Finance SSC Training Team
Empowering Excellence Through Training
At the Finance Shared Service Center, the Training Team plays a key role in driving operational success. By delivering customized training programs for both new hires and current staff, they ensure everyone has the tools and knowledge to thrive. With a flexible curriculum, hands-on mentorship, and a commitment to continuous learning, the team helps reduce turnover, boost performance, and foster a culture of growth. The team includes a dedicated training coordinator and a group of experienced peer trainers; all focused on supporting KU’s mission through impactful training.
Training Coordinator
Peer Trainers
Willisha Thompson
Willisha has been an accounting specialist since 2023 and a peer trainer since 2024. She supports Medicinal Chemistry in the School of Pharmacy, primarily training in FITC and serving as a backup for Concur training. She is also a proud Jayhawk Peer.
Interests: In her free time, Willisha enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and attending sporting events and concerts.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Doritos
• Go-to drink order: Water
• Dream vacation destination: Greece
• Time machine preference: Visit the past
• Favorite holiday: Christmas
• Favorite time of year: Football season
Feel free to reach out to Willisha for any training needs or just to chat about your favorite snacks and vacation dreams!
Interests: In her free time, Willisha enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and attending sporting events and concerts.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Doritos
• Go-to drink order: Water
• Dream vacation destination: Greece
• Time machine preference: Visit the past
• Favorite holiday: Christmas
• Favorite time of year: Football season
Feel free to reach out to Willisha for any training needs or just to chat about your favorite snacks and vacation dreams!
Melissa Masoner
Melissa has been an accounting specialist at KU since March 2016 and became a peer trainer when the program started at the end of 2023. She supports Aerospace Engineering, KU Transportation Center, and CRESIS, along with other Engineering units as needed.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Dark chocolate squares
• Go-to drink order: Decaf Americano
• Dream vacation destination: Sailing around the Mediterranean
• Favorite holiday or time of year: Memorial Day (usually warm but not too warm, with a chance for a low-key BBQ with friends and family)
Feel free to reach out to Melissa with questions or just to share your love for sailing!
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Dark chocolate squares
• Go-to drink order: Decaf Americano
• Dream vacation destination: Sailing around the Mediterranean
• Favorite holiday or time of year: Memorial Day (usually warm but not too warm, with a chance for a low-key BBQ with friends and family)
Feel free to reach out to Melissa with questions or just to share your love for sailing!
Angel Gillaspie
Angel has been a dedicated member of the University of Kansas community for nearly 30 years. She joined the SSC in 2013 and stepped into the role of peer trainer in 2023. Angel provides invaluable support to Watkins Health Services and the newly formed Student Engagement Center.
In her free time, Angel loves playing with her dogs, watching movies, and kayaking.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Pistachios
• Go-to drink order: Dr. Pepper Cherry Zero
• Dream vacation destination: Sicily
• Time machine preference: Future
• Favorite time of year: Summer
Feel free to reach out to Angel for any support or just to share your time machine preference!
In her free time, Angel loves playing with her dogs, watching movies, and kayaking.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Pistachios
• Go-to drink order: Dr. Pepper Cherry Zero
• Dream vacation destination: Sicily
• Time machine preference: Future
• Favorite time of year: Summer
Feel free to reach out to Angel for any support or just to share your time machine preference!
Zach McElfresh
Zach has been a dedicated Accounting Specialist since 2020 and has expanded his role to include peer training since 2023. He currently supports the Physics and Astronomy departments, having previously assisted Facilities Services. Zach is proficient in all our systems, including TDX, Concur, and FITC.
In his free time, Zach enjoys watching movies, traveling, exploring New Jersey with his wife, and spending quality time with his cat, George.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Mozzarella sticks
• Go-to drink order: Cold water
• Dream vacation destination: Greece, Spain, or just wandering through Europe
• Time machine preference: The past, to stop his younger self from trading Pokémon cards for extra chocolate milk
• Favorite time of year: Fall – perfect for light jackets and pumpkin spice season
Feel free to reach out to Zach for any training needs or just to chat about your favorite movies!
In his free time, Zach enjoys watching movies, traveling, exploring New Jersey with his wife, and spending quality time with his cat, George.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Mozzarella sticks
• Go-to drink order: Cold water
• Dream vacation destination: Greece, Spain, or just wandering through Europe
• Time machine preference: The past, to stop his younger self from trading Pokémon cards for extra chocolate milk
• Favorite time of year: Fall – perfect for light jackets and pumpkin spice season
Feel free to reach out to Zach for any training needs or just to chat about your favorite movies!
Peer Trainers Continued
Diane Bracciano
Diane joined KU in 2012 and transitioned to an Accounting Specialist role in 2014. She has been training new staff since 2015 and became a Peer Trainer in 2023, specializing in Concur, P-Cards, and Travel. Diane currently supports KU’s department of Accessible Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Systems (ATLAS), which handles significant employee and non-staff travel, primarily funded by KURES.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, Parmesan Garlic
• Go-to drink order: La Croix and Hint water
• Dream vacation destination: Anywhere without a crowd
• Time machine preference: Future; she’s curious about what’s ahead
• Favorite time of year: Fall, and every Friday night spent with her two adult kids, ordering out and watching ridiculous TV movies/shows
Hobbies: In her free time, Diane enjoys reading, cross-stitching, and cozy gaming.
Feel free to reach out to Diane for any training or just to share your hobbies!
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, Parmesan Garlic
• Go-to drink order: La Croix and Hint water
• Dream vacation destination: Anywhere without a crowd
• Time machine preference: Future; she’s curious about what’s ahead
• Favorite time of year: Fall, and every Friday night spent with her two adult kids, ordering out and watching ridiculous TV movies/shows
Hobbies: In her free time, Diane enjoys reading, cross-stitching, and cozy gaming.
Feel free to reach out to Diane for any training or just to share your hobbies!
Dona Jurgensen
Dona has been an accounting specialist since 2021 and joined our team as a peer trainer in 2023. She supports the School of Education, focusing on training in Concur, P-Cards, and Travel. When she's not working, Dona loves spending time at the beach and hanging out with her friends.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Dark Chocolate
• Go-to drink order: Water
• Dream vacation destination: Sailing on a Tall Ship Cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean
• Time machine preference: Future
• Favorite holiday/time of year: Summertime!
Feel free to reach out to Dona for any training needs or just to chat about your love of Dark Chocolate!
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Dark Chocolate
• Go-to drink order: Water
• Dream vacation destination: Sailing on a Tall Ship Cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean
• Time machine preference: Future
• Favorite holiday/time of year: Summertime!
Feel free to reach out to Dona for any training needs or just to chat about your love of Dark Chocolate!
Jackie Craig
Jackie has been an accounting specialist since 2018 and stepped into the role of peer trainer in 2024. Currently, she serves as an SSC Floater, seamlessly transitioning into vacant positions to alleviate the workload for her colleagues. This role allows Jackie to familiarize herself with various departments, ensuring a smooth handoff to new hires. Her primary training focus is on Concur, P-Cards, and Travel.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Hot Tamales
• Go-to drink order: Dr Pepper Cream Soda
• Dream vacation destination: Anywhere warm with a beach
• Time machine preference: The past; she'd love to relive some moments without changing anything
• Favorite Holiday/Time of Year: Christmas is her favorite holiday, but she also loves the changing seasons of fall and spring
In her free time, Jackie enjoys spending quality moments with her kids and granddaughter.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: Hot Tamales
• Go-to drink order: Dr Pepper Cream Soda
• Dream vacation destination: Anywhere warm with a beach
• Time machine preference: The past; she'd love to relive some moments without changing anything
• Favorite Holiday/Time of Year: Christmas is her favorite holiday, but she also loves the changing seasons of fall and spring
In her free time, Jackie enjoys spending quality moments with her kids and granddaughter.
Teresa Reiter
Teresa has been an accounting specialist since 2015 and joined the peer trainer team in 2023. She supports the Office of the Provost, Finance Administration, Sorority & Fraternity Life, and the Office of Community Impact. Teresa primarily trains in FITC and OAC.
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: M&Ms
• Go-to drink order: Iced Tea
• Dream vacation destination: Greece
• Time machine preference: Visit the past
• Favorite holiday: Christmas
Feel free to reach out to Teresa for any training needs or just to share a fun fact!
Fun Facts:
• Favorite snack: M&Ms
• Go-to drink order: Iced Tea
• Dream vacation destination: Greece
• Time machine preference: Visit the past
• Favorite holiday: Christmas
Feel free to reach out to Teresa for any training needs or just to share a fun fact!