MSUASC Member Elections
Voting takes place June 1 - 5, 2026 - please cast your vote for 2 candidates:
Meet the Candidates
Dayna Bergin
Campus Recreation
I have lived here in Bozeman for 10 years. I love the outdoors, reading a good book
and seeing all there is to see here under the Big Sky. I work in the Student Wellness
Center, more specifically I am the Business Operations Manager for Campus Recreation.
I think I am interested in learning more about working in higher education and Montana
State University. I think hive mind is something I have always thought helps the team
grow and build better community. Community helps us all be more sustainable. We
need each other to move forward and if serving on the Staff Senate can be a part of
that then I am interested in serving on the Staff Senate.
Laynee Carda
Office of Admissions
I work in the Office of Admissions as an Admissions Evaluator. I have held my role in Admissions for 4 years. I believe that I would be a great addition to All Staff Senate because I care about the staff of Montana State University. I have completed Leadership MSU-Class of 2025. With my Leadership MSU experience, I got to meet many people around campus, and hope to expand my connections in and around the MSU Campus! I also hope to be a great advocate for the staff of the Admissions Office, as well for the Division of Student Success.
Zach Center
Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Zach is a project manager and team leader with more than 14 years of experience working with international nonprofit organizations. About one year ago, he started working at MSU as a Business Operations Manager in the Jabs College of Business, and later in his current position of Director of Administration & Finance at Jabs. Zach is interested in serving on Staff Senate so he can help to establish greater opportunities for staff throughout MSU to develop and thrive in their livelihoods, and to help inform solutions to critical challenges that staff are facing on a daily basis.
Madalyn Eglian
Department of Ecology
| I am the current Academic Services Coordinator for the Ecology Department, but I have also held a teaching position in the English Department and am a graduate student enrolled in courses across multiple other departments and colleges. Due to these experiences, I have gained a broad perspective on the MSU community and the diverse needs of our staff and student. I am excited about the opportunity to serve on Staff Senate because I want to consider sustainable solutions for the obstacles staff face when serving our student population. I am also interested in professional development opportunities for staff and recognizing the many different paths we are taking to become well-rounded professionals and members of our community. |
Danielle Goranson
University Human Resources
| I've been an MSU employee for nearly ten years. I've served in an assortment of roles within Human Resources (Associate, Benefits Tech, Generalist), working with a wide variety of departments - all with individualized needs and structures. I've also had the recent honor of becoming a MSU alumni by earning a Bachelor's degree via the Staff Tuition Waiver benefit. Between my years of administrative work and my academic pursuits, I have extensive experience with university policies, facilitating constructive communication, and finding compassionate yet compliant solutions. I believe my background and skill set would be useful in advocating for our MSU community staff members so that all can feel empowered to engage, connect, and grow! |
Halley Perry
Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success
My name is Halley Perry, and I am the Assistant Director of Industry & Employer Relations
in Career Services. I have been with Career Services for 3 years and with MSU for
6 years. In my role I coordinate career fairs, workshops, and employer outreach, working with many departments
and staff to create meaningful career opportunities for students. Collaborating across
units to improve processes and support campus success at our land grant university
is my priority. I’m interested in serving on Staff Senate to support staff perspectives, advocate for equitable professional development and resources, and strengthen communication between staff
and university leadership. I bring experience in cross-unit collaboration, event logistics, and stakeholder engagement, and I’m committed to fostering an inclusive, efficient campus environment that benefits both staff and students.
Colter Peterson
University Communications
| I'm a born and raised Montanan that graduated from MSU in 2018 with a degree in Film and Photography. I now work for University Communications as a staff photographer. In my roll I interact with faculty, students and staff from every department on campus. This has given me a good perspective on all the different needs across campus. I'm always looking for new ways to connect with people across our community. The opportunity to represent fellow staff on the Staff Senate feels like a great opportunity to do this. MSU is the second home I didn't know I needed, and I hope to help other staff gain the same sense of belonging and community I feel. |
Siavash Razavi
Parking & Transportation Services
I have been part of the university community for nearly a decade, serving both as
a student and staff member. I currently work as a System Coordinator II with Parking
& Transportation Services while actively pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Computer
Science.
Originally from Iran, I was born and raised in Dubai and later spent time in Malaysia before eventually settling in Bozeman. These diverse experiences have helped shape my perspective and strengthened my appreciation for community, collaboration, and service.
I am interested in serving on Staff Senate because I believe my years on campus have given me a strong understanding of the needs, concerns, and aspirations of our fellow colleagues. Serving on Staff Senate would allow me to give back to the university community and support my peers in the same way others supported me when I first started here. Additionally, I value the opportunity to better understand and appreciate the work of our administration while contributing insights and perspectives I have gained throughout the past decade at the university.
Originally from Iran, I was born and raised in Dubai and later spent time in Malaysia before eventually settling in Bozeman. These diverse experiences have helped shape my perspective and strengthened my appreciation for community, collaboration, and service.
I am interested in serving on Staff Senate because I believe my years on campus have given me a strong understanding of the needs, concerns, and aspirations of our fellow colleagues. Serving on Staff Senate would allow me to give back to the university community and support my peers in the same way others supported me when I first started here. Additionally, I value the opportunity to better understand and appreciate the work of our administration while contributing insights and perspectives I have gained throughout the past decade at the university.
Kierstin Schmitt
Department of Research Centers
I've been at MSU-Western Agricultural Research Center in Corvallis for about 7 years
as an administrative associate III. My role is mostly financial & administrative management
with some community outreach/marketing & in 2024 I was elected as a board member of
the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce where I was asked to chair the Bitterroot Ag &
Local Foods Committee. I'm also helping to organize the 2026 Governor's Summit on
Local Food & Agriculture this October. As the only research center studying fruits
& vegetables that grow in MT & the region, so we have a unique niche.
I'm interested in serving on the Staff Senate because I bring a different perspective as an satellite campus staff member. We often feel overlooked & out-of-touch with main campus & I can help bridge that gap to provide information to the other satellite campuses, especially the ag research centers across the state. I realize that much of the Senate work in campus-based, but we have unique circumstances & situations that may help inform the Senate as they work with leadership. Plus, I'm a policy nerd so I think these are my people. I'm also always happy to travel for Senate events as needed since I feel it's important to show up in-person. This is a chance for satellite campus staff to be more connected & informed.
I'm interested in serving on the Staff Senate because I bring a different perspective as an satellite campus staff member. We often feel overlooked & out-of-touch with main campus & I can help bridge that gap to provide information to the other satellite campuses, especially the ag research centers across the state. I realize that much of the Senate work in campus-based, but we have unique circumstances & situations that may help inform the Senate as they work with leadership. Plus, I'm a policy nerd so I think these are my people. I'm also always happy to travel for Senate events as needed since I feel it's important to show up in-person. This is a chance for satellite campus staff to be more connected & informed.
Emily Vered
Office of International Programs
MSU has been a part of my life since 2012 when I first arrived as a freshman. I’ve
changed a lot since then- but my dedication to making the MSU community a better place
remains as strong as ever! I have worked in three positions on campus- first in Student
Accounts, then the Department of Ecology, and now in the Office of International Programs
as an International Student Advisor.
I believe staff aren't just supporters of this institution's mission — we are part of that mission. When staff are empowered and included in the conversations that shape policy and practice, everyone benefits! But that kind of culture doesn't happen by accident. It requires people willing to show up, ask hard questions, and advocate for real, lasting change. I don’t believe I have all the answers, I simply believe that I can be a part of the answer. I am dedicated to our MSU and with your support, I am willing to take on the challenges that face us to find those answers!
I believe staff aren't just supporters of this institution's mission — we are part of that mission. When staff are empowered and included in the conversations that shape policy and practice, everyone benefits! But that kind of culture doesn't happen by accident. It requires people willing to show up, ask hard questions, and advocate for real, lasting change. I don’t believe I have all the answers, I simply believe that I can be a part of the answer. I am dedicated to our MSU and with your support, I am willing to take on the challenges that face us to find those answers!
Brianna Woodby
Department of Research Centers
I moved from my hometown of Flint, Michigan to Bozeman, Montana in 2022 after being
accepted into Montana Conservation Corps (MCC). After MCC I spent two more summers
working in Wildland Fire and on trail crews. I believe that my time in seasonal work
drives my work ethic today and taught me the importance of community and being able
to depend on one another. I gave up seasonal work after I met my wife (who also works
at MSU!) and adopted our dog Rocky. In my free time I like to relax by boxing and
running a small coffee business here in Bozeman. Today I work as the Business Operations
Manager for the Department of Research Centers. The thing I enjoy the most about my
position is how collaborative it is and the opportunities for problem solving it presents.
I'm interested in serving on staff senate because I believe in building the best workplace
possible through hard work and community efforts.
