Finance and Administration

There are four open seats and four candidates in the Finance and Administration Division, which includes Facilities, UAPD, Transit & Parking, Business & Financial Affairs, Human Resources, Business Affairs, IT Services and related units. We congratulate Lonnie Deavons, Pamela Ellison, Ruth Parcells and Allen Porter. Your Staff Senate ballot will open to your division automatically and as well as offer the At-Large ballot, which does have competition! Voting closed at 5 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2026.

2026 Staff Senate Online Ballot — voting has ended for the year

Candidate Statements for the Finance and Administration Division

Lonnie Deavons

I just celebrated 42 years of working at the University of Arkansas. Most of those years were spent working for IT Services. I recently started working for Business Process Management. I'm a graduate of the U of A in Chemical Engineering.

My job background at the U of A was primarily working on the DataWarehouse team at IT services. I've been married for over 30 years with two adult children, both graduates of the U of A, one is a physician's assistant and the other will be going to graduate school at UAMS-Northwest working a physical therapist. I currently officate high school basketball, volleyball and fast-pitch softball.

I am most excited about the opportunity to serve on Staff Senate because it allows me to be a voice for faculty and staff and advocate for issues that matter to our campus community. I care deeply about strengthening communication between staff and leadership, and I am especially passionate about highlighting the value and contributions of long-term employees at the University of Arkansas.

Pamela EllisonSince joining the University of Arkansas in 2017, I have gained broad experience by working at Global Campus and Human Resources, and now serve as the Technology Professional Development and Training Coordinator for central IT Services. In my current role, I focus on supporting staff training and professional development in technology for both IT and non-IT colleagues. I have recently worked with awareness, communication and training efforts for technical skills, including generative AI tools, and building a centralized learning hub for technological training. I’m currently developing a scalable cooperative learning group for technical certifications. My work often involves collaborating across departments and turning feedback into meaningful improvements, which has given me a strong understanding of how students, faculty and staff must work together for the university to thrive.

I am also proud to be an alumna of the University of Arkansas, and my family, including my husband and our two kids, share a deep connection to campus life. We love spending time outdoors and cheering for Razorback sports, from basketball and gymnastics to soccer, baseball, and softball. I am committed to open communication and collaboration and intend to keep my colleagues informed on Staff Senate proceedings, while bringing their comments and questions back to the Senate.

I see the Staff Senate as an essential hub for exchanging ideas, voicing concerns, asking questions and working together to create meaningful roles across campus. What excites me most about serving on the Staff Senate is the opportunity to help build a supportive and collaborative environment for all staff at the university. I'm eager to contribute to this communication effort by sharing feedback and updates from IT Services, and by representing staff interests in important initiatives that strengthen collaboration and engagement. I look forward to advocating for professional development as a core need, championing skill-based equity and ensuring that staff voices are heard and valued. Additionally, I enjoy participating in staff events and would love to strengthen our campus community.

Ruth ParcellsI embraced new challenges amid the pandemic and ventured to the University of Arkansas, where I now serve as the Senior Specialist for Governance, Risk and Compliance. In this role, I lead the university’s data security initiatives, develop cybersecurity policies and provide comprehensive training programs. My work reflects my dedication to strengthening cybersecurity awareness and education across campus.

Before joining the University of Arkansas, I worked at the University of Virginia, where I held various roles in Audit, Compliance, and Advancement for more than 14 years.

My involvement with the Staff Senate at the University of Arkansas comes from a genuine desire to make a difference and support my colleagues. I find fulfillment in contributing to the Senate’s events and initiatives, and I enjoy being part of efforts that enhance campus life. My commitment to the Staff Senate is driven by my passion for advocacy and my focus on addressing staff concerns. I value the platform the Senate provides for staff to voice their opinions and raise issues that directly affect them. With a pragmatic approach and an eye toward tangible outcomes, I see my role as an opportunity to foster positive change and help build a more inclusive, supportive environment for all staff members at the university.

Allen PorterServing on Staff Senate is an extension of my commitment to the University of Arkansas community. In my role with the University of Arkansas Police Department, I see firsthand the value of connection, communication and showing up for one another. Staff Senate gives me the opportunity to support those same values on a broader scale.

I believe every employee — no matter their department, background or job title — should feel seen, heard and supported. My goal is to help strengthen the bridges between staff and campus leadership, advocate for meaningful improvements, and contribute to a culture where safety, respect and collaboration guide every decision.

It is an honor to represent our staff and to serve a campus I deeply care about.