As chair of the University Classified Staff Council (UCSC), Career and Alumni Engagement Manager Laura Rademacher represents the perspectives of roughly 8,500 classified UTHealth Houston staff members each time she takes a seat at the University Leadership Council (ULC). 

The ULC brings together the seven school deans, vice presidents, and leaders from governance and advisory bodies across campus, including student, faculty, academic, safety, and IT councils. Senior offices such as the COO/CFO, academic and research affairs, and the president’s office also provide updates. The group serves as a forum for strategic planning and two-way communication between university leadership and the broader UTHealth Houston community. 

Each meeting offers a chance for the councils and executive leaders to exchange information, raise questions and share priorities. Rademacher said the setting allows her to ensure the staff perspective is included in conversations that shape university-wide decisions. 

Amplifying staff voices into university-wide decisions 

“As the only classified staff member in the room, it is important that I represent the roughly 8,500 classified staff members of the university and bring forward any concerns that we hear from the staff.” 

Rademacher described the role as both an honor and a responsibility, noting that she is often reminded of the well-known line from Spider-Man: “With great power comes great responsibility.” 

“It means a great deal to me to serve in this role and to provide a voice for the staff. I make a point to speak up in every meeting I attend because it is essential that the classified staff are heard. We comprise approximately 60% of the UTHealth community and typically do not make up 60% of the people in the room.” 

Rademacher said the UCSC has long played a crucial part in advocating for employees and raising questions on their behalf. She noted that several initiatives are underway, reflecting UCSC’s ongoing commitment to supporting classified staff. 

Fresh perspective under new leadership 

The arrival of UTHealth Houston President Melina Kibbe, MD, has also brought new energy to the council’s conversation, Rademacher said. 

“Dr. Kibbe is bringing a fresh perspective to the university. She brings an outsider’s perspective and is eager to learn more about the university and its operations. I think it shows on the ULC as she works to better understand the different areas around the university.”

Rademacher pictured with the University Leadership Council at the first meeting led by UTHealth Houston President Melina Kibbe, MD.

Strengthening collaboration across the organization 

Rademacher’s work on the council directly supports her goals as the UCSC chair. One of her top priorities this year has been strengthening collaboration across campus. 

“These connections have resulted in some fruitful conversations that I believe will greatly benefit the staff at UTHealth Houston.” 

UCSC also holds a standing slot on each ULC agenda to share updates and gather feedback — an opportunity she sees as essential to ensuring employees feel represented at the highest levels of university leadership. 

“It’s incredibly important that the classified staff have a voice with leadership, and it’s even more important that the larger staff community knows they have a voice.”