Members of the staff senate elect senators each year to serve on the ESS executive committee in the following roles: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Communications Officer, and Secretary.
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
Catherine Myers (she/her)
Time in ESS: I was elected as an ESS senator and CUSS representative for the 2026-2028 term. This is my first year serving on the Executive Committee.
About Me: I came to UMBC in 2022, first working with Human Resources before moving to Student Conduct and Community Standards. I’m currently the Program Coordinator with the Language, Literacy, and Culture doctoral program. I have degrees in Elementary Education from Harford Community College and Coppin State University, the latter of which I was the valedictorian of my undergraduate class, as well as a certification in Baking and Pastry Skills from Anne Arundel Community College. In May 2026, I became a proud UMBC alumna after earning my Master of Professional Studies in Community Leadership. Before moving into my current exempt position, I served with the Nonexempt Staff Senate (NESS) for three years as a senator and vice president and represented NESS on the Council of University System Staff (CUSS) for a year and a half. I’m pleased to continue my involvement with shared governance where I hope to build connections and strengthen communication and collaboration among staff and campus partners.
Favorite Place on Campus: I don’t have one specific favorite place. If it’s sunny and hot outside, just about anywhere on campus can be my favorite!
Fun Fact: I have a certification in Baking and Pastry Skills and also foster cats and kittens, two interests I never mix , unless I happen to provide a dessert spread for a kitten shower! In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, two adult children, and two resident cats. I also enjoy baking, knitting, and watching Nordic noirs.
Secretary
Jennifer Artis (she/her)
Time in ESS:I was elected to ESS in 2026, and this is my first year serving on the Executive Committee.
About Me:I joined UMBC in 2022 as the Assistant Dean of the Graduate School and currently serve as the Director of Student Life and Success for Graduate Students in Student Affairs. In this role, I lead initiatives that support graduate student engagement, belonging, leadership development, and student success while collaborating with colleagues across the university to strengthen the graduate student experience. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education at Morgan State University, where my research explores how mentoring influences the sense of belonging and persistence of first-generation Black female doctoral students. I am passionate about building community, fostering collaboration, and creating spaces where every student feels they belong.
Favorite Place on Campus: The Office of Graduate Student Life. It’s more than an office; it’s a community where graduate students connect, build relationships, find support, and celebrate their successes. Watching students find their sense of belonging and grow as leaders makes it my favorite place at UMBC.
Fun Fact: I’m on a mission to visit all 50 states, and I’m only four away: Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Hawaii! My love for exploring new places inspired me to become a travel agent. I enjoy helping others create unforgettable experiences because I believe some of life’s best memories are made through travel.
Vice President
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.
Communications Officer
Ann Tropea (she/her)
Time in ESS: I was elected to ESS in 2025, and this is my second 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 8th 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.