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About the Candidates

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

Julie Allbrooks, Sr. Administrative Coordinator | Student Affairs “Hello, my name is Julie Allbrooks. I have been with JHU for 6 years. In my current role, I am a Sr. Administrative Coordinator in the Student Affairs department. I am interested in joining the Staff Advisory Council because I would like to expand my relationship with JHU and help enhance the quality of the work culture for all staff. I believe my experiences working within 3 departments of JHU and as well as my previous career as a Park Ranger/Park Manager will bring a unique perspective to the council. My current role allows me to interact with JHU staff from a variety of departments/divisions at differing levels of responsibility which exposes me to conversations and ideas that bridge across the university. One example of this is my involvement with the USS Finance and Operations Collaborative that includes monthly meetings with about 70 administrative and operational staff within USS. Thank you for considering me for a seat at the Staff Advisory Council table, I am excited about the prospect of contributing to JHU in a more meaningful way.”

Suzanne Biggs, Payroll Coordinator | University Experiential Learning “Hello, my name is Suzanne Biggs and I have been with JHU for 2.5 years. In my current role as a Payroll Coordinator for the University Experiential Learning department, I assist many departments, staff members, and faculty members on a daily basis with the management of the many and varied student employment tasks. I am interested in joining the Staff Advisory Council to extend my reach and ability to help staff and faculty in the next few years as we enter a period of what is expected to be great change and transition. I enjoy looking at problems, challenges, and new situations with a fresh set of eyes and really trying to determine the best solution and path forward, despite how things have “always been done” in the past. Our staff within UEL and ILLD has seen a lot of change since I joined the team in 2022 with the implementations of TimesheetX, Open EA, The Center for Staff Life Design, and the expected transition from SAP to Workday looming in the near future. I have really enjoyed working collaboratively with my colleagues and other members of the staff and faculty at JHU during these transition and implementation periods to brainstorm new ways to improve processes and platforms, as well troubleshooting pain points and roadblocks along the way. I hope to be able to represent these colleagues and departments on the SAC in order to continue planning for future changes within JHU, improving our organizational policies, procedures, programs and platforms, and hopefully maximizing the benefits and outcomes of those changes for these groups in the process. I would be truly honored to represent the amazing people I work with across JHU daily and thank you for your consideration.”

Joseph Cautela, Program Coordinator | Center for Student Success “Introduction: Hello, my name is Joe Cautela III, and I am a Program Coordinator for the FLI Network at Johns Hopkins University. I have been at Hopkins for nine months, and I have recently graduated with my Master of Education in Higher Education in Student Affairs. As a proud first-generation, limited-income (FLI) alumnus and a student affairs professional passionate about advocacy, community engagement, and developing creative solutions, I am excited to nominate myself for the Staff Advisory Council (SAC). My experience in fostering equity and access, coupled with my commitment to collaboration, makes me a strong candidate for this role. Commitment to SAC’s Mission: My interest in the SAC stems from my alignment with its mission to advocate for staff needs and foster an inclusive environment where every voice matters. In my previous roles, I have served on university-wide committees addressing institutional policy, curriculum, equity and access, and student engagement. I also served on the Board of Trustees as an undergraduate student. In these roles, I learned the value of institutional service and the tangible change that can result in supporting staff from committee work. In my current role with the FLI Network, I have supported large-scale programs and initiatives such as the Hop-In Program and FLI Day, which prioritize a sense of belonging and equity for first-generation and limited-income. I am privileged to serve students behind the scenes while working with partners on the front end, showing me the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change. For example, I coordinated 20 campus partners’ involvement in the Hop-in Campus Partner Conference, allowing campus partners to share their support, opportunities, and resources for FLI Students Serving on the council would allow me to extend this impact by addressing staff priorities and advancing innovative solutions to our community’s challenges. Professional Development and Leadership: I am eager to contribute to SAC’s leadership while growing as a professional. As a new student affairs professional, this opportunity represents a chance to build connections with colleagues across the university, enhance my leadership skills, and make a positive impact on the campus community. I am particularly interested in joining the Engagement and Recognition subcommittee to ensure staff contributions are acknowledged and celebrated. My experience coordinating large-scale programs such as FLI Day, the FLI Pep Rally, and the Hop-in Program has prepared me to manage complex planning processes and collaborate effectively. Most recently, I coordinated my department’s staff appreciation day. I am confident these skills would make me a valuable member of the subcommittee and the broader staff council. Commitment to Staff Representation: As an FLI Network Program Coordinator and a proud FLI alumnus, I deeply understand the unique challenges and contributions of first-generation, limited-income staff members. Ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed, while also providing an equity and justice lens, is essential for creating an equitable workplace for all staff members. Additionally, as a recent graduate of a master’s program in Student Affairs, I bring fresh insights into higher education and the evolving needs of staff. My experiences allow me to advocate for a diverse range of perspectives, while my passion for equity ensures that all staff members feel valued and supported. While my colleagues were planning the Hop-in program celebration ceremony, I offered an innovative idea to center students, allowing students to embrace community and gratitude, by providing students the opportunity to shout out and thank anyone who supported them during their Hop-in program journey while receiving their Hop-in program certificate. Overall, I am dedicated to advocating for all staff and working with SAC to create a workplace that uplifts and supports all members of our university community, while providing a fresh perspective on higher education and Hopkins. Closing: I am honored to self-nominate for the Johns Hopkins University Staff Advisory Council. This role represents an exciting opportunity to advocate for staff, foster collaboration, and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive JHU community. I look forward to working alongside colleagues to build on SAC’s successes and to help make Johns Hopkins a welcoming and inclusive environment where staff needs are addressed.”

Melody Colbert, Registration Operations Specialist | University Experiential Learning “Hello, my name is Melody Colbert. I have been with JHU for 3 years. In my current role, I am a Registration Operations Specialist in the SEAM Registration department. I am interested in joining the Staff Advisory Council because I want to implement change and be a part of an initiative that tackles challenges for staff. I am interested in learning, obtaining skills and gaining a voice that supports my peers in their aspirations and new opportunities.”

John Diaz, Residential Dining Coordinator | Hopkins Dining “Hello, my name is Johnny Diaz. I have been with JHU for two years. In my current role, I am the Residential Dining Coordinator in the Hopkins Dining department. I am interested in joining the Staff Advisory Council because I am dedicated to fostering a collaborative team environment and expanding opportunities for innovative ideas to grow. By joining the Staff Advisory Council, my goal is to advocate for initiatives that promote activities and resources that enhance the physical and mental well-being of staff, be a champion for projects that strengthen connection between staff and the broader community, and advocate for opportunities that support staff growth and career advancement.”

Louie DiBernardo, LAN Administrator II | IT Services “Hello! I’m Louie DiBernardo Guzman, and I’ve been with Hopkins for 6 years now; four as a WSE Undergrad, and two as a USS IT Staff member. In my current role as a LAN Administrator II, I directly support On-Campus Living and Hopkins Dining to ensure smooth operations for the staff and, by extension, the students. Additionally, I manage the Student Technology Academic Resources (STAR) on the Homewood Campus, with the goal of providing the entire student body with the resources they need to succeed. To help with this, I hire and manage a team of Student Staff who assist in keeping our assets up and running. I’m interested in joining the Staff Advisory Council to continue my mission of improving the student experience along with continuing to build out channels for increased student support.”

Brandy McDowell, Executive Assistant | Student Health and Well-Being “Hi there! My name is Brandy McDowell. I’ve been an employee here at JHU for over 7 months. I’m Executive Assistant to the Student Health and Well-Being Vice Provost, Kevin Shollenberger. I’m interested in joining the Staff Advisory Council because I bring a unique, empowering perspective with relevant experience and knowledge using critical thinking skills to benefit the greater good. I’ve spearheaded organizational projects, served as a policy coordinator, and as an advocate/spokesperson in prior roles and community work for organizations. I am dedicated to shaping the future of Hopkins with the intent that all feel seen and heard. I’d also like the opportunity to network with others in the organization and gain more leadership skills to support Hopkins mission. If allowed to serve on the council, I vow to bring my best efforts and impactful recommendations to fulfill my role.”

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