Finance and Administration

Michela Cupello

Since 2016, I have worked at the University of Arkansas. I am the mother of a 16-month-old boy and a licensed architect. I worked in the private sector for years before joining the Community Design Center, an outreach program of the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design, and then the Facilities Management Planning and Design group, where I currently work as a campus planner. I currently chair the Chancellor's Commission on Women and I have served in the Staff Senate since 2018, where I chair the Parking, Transit, and Safety Committee.

Volunteering and contributing to the Staff Senate and the Chancellor’s Commission on Women is a valuable way to use my knowledge, skills, and strengths, and to serve the community where I’m living and working.

Ruth Parcells

Embracing new challenges amid the pandemic, Ruth ventured to the University of Arkansas, where she currently serves as the Senior Specialist Governance, Risk, and Compliance Officer. Here, she spearheads the institution's data security initiatives, crafting cybersecurity policies, and providing comprehensive training programs, showcasing her unwavering dedication to advancing cybersecurity awareness and education.

Previously, Ruth worked at the University of Virginia and held various roles in Audit, Compliance, and Advancement for over fourteen years.

Ruth's involvement with the Staff Senate at the University of Arkansas is driven by a genuine desire to make a difference and support her colleagues. She finds fulfillment in contributing to various events and initiatives organized by the Senate, enjoying the opportunity to play a part in enhancing campus life.

Her dedication to the Staff Senate is rooted in a passion for advocacy and a commitment to addressing staff concerns. Ruth values the platform the Senate provides for staff to voice their opinions and address issues affecting them directly. With a pragmatic approach and a focus on tangible outcomes, she sees her role as an opportunity to effect positive change and promote a more inclusive and supportive environment for all staff members at the university.

Shannon Siebler

My background in education is extensive. I have a B.S. in Education and began working part-time for the local school system. Once I earned my degree, I started teaching middle school and then high school. Next, after spending ten years teaching, I moved to the Northwest Arkansas area where I began working at NWACC. I worked there for over seven years as a coordinator and then director of the Testing Center. While working as a director and teaching for them part-time, I earned my M.Ed. here at UARK in Higher Education. I began working for the Global Campus in 2016 and moved to Human Resources in 2021. I currently work in Talent Development as an Onboarding Specialist facilitating New Employee Orientation, Workday 101 and building a one-year onboarding plan for new staff.

I am excited to be involved in learning more about policies and plans for current and future employees. I would like staff to feel like they have a voice in policy and initiatives.

Deirdre Slavik

As someone who values the mission of higher education, I’ve had the privilege of working in this field for nearly twenty years. After earning a doctorate in psychology from the University of Arkansas, I began my career as a faculty member at a community college and later moved into a staff administrative position. I returned to the University of Arkansas last year as an Organizational Change Manager (and I’m thrilled to be back!). When not working, I spend my time reading dystopian fiction, watching zombie movies, and throwing tennis balls for my three dogs.

I’d love the opportunity to serve on Staff Senate and advocate for the needs of university staff. The field of higher education is changing and faces new challenges and opportunities. Staff are essential to the University of Arkansas’s continued ability to grow and adapt. Staff morale, working conditions, and compensation are important issues that need to remain institutional priorities.