Staffer of the Month: Katie Dunne

The Senate Staff Program has helped to reveal a number of fresh faces to ISS who have not ceased to impress with their dedication and eagerness to be involved. A number of staffers are more active even than some elected senators. As a result, Ariel Avila and I felt like there should be some recognition of those staffers who have gone above and beyond and really demonstrated their commitment to doing more than writing another line on their resumes. We came up with the Staffer of the Month Award, which will be recognized here and on the main ISS website.

The award for the month of November goes to Katie Dunne, who has been working with co-President Josh Rohrscheib. Even during my interview with her during the application process, I could tell immediately that she stood out. She has been not only one of the most hard-working members of the staff program but of the senate as a whole.

Regardless of whether you agreed or disagreed with the Coke contract resolution, Katie prepared invaluable research presenatations on the subject literally overnight. During the floor debate at one of her first meetings, she faced several challenging questions and handled herself assertively and with poise. For a new person to come in and jump right into the heat of debate seemingly without hesitation was incredible.

Though she has not often received the credit she deserves, she engineered the creation of a report on racial profiling by leading a team of staffers to investigate the several police forces on campus. The report ultimately led to a banner headline on the front page of the Daily Illini, a rare feat for ISS.

She continues to put forth effort into a number of projects and will assuredly be getting the same results she has so consistently been achieving since the beginning of her time here with us. We congratulate and thank her for her commitment.

Brian Pierce
Senate Staff Program Coordinator