Change Champion Network
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Our purpose
The Change Champion Network is a university-wide coalition of faculty and staff (i.e., “Champions”) dedicated to supporting the successful implementation of transformational initiatives by serving as trusted conduits between their respective units (i.e., colleges and departments) and the University Transformation Office. Champions will help foster awareness, understanding, and acceptance of institutional change by actively listening, sharing insights, and building support for changes that align with CMU’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
Are you interested in joining? Contact us.
Benefits to champions and units
- Early access to information about upcoming changes.
- Opportunity to shape change efforts and advocate for unit needs.
- Development of leadership, communication, and change management skills.
- Contribution to the long-term success of the University’s strategic transformation efforts.
Membership and structure
- Champions are nominated by college/unit leadership or volunteers with supervisor approval.
- Champions should represent diverse roles, functions, and perspectives across academic and administrative units.
- The Change Champion Network is facilitated by the UTO, with project-specific liaisons attending as needed.
What has the Change Champion Network been up to?
- Understanding current initiatives
- Sharing how we can improve communications at CMU on initiatives (what, when, and who)
- Identifying opportunities for improvements
- Within the Change Champion Network, we’ve created sub-teams of:
- Prioritization and Governance
- Innovation / New Ideas
- Communication and Collaboration
- Consulting
The Change Champions
WELCOME New Champions: Mike Reuter, Rebecca Petrone, Kelly Murphy, Wiline Pangle, Cal Seelye, Nicole Hardiman, and Nel Boose!
Facilitated by: Darcie Wilson, Chief Transformation Officer, University Transformation Office, President's Division
| Name | Title | Department | College / Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alyse Munishamaiah | Associate Director of Business and Community Outreach | Business and Community Outreach | Innovation and Online |
| Ann Kucera | Manager of Library Systems | Libraries - Library Systems | University Libraries |
| Anthony Chappaz | Dir/Translational Accelerator, Dir/STARLAB, Professor/Molecular Geochemistry, Director/ Ph.D. Program/ Science of Advance Material | Earth & Atmospheric Sciences | College of Science & Engineering |
| Cal Seelye | Executive Director/Auxiliary Services | Auxiliary Services | Finance & Administrative Services |
| Desmond Harding | Faculty | English Language & Literature | College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences |
| Drew Taylor | Technology Manager II | Office of Information Technology | President's Division |
| Erica O'Toole | Director of Career Development Center | Career Development Center | Student Recruitment & Retention Division |
| Grace Vandemark | Faculty, Political Science and Women and Gender Studies | School of Politics, Society, Justice, and Public Service | College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences |
| Heather Tubbs | Director of Advancement Operations and Budget | Advancement | University Advancement Division |
| Jeff Angera | Professor, Chairperson | Human Development & Family Studies | College of Education and Human Services |
| Jessica Goss | Associate Director of Campaign Strategy and Alignment | University Communications | University Communications |
| Kate Hodgkins | Director Clinical Services Carls Center CHP | Carls Center for Clinical Care & Education | College of Health Professions |
| Kelly Murphy | Professor & Chair | Philosophy, Anthropology & Religion | Academic Affairs |
| Kip Ferguson | Application Analyst and Trainer | Healthcare IT | College of Medicine |
| Lizzie Vandorin | Senior Assistant Director Admissions - Transfer Outreach | Admissions | Student Recruitment & Retention Division |
| Lori Driessnack | Associate Director of Student Services and Director of the Business Residential College | The HUB Student engagement and professional development | College of Business Administration - Deans Office |
| Luke Theis | Senior Assistant Director Esports | University Recreation | University Engagement & Student Affairs Division |
| Mike Reuter | Director/Distributed Computing & Tech Operator | Office of Information Technology | President's Division |
| Melissa Walton | Coord/Facilities & Events Urec | University Recreation | University Engagement & Student Affairs Division |
| Nel Boose | Director of Enrollment & Financial Operations, Exec Director Innovation & Online Business Operations | Innovation & Online | Academic Affairs |
| Neli Ragina | Assistant Dean for UME & GME Research, Associate Professor of Genetics | Foundational Sciences | College of Medicine |
| Nicole Barnes | Assistant Director of Enrollment | Online Student Services | Innovation and Online |
| Nicole Hardiman | Assistant Director Faculty & Staff Resources | Licensure/Regulatory Services & Human Capital | Academic Affairs |
| Rachael Nelson | Assistant Dean, CHP | School of Health Sciences | College of Health Professions |
| Rebecca Petrone | Museum Educator/Technologist | Museum Studies | Academic affairs |
| Rob Wyman | Senior Associate AD Business & Facilities Operations | Athletics | President's Division |
| Sara R Schafer | Director of Development/ Advancement | Advancement | University Advancement Division |
| Shay Dawson | Faculty | Recreation, Parks & Leisure Services Administration | College of Education & Human Services |
| Spenser Robinson | Entrepreneurship Chairperson and Director of Real Estate | Entrepreneurship | College of Business Administration |
| Steve Juris | Chair Academic Senate; Director of Institutional Assessment & Curriculum | Curriculum & Instructional Support | Academic Affairs |
| Tangela Cheatham | Deputy Ad/Administration | Athletics | President's Division |
| Tracy Davis | Faculty | English Language & Literature | College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences |
| Wade Tomson | Associate Director of Campus Visits and Events | Admissions | Student Recruitment & Retention Division |
| Wiline Pangle | Director of InSciTE | Biology | College of Science & Engineering |
Role of the network
- Listen and Inform: Serve as a two-way communication channel between units and the UTO—bringing forward concerns, resistance points, suggestions, and success stories from the university community.
- Advocate for Change: Help generate awareness and build momentum for transformation initiatives by framing change in a constructive and inclusive way.
- Localize the Message: Translate university-level change efforts into contextually relevant information for colleges, departments, and teams.
- Support Readiness: Identify potential risks, knowledge gaps, and readiness challenges within units and help shape strategies to address them.
- Provide Feedback: Offer input on communication plans, training materials, implementation timelines, and process changes to help ensure efforts meet the needs of the campus community.
Responsibilities of Change Champions
- Attend regular Change Champion meetings (monthly or as needed) to receive updates and provide input.
- Share updates, resources, and messaging within their units.
- Bring forward feedback, questions, or concerns from colleagues.
- Model a positive, open-minded, solution-focused approach to change and serve as a trusted peer resource.
- Participate in training and/or information sessions on key initiatives.