Scroll down to review candidate profiles and to access the voting link.

About the Candidates

Number of open council seats: 1 exempt & 1 non-exempt (overtime eligible)

Abbie Hou, International Student Support Specialist | Office of Student Affairs (non-exempt) “I have been with JHU for 3 years. In my current role, I am an International Student Support Specialist/Student Service Advisor in the Office of Student Affairs department. I am interested in joining the Staff Advisory Council of JHU because I am passionate about fostering a supportive and inclusive community for staff members across the university. My role as an International Student Support Specialist has given me valuable insights into the challenges faced by both staff and students, particularly in navigating diverse needs and creating meaningful connections. I believe that serving on the council will allow me to advocate for staff concerns, contribute to initiatives that enhance the workplace environment, and help strengthen communication between staff and university leadership. With my experience and dedication, I am eager to collaborate with other council members to promote positive changes that benefit the entire JHU community.”

Camilla Mika-Simms, Academic Program Administrator | Educator Preparation Programs (exempt) “My name is Camilla Mika-Simms, and I have been a proud member of SOE since 2016. In my role as Senior Academic Program Administrator, I work closely with the Department Chair of the Counseling and Educational Studies Department. My responsibilities include overseeing and optimizing administrative processes for departmental and program operations. This encompasses developing policies, managing budgets, supervising staff, collaborating with university departments, and ensuring compliance with academic and institutional standards. This position demands a high level of independent decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic collaboration with the Department Chair to set priorities and execute plans effectively. Among my key areas of focus are managing adjunct faculty contracts, providing financial oversight, supporting students, and contributing to marketing strategies that enhance program visibility and engagement. I am excited about the opportunity to join the JHU Staff Advisory Council because I believe my experience and skills can significantly benefit the council’s mission. From 2021 to 2024, I co-chaired the JHU SOE Staff Forum Council and also contributed to the JHU Staff Advisory Council Planning Committee prior to its inauguration this year. These experiences have deepened my understanding of staff needs and organizational collaboration, equipping me to advocate for meaningful initiatives. Thank you for considering my application.”

Matt Pierce, Sr. Instructional Designer | Center for Technology in Education (CTE) (exempt) “Hello, my name is Matt Pierce. I am a Sr. Instructional Designer in the Center for Technology in Education (CTE) and have been at the School of Education for almost 8 years. In that time I’ve been a member of the Staff Forum Council, serving as co-chair in the past and as secretary at present. I worked as a member of the planning committee for the JHU Staff Advisory Council and served on it during it’s inaugural year. I’ve spent the last several years volunteering for various groups and activities at SOE and am excited to see what the Staff Advisory Council can do for staff in the future.”

John Robertson, Communications Associate | Marketing & Communications (exempt) “Hello, my name is John Robertson.  I have been with JHU for 25 years. In my current role, I am the Creative Communications Manager in the Marketing & Communications department at the School of Education. I am interested in joining the Staff Advisory Council because I have a deep love for this organization and enjoy working for JHU. I have worked many positions over my career at JHU, starting as a temp, then being hired as an Administrative Assistant, Program Coordinator, Marketing Coordinator, Graphic Designer, and Communications Associate. I started at The School of Continuing Studies later named, School of Professional Studies in Business and Education, to finally the School of Education. I have worked from the front lines with Students to working behind the dean. I would love to make JHU an even better place for its employees.  I hope you consider my nomination to represent the Johns Hopkins School of Education on the University Staff Advisory Council.”

Sarah Sagal, Assessment Analyst | Innovative Learning, Design and Assessment (exempt) “Hello, my name is Sarah Sagal, and I have been with JHU for 8 months now. In my current role, I am the Assessment Analyst in the School of Education. I am interested in joining the Staff Advisory Council because of the opportunities to learn from others from across the university, to create connections with other departments, and to represent the School of Education on the university level.”

Note: Staff can only vote one time for candidates from their school/division. If you receive a message that you are unable to vote for candidates because they are not in your school/division, and you believe you received this message in error, please email jhusac@jh.edu for help.