreciation for the progress Franklin, Jim Simon and Rachelle Strawther have made in transforming Staff Assembly over the past six or seven years.

He talked advancements that have brought staff together and recognized their important efforts: Initiation of the new Spark of Spirit award, a free December meal in the COG, coffee and donut hours and Open Meetings that continue to draw increased attendance with viable programming.

In coming months Eastman hopes to gain a greater understanding of shared governance and continue building stronger relationships with other governing bodies, like GSBA and Faculty Assembly.

Eastman served the past two years as Staff Assembly vice president. He has mechanical engineering (‘14) and MOL (‘18) degrees from GU. He has worked in technology and software for both Gonzaga and Seattle U over the past nine years

“I’ve kept returning to Gonzaga, and now I’m here to stay,” he says. “My desire is to create an environment where staff members feel valued and they belong.”