Staff Council Representatives
Executive Committee
Marty Vizcarra
President (2027)
(208) 282-4710
martyvizcarra@isu.edu
Senior Project Manager | Facilities Services
- Non-Classified staff member
- Executive Committee (Chair)
- Bylaws Committee (Chair)
- Election & Membership Committee (Chair)
- Events & Marketing Committee
- Budget Advisory Group
- Marty is Staff Council President and in his third year serving on the Council. He enjoys connecting with all of the diverse people across campus who help our University thrive. He is passionate about supporting staff by bringing their ideas to the forefront and helping to make their time at ISU meaningful.
- Marty is an ISU alum, earning his AAS in CADD in 2013. He began his career at ISU in 2022 when he joined Facilities as a Project Manager. Now serving as a Senior Project Manager, Marty oversees projects not only on the Pocatello campus, but also in Idaho Falls and Meridian. His leadership and dedication make him a highly valued member of the team.
- Marty has a deep love and appreciation for all kinds of music. Whether he's vibing at concerts or at home, music is a constant source of joy in his life. He is a passionate supporter of local musicians and the local music scene. Outside of music, Marty enjoys cooking, with carnitas being his signature dish. He also loves spending time in nature, especially hiking and relaxing by peaceful mountain creeks.
Mohammed Alqurashi
President Elect (2028)
(208) 282-2310
mohammedalqurashi@isu.edu
Senior Hazardous Waste Specialist | Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability (HHSS)
- Non-Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Bylaws Committee
- Election & Membership Committee
- Professional Development & Scholarship Committee (Chair)
- Employee Engagement Committee
- Mohammed has been a proud member of Staff Council since 2024. He serves as President-Elect, a role he is truly thrilled and honored to take on.
- Mohammed’s dedication, integrity, and positive spirit make him an invaluable member of our community—deeply respected and appreciated by all. He has been a valued employee at ISU for several years and works in the Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability department.
- Outside of work, Mohammed enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and exploring new places. Some of his hobbies include playing soccer at Bartz Field, working on cars, and playing FIFA on PlayStation.
Jena Lords
Past President (2026)
(208) 282-3214
jenalords@isu.edu
Administrative Assistant 2 | Academic Affairs
- Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Bylaws Committee
- Election & Membership Committee
- Jena is the Past-President of Staff Council for 2025–2026 and has been a council member since 2022. She is a dedicated advocate for staff and takes great pride in representing their interests.
- Jena has worked at Idaho State University since April 2021. She is an Administrative Assistant II in Academic Affairs, supporting the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, the Bengal Success Center, Faculty Senate, and the Instructional Technology Resource Center (ITRC).
- Jena is a first-generation college student currently pursuing a B.S. in Workplace, Training, and Leadership through the TRIO SSS program, aiming to graduate in May 2028.
- Jena enjoys spending time with friends or relaxing at home with her beloved dogs and cats. Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, exploring metaphysical topics like astrology, engaging on social media, traveling, and practicing yoga. She has been married since 2014 and together they share some adorable fur babies.
Stormi Essman
Secretary (2028)
(208) 282-3396
stormijoessman@isu.edu
Administrative Assistant 2 | Pharmacy
- Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Professional Development & Scholarship Committee
- This is Stomi’s first term on Staff Council and she is currently serving as Secretary. Her dedication and administrative skillset make her a perfect fit for her role.
- Stormi is an Administrative Assistant II for the Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences department of the College of Pharmacy.
- In her free time, Stormi enjoys spending time with her 12-year-old daughter and cute, little Boston Terrier. She also enjoys doing crafting and photography.
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Michael Jones
Treasurer (2026)
(208) 282-3238
michaeljones@isu.edu
Accounts Payable/Travel Manager | Division of Finance
- Non-Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Budget Advisory Group
- Michael is beginning his second year on Staff Council. He really enjoys the opportunity that being on the Council gives him to meet and connect with a variety of people across campus.
- Michael has been working in the Finance Department for three years and has been with ISU for nearly a decade.
- In his free time, Michael enjoys playing board games with his friends, with Twilight Imperium and Frosthaven being among his favorites.
Mandy Myers
CMS Officer (2028)
(208) 282-3347
mandymyers@isu.edu
Office Services Supervisor 1 | Facilities Services
- Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Events & Marketing Committee
- Mandy recently began her first year on Staff Council as a CMS Officer. She is excited to serve and hopes to make a positive impact for ISU staff.
- An alumna of Idaho State University, Mandy graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2019 with an AAS in Administrative Management. She currently works as an Office Services Supervisor for Facilities Services, where she enjoys helping everyone at the front desk and catching up with colleagues by the water cooler.
- In her free time, Mandy values relaxing and spending quality moments with her two sons. She also enjoys camping, vanilla lattes, tackling home improvement projects, and attending symphonies, theater performances, and concerts. An animal lover at heart, Mandy cares for four very needy rescue cats—she works hard so they can lounge around the house all day.
Rick Fowler
CMS Officer (2028)
(208) 282-3954
rickfowler@isu.edu
Instructional Designer | Instructional Technology Resource Center (ITRC)
- Non-Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Events & Marketing Committee
- This is Rick’s first year on Staff Council. His broad knowledge and genuine authenticity make him a valuable asset to the team.
- Rick works as an Instructional Designer in the Instructional Technology Resource Center. Known for his outgoing personality and sense of humor, Rick is someone who gets along well with everyone he works with.
- Rick lives in Pocatello with his husband and their two beloved bully-breed dogs. In his free time, he enjoys listening to vinyl records, spending time on his computer, and watching horror movies and anime.
Veronica Garcia
Classified Member at Large (2026)
(208) 282-3906
veronicagarcia@isu.edu
Administrative Assistant 1 | College of Education
- Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Student Conduct Committee
- Faculty Senate
- Faculty Professional Policy Council
- Civil Rights Compliance Committee
- Veronica has been serving on Staff Council since 2017. During her first two terms, she held the position of Secretary. She will complete her current term in 2026 and hopes to return as the Faculty Senate and FPPC representative for the Council.
- Veronica supports the Organizational Learning & Performance and School Psychology & Educational Leadership departments. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science with a focus on Paralegal Studies, as well as an Associate’s degree in Criminology.
- In her free time, Veronica enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She’s also an avid gamer, with a particular love for World of Warcraft and Diablo, and a fan of sci-fi and fantasy—especially Star Wars.
Jules Churba-Pyzer
Classified Member at Large (2028)
(208) 282-3096
juleschurbapyzer@isu.edu
Military Education Benefits Coordinator | Office of the Registrar
- Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Events & Marketing Committee
- This is Jules’ second year serving on Staff Council. She previously held the role of CMS Officer and this year she will serve as a Classified Member-at-Large. She joined Staff Council to connect with ISU employees across departments and to serve as a voice for those who may not have easy access to staff-centered resources.
- Jules has been with ISU since 2021, starting as a Student Dispatcher with Public Safety. In 2023, she transitioned to her current role as the Military Education Benefits Coordinator in the Office of the Registrar. A lifelong learner, Jules recently earned her M.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology, and she plans to begin graduate certificates in Anthropology in Fall 2025.
- Outside of work, Jules values time with her community—both family and chosen family—and enjoys connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. She loves to travel and hopes to explore Europe in the near future. A creative spirit, Jules dabbles in many art forms, with writing being her favorite. She shares her home with two mischievous and beloved cats, Munchie and Socks, who keep life interesting—especially when defying gravity or demanding cuddles at 2 AM.
Annie Mendoza
Non-Classified Member at Large (2028)
(208) 282-6275
anniemendoza@isu.edu
Grant Project Coordinator | Institute of Rural Health
- Non-Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Bylaws Committee
- Events & Marketing Committee
- Welcome & Farewell Committee
- Employee Appreciation Week Committee
- Ombuds Representative
- Non-Classified Grievance Committee
- Annie has served on Staff Council for one year and is excited to continue her involvement for the next three. Her enthusiasm and fun-loving spirit make her a valued member of the team.
- She is a Grant Project Coordinator at the Institute of Rural Health, where she works with the Idaho HealthCorps AmeriCorps program.
- Annie recently earned her MPA degree and is proud of all her hard work paying off. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching classic Hollywood movies, crafting, and cheering on her daughters as they play sports.
Julie VanLeuven
Non-Classified Member at Large (2027)
(208) 282-3367
julievanleuven@isu.edu
IT Systems Manager for Health Sciences | Information Technology Services (ITS)
- Non-classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Professional Policy Committee
- University Library Committee
- Electronic & IT Accessibility Committee
- Julie recently began her second year back with Staff Council. She previously served a six-year term that concluded in 2020, during which she held the role of Staff Council President for those final three years.
- Julie works in the IT department, specifically supporting the university’s 17 health clinics. She has been a proud member of Idaho State University since 2010.
- In her free time, Julie enjoys playing video games with her husband—whom she met online before it was mainstream—and loves to spend time crocheting.
Mikayla Dungan
Event Coordinator (2028)
(208) 282-2767
mikayladungan@isu.edu
Administrative Assistant 2 | Maintenance & Operations
- Classified Staff Member
- Executive Committee
- Bylaws Committee
- Events & Marketing Committee (Chair)
- Bengal Giving Day Staff Committee
- This is Mikayla’s first year serving on Staff Council. She’s enthusiastic about her new role as Events Coordinator and looks forward to creating opportunities for light-hearted fun and connection among staff. She sees Staff Council as a meaningful platform for voicing campus concerns and helping to drive positive change for employees.
- Mikayla is the Administrative Assistant for Maintenance and Operations and has been with ISU for three years. An ISU alumna, she graduated in 2020 with a degree in Global Studies.
- A proud Idaho native, Mikayla enjoys spending time outdoors in the garden or indoors crafting. Her true passion is food—both cooking and eating—and she’s always happy to swap recipes. She’s also up for a good cup of coffee and a chat with her fellow Bengals and friends anytime.
Staff Council Members
Lorie Kalivas
Council Member (2028)
(208) 282-4280
loriekalivas@isu.edu
Laboratory Materials Supervisor | Chemistry
- Classified Staff Member
- Bylaws Committee
- Faculty Senate
- This is Lorie’s first year serving on Staff Council as a representative for Classified Staff. Her dedication and sense of humor make her a valuable asset to the team.
- Lorie works in the Chemistry Department as the Laboratory Materials Supervisor—also known as the Stockroom Manager. In addition to managing lab materials, she serves as the department's Safety Liaison and is affectionately known as the “plant lady,” thanks to the many plants she nurtures throughout the building.
- Lorie’s happy place is the outdoors. She enjoys walking and hiking, often stopping to take in the beauty of nature. In the winter, she loves to ski. A passionate reader, Lorie gravitates toward works by Maya Angelou, Matt Haig, and is a longtime fan of Dune—well before it hit the big screen. She’s also a fan of classic murder mystery shows like Columbo, Perry Mason, and Sherlock Holmes. When it comes to sci-fi, she proudly claims her Star Trek allegiance—according to every quiz, she’s a Klingon.
Alesha Kelley
Council Member (2028)
(208) 282-3281
aleshakelley@isu.edu
Craft Shop Director | Student Union
- Classified Staff Member
- Professional Development & Scholarship Committee
- Alesha is a new member of Staff Council this year. Her confident character and dedication to helping others through art make her a wonderful addition to the team.
- Alesha serves as the Director of the ISU Craft Shop in the Student Union Building and has been part of the ISU community for over ten years.
- Alesha loves spending time with her husband and their three teenage boys. A passionate crafter, her main obsession is pottery, which she sells at art fairs throughout Idaho. She is also an active member of several local art councils.
Laura Blad
Council Member (2028)
(208) 282-3755
laurablad@isu.edu
Administrative Assistant 2 | University Advancement
- Classified Staff Member
- Events & Marketing Committee
- Be a Bengal Committee
- This is Laura’s first time serving on Staff Council, although she has been with ISU for nearly ten years. She is happy to serve on the council and looks forward to her role.
- Laura is the Administrative Assistant II for the Alumni Engagement Office in University Advancement.
- Laura and her husband have four children and five grandchildren scattered across the country, so much of their free time is spent traveling to visit family. When they’re not on the road, they enjoy biking, attending concerts, and playing cards. They recently took their first pickleball lesson and are excited to join the growing community of pickleball players.
Renea Midthun
Council Member (2028)
(208) 282-3755
reneamidthun@isu.edu
HR Assistant | Human Resources
- Classified Staff Member
- Events & Marketing Committee
- Welcome & Farewell Committee
- This is Renea’s first year serving on the Staff Council, and she’s very excited and enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute over the next few years.
- Renea began her career at ISU in 2018, working in the TRIO department. In 2024, she transitioned to a role in Human Resources, where she continues to support the university community.
- Outside of work, Renea enjoys camping with her family and friends, spending time in her yard, watching movies, and relaxing with her husband, daughter, and their pet bunny.
Lance Blanchard
Council Member (2027)
(208) 282-2515
lanceblanchard@isu.edu
Public Safety Lieutenant | Public Safety - Idaho Falls
- Classified Staff Member
- Professional Policy Committee
- Lance recently began his second year on Staff Council. His commitment to serving others make him a great part of the team.
- Lance serves as a Lieutenant with ISU Public Safety, overseeing the campus and ensuring the safety of everyone. His dedication is highly valued, and in 2022, he received the Be a Bengal Award for Trust.
- In his free time, Lance enjoys spending time outdoors. He loves exploring the mountains on his 4-wheeler, camping, and fishing. He also tends to a herd of Scottish Highlander cows, which keeps him quite busy.
Robin Nelson
Council Member (2028)
(208) 282-2130
robinnelson@isu.edu
Office Services Supervisor 1 | Counseling and Mental Health Center
- Classified Staff Member
- Welcome & Farewell Committee
- Years of Service Recognition Events Committee
- Employee Engagement Committee
- This is Robin’s first year serving on Staff Council. Her positivity and caring nature make her a wonderful addition to the team.
- She works at the Counseling and Mental Health Center and loves being part of the supportive community at ISU, working closely with both staff and students.
- Robin enjoys living in the Pocatello area and describes it as a wonderful place to be. She loves spending time outdoors—whether she’s running on local roads or exploring new trails. In her downtime, she enjoys reading and spending quality time with her friends, family, and her dog, Amber.
Niquelle Maxwell
Council Member (2028)
(208) 282-3773
niquellelewis@isu.edu
Digital and Social Media Manager | Marketing and Communications
- Non-classified Staff Member
- Events & Marketing Committee
- Be a Bengal Committee
- Niquelle has been serving on Staff Council for the past year and was previously a CMS Officer. She works in the Marketing and Communications (MarCom) department as the Social Media Manager.
- A Southeast Idaho native, Niquelle spent several years in Provo, Utah, where she earned her undergraduate degree from BYU. She later returned to Idaho to begin her career at ISU and is currently pursuing her MBA, with plans to graduate this coming spring.
- Last year was especially memorable for Niquelle—she met her husband, Sam, at a church event, and the two were married this past March. A lifelong runner, she has completed numerous races, including three marathons—one of the highlights being the Boston Marathon. She and Sam are currently training for another marathon this October. In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, playing sports, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Blaney Hanvey
Council Member (2027)
(208) 282-7750
blaneyhanvey@isu.edu
Counselor | Counseling and Career Services - Idaho Falls
- Non-classified Staff Member
- Events & Marketing Committee
- Professional Policy Committee
- University Library Committee
- Blaney is starting her second year serving on Staff Council, representing the Idaho Falls campus. Her drive to help others makes her a great asset to the team.
- Blaney works on the Idaho Falls campus in the Counseling and Career Services department and has been with ISU for eleven years. She enjoys working with students and helping them achieve their academic goals.
- In her free time, Blaney loves to read and enjoys spending time outdoors in the water.
Heather Kimmett
Council Member (2027)
(208) 373-1737
heatherkimmett@isu.edu
Executive Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations | Advancement/Development/University Programs - Meridian
- Non-classified Staff Member
- Professional Policy Committee (Chair)
- Employee Appreciation Week Committee
- Heather is starting her second year on Staff Council, serving as Chair of the Professional Policy Committee. Her strategic mindset and dedication to supporting others make her a valued strength to the team.
- Heather is the Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations in the University Advancement department.
- A strategic thinker and skilled relationship builder, Heather is passionate about doing meaningful work that drives lasting impact. Outside the office, she enjoys getting lost in a good book or sharing laughter with loved ones amidst life’s beautiful chaos.
Marci Miller
Council Member (2026)
(208) 373-1815
marcimiller@isu.edu
Testing Coordinator | ITRC/Prometric Testing Center/University Programs - Meridian
- Non-classified Staff Member
- Events & Marketing Committee
- Welcome & Farewell Committee
- Marci joined Staff Council in October 2022 as an interim replacement for a departing member. After enjoying her initial experience, she ran for a full three-year term in May 2023, which she will complete in May 2026. During her time on the Council, she served on the Executive Committee as a Member at Large for one year and has been an active member of both the Events Committee and the Retiree Committee.
- Marci has also served as the Prometric Testing Coordinator on the Meridian campus for the past eight years, where she is a highly valued member of the Meridian team.
- Over the past ten years, Marci and her husband have been on a journey to visit every U.S. National Park. They have explored all of the parks in the lower 48 states and plan to visit the National Park in American Samoa this September. After that trip, only five parks will remain on their list—four in remote areas of Alaska and one in Florida.
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Zach McMurtry
Council Member (2027)
(208) 282-3781
zachariemcmurtry@isu.edu
Maintenance and Operations Supervisor | Student Union
- Classified Staff Member
- This is Zach’s second year serving on the Staff Council. In his first year, he served as a Member-at-Large and contributed to the Call to Projects Committee.
- Zach works in Student Union Maintenance within the Division of Student Affairs, where he is a very dedicated and appreciated part of the team.
- A self-proclaimed "rock nerd," Zach enjoys hiking and often returns with a pocket full of unique rocks. In his free time, he likes spending time with his dog, watching music videos, and relaxing in his backyard when the weather is nice.
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Micheal Timm
Council Member (2028)
(208) 282-7856
michealtimm@isu.edu
Assistant Director of Operations | Facilities Services - Idaho Falls
- Non-Classified Staff Member
- Micheal has represented Staff Council intermittently since 2017 and has been with Idaho State University for 18 years.
- Micheal is the Assistant Director of Facilities Operations for the Idaho Falls campus. He enjoys contributing to a wide range of initiatives that engage both the campus community and the public. Whether it's student events, high school outreach, or community programs, he actively participates in efforts that support the university’s mission at multiple levels.
- Outside of work, Micheal enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and participating in outdoor activities.
Tate Christensen
Council Member (2028)
(208) 282-3119
tatechristensen@isu.edu
Advising Coordinator | College of Arts & Letters
- Non-Classified Staff Member
- Bylaws Committee
- Election & Membership Committee
- This is Tate’s first term on the Staff Council. His commitment and thoughtful involvement at ISU make him a valuable addition to the team.
- Tate works as an Academic Advisor for the College of Arts and Letters, where he makes a meaningful impact through his mentorship and steadfast support of students. In recognition of his dedication, Tate was honored as the Grand Winner of the 2024 Be a Bengal Hope Award at the Be a Bengal reception in the spring of 2025.
- During his free time, Tate enjoys listening to audiobooks while going for relaxing walks with his dog.
Evan Johnson
Council Member (2028)
(208) 282-5836
evanjohnson@isu.edu
Senior Accountant | Finance
- Non-Classified Staff Member
- This is Evan’s first year serving on Staff Council. His financial expertise and kind nature make him an appreciated member of the Council.
- Evan is a proud ISU alumnus, holding both an MBA and a BBA in Accounting. He works in the Division of Finance, providing finance and accounting support to the Division of Research and the College of Science and Engineering.
- Evan and his amazing wife are parents to four wonderful children. Together, they enjoy spending time outdoors kayaking, hiking, and biking. Evan values his family, faith, and freedom. In his free time, he enjoys coaching individuals and families to achieve their financial goals.
Mara Seignemartin
Council Member (2028)
(907) 786-6553
maraseignemartin@isu.edu
Alaska Programs Coordinator | College of Pharmacy - Anchorage, Alaska
- Non-Classified Staff Member
- Mara is a new member of ISU Staff Council this year. However, she brings valuable experience from her previous role as Chair of the College of Pharmacy's Staff Council, a position she held for two years. She continues to serve as a resource in that capacity.
- Mara works in the College of Pharmacy as the Alaska Programs Coordinator at ISU’s Anchorage campus. She feels very fortunate to be able to work for ISU while living in Alaska.
- Mara is an anthropologist by training and education, and she enjoys studying culture in her spare time. She loves reading about different cultures and also enjoys fiction. Her family owns two awesome Jeeps, which they use for off-road adventures and camping trips. They share their home with two young doodle dogs—one from a local breeder and the other a rescue. Life moves fast in their household, and they’re always on the lookout for a new trail to explore or a beautiful, secluded spot to camp.