Chris Burkett, President  

Chris Burkett, Ed.D. serves as Assistant Dean for Student Services within the College of Education where he leads the student support enterprise including advising, clinical experiences, and the Teaching Fellows program. This endeavor allows College of Education teacher candidates a “one stop shop” for all their student services needs. Dr. Burkett began his teaching career as a social studies teacher and athletic coach at Dutch Fork High School in Lexington School District Five, were he served for eleven years. He has over thirty years of experience within the field of education. 

Dr. Burkett earned his bachelor’s degree from Newberry College, his master’s degree in education from Columbia College and his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from Nova Southeastern University. 

Cami Reid, Vice President 

Cami Reid, M.Ed., is a proud alumna of the South Carolina Honors College and the Top Scholars Program at USC and a passionate advocate for using innovative, experiential curriculum to support meaningful learning for all. She previously served as a middle school science teacher before returning to the Honors College in the role of Academic Advisor and Student Engagement Coordinator. Cami currently serves as the Recruitment Manager for the Honors College, where she collaborates with numerous campus partners to recruit and yield the nation’s best and brightest students. She manages the Honors Ambassadors, transfer admission, and Honors orientation. Cami is also an instructor for Honors UNIV 101 and UNIV 401.  

Cami earned her B.S. degree in Middle Level Education from the University of South Carolina, her M.Ed. degree in Higher Education Administration from Columbia College, and a certificate in Building Resilience through Trauma-Informed Practices from Columbia College. 

Jessica McCormick, Parliamentarian 

Jessica McCormick is a dedicated higher education professional with over 19 years of service at the University of South Carolina. As the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the College of Nursing, she works closely with senior leadership to guide strategic planning efforts, lead change management initiatives, and support compliance with college and university policies. Jessica is honored to serve on the Staff Senate Executive Committee and looks forward to using her experience and commitment to collaboration to help strengthen and enhance the Gamecock community. 

She holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Experimental Psychology and a Master of Education in Higher Education Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. 

Manda Tuk, Treasurer 

After serving as a Baton Rouge middle and high school teacher, Louisiana native “Manda” moved to South Carolina with her husband and began a new career in public finance in the USC College of Education. She has worked there since July of 2022 and is currently employed as a Business Operations Specialist. She is also currently enrolled as a graduate student in the Master of Public Administration program at USC.

Manda has received certificates in Business Management and Accounting as well as Data Visualization, Generative AI, and JavaScript and R Coding. Manda recently attended the College Business Management Institute on a Treasury Track scholarship sponsored by the Treasury Institute for Higher Education and is very excited to serve this year as the 2025-2026 Staff Senate Treasurer. 

Michaela Taylor, Secretary

A 2019 visual communications graduate of the University of South Carolina, Michaela has spent the last 6 years working in higher education marketing and communications. She's a visual communicator at heart, storyteller and creative solution enthusiast.

Currently, Michaela works as the senior social media strategist for the university bringing life to social media, all with the aim of enhancing the university's reputation and engagement. 

Megan Colascione, Immediate Past President

Megan Colascione, M.Ed., served as Staff Senate President in 2024-2025. 

Megan Colascione is a proud Saint Petersburg, FL native who began her journey at the University of South Carolina in 2012 with University Housing. Over the past decade, she has worn many hats within the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support, contributing her talents to assessment, student organization finance, and spiritual and religious life in the Department of Student Life. In 2024, Megan brought her passion for inclusive excellence to the Division of Access, Civil Rights, and Community Engagement, where she now serves as the Assistant Director of Education and Strategic Initiatives in the Office of Access and Opportunity. Known for her collaborative spirit and strategic mindset, Megan is committed to creating meaningful educational experiences and fostering a campus environment where each person feels welcomed, valued, and supported.   

Megan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Master of Education degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina.