Andrea Fernandes, Director of Events Management, is in her first term on Staff Council. Andrea has worked in the Events Management Office at Smith College for eight years and is the Co-Chair of the Activities Committee and Co-Chair of the Personnel & Policy Committee.
The Activities Committee, co-chaired by Andrea and Caroline Bertrand, goes through its cycle of hosting well-known campus-wide events, such as Cider & Donuts and the annual Cookie Contest in the fall semester and Soup and Spuds, in partnership with the Faculty Council, usually in the spring semester. This year the Activities Committee piloted something new, offering a chair massage event. The Activities Committee gathers feedback after events when planning ahead and wants to be sure all staff know they are welcome to Staff Council events and that those events are free.
The Personnel and Policy Committee (PPC), co-chaired by Andrea and Abril Navarro, receives anonymous feedback from all staff and analyzes those questions and complaints ahead of monthly meetings with Smith’s Office of Human Resources. The PPC not only meets monthly with Human Resources, but also strategizes with other campus partners, such as the Office of the Ombudperson or connecting with Campus Safety and the Parking Office when questions or issues have arisen.
All staff can come forward to talk with members of the PPC, depending on comfort level, or submit their feedback anonymously through the form on Staff Council’s site.
What does Andrea like best about being a part of Staff Council?
“Interacting with people across campus and information sharing, communication, and collaboration are really great chances to community build.”
Some of Andrea’s Favorites
Season: fall – but would miss watching all of the seasons
Hobby: photography and travel – ask her about Sicily!
Food: ice cream, especially Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby
Place on Campus: Down by the boathouse. The Events Management Office (located next to the Conference Center at 51 College Lane) has an amazing view sitting at the docks.
