Benefits Design Workgroup

The Benefits Design Workgroup (BDW) is an employee representative group formed to provide university employees an opportunity for input into the development of university benefit plan options. The BDW obtained significant benefits knowledge during multiple educational sessions with UofL’s benefits consultants. During workgroup meetings, the BDW viewed benefit plan designs through an employee lens and, if needed, provided input on plan alternatives. The BDW will continue to meet, as needed, to further review benefit plan options and provide feedback to HR. If you have any feedback on UofL’s benefits plan, contact any of the members below.


Jason E. Beare, M.S.
Phone: 502-852-2278
Completed Master of Science degree in Anatomical Sciences & Neurobiology in 2007. Joined UL in October of 2008 as a Senior Research Technologist in the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center. In 2013, transferred to Research Coordinator in the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute. Served on the Staff Senate since July of 2016, and currently serve as Chair of the Staff Grievance Committee.

 

Celeste Carter
Phone: 502-852-5189
Director of Finance and Administration and Lead Fiscal Officer (LFO) for the School of Medicine and works within the HSC Financial Affairs Office. Worked at the University for 39 years with the last 20 years being in the EVPHA’s Office and the School of Medicine. Oversees the daily operations of the School of Medicine, authorizes financial and HR actions, provides high level guidance and advice to HSC LFOs, the SOM Dean, Chairs, Executive Directors, Unit Business Managers as well as other staff.  Also works with the HSC CFO/AVP for Finance on various projects.

 

Douglas Craddock, Jr., Ph.D
Phone: 502-852-6158
Serves as the Interim Vice President for Community Engagement & Chief of Staff for Executive Vice President & Provost at the University of Louisville. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Alabama in Higher Education and Administration. Dr. Craddock's area of expertise is diversity, equity and inclusion, organization and administration, and community engagement. He has a passion for helping organizations and communities identify processes and procedures that illuminate and elevate how individuals, teams, and groups can work more effectively together. In addition, he has experience in collegiate athletics and Historically Black Colleges and universities, focusing on varying administration and leadership models that exist across the spectrum of programs and institutions. He's been recognized as one of Louisville's Top 40 under 40, and has been a part of community organizations such as Leadership Louisville. 

 

Cherie Dawson
Phone: 502-314-7133
Serves as the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at the University of Louisville. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and directs the Social Change Program in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is a passionate educator who is an exemplar of a justice-oriented scholar who focuses on the intersection of public policy and criminal justice with a specific focus on race, schools and juvenile justice. Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly for institutional and community change, always striving to bring greater equity and inclusion to the policies and practices of organizations. She has worked with numerous school districts conducting professional development trainings and consulting on racial equity and restorative justice practices. Notably, Dr. Dawson-Edwards is an accomplished scholar with a variety of publications for scholarly audiences, policymakers, organizations and the community.


Rick Graycarek
Vice President, Budget and Finance
Phone: 502-852-0823

 

Anita Hall
Phone: 502-852-8750
Anita Hall joined the University of Louisville in 2019 as the Assessment & Analytics Librarian. In this role she is responsible for statistics collection and annual reporting for the University Libraries, as well as conducting surveys and other research with library users. She particularly enjoys working with the Libraries Student Advisory Board throughout the year.  

 

Patrick Harris
Patrick (Pat) Harris, Ph.D
Phone: 502-852-5371  
Graduate with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri. Received PhD in Physiology from Northwestern University and has postdoctoral training in Microcirculation from Indiana University. Completed visiting Professorship in Biomedical Engineering from California Institute of Technology. Spent 54 years on Medical School faculty with 39 years spent at UofL. Served on numerous University committees such as Strategic Planning; University Committee on Fiscal Resources; Board of Directors, University Athletic Assoc., Entrepreneurship Advisory Council for College of Business and Public Administration; Mentor, Future Professors Program in College of Education and Human Development; Industrial Board of Advisors for Speed Scientific School; Benefits Design Workgroup; Search Committee for VP of Legal Affairs; and numerous Faculty Senate committees.

 

 

 

 

Wanda Long
Phone: 502-852-0059
Received both her bachelor and master’s degrees are from UofL. She has over 30 years of experience, with most of her working career in college and universities as an accountant, auditor, and business manager. Wanda is currently the director of finance at the School of Public Health and Information Sciences (SPHIS), overseeing the accounting and financial operations of SPHIS.      Wanda believes "we make a living from our work, we make a life by what we give. Likewise, only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."  In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering and doing home renovation projects.    

 

Mary Rising
Email: 
Received both her bachelor and master’s degrees from UofL. Taught in the Department of Mathematics from 1978 – 2012. Currently the President of the University of Louisville Association of Retired Personnel (ULARP) and remains involved and connected to the University as an advocate for UofL retirees.

 

David Schultz, Ph.D
Phone: 502-852-5938
Joined the University as an assistant professor of biology in 2001. Currently teaches Cellular & Molecular Biology and Intermediary Metabolism. Research expertise in Plant Biochemistry where lab studies specialize plant metabolites with therapeutic applications (treatment of breast cancer) and plant lipids that can be used as renewable petroleum replacement products.

 

 

The BDW works in conjunction with HR representatives, Kari Aikins, Director of Total Rewards and Mary Elizabeth Miles, Vice President of HR.