The Employee Assembly ensures staff involvement and representation in non-academic and work-life matters, identifying concerns relating to staff and working with the university Administration to seek solutions.
The Employee Assembly consists of 35 members, representing the community of Cornell employees, and is committed to providing staff with a means of continuous involvement in the governance of the University. Working closely with members of the administration, the EA encourages higher visibility for employees as community members, more equal participation with faculty and students in the policy-making process, and an increased sense of community through shared responsibilities.
Meet the Leadership
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Jana VanHouten
Jana VanHouten Chair, Employee Assembly jv83@cornell.eduJana joined the Employee Assembly (EA) in 2023 as the Cornell AgriTech representative and currently serves as chair of the EA. She also serves on the University Assembly as an EA representative. Jana joined Cornell University in 2017 and works in the Director’s Office at Cornell AgriTech as an office manager. She has lived the majority of her life in the Finger Lakes and appreciates the natural beauty of the region. When she is not working, Jana is busy working on art projects and exploring the outdoors on foot, bike, boat, or snowshoes and finding new restaurants and breweries to enjoy afterwards. Jana holds a B.S. in English from Frostburg State University and lives in Geneva with her husband and two energetic dogs.
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Kate Supron
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Marcy Benda
Marcy Benda Executive Vice Chair, Employee Assembly mb265@cornell.eduI am the Executive Vice Chair and Representative with 20 or More Years of Service. I serve on the University Assembly as the Employee Representative and have been on the Employee Assembly since 2018.I have been with the University and the Veterinary College for 23 years starting as a Customer Service Representative and I am now the Assistant to the Associate Dean and Hospital Director. As I inch a little closer to my retirement, I am still excited by all this University has to offer. I was born in Brooklyn but have made the Finger Lakes my home for over 30 years. I came to this area by way of Wells College and decided to stay. Cornell sometimes feels like a little Brooklyn when I hear all of the different accents, languages and culture I grew up with.
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Sophie Lanchez
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Wendy Treat
Wendy Treat Parliamentarian, Employee Assembly wgt2@cornell.eduWendy is currently serving as the Exempt Employees Representative At-Large through 2026. As one of two Program Coordinators in Professional, Clinical, and International Services at the College of Veterinary Medicine, she is responsible for student-focused programming and providing support to various college programs. Recently, she started her 36th year at Cornell and has worked in a variety of roles, including working in the Office of the Assemblies as the Senior Coordinator from 2019 – 2022. Outside of Cornell, Wendy enjoys road trips to visit family and friends and anything llama related.
Join a Committee
Employee Assembly Employee Welfare Committee
Reviews and recommends proposals and initiatives related to employee health and wellness, work/life, dependent care and family support, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, transportation, compensation and any other topic deemed relevant to employee welfare.
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The Employee Education Committee supports employee development, goals, and opportunities.
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