About Us

What is USU?

University Staff United is a new union of and for staff at the University of Michigan. We believe in democratic decision-making and we promote the idea that staff should have an equal seat at the table when decisions are made that affect our jobs. Together through USU, we can use our collective power to gain a voice for ourselves, claim the respect we deserve, and achieve material improvements in our lives and in our work.

We are staff on all three UM campuses and in many roles.

What Is AFT Michigan?

AFT Michigan, the state organization of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), is a union of education and healthcare workers at institutions across the state. University Staff United is partnering with AFT Michigan to build a strong local union with deep ties to other workers at the University of Michigan and in our surrounding communities. In addition to USU, several other unions at UM are affiliated with AFT Michigan: GEO, the union of graduate student employees; LEO, the union of nontenure-track faculty; and UPAMM, the union of physician assistants. Our union is made up of and run by staff. We decide for ourselves what changes we want to see in our workplaces, and what action we’ll take to achieve our goals. AFT Michigan provides us with valuable support, advice and training based in experience, and the solidarity of a connection to the larger labor movement.

Who Is Organizing USU?

We are! USU is by and for staff, and we will succeed if we all step up to build this community. You can get connected by filling out this form with your contact information and a member of the USU Organizing Committee will reach out to you. Here are just a few of the staff working to grow our union:

Aaron StarkApplication DeveloperITS
Ana LiuzziAssociate TeacherTowsley Children's House
Andy BrosiusClinical Research Technician Michigan Medicine, Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology
Anne EliasLibrary Services Platform Training ManagerUniversity Library, Collections Division, Technical Services
Ariel MallettUM EdHub Project Manager School of Education
Autumn KearneyRecruitment and Admissions CoordinatorSchool of Education
Candice EverettAcademic Program ManagerLSA Biological Station
Caroline L. CarterBehavioral ScientistCenter for Academic Innovation
Dan MeislerCommunications SpecialistInstitute for Social Research
Jocilyn WagnerGift Coordinator and Resource CatalogerUniversity Library - Collections - Tech Services
Kaitlyn HavensSalesforce AdministratorSchool of Education
Katharine KorchnakAcademic AuditorLSA: Student Academic Affairs
Katie Beasley-SriroProgram ManagerSchool of Social Work
Katie PrichardAssociate RegistrarMuseum of Art
Katy MattinglyAdministrative SpecialistInstitute for Social Research
Kellie Chestler-RootTeacherTowsley Children's House
Kit ParksStudio CoordinatorStamps School of Art & Design
Kristen AdamsStaff PsychologistCounseling and Psychological Services
Krysten DorfmanProgram AssistantSchool of Education
Lauren DayAccess and User Services AssistantUniversity Library
Merritt JamesAssociate TeacherTowsley Children's House
Nathan SadowskyGraduate CoordinatorEcology and Evolutionary Biology
PävAlum Engagement ManagerLSA Opportunity Hub
Rita LeeAdmissions CounselorStamps School of Art & Design
Robert BixlerMaterials Resource Coordinator Technical Services/Arrivals and Activations
Samuel SimpsonResource Sharing SpecialistIlliad/Collections
Todd ZieglerProject CoordinatorLSA Sociology