Oglethorpe University’s Staff Council has announced the results of its recent open election, welcoming three new staff members to its ranks: Assistant Director of Student Engagement Ansley Radosta, Head Volleyball Coach Olivia Tidmore, and Institutional Effectiveness Data Analyst Xavier Schwener. These new members will serve on the council for two years, where they will conduct research and develop initiative proposals that increase the well-being of OU staff members.
During the election process, applicants submitted an appeal on their own behalf or received a nomination from another staff member. New members were chosen for their outstanding campus involvement and commitment to the university’s mission and values.
Three Staff Council members also completed their service in the spring: Head Baseball Coach Kellen Greer, Assistant Director of Facilities Luetrell Langston ’23, and Director of Campus Life Blake Petty, who also served as Staff Council President.
Internal elections were held to determine new leadership roles within the council. The 2025-26 Staff Council is as follows:
Ethan Hawkland, Chair of Staff Council
Dr. Autumn Johnson, Vice-Chair of Staff Council
Ansley Radosta, Community Development Director of Staff Council
Grant Utter, Secretary of Staff Council
Lauren Richardson, Initiatives Management Director of Staff Council
Olivia Tidmore, Staff Council Liaison
Pam Streator Dixson, Elections Director of Staff Council
Sheila Gonzalez, Evaluations Director of Staff Council
Xavier Schwener, Reporting Director of Staff Council
“Since 2023, Staff Council has seen a lot of great leaders across campus step into this key group to collaborate closely on strategic initiatives,” says Ethan Hawkland, the new president of Staff Council. “Our next iteration of Staff Council continues this commitment of collaboration by adding new members representing a wealth of experiences, expertise and leadership across campus.”
Staff Council represents Oglethorpe University staff at the highest level. Comprised of nine members from various institutional departments, the council develops and submits proposals to the university’s Senior Administrative Leadership Team that provide support and professional development to Oglethorpe staff members. Staff Council conducts a campus survey every Fall semester to guide its development process.
Work on several initiatives derived from last year’s climate survey is underway. Four new working groups have been formed to create initiatives addressing parental leave for staff, campus-wide collaboration, advanced professional certifications and a “Professional Development Day.”
Already this summer, staff have enjoyed time away from the office to rest and recharge thanks to “Summer Wellness Days,” an initiative developed by the first iteration of Staff Council in 2023. Staff can look forward to several more on June 20, July 3 and Aug. 8.
Another initiative from the council will take effect in the fall: a full tuition waiver for Oglethorpe University’s Master of Business Administration. Available to full-time staff and faculty who have completed two years of service, this benefit was implemented to help OU employees gain valuable professional experience and advance their careers at the university.
