Executive Committee

President

Cael Mulcahy (they/them)

Time in ESS: I was elected to ESS in 2021 and have served as Treasurer and Vice President.
About Me: I moved to Baltimore in 2012 to become the Operations Manager for the Performing Arts and Humanities Building with the charge of developing operating procedures and processes to support daily and extended operational needs. I used my background in technical theatre and my experiences with managing and maintaining performing arts facilities at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Emerson College to get PAHB operations off the ground!

In 2019 I became the Director of Operations for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences after realizing that a lot of the processes I had developed for the PAHB could be scaled to support CAHSS as a whole. This is a role that requires a great deal of communication with most areas on campus and I’ve found that my time in ESS has been very beneficial when fulfilling the responsibilities of my “day job.”
Favorite place on campus: CERA! I don’t get out there much but it’s amazing to have a place to go for a quick walk to decompress when time allows.
Fun Fact: I’m quite introverted and spend a lot of time re-energizing myself by getting quiet time outside when I can. I’d spend so much more time at campsites if I could!

Treasurer

Ally Hepp (she/her)
Time in ESS: I was elected to ESS in 2021 and have served on the Executive Committee since 2022.
About Me: I began my journey at UMBC in 2020 on the audiovisual team, and I moved into my current role as the IT Project Manager, leading DoIT’s Project Management Office, in 2023. In this role, I collaborate on major IT-related projects across the university, connecting with colleagues in various divisions – and many of these connections I can attribute to my time in ESS! I studied Music Business and Audio Production at Lebanon Valley College near Hershey, Pennsylvania, but I became a UMBC alumna in 2022 when I completed my Master’s degree here. I joined shared governance during the pandemic as a way to connect with others on campus and quickly discovered that it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of working at UMBC.
Favorite Place on Campus: Anywhere outside!
Fun Fact: Outside of work, I’m an avid runner and I keep busy with a variety of ‘side gigs’. I manage marketing for a wedding venue, work the occasional concert, serve on the board of Swim Across America Baltimore, and support FIRST Lego League Maryland.

Secretary

Tess McRae (she/her)
Time in ESS: I was elected to ESS for the 2024-2026 term and 2025-2026 is my first time serving on the Executive Committee. I’ve been a co-chair of the Strategic Solutions committee since 2024.
About Me: I am the assistant director for connective learning with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, where I design and coordinate initiatives that support engagement, belonging, and civic contributions for UMBC community members. I am also an adjunct faculty member in the Honors College, developing and teaching courses about social norms and community-building. I’ve been at UMBC since I arrived as an undergraduate student in 2017. I was heavily involved on campus as a student, including as one of the Center’s founding interns! In 2022 I graduated from UMBC with a self-designed bachelor’s degree in Individualized Study (INDS), “Civic Renewal and Creative Expression,” which explored how the act of making art can build and sustain community.
Favorite Place on Campus: The hallway outside of the Dance Cube on the 2nd floor of the PAHB. There used to be a bench against the wall across from the giant window overlooking the courtyard. When I was in my first semester as a UMBC student, overwhelmed with the newness and struggling to find my way, that spot was my first “home base.” The bench is gone now, but I still visit from time to time just to sit against the wall, collect my thoughts, and stare out at the peaceful view.
Fun Fact: Outside of my work at UMBC, I love to make art. I draw, paint, collage, write poetry, play piano, and sing, and I’m learning how to sculpt and play ukulele! I’m also a huge fan of musical theater and feel very fortunate that I get to see a lot of shows as a volunteer usher with The Hippodrome Theatre.

 

Vice President

Jeff Cullen (he/him)
Time in ESS: This is my fourth year on ESS (non-consecutive terms).
About Me: I serve as the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at UMBC, which means that I oversee the system that responds to allegations of student misconduct. This is my 16th year at UMBC, all in the same office. So I have a few stories! I did my undergraduate work at Colorado State University, have a masters in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in College Student Development, and completed my Ph.D. through Iowa State University. My dissertation focused on dismantling white racial privilege among white students in my own graduate program, so I have an interest in race relations, diversity, equity, and justice work. I have also worked at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Virginia Tech during my career. With so many transitions happening at UMBC and with the next round of strategic planning getting started, it seemed like a good time to re-affiliate with shared governance. Being involved is a great way to learn about what is happening at UMBC!
Favorite Place on Campus: I don’t know that I have a favorite place, but I enjoy all types of spectator sports, so you might find me at the Events Center, Retriever Soccer Park, or the stadium complex.
Fun Fact: I have two kids, a daughter Mackenzie who graduated UMBC in 2022 and is currently enrolled in med school, a son Nate (Class of 2026, Psychology) and I live in Anne Arundel County.

 

Communications Officer

Ann Tropea (she/her)
Time in ESS: I was elected to ESS in 2025, and this is my first year serving on the Executive Committee.
About Me: I am the assistant director for engaged media with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life and the full time staff advisor for the Student Media Collective (SMC)—the newly chartered student organization for student-run media on campus. I am also an adjunct faculty member in the English department, Community Leadership Programs, and Academic Transition Programs. I bring many years of professional editorial, communications, and legal expertise to my roles at UMBC, with a career in print and digital publishing. I am also a licensed attorney in Louisiana and the District of Columbia, and have represented a variety of individual and multinational clients in both federal and state court litigation. I hold a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and graduated magna cum laude in mass media communication studies from New York University.
Favorite Place on Campus: The Student Media Collective newsroom in the UC is the best place on campus, and I’m so thankful for all the awesome students I get to work and make media with.
Fun Fact: Like Ally, I love a side hustle! I’ve worked as a certified doula since 2018 supporting families in their birth and reproductive journeys. I also co-host and produce a career-focused podcast, now in it’s 7th season.

Past President

Ray Soellner, Jr
Time in ESS: 6-7 years
About Me: I started at UMBC as a student in the Fall of 2002. During my student time, I worked part-time at the Bookstore and as a student Network Technician within DoIT. In 2006 two miraculous things happened, I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree and was awarded a full-time position as a Network Engineer in DoIT where I’ve stayed for the entirety of my 17-year career. I now serve as the Director of Telecommunications.

I started attending ESS meetings around 2018 as a non-senator. In 2019 I was narrowly elected to a senate seat and I’ve been involved ever since. In that time I’ve chaired the Work-Life Balance committee, co-secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and now proudly serve as the President of the Exempt Staff Senate.
Favorite Place on Campus: A sunny seat outside of Admin and the RAC!
Fun Fact: My time at UMBC actually started before my time here as a student. My Summer job during High School was working in Facilities Management, Physical Plant at the time, as part of the Paint crew where I and several other illustrious students were tasked to repaint the curbs around campus.