diff --git a/auth.go b/auth.go
index c2d11af..0cc812a 100644
--- a/auth.go
+++ b/auth.go
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ import (
 )
 
 type Claims struct {
-	UserID   int    `json:"uid"`
-	Username string `json:"sub"`
-	Role     string `json:"role"`
-	DeptIDs  []int  `json:"dept_ids,omitempty"`
+	ParticipantID int      `json:"pid"`
+	Email         string   `json:"sub"`
+	Roles         []string `json:"roles"`
+	DeptIDs       []int    `json:"dept_ids,omitempty"`
 	jwt.RegisteredClaims
 }
 
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ func checkPassword(hash, password string) bool {
 	return bcrypt.CompareHashAndPassword([]byte(hash), []byte(password)) == nil
 }
 
-func (app *App) signToken(u *User) (string, error) {
+func (app *App) signToken(s *User) (string, error) {
 	expiry := time.Duration(app.tokenExpiry) * time.Hour
 	claims := Claims{
-		UserID:   u.ID,
-		Username: u.Username,
-		Role:     u.Role,
-		DeptIDs:  u.DepartmentIDs,
+		ParticipantID: s.ID,
+		Email:         s.Email,
+		Roles:         s.Roles,
+		DeptIDs:       s.DepartmentIDs,
 		RegisteredClaims: jwt.RegisteredClaims{
 			ExpiresAt: jwt.NewNumericDate(time.Now().Add(expiry)),
 			IssuedAt:  jwt.NewNumericDate(time.Now()),
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func (app *App) requireAuth(next http.HandlerFunc, roles ...string) http.Handler
 			writeError(w, "unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
-		if len(roles) > 0 && !hasRole(claims.Role, roles) {
+		if len(roles) > 0 && !hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, roles) {
 			writeError(w, "forbidden", http.StatusForbidden)
 			return
 		}
@@ -97,10 +97,12 @@ func (app *App) requireAuth(next http.HandlerFunc, roles ...string) http.Handler
 	}
 }
 
-func hasRole(role string, allowed []string) bool {
-	for _, r := range allowed {
-		if r == role {
-			return true
+func hasAnyRole(roles []string, allowed []string) bool {
+	for _, r := range roles {
+		for _, a := range allowed {
+			if r == a {
+				return true
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	return false
diff --git a/auth_test.go b/auth_test.go
index f611bc1..602c6cf 100644
--- a/auth_test.go
+++ b/auth_test.go
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ func TestLoginValid(t *testing.T) {
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
 	req := testRequest("POST", "/api/login", map[string]string{
-		"username": admin.Username,
+		"email":    admin.Email,
 		"password": "admin123",
 	})
 	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func TestLoginValid(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("missing token in response")
 	}
 	user, ok := result["user"].(map[string]any)
-	if !ok || user["username"] != "admin" {
+	if !ok || user["email"] != "oberon@athens.example" {
 		t.Errorf("user = %v", result["user"])
 	}
 }
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func TestLoginWrongPassword(t *testing.T) {
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
 	req := testRequest("POST", "/api/login", map[string]string{
-		"username": "admin",
+		"email":    "oberon@athens.example",
 		"password": "wrong",
 	})
 	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func TestLoginNonexistentUser(t *testing.T) {
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
 	req := testRequest("POST", "/api/login", map[string]string{
-		"username": "nobody",
+		"email":    "nobody@test.com",
 		"password": "test",
 	})
 	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
@@ -94,8 +94,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddlewareRoleEnforcement(t *testing.T) {
 	app := testApp(t)
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
-	// Create a gate user — should not be able to access /api/users (admin only)
-	gate := testUserWithRole(t, app, "gateuser", "gatekeeper", []int{})
+	gate := testUserWithRoles(t, app, "Starveling", []string{"gatekeeper"}, []int{})
 	token := testToken(t, app, gate)
 
 	req := testAuthRequest("GET", "/api/users", nil, token)
@@ -121,7 +120,7 @@ func TestMeEndpoint(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("status = %d", w.Code)
 	}
 	result := parseJSON(t, w)
-	if result["username"] != "admin" {
-		t.Errorf("username = %v", result["username"])
+	if result["email"] != "oberon@athens.example" {
+		t.Errorf("email = %v", result["email"])
 	}
 }
diff --git a/db.go b/db.go
index bda44ed..99b335c 100644
--- a/db.go
+++ b/db.go
@@ -40,20 +40,6 @@ func migrate(db *sql.DB) error {
 		updated_at  TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT (datetime('now'))
 	);
 
-	CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS users (
-		id            INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
-		username      TEXT NOT NULL UNIQUE,
-		password_hash TEXT NOT NULL,
-		role          TEXT NOT NULL CHECK(role IN ('admin','ticketing','staffing','colead','gatekeeper')),
-		created_at    TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT (datetime('now'))
-	);
-
-	CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS user_departments (
-		user_id       INTEGER NOT NULL REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
-		department_id INTEGER NOT NULL REFERENCES departments(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
-		PRIMARY KEY (user_id, department_id)
-	);
-
 	CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS departments (
 		id          INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
 		name        TEXT NOT NULL UNIQUE,
@@ -75,7 +61,7 @@ func migrate(db *sql.DB) error {
 		checked_in       INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
 		checked_in_count INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
 		checked_in_at    TEXT,
-		checked_in_by    INTEGER REFERENCES users(id),
+		checked_in_by    INTEGER REFERENCES participants(id),
 		note             TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
 		created_at       TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT (datetime('now')),
 		updated_at       TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT (datetime('now')),
@@ -154,7 +140,7 @@ func migrate(db *sql.DB) error {
 		order_id       TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
 		code           TEXT UNIQUE,
 		checked_in_at  TEXT,
-		checked_in_by  INTEGER REFERENCES users(id),
+		checked_in_by  INTEGER REFERENCES participants(id),
 		created_at     TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT (datetime('now')),
 		updated_at     TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT (datetime('now')),
 		deleted_at     TEXT
@@ -162,10 +148,99 @@ func migrate(db *sql.DB) error {
 
 	CREATE UNIQUE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_tickets_source_external
 		ON tickets(source, external_id) WHERE external_id != '' AND deleted_at IS NULL;
+
+	CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS participant_roles (
+		participant_id INTEGER NOT NULL REFERENCES participants(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+		role           TEXT NOT NULL CHECK(role IN ('admin','staffing','colead','gatekeeper')),
+		PRIMARY KEY (participant_id, role)
+	);
+
+	CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS participant_departments (
+		participant_id INTEGER NOT NULL REFERENCES participants(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+		department_id  INTEGER NOT NULL REFERENCES departments(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+		PRIMARY KEY (participant_id, department_id)
+	);
 	`)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	if err := migrateAuth(db); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func migrateAuth(db *sql.DB) error {
+	// Add auth columns to participants (idempotent — ignore "duplicate column" errors).
+	db.Exec(`ALTER TABLE participants ADD COLUMN password_hash TEXT`)
+	db.Exec(`ALTER TABLE participants ADD COLUMN login_enabled INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`)
+
+	// Migrate users → participants if the old users table exists.
+	var hasUsers int
+	if err := db.QueryRow(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='users'`).Scan(&hasUsers); err != nil || hasUsers == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Collect all users first (single connection — can't query and exec concurrently).
+	type oldUser struct {
+		id   int
+		name string
+		hash string
+		role string
+	}
+	rows, err := db.Query(`SELECT id, username, password_hash, role FROM users`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var users []oldUser
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var u oldUser
+		if err := rows.Scan(&u.id, &u.name, &u.hash, &u.role); err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		if u.role == "ticketing" {
+			u.role = "admin"
+		}
+		users = append(users, u)
+	}
+	rows.Close()
+
+	// Collect department assignments.
+	type deptAssign struct {
+		userID int
+		deptID int
+	}
+	deptRows, err := db.Query(`SELECT user_id, department_id FROM user_departments`)
+	var deptAssigns []deptAssign
+	if err == nil {
+		for deptRows.Next() {
+			var da deptAssign
+			deptRows.Scan(&da.userID, &da.deptID)
+			deptAssigns = append(deptAssigns, da)
+		}
+		deptRows.Close()
+	}
+
+	// Now insert with the connection free.
+	for _, u := range users {
+		res, err := db.Exec(
+			`INSERT INTO participants (preferred_name, password_hash, login_enabled, updated_at) VALUES (?, ?, 1, ?)`,
+			u.name, u.hash, now(),
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		pid, _ := res.LastInsertId()
+		db.Exec(`INSERT OR IGNORE INTO participant_roles (participant_id, role) VALUES (?, ?)`, pid, u.role)
+		for _, da := range deptAssigns {
+			if da.userID == u.id {
+				db.Exec(`INSERT OR IGNORE INTO participant_departments (participant_id, department_id) VALUES (?, ?)`, pid, da.deptID)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	db.Exec(`DROP TABLE IF EXISTS user_departments`)
+	db.Exec(`DROP TABLE IF EXISTS users`)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -190,11 +265,12 @@ type Event struct {
 }
 
 type User struct {
-	ID            int    `json:"id"`
-	Username      string `json:"username"`
-	Role          string `json:"role"`
-	DepartmentIDs []int  `json:"department_ids"`
-	CreatedAt     string `json:"created_at"`
+	ID            int      `json:"id"`
+	Email         string   `json:"email"`
+	PreferredName string   `json:"preferred_name"`
+	Roles         []string `json:"roles"`
+	DepartmentIDs []int    `json:"department_ids"`
+	CreatedAt     string   `json:"created_at"`
 }
 
 type Attendee struct {
@@ -325,11 +401,45 @@ func (app *App) upsertEvent(e Event) error {
 	return err
 }
 
-// --- Users ---
+// --- Staff (participants with login_enabled) ---
 
-func (app *App) getUserDeptIDs(userID int) ([]int, error) {
+func (app *App) getParticipantRoles(participantID int) ([]string, error) {
 	rows, err := app.db.Query(
-		`SELECT department_id FROM user_departments WHERE user_id = ? ORDER BY department_id`, userID,
+		`SELECT role FROM participant_roles WHERE participant_id = ? ORDER BY role`, participantID,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	var roles []string
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var r string
+		rows.Scan(&r)
+		roles = append(roles, r)
+	}
+	if roles == nil {
+		roles = []string{}
+	}
+	return roles, rows.Err()
+}
+
+func (app *App) setParticipantRoles(participantID int, roles []string) error {
+	if _, err := app.db.Exec(`DELETE FROM participant_roles WHERE participant_id = ?`, participantID); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, role := range roles {
+		if _, err := app.db.Exec(
+			`INSERT INTO participant_roles (participant_id, role) VALUES (?, ?)`, participantID, role,
+		); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (app *App) getUserDeptIDs(participantID int) ([]int, error) {
+	rows, err := app.db.Query(
+		`SELECT department_id FROM participant_departments WHERE participant_id = ? ORDER BY department_id`, participantID,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -347,14 +457,13 @@ func (app *App) getUserDeptIDs(userID int) ([]int, error) {
 	return ids, rows.Err()
 }
 
-func (app *App) setUserDeptIDs(userID int, deptIDs []int) error {
-	_, err := app.db.Exec(`DELETE FROM user_departments WHERE user_id = ?`, userID)
-	if err != nil {
+func (app *App) setUserDeptIDs(participantID int, deptIDs []int) error {
+	if _, err := app.db.Exec(`DELETE FROM participant_departments WHERE participant_id = ?`, participantID); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	for _, deptID := range deptIDs {
 		if _, err := app.db.Exec(
-			`INSERT INTO user_departments (user_id, department_id) VALUES (?, ?)`, userID, deptID,
+			`INSERT INTO participant_departments (participant_id, department_id) VALUES (?, ?)`, participantID, deptID,
 		); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -362,98 +471,157 @@ func (app *App) setUserDeptIDs(userID int, deptIDs []int) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (app *App) getUserByUsername(username string) (*User, string, error) {
-	var u User
-	var hash string
+func (app *App) getLoginParticipant(email string) (*User, string, error) {
+	var s User
+	var hash sql.NullString
 	err := app.db.QueryRow(
-		`SELECT id, username, password_hash, role, created_at FROM users WHERE username = ?`, username,
-	).Scan(&u.ID, &u.Username, &hash, &u.Role, &u.CreatedAt)
+		`SELECT id, email, preferred_name, password_hash, created_at
+		 FROM participants WHERE LOWER(email) = LOWER(?) AND login_enabled = 1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`, email,
+	).Scan(&s.ID, &s.Email, &s.PreferredName, &hash, &s.CreatedAt)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return nil, "", nil
 	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, "", err
 	}
-	u.DepartmentIDs, err = app.getUserDeptIDs(u.ID)
-	return &u, hash, err
+	var hashStr string
+	if hash.Valid {
+		hashStr = hash.String
+	}
+	s.Roles, _ = app.getParticipantRoles(s.ID)
+	s.DepartmentIDs, _ = app.getUserDeptIDs(s.ID)
+	return &s, hashStr, nil
 }
 
-func (app *App) getUserByID(id int) (*User, error) {
-	var u User
+func (app *App) getUser(id int) (*User, error) {
+	var s User
 	err := app.db.QueryRow(
-		`SELECT id, username, role, created_at FROM users WHERE id = ?`, id,
-	).Scan(&u.ID, &u.Username, &u.Role, &u.CreatedAt)
+		`SELECT id, email, preferred_name, created_at
+		 FROM participants WHERE id = ? AND login_enabled = 1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`, id,
+	).Scan(&s.ID, &s.Email, &s.PreferredName, &s.CreatedAt)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	u.DepartmentIDs, err = app.getUserDeptIDs(u.ID)
-	return &u, err
+	s.Roles, _ = app.getParticipantRoles(s.ID)
+	s.DepartmentIDs, _ = app.getUserDeptIDs(s.ID)
+	return &s, nil
 }
 
 func (app *App) listUsers() ([]User, error) {
 	rows, err := app.db.Query(
-		`SELECT id, username, role, created_at FROM users ORDER BY username`,
+		`SELECT id, email, preferred_name, created_at
+		 FROM participants WHERE login_enabled = 1 AND deleted_at IS NULL ORDER BY preferred_name, email`,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	defer rows.Close()
-	var users []User
+	var staff []User
 	for rows.Next() {
-		var u User
-		if err := rows.Scan(&u.ID, &u.Username, &u.Role, &u.CreatedAt); err != nil {
+		var s User
+		if err := rows.Scan(&s.ID, &s.Email, &s.PreferredName, &s.CreatedAt); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		u.DepartmentIDs = []int{}
-		users = append(users, u)
+		s.Roles = []string{}
+		s.DepartmentIDs = []int{}
+		staff = append(staff, s)
 	}
 	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	for i := range users {
-		users[i].DepartmentIDs, _ = app.getUserDeptIDs(users[i].ID)
+	for i := range staff {
+		staff[i].Roles, _ = app.getParticipantRoles(staff[i].ID)
+		staff[i].DepartmentIDs, _ = app.getUserDeptIDs(staff[i].ID)
 	}
-	return users, nil
+	return staff, nil
 }
 
-func (app *App) createUser(username, hash, role string, deptIDs []int) (*User, error) {
+func (app *App) createUser(email, preferredName, hash string, roles []string, deptIDs []int) (*User, error) {
+	// Find or create participant by email.
+	p, err := app.getParticipantByEmail(email)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if p != nil {
+		// Participant exists — promote to staff.
+		if _, err := app.db.Exec(
+			`UPDATE participants SET password_hash = ?, login_enabled = 1, updated_at = ? WHERE id = ?`,
+			hash, now(), p.ID,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := app.setParticipantRoles(p.ID, roles); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if err := app.setUserDeptIDs(p.ID, deptIDs); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return app.getUser(p.ID)
+	}
+	// Create new participant with auth.
 	res, err := app.db.Exec(
-		`INSERT INTO users (username, password_hash, role) VALUES (?, ?, ?)`,
-		username, hash, role,
+		`INSERT INTO participants (email, preferred_name, password_hash, login_enabled, updated_at)
+		 VALUES (?, ?, ?, 1, ?)`,
+		strings.ToLower(email), preferredName, hash, now(),
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	id, _ := res.LastInsertId()
+	if err := app.setParticipantRoles(int(id), roles); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	if err := app.setUserDeptIDs(int(id), deptIDs); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	return app.getUserByID(int(id))
+	return app.getUser(int(id))
 }
 
-func (app *App) updateUser(id int, role string, deptIDs []int) error {
-	if _, err := app.db.Exec(`UPDATE users SET role = ? WHERE id = ?`, role, id); err != nil {
+func (app *App) updateUserRoles(id int, roles []string, deptIDs []int) error {
+	var enabled int
+	err := app.db.QueryRow(`SELECT login_enabled FROM participants WHERE id = ? AND deleted_at IS NULL`, id).Scan(&enabled)
+	if err != nil || enabled != 1 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("participant not found or not a staff member")
+	}
+	if err := app.setParticipantRoles(id, roles); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	return app.setUserDeptIDs(id, deptIDs)
 }
 
 func (app *App) updateUserPassword(id int, hash string) error {
-	_, err := app.db.Exec(`UPDATE users SET password_hash = ? WHERE id = ?`, hash, id)
+	_, err := app.db.Exec(
+		`UPDATE participants SET password_hash = ?, updated_at = ? WHERE id = ? AND login_enabled = 1`, hash, now(), id,
+	)
 	return err
 }
 
-func (app *App) deleteUser(id int) error {
-	_, err := app.db.Exec(`DELETE FROM users WHERE id = ?`, id)
-	return err
+func (app *App) removeUser(id int) error {
+	tx, err := app.db.Begin()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer tx.Rollback()
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(`DELETE FROM participant_roles WHERE participant_id = ?`, id); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(`DELETE FROM participant_departments WHERE participant_id = ?`, id); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, err := tx.Exec(
+		`UPDATE participants SET login_enabled = 0, password_hash = NULL, updated_at = ? WHERE id = ?`, now(), id,
+	); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return tx.Commit()
 }
 
 func (app *App) countUsers() (int, error) {
 	var n int
-	err := app.db.QueryRow(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users`).Scan(&n)
+	err := app.db.QueryRow(`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM participants WHERE login_enabled = 1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`).Scan(&n)
 	return n, err
 }
 
diff --git a/db_test.go b/db_test.go
index c9e8b68..edb2b6d 100644
--- a/db_test.go
+++ b/db_test.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 func TestMigrate(t *testing.T) {
 	app := testApp(t)
 	// Verify tables exist by querying each one
-	tables := []string{"event", "users", "attendees", "departments", "volunteers", "shifts", "volunteer_shifts"}
+	tables := []string{"event", "participants", "participant_roles", "attendees", "departments", "volunteers", "shifts", "volunteer_shifts"}
 	for _, table := range tables {
 		var count int
 		err := app.db.QueryRow("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM " + table).Scan(&count)
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.svelte b/frontend/src/App.svelte
index 7ad6bc9..52c6741 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/App.svelte
@@ -83,7 +83,8 @@
   }
 
   const path = $derived(route || '/')
-  const role = $derived(session?.user?.role ?? '')
+  const roles = $derived(session?.user?.roles ?? [])
+  function hasRole(...allowed) { return roles.some(r => allowed.includes(r)) }
 </script>
 
 {#if updateAvailable}
@@ -103,8 +104,8 @@
   <ConfirmEmail />
 {:else if !session}
   <Login onlogin={onLogin} />
-{:else if role === 'gatekeeper'}
-  <!-- Gate users get the full-screen GateKiosk instead of the standard layout -->
+{:else if roles.length === 1 && roles[0] === 'gatekeeper'}
+  <!-- Gate-only users get the full-screen GateKiosk instead of the standard layout -->
   <GateKiosk {session} {onLogout} />
 {:else}
   <div class="layout">
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@
         <span class="mobile-brand">Turn<span class="accent">pike</span></span>
       </header>
       {#if path === '/' || path === ''}
-        {#if role === 'colead'}
+        {#if roles.length === 1 && roles[0] === 'colead'}
           <ScheduleBoard {session} />
         {:else}
           <Dashboard {session} />
diff --git a/frontend/src/api.js b/frontend/src/api.js
index 686faa8..1b3d537 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api.js
+++ b/frontend/src/api.js
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ async function kioskFetch(path, options = {}) {
 }
 
 export const api = {
-  login: (username, password) =>
-    apiJSON('/api/login', { method: 'POST', body: JSON.stringify({ username, password }) }),
+  login: (email, password) =>
+    apiJSON('/api/login', { method: 'POST', body: JSON.stringify({ email, password }) }),
   logout: () => apiFetch('/api/logout', { method: 'POST' }),
   me: () => apiJSON('/api/me'),
   event: {
diff --git a/frontend/src/api.test.js b/frontend/src/api.test.js
index 974dd32..a725f32 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api.test.js
+++ b/frontend/src/api.test.js
@@ -64,11 +64,11 @@ describe('apiJSON', () => {
 describe('api methods', () => {
   it('login calls correct endpoint', async () => {
     const f = mockFetch({ token: 'tok', user: { id: 1 } })
-    await api.login('admin', 'pass')
+    await api.login('admin@example.com', 'pass')
     const [url, opts] = f.mock.calls[0]
     expect(url).toBe('/api/login')
     expect(opts.method).toBe('POST')
-    expect(JSON.parse(opts.body)).toEqual({ username: 'admin', password: 'pass' })
+    expect(JSON.parse(opts.body)).toEqual({ email: 'admin@example.com', password: 'pass' })
   })
 
   it('participants.list calls correct endpoint', async () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Nav.svelte b/frontend/src/components/Nav.svelte
index 545e171..61015f5 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Nav.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Nav.svelte
@@ -3,17 +3,18 @@
 
   let { session, active, onLogout, navigate, open = false } = $props()
 
-  const role = $derived(session?.user?.role ?? '')
+  const roles = $derived(session?.user?.roles ?? [])
+  function hasRole(...allowed) { return roles.some(r => allowed.includes(r)) }
 
   const iconProps = { size: 18, strokeWidth: 1.75 }
 
   const links = $derived.by(() => {
-    if (role === 'colead') return [
+    if (!hasRole('admin') && hasRole('colead') && !hasRole('staffing')) return [
       { href: '/', label: 'Schedule', icon: CalendarDays },
       { href: '/volunteers', label: 'Volunteers', icon: Heart },
       { href: '/departments', label: 'Departments', icon: Hexagon },
     ]
-    if (role === 'staffing') return [
+    if (!hasRole('admin') && hasRole('staffing')) return [
       { href: '/', label: 'Dashboard', icon: LayoutDashboard },
       { href: '/schedule', label: 'Schedule', icon: CalendarDays },
       { href: '/volunteers', label: 'Volunteers', icon: Heart },
diff --git a/frontend/src/db.js b/frontend/src/db.js
index 7e96bbc..cbc0d38 100644
--- a/frontend/src/db.js
+++ b/frontend/src/db.js
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ db.version(5).stores({
   participants: 'id, email, preferred_name, email_confirmed, updated_at, deleted_at',
 })
 
+db.version(6).stores({}).upgrade(tx => tx.table('session').clear())
+
 export async function getLastSync() {
   const m = await db.meta.get('last_sync')
   return m?.value ?? ''
diff --git a/frontend/src/db.test.js b/frontend/src/db.test.js
index 282b6fc..081ce1a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/db.test.js
+++ b/frontend/src/db.test.js
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ describe('session', () => {
   })
 
   it('saves and retrieves session', async () => {
-    await saveSession('tok123', { id: 1, username: 'admin', role: 'admin' })
+    await saveSession('tok123', { id: 1, email: 'admin@example.com', roles: ['admin'] })
     const s = await getSession()
     expect(s.token).toBe('tok123')
-    expect(s.user.username).toBe('admin')
+    expect(s.user.email).toBe('admin@example.com')
   })
 
   it('clears session and meta', async () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Dashboard.svelte b/frontend/src/pages/Dashboard.svelte
index e5a26de..0f6decc 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Dashboard.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Dashboard.svelte
@@ -4,11 +4,12 @@
 
   let { session } = $props()
 
-  const role = $derived(session?.user?.role ?? '')
+  const roles = $derived(session?.user?.roles ?? [])
+  function hasRole(...allowed) { return roles.some(r => allowed.includes(r)) }
   const myDeptIDs = $derived(session?.user?.department_ids ?? [])
-  const isTicketing = $derived(['admin', 'ticketing'].includes(role))
-  const isStaffing = $derived(['admin', 'ticketing', 'staffing'].includes(role))
-  const isColead = $derived(role === 'colead')
+  const isAdmin = $derived(hasRole('admin'))
+  const isStaffing = $derived(hasRole('admin', 'staffing'))
+  const isColead = $derived(hasRole('colead'))
 
   const event = liveQuery(() => db.event.get(1))
   const allTickets = liveQuery(() => db.tickets.toArray())
@@ -76,8 +77,8 @@
     </p>
   {/if}
 
-  <!-- Ticket check-in (admin/ticketing) -->
-  {#if isTicketing}
+  <!-- Ticket check-in (admin) -->
+  {#if isAdmin}
     <h2 class="dash-section">Ticket Check-in</h2>
     <div class="stats">
       <div class="stat">
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@
     {/if}
   {/if}
 
-  <!-- Volunteer stats (admin/ticketing/staffing/colead) -->
+  <!-- Volunteer stats (admin/staffing/colead) -->
   {#if isStaffing || isColead}
     <h2 class="dash-section">{isColead ? 'My Volunteers' : 'Volunteers'}</h2>
     <div class="stats">
@@ -124,7 +125,7 @@
     </div>
   {/if}
 
-  <!-- Shift coverage (admin/ticketing/staffing/colead) -->
+  <!-- Shift coverage (admin/staffing/colead) -->
   {#if isStaffing || isColead}
     <h2 class="dash-section">{isColead ? 'My Shifts' : 'Shift Coverage'}</h2>
     <div class="stats">
@@ -144,7 +145,7 @@
   {/if}
 
   <!-- Quick actions -->
-  {#if isTicketing}
+  {#if isAdmin}
     <div class="dash-actions">
       <a href="/import" class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm">Import CSV</a>
       <a href="/participants" class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm">Manage Participants</a>
@@ -158,8 +159,8 @@
   {/if}
 
   <p class="text-muted" style="font-size:0.85rem;margin-top:2rem">
-    Welcome, <strong style="color:var(--c-text)">{session?.user?.username}</strong>
-    · <span class="badge badge-role">{session?.user?.role}</span>
+    Welcome, <strong style="color:var(--c-text)">{session?.user?.preferred_name}</strong>
+    · {#each roles as r}<span class="badge badge-role" style="margin-right:0.25rem">{r}</span>{/each}
   </p>
 </div>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Departments.svelte b/frontend/src/pages/Departments.svelte
index c2cf82b..26164eb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Departments.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Departments.svelte
@@ -18,9 +18,10 @@
   let editDesc = $state('')
   let saving = $state(false)
 
-  const role = $derived(session?.user?.role ?? '')
-  const canCreate = $derived(['admin', 'ticketing', 'staffing'].includes(role))
-  const canDelete = $derived(['admin', 'ticketing'].includes(role))
+  const roles = $derived(session?.user?.roles ?? [])
+  function hasRole(...allowed) { return roles.some(r => allowed.includes(r)) }
+  const canCreate = $derived(hasRole('admin', 'staffing'))
+  const canDelete = $derived(hasRole('admin'))
 
   const allDepts = liveQuery(() =>
     db.departments.filter(d => !d.deleted_at).toArray()
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Login.svelte b/frontend/src/pages/Login.svelte
index de4f6af..1512af7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Login.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Login.svelte
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   let { onlogin } = $props()
 
-  let username = $state('')
+  let email = $state('')
   let password = $state('')
   let error = $state('')
   let loading = $state(false)
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
     error = ''
     loading = true
     try {
-      const { token, user } = await api.login(username, password)
+      const { token, user } = await api.login(email, password)
       await saveSession(token, user)
       onlogin({ token, user })
     } catch (err) {
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@
     {/if}
     <form onsubmit={submit}>
       <div class="form-group">
-        <label for="username">Username</label>
-        <input id="username" bind:value={username} autocomplete="username" required />
+        <label for="email">Email</label>
+        <input id="email" type="email" bind:value={email} autocomplete="email" required />
       </div>
       <div class="form-group">
         <label for="password">Password</label>
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Participants.svelte b/frontend/src/pages/Participants.svelte
index 2867958..fa850a3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Participants.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Participants.svelte
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@
   let newTicketType = $state('')
   let newTicketExtId = $state('')
 
-  const role = $derived(session?.user?.role ?? '')
-  const canManage = $derived(['admin', 'ticketing'].includes(role))
+  const roles = $derived(session?.user?.roles ?? [])
+  function hasRole(...allowed) { return roles.some(r => allowed.includes(r)) }
+  const canManage = $derived(hasRole('admin'))
 
   const allParticipants = liveQuery(() => db.participants.toArray())
   const allTickets = liveQuery(() => db.tickets.toArray())
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/ScheduleBoard.svelte b/frontend/src/pages/ScheduleBoard.svelte
index 6755588..922a0b0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/ScheduleBoard.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/ScheduleBoard.svelte
@@ -25,8 +25,9 @@
   let assignVolID = $state(0)
   let assigning = $state(false)
 
-  const role = $derived(session?.user?.role ?? '')
-  const canManage = $derived(['admin', 'ticketing', 'staffing', 'colead'].includes(role))
+  const roles = $derived(session?.user?.roles ?? [])
+  function hasRole(...allowed) { return roles.some(r => allowed.includes(r)) }
+  const canManage = $derived(hasRole('admin', 'staffing', 'colead'))
   const myDeptIDs = $derived(session?.user?.department_ids ?? [])
 
   const allDepts = liveQuery(() =>
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@
   // Departments visible to this user
   const visibleDepts = $derived.by(() => {
     const depts = $allDepts ?? []
-    if (role === 'colead') return depts.filter(d => myDeptIDs.includes(d.id))
+    if (hasRole('colead') && !hasRole('admin', 'staffing')) return depts.filter(d => myDeptIDs.includes(d.id))
     return depts
   })
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Users.svelte b/frontend/src/pages/Users.svelte
index ee6b18a..328cc66 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Users.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Users.svelte
@@ -12,13 +12,14 @@
 
   let showAdd = $state(false)
   let adding = $state(false)
-  let newUsername = $state('')
+  let newEmail = $state('')
+  let newName = $state('')
   let newPassword = $state('')
-  let newRole = $state('gate')
+  let newRoles = $state([])
   let newDeptIDs = $state([])
 
   let editID = $state(null)
-  let editRole = $state('')
+  let editRoles = $state([])
   let editDeptIDs = $state([])
   let editPassword = $state('')
   let saving = $state(false)
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@
       .then(arr => arr.sort((a, b) => a.name.localeCompare(b.name)))
   )
 
-  const roles = ['admin', 'ticketing', 'staffing', 'colead', 'gatekeeper']
+  const availableRoles = ['admin', 'staffing', 'colead', 'gatekeeper']
 
   const me = $derived(session?.user?.id)
 
@@ -51,15 +52,16 @@
     error = ''
     try {
       const u = await api.users.create({
-        username: newUsername,
+        email: newEmail,
+        preferred_name: newName,
         password: newPassword,
-        role: newRole,
+        roles: newRoles,
         department_ids: newDeptIDs,
       })
       users = [...users, u]
       showAdd = false
-      newUsername = newPassword = ''
-      newRole = 'gate'
+      newEmail = newName = newPassword = ''
+      newRoles = []
       newDeptIDs = []
     } catch (err) {
       error = err.message
@@ -70,7 +72,7 @@
 
   function startEdit(u) {
     editID = u.id
-    editRole = u.role
+    editRoles = [...(u.roles || [])]
     editDeptIDs = [...(u.department_ids || [])]
     editPassword = ''
   }
@@ -83,7 +85,7 @@
     saving = true
     error = ''
     try {
-      const payload = { role: editRole, department_ids: editDeptIDs }
+      const payload = { roles: editRoles, department_ids: editDeptIDs }
       if (editPassword) payload.password = editPassword
       const updated = await api.users.update(u.id, payload)
       users = users.map(x => x.id === u.id ? updated : x)
@@ -96,7 +98,7 @@
   }
 
   async function deleteUser(u) {
-    if (!confirm(`Delete user "${u.username}"? This cannot be undone.`)) return
+    if (!confirm(`Remove login access for "${u.preferred_name || u.email}"? Their participant record will be kept.`)) return
     try {
       await api.users.delete(u.id)
       users = users.filter(x => x.id !== u.id)
@@ -105,7 +107,7 @@
     }
   }
 
-  function toggleDept(id, list) {
+  function toggleItem(id, list) {
     const idx = list.indexOf(id)
     if (idx === -1) return [...list, id]
     return list.filter(x => x !== id)
@@ -117,7 +119,7 @@
   }
 
   function roleLabel(r) {
-    return { admin: 'Admin', ticketing: 'Ticketing', staffing: 'Staffing', colead: 'Colead', gatekeeper: 'Gatekeeper' }[r] || r
+    return { admin: 'Admin', staffing: 'Staffing', colead: 'Colead', gatekeeper: 'Gatekeeper' }[r] || r
   }
 </script>
 
@@ -132,7 +134,6 @@
   <p class="text-muted" style="font-size:0.82rem;margin-bottom:1.5rem;line-height:1.6">
     <strong style="color:var(--c-text)">Roles:</strong>
     admin — full access ·
-    ticketing — participants, tickets, import ·
     staffing — volunteers, shifts, departments ·
     colead — manage assigned departments only ·
     gatekeeper — check-in only
@@ -150,20 +151,29 @@
       <form onsubmit={addUser}>
         <div class="form-grid" style="display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr 1fr;gap:1rem">
           <div class="form-group">
-            <label for="u-username">Username *</label>
-            <input id="u-username" bind:value={newUsername} required placeholder="username" autocomplete="off" />
+            <label for="u-email">Email *</label>
+            <input id="u-email" type="email" bind:value={newEmail} required placeholder="email@example.com" autocomplete="off" />
+          </div>
+          <div class="form-group">
+            <label for="u-name">Name</label>
+            <input id="u-name" bind:value={newName} placeholder="Preferred name" autocomplete="off" />
           </div>
           <div class="form-group">
             <label for="u-password">Password *</label>
             <input id="u-password" type="password" bind:value={newPassword} required autocomplete="new-password" />
           </div>
-          <div class="form-group">
-            <label for="u-role">Role *</label>
-            <select id="u-role" bind:value={newRole}>
-              {#each roles as r}
-                <option value={r}>{roleLabel(r)}</option>
-              {/each}
-            </select>
+        </div>
+        <div class="form-group">
+          <span style="font-size:0.82rem;color:var(--c-muted);font-weight:500">Roles</span>
+          <div style="display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;margin-top:0.35rem">
+            {#each availableRoles as r}
+              <label style="display:flex;align-items:center;gap:0.35rem;cursor:pointer;font-size:0.875rem;color:var(--c-text)">
+                <input type="checkbox" style="width:auto"
+                  checked={newRoles.includes(r)}
+                  onchange={() => newRoles = toggleItem(r, newRoles)} />
+                {roleLabel(r)}
+              </label>
+            {/each}
           </div>
         </div>
         {#if ($allDepts ?? []).length > 0}
@@ -174,7 +184,7 @@
                 <label style="display:flex;align-items:center;gap:0.35rem;cursor:pointer;font-size:0.875rem;color:var(--c-text)">
                   <input type="checkbox" style="width:auto"
                     checked={newDeptIDs.includes(d.id)}
-                    onchange={() => newDeptIDs = toggleDept(d.id, newDeptIDs)} />
+                    onchange={() => newDeptIDs = toggleItem(d.id, newDeptIDs)} />
                   <span class="dept-dot" style="background:{d.color}"></span>
                   {d.name}
                 </label>
@@ -204,8 +214,8 @@
       <table>
         <thead>
           <tr>
-            <th>Username</th>
-            <th>Role</th>
+            <th>Name</th>
+            <th>Roles</th>
             <th>Departments</th>
             <th></th>
           </tr>
@@ -214,13 +224,18 @@
           {#each users as u (u.id)}
             {#if editID === u.id}
               <tr class="edit-row">
-                <td class="td-name"><strong>{u.username}</strong> {#if u.id === me}<span class="badge badge-role">you</span>{/if}</td>
+                <td class="td-name"><strong>{u.preferred_name || u.email}</strong> {#if u.id === me}<span class="badge badge-role">you</span>{/if}</td>
                 <td>
-                  <select bind:value={editRole} style="width:auto;margin:0">
-                    {#each roles as r}
-                      <option value={r}>{roleLabel(r)}</option>
+                  <div style="display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.4rem">
+                    {#each availableRoles as r}
+                      <label style="display:flex;align-items:center;gap:0.3rem;cursor:pointer;font-size:0.82rem;color:var(--c-text)">
+                        <input type="checkbox" style="width:auto"
+                          checked={editRoles.includes(r)}
+                          onchange={() => editRoles = toggleItem(r, editRoles)} />
+                        {roleLabel(r)}
+                      </label>
                     {/each}
-                  </select>
+                  </div>
                 </td>
                 <td>
                   {#if ($allDepts ?? []).length > 0}
@@ -229,7 +244,7 @@
                         <label style="display:flex;align-items:center;gap:0.3rem;cursor:pointer;font-size:0.82rem;color:var(--c-text)">
                           <input type="checkbox" style="width:auto"
                             checked={editDeptIDs.includes(d.id)}
-                            onchange={() => editDeptIDs = toggleDept(d.id, editDeptIDs)} />
+                            onchange={() => editDeptIDs = toggleItem(d.id, editDeptIDs)} />
                           {d.name}
                         </label>
                       {/each}
@@ -251,18 +266,19 @@
             {:else}
               <tr>
                 <td class="td-name">
-                  <strong>{u.username}</strong>
+                  <strong>{u.preferred_name || u.email}</strong>
                   {#if u.id === me}
                     <span class="badge badge-role" style="margin-left:0.4rem">you</span>
                   {/if}
+                  <br><span class="text-muted" style="font-size:0.8rem">{u.email}</span>
                 </td>
-                <td><span class="badge badge-role">{roleLabel(u.role)}</span></td>
+                <td>{#each u.roles ?? [] as r}<span class="badge badge-role" style="margin-right:0.25rem">{roleLabel(r)}</span>{/each}</td>
                 <td class="text-muted">{deptNamesFor(u.department_ids || [])}</td>
                 <td class="td-actions">
                   <div class="actions">
                     <button class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm" onclick={() => startEdit(u)}>Edit</button>
                     {#if u.id !== me}
-                      <button class="btn btn-danger btn-sm" onclick={() => deleteUser(u)}>Delete</button>
+                      <button class="btn btn-danger btn-sm" onclick={() => deleteUser(u)}>Remove</button>
                     {/if}
                   </div>
                 </td>
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Volunteers.svelte b/frontend/src/pages/Volunteers.svelte
index e90bf80..79681f8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Volunteers.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Volunteers.svelte
@@ -25,14 +25,15 @@
   let editNote = $state('')
   let saving = $state(false)
 
-  const role = $derived(session?.user?.role ?? '')
-  const canManage = $derived(['admin', 'ticketing', 'staffing', 'colead'].includes(role))
-  const canConfirm = $derived(['admin', 'staffing', 'colead'].includes(role))
+  const roles = $derived(session?.user?.roles ?? [])
+  function hasRole(...allowed) { return roles.some(r => allowed.includes(r)) }
+  const canManage = $derived(hasRole('admin', 'staffing', 'colead'))
+  const canConfirm = $derived(hasRole('admin', 'staffing', 'colead'))
   const myDeptIDs = $derived(session?.user?.department_ids ?? [])
 
   let deptInitialized = $state(false)
   $effect(() => {
-    if (!deptInitialized && role === 'colead' && myDeptIDs.length > 0) {
+    if (!deptInitialized && hasRole('colead') && !hasRole('admin', 'staffing') && myDeptIDs.length > 0) {
       filterDept = String(myDeptIDs[0])
       deptInitialized = true
     }
diff --git a/handle_attendees_test.go b/handle_attendees_test.go
index c5e6adb..7dd7ff8 100644
--- a/handle_attendees_test.go
+++ b/handle_attendees_test.go
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ func TestParticipantsListCreateDelete(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	list := parseJSON(t, w)
 	participants := list["participants"].([]any)
-	if len(participants) != 1 {
-		t.Errorf("list: got %d, want 1", len(participants))
+	if len(participants) != 2 { // admin + Titania
+		t.Errorf("list: got %d, want 2", len(participants))
 	}
 
 	// Delete
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ func TestParticipantsListCreateDelete(t *testing.T) {
 	w = httptest.NewRecorder()
 	mux.ServeHTTP(w, req)
 	list = parseJSON(t, w)
-	if ps, ok := list["participants"].([]any); ok && len(ps) != 0 {
-		t.Errorf("after delete: got %d, want 0", len(ps))
+	if ps, ok := list["participants"].([]any); ok && len(ps) != 1 { // admin remains
+		t.Errorf("after delete: got %d, want 1", len(ps))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func TestCheckInTicketHandler(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestGatekeeperRoleCanCheckIn(t *testing.T) {
 	app := testApp(t)
-	gate := testUserWithRole(t, app, "gateuser", "gatekeeper", []int{})
+	gate := testUserWithRoles(t, app, "Philostrate", []string{"gatekeeper"}, []int{})
 	token := testToken(t, app, gate)
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func TestGatekeeperRoleCanCheckIn(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestGatekeeperRoleCannotDelete(t *testing.T) {
 	app := testApp(t)
-	gate := testUserWithRole(t, app, "gateuser", "gatekeeper", []int{})
+	gate := testUserWithRoles(t, app, "Philostrate", []string{"gatekeeper"}, []int{})
 	token := testToken(t, app, gate)
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
diff --git a/handle_auth.go b/handle_auth.go
index 282bd85..d75483b 100644
--- a/handle_auth.go
+++ b/handle_auth.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 func (app *App) handleLogin(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	var body struct {
-		Username string `json:"username"`
+		Email    string `json:"email"`
 		Password string `json:"password"`
 	}
 	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&body); err != nil {
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ func (app *App) handleLogin(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	user, hash, err := app.getUserByUsername(body.Username)
+	user, hash, err := app.getLoginParticipant(body.Email)
 	if err != nil {
 		writeError(w, "internal error", http.StatusInternalServerError)
 		return
@@ -40,9 +40,9 @@ func (app *App) handleLogout(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 
 func (app *App) handleMe(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	user, err := app.getUserByID(claims.UserID)
+	user, err := app.getUser(claims.ParticipantID)
 	if err != nil || user == nil {
-		writeError(w, "not found", http.StatusNotFound)
+		writeError(w, "unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 		return
 	}
 	writeJSON(w, user)
diff --git a/handle_participants.go b/handle_participants.go
index 6277824..52624d5 100644
--- a/handle_participants.go
+++ b/handle_participants.go
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ func (app *App) handleCheckInTicket(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	tk, err := app.checkInTicket(id, claims.UserID)
+	tk, err := app.checkInTicket(id, claims.ParticipantID)
 	if err != nil {
 		writeError(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
 		return
diff --git a/handle_settings_test.go b/handle_settings_test.go
index cbc53fb..16ef59f 100644
--- a/handle_settings_test.go
+++ b/handle_settings_test.go
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func TestResetTickets(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestResetTicketsRequiresAdmin(t *testing.T) {
 	app := testApp(t)
-	gate := testUserWithRole(t, app, "gate1", "gatekeeper", []int{})
+	gate := testUserWithRoles(t, app, "Snug", []string{"gatekeeper"}, []int{})
 	token := testToken(t, app, gate)
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ func TestResetDepartmentsCascadesShifts(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestSettingsNonAdminRejected(t *testing.T) {
 	app := testApp(t)
-	gate := testUserWithRole(t, app, "gateuser", "gatekeeper", []int{})
+	gate := testUserWithRoles(t, app, "Quince", []string{"gatekeeper"}, []int{})
 	token := testToken(t, app, gate)
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
diff --git a/handle_shifts.go b/handle_shifts.go
index a0ceb41..67312c5 100644
--- a/handle_shifts.go
+++ b/handle_shifts.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ func (app *App) handleListShifts(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	}
 
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	if claims.Role == "colead" && deptID == nil && len(claims.DeptIDs) > 0 {
+	if hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"colead"}) && !hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"admin", "staffing"}) && deptID == nil && len(claims.DeptIDs) > 0 {
 		deptID = &claims.DeptIDs[0]
 	}
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func (app *App) handleCreateShift(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	if claims.Role == "colead" && !inSlice(s.DepartmentID, claims.DeptIDs) {
+	if hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"colead"}) && !hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"admin", "staffing"}) && !inSlice(s.DepartmentID, claims.DeptIDs) {
 		writeError(w, "forbidden: outside your department", http.StatusForbidden)
 		return
 	}
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func (app *App) handleUpdateShift(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	if claims.Role == "colead" {
+	if hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"colead"}) && !hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"admin", "staffing"}) {
 		existing, _ := app.getShift(id)
 		if existing == nil || !inSlice(existing.DepartmentID, claims.DeptIDs) {
 			writeError(w, "forbidden: outside your department", http.StatusForbidden)
diff --git a/handle_sync_test.go b/handle_sync_test.go
index e4aa2af..000bc60 100644
--- a/handle_sync_test.go
+++ b/handle_sync_test.go
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@ func TestSyncPullFull(t *testing.T) {
 	token := testToken(t, app, admin)
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
-	app.createParticipant(Participant{PreferredName: "Titania", Email: "titania@example.com"})
+	p, _ := app.createParticipant(Participant{PreferredName: "Titania", Email: "titania@example.com"})
 	dept, _ := app.createDepartment(Department{Name: "Gate"})
 	deptID := dept.ID
-	app.createVolunteer(Volunteer{Name: "Titania", DepartmentID: &deptID})
+	app.createVolunteer(Volunteer{Name: "Titania", ParticipantID: p.ID, DepartmentID: &deptID})
 	app.createShift(Shift{DepartmentID: deptID, Name: "AM", Day: "2026-03-15", StartTime: "08:00", EndTime: "12:00"})
 
 	req := testAuthRequest("GET", "/api/sync/pull", nil, token)
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ func TestSyncPullFull(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("missing server_time")
 	}
 	participants := result["participants"].([]any)
-	if len(participants) != 1 {
-		t.Errorf("participants = %d, want 1", len(participants))
+	if len(participants) != 2 { // admin + Titania
+		t.Errorf("participants = %d, want 2", len(participants))
 	}
 	depts := result["departments"].([]any)
 	if len(depts) != 1 {
@@ -47,14 +47,16 @@ func TestSyncPullIncremental(t *testing.T) {
 	token := testToken(t, app, admin)
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
+	// Backdate admin participant so it falls before the "since" cutoff.
+	app.db.Exec(`UPDATE participants SET updated_at = '2026-01-01T00:00:00Z' WHERE id = ?`, admin.ID)
+
 	p1, _ := app.createParticipant(Participant{PreferredName: "Titania", Email: "titania@example.com"})
-	// Backdate Titania so she falls before the "since" cutoff
 	app.db.Exec(`UPDATE participants SET updated_at = '2026-01-01T00:00:00Z' WHERE id = ?`, p1.ID)
 
 	since := "2026-01-01T12:00:00Z"
 
-	// Oberon created with default updated_at (now), which is after our since
-	app.createParticipant(Participant{PreferredName: "Oberon", Email: "oberon@example.com"})
+	// Lysander created with default updated_at (now), which is after our since
+	app.createParticipant(Participant{PreferredName: "Lysander", Email: "lysander@example.com"})
 
 	req := testAuthRequest("GET", "/api/sync/pull?since="+since, nil, token)
 	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
@@ -62,14 +64,13 @@ func TestSyncPullIncremental(t *testing.T) {
 
 	result := parseJSON(t, w)
 	participants := result["participants"].([]any)
-	// Should only include Oberon (created after `since`)
 	if len(participants) != 1 {
 		t.Errorf("incremental: got %d participants, want 1", len(participants))
 	}
 	if len(participants) == 1 {
 		p := participants[0].(map[string]any)
-		if p["preferred_name"] != "Oberon" {
-			t.Errorf("preferred_name = %v, want Oberon", p["preferred_name"])
+		if p["preferred_name"] != "Lysander" {
+			t.Errorf("preferred_name = %v, want Lysander", p["preferred_name"])
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -80,8 +81,10 @@ func TestSyncPullIncludesSoftDeleted(t *testing.T) {
 	token := testToken(t, app, admin)
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
+	// Backdate admin participant.
+	app.db.Exec(`UPDATE participants SET updated_at = '2026-01-01T00:00:00Z' WHERE id = ?`, admin.ID)
+
 	p, _ := app.createParticipant(Participant{PreferredName: "Titania", Email: "titania@example.com"})
-	// Backdate Titania's creation so the since cutoff is between creation and deletion
 	app.db.Exec(`UPDATE participants SET updated_at = '2026-01-01T00:00:00Z' WHERE id = ?`, p.ID)
 
 	since := "2026-01-01T12:00:00Z"
diff --git a/handle_users.go b/handle_users.go
index 386e5b0..4de6109 100644
--- a/handle_users.go
+++ b/handle_users.go
@@ -17,17 +17,18 @@ func (app *App) handleListUsers(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 
 func (app *App) handleCreateUser(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	var body struct {
-		Username      string `json:"username"`
-		Password      string `json:"password"`
-		Role          string `json:"role"`
-		DepartmentIDs []int  `json:"department_ids"`
+		Email         string   `json:"email"`
+		PreferredName string   `json:"preferred_name"`
+		Password      string   `json:"password"`
+		Roles         []string `json:"roles"`
+		DepartmentIDs []int    `json:"department_ids"`
 	}
 	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&body); err != nil {
 		writeError(w, "invalid request", http.StatusBadRequest)
 		return
 	}
-	if body.Username == "" || body.Password == "" || body.Role == "" {
-		writeError(w, "username, password, and role are required", http.StatusBadRequest)
+	if body.Email == "" || body.Password == "" || len(body.Roles) == 0 {
+		writeError(w, "email, password, and at least one role are required", http.StatusBadRequest)
 		return
 	}
 	hash, err := hashPassword(body.Password)
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ func (app *App) handleCreateUser(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	if body.DepartmentIDs == nil {
 		body.DepartmentIDs = []int{}
 	}
-	user, err := app.createUser(body.Username, hash, body.Role, body.DepartmentIDs)
+	user, err := app.createUser(body.Email, body.PreferredName, hash, body.Roles, body.DepartmentIDs)
 	if err != nil {
 		writeError(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
 		return
@@ -53,10 +54,15 @@ func (app *App) handleUpdateUser(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		writeError(w, "invalid id", http.StatusBadRequest)
 		return
 	}
+	target, _ := app.getUser(id)
+	if target == nil {
+		writeError(w, "not found", http.StatusNotFound)
+		return
+	}
 	var body struct {
-		Role          string `json:"role"`
-		Password      string `json:"password"`
-		DepartmentIDs []int  `json:"department_ids"`
+		Roles         []string `json:"roles"`
+		Password      string   `json:"password"`
+		DepartmentIDs []int    `json:"department_ids"`
 	}
 	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&body); err != nil {
 		writeError(w, "invalid request", http.StatusBadRequest)
@@ -65,8 +71,8 @@ func (app *App) handleUpdateUser(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	if body.DepartmentIDs == nil {
 		body.DepartmentIDs = []int{}
 	}
-	if body.Role != "" {
-		if err := app.updateUser(id, body.Role, body.DepartmentIDs); err != nil {
+	if body.Roles != nil {
+		if err := app.updateUserRoles(id, body.Roles, body.DepartmentIDs); err != nil {
 			writeError(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
 			return
 		}
@@ -82,7 +88,7 @@ func (app *App) handleUpdateUser(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	user, _ := app.getUserByID(id)
+	user, _ := app.getUser(id)
 	writeJSON(w, user)
 }
 
@@ -93,11 +99,11 @@ func (app *App) handleDeleteUser(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	if claims.UserID == id {
+	if claims.ParticipantID == id {
 		writeError(w, "cannot delete yourself", http.StatusBadRequest)
 		return
 	}
-	if err := app.deleteUser(id); err != nil {
+	if err := app.removeUser(id); err != nil {
 		writeError(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
 		return
 	}
diff --git a/handle_volunteers.go b/handle_volunteers.go
index 5d086ad..ec3a317 100644
--- a/handle_volunteers.go
+++ b/handle_volunteers.go
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func (app *App) handleListVolunteers(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	}
 
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	if claims.Role == "colead" && deptID == nil && len(claims.DeptIDs) > 0 {
+	if hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"colead"}) && !hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"admin", "staffing"}) && deptID == nil && len(claims.DeptIDs) > 0 {
 		deptID = &claims.DeptIDs[0]
 	}
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func (app *App) handleCreateVolunteer(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	if claims.Role == "colead" {
+	if hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"colead"}) && !hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"admin", "staffing"}) {
 		if body.DepartmentID == nil || !inSlice(*body.DepartmentID, claims.DeptIDs) {
 			writeError(w, "forbidden: outside your department", http.StatusForbidden)
 			return
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ func (app *App) handleUpdateVolunteer(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	if claims.Role == "colead" {
+	if hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"colead"}) && !hasAnyRole(claims.Roles, []string{"admin", "staffing"}) {
 		existing, _ := app.getVolunteer(id)
 		if existing == nil || existing.DepartmentID == nil || !inSlice(*existing.DepartmentID, claims.DeptIDs) {
 			writeError(w, "forbidden: outside your department", http.StatusForbidden)
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ func (app *App) handleMarkVolunteerReady(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request)
 		return
 	}
 	claims := claimsFromContext(r)
-	v, err := app.markVolunteerReady(id, claims.UserID)
+	v, err := app.markVolunteerReady(id, claims.ParticipantID)
 	if err != nil {
 		writeError(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
 		return
diff --git a/handle_volunteers_test.go b/handle_volunteers_test.go
index ab51b9b..19ff1b0 100644
--- a/handle_volunteers_test.go
+++ b/handle_volunteers_test.go
@@ -65,9 +65,9 @@ func TestConfirmVolunteerRequiresRole(t *testing.T) {
 	app := testApp(t)
 	mux := testMux(app)
 
-	// Ticketing role should NOT be able to confirm volunteers.
-	ticketing := testUserWithRole(t, app, "ticket_lead", "ticketing", nil)
-	tok := testToken(t, app, ticketing)
+	// Gatekeeper role should NOT be able to confirm volunteers.
+	gatekeeper := testUserWithRoles(t, app, "Egeus", []string{"gatekeeper"}, []int{})
+	tok := testToken(t, app, gatekeeper)
 
 	p, _ := app.createParticipant(Participant{PreferredName: "Helena", EmailConfirmed: true})
 	v, _ := app.createVolunteer(Volunteer{ParticipantID: p.ID})
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ func TestConfirmVolunteerRequiresRole(t *testing.T) {
 	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
 	mux.ServeHTTP(w, testAuthRequest("POST", "/api/volunteers/"+itoa(v.ID)+"/confirm", nil, tok))
 	if w.Code != http.StatusForbidden {
-		t.Errorf("expected 403 for ticketing role, got %d", w.Code)
+		t.Errorf("expected 403 for gatekeeper role, got %d", w.Code)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index be9fc53..f775bb6 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -97,62 +97,62 @@ func (app *App) registerRoutes(mux *http.ServeMux) {
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/me", auth(app.handleMe))
 
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/event", auth(app.handleGetEvent))
-	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/event", auth(app.handleUpdateEvent, "admin", "ticketing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/event", auth(app.handleUpdateEvent, "admin"))
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/participants", auth(app.handleListParticipants, "admin", "ticketing", "gatekeeper"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/participants", auth(app.handleCreateParticipant, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/participants/export", auth(app.handleExportParticipants, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/participants/{id}", auth(app.handleGetParticipant, "admin", "ticketing", "gatekeeper"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/participants/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateParticipant, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/participants/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteParticipant, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/participants/{id}/merge/{other_id}", auth(app.handleMergeParticipants, "admin", "ticketing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/participants", auth(app.handleListParticipants, "admin", "gatekeeper"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/participants", auth(app.handleCreateParticipant, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/participants/export", auth(app.handleExportParticipants, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/participants/{id}", auth(app.handleGetParticipant, "admin", "gatekeeper"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/participants/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateParticipant, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/participants/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteParticipant, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/participants/{id}/merge/{other_id}", auth(app.handleMergeParticipants, "admin"))
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/tickets", auth(app.handleListTickets, "admin", "ticketing", "gatekeeper"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets", auth(app.handleCreateTicket, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets/{id}/checkin", auth(app.handleCheckInTicket, "admin", "ticketing", "gatekeeper"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets/generate-codes", auth(app.handleGenerateTokens, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/tickets/export-links", auth(app.handleExportTokenLinks, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets/email-codes", auth(app.handleEmailAllTokens, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets/{id}/email-code", auth(app.handleEmailToken, "admin", "ticketing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/tickets", auth(app.handleListTickets, "admin", "gatekeeper"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets", auth(app.handleCreateTicket, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets/{id}/checkin", auth(app.handleCheckInTicket, "admin", "gatekeeper"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets/generate-codes", auth(app.handleGenerateTokens, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/tickets/export-links", auth(app.handleExportTokenLinks, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets/email-codes", auth(app.handleEmailAllTokens, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/tickets/{id}/email-code", auth(app.handleEmailToken, "admin"))
 
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/departments", auth(app.handleListDepartments))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/departments", auth(app.handleCreateDepartment, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/departments/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateDepartment, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/departments/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteDepartment, "admin", "ticketing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/departments", auth(app.handleCreateDepartment, "admin", "staffing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/departments/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateDepartment, "admin", "staffing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/departments/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteDepartment, "admin"))
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/volunteers", auth(app.handleListVolunteers, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/volunteers", auth(app.handleCreateVolunteer, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/volunteers/{id}", auth(app.handleGetVolunteer, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/volunteers/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateVolunteer, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/volunteers/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteVolunteer, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/volunteers/{id}/ready", auth(app.handleMarkVolunteerReady, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/volunteers", auth(app.handleListVolunteers, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/volunteers", auth(app.handleCreateVolunteer, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/volunteers/{id}", auth(app.handleGetVolunteer, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/volunteers/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateVolunteer, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/volunteers/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteVolunteer, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/volunteers/{id}/ready", auth(app.handleMarkVolunteerReady, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
 	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/volunteers/{id}/confirm", auth(app.handleConfirmVolunteer, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/volunteers/{id}/shifts", auth(app.handleAssignShift, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/volunteers/{id}/shifts/{shift_id}", auth(app.handleUnassignShift, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/volunteers/{id}/shifts", auth(app.handleAssignShift, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/volunteers/{id}/shifts/{shift_id}", auth(app.handleUnassignShift, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/shifts", auth(app.handleListShifts, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/shifts", auth(app.handleCreateShift, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/shifts/reorder", auth(app.handleReorderShifts, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/shifts/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateShift, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/shifts/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteShift, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/shifts/{id}/volunteers", auth(app.handleAssignShiftVolunteer, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/shifts/{id}/volunteers/{volunteer_id}", auth(app.handleUnassignShiftVolunteer, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/shifts", auth(app.handleListShifts, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/shifts", auth(app.handleCreateShift, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/shifts/reorder", auth(app.handleReorderShifts, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/shifts/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateShift, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/shifts/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteShift, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/shifts/{id}/volunteers", auth(app.handleAssignShiftVolunteer, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/shifts/{id}/volunteers/{volunteer_id}", auth(app.handleUnassignShiftVolunteer, "admin", "staffing", "colead"))
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/users", auth(app.handleListUsers, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/users", auth(app.handleCreateUser, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/users/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateUser, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/users/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteUser, "admin", "ticketing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/users", auth(app.handleListUsers, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/users", auth(app.handleCreateUser, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/users/{id}", auth(app.handleUpdateUser, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("DELETE /api/users/{id}", auth(app.handleDeleteUser, "admin"))
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/settings", auth(app.handleGetSettings, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/settings", auth(app.handleUpdateSettings, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/test-email", auth(app.handleTestEmail, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-tickets", auth(app.handleResetTickets, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-volunteers", auth(app.handleResetVolunteers, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-shifts", auth(app.handleResetShifts, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-departments", auth(app.handleResetDepartments, "admin", "ticketing"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-volunteer-shifts", auth(app.handleResetVolunteerShifts, "admin", "ticketing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/settings", auth(app.handleGetSettings, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("PUT /api/settings", auth(app.handleUpdateSettings, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/test-email", auth(app.handleTestEmail, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-tickets", auth(app.handleResetTickets, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-volunteers", auth(app.handleResetVolunteers, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-shifts", auth(app.handleResetShifts, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-departments", auth(app.handleResetDepartments, "admin"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/reset-volunteer-shifts", auth(app.handleResetVolunteerShifts, "admin"))
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/import", auth(app.handleImport, "admin", "ticketing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/import", auth(app.handleImport, "admin"))
 
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/sync/pull", auth(app.handleSyncPull))
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/sync/stream", auth(app.handleSyncStream))
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ func (app *App) registerRoutes(mux *http.ServeMux) {
 		writeJSON(w, map[string]string{"build": buildID})
 	})
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/shift-signups", auth(app.handleToggleShiftSignups, "admin", "ticketing", "staffing"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /api/settings/shift-signups", auth(app.handleToggleShiftSignups, "admin", "staffing"))
 
 	// Public endpoints — no JWT required.
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /api/public/signup-config", app.handlePublicSignupConfig)
@@ -196,9 +196,9 @@ func (app *App) registerRoutes(mux *http.ServeMux) {
 }
 
 func (app *App) bootstrapAdmin() error {
-	adminUser := os.Getenv("TURNPIKE_ADMIN_USER")
+	adminEmail := os.Getenv("TURNPIKE_ADMIN_EMAIL")
 	adminPass := os.Getenv("TURNPIKE_ADMIN_PASSWORD")
-	if adminUser == "" || adminPass == "" {
+	if adminEmail == "" || adminPass == "" {
 		return nil
 	}
 	n, err := app.countUsers()
@@ -209,11 +209,11 @@ func (app *App) bootstrapAdmin() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	_, err = app.createUser(adminUser, hash, "admin", []int{})
+	_, err = app.createUser(adminEmail, "Admin", hash, []string{"admin"}, []int{})
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	log.Printf("Created admin user: %s", adminUser)
+	log.Printf("Created admin user: %s", adminEmail)
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/testutil_test.go b/testutil_test.go
index 8f58833..14351e5 100644
--- a/testutil_test.go
+++ b/testutil_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/http/httptest"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
 
@@ -16,7 +17,6 @@ func testApp(t *testing.T) *App {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(func() { db.Close() })
-	// Ensure config table exists (normally created by getOrCreateSecret)
 	db.Exec(`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS config (key TEXT PRIMARY KEY, value TEXT NOT NULL)`)
 	return &App{
 		db:          db,
@@ -29,17 +29,18 @@ func testApp(t *testing.T) *App {
 func testAdminUser(t *testing.T, app *App) *User {
 	t.Helper()
 	hash, _ := hashPassword("admin123")
-	u, err := app.createUser("admin", hash, "admin", []int{})
+	u, err := app.createUser("oberon@athens.example", "Oberon", hash, []string{"admin"}, []int{})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	return u
 }
 
-func testUserWithRole(t *testing.T, app *App, username, role string, deptIDs []int) *User {
+func testUserWithRoles(t *testing.T, app *App, name string, roles []string, deptIDs []int) *User {
 	t.Helper()
-	hash, _ := hashPassword(username + "123")
-	u, err := app.createUser(username, hash, role, deptIDs)
+	email := strings.ToLower(name) + "@athens.example"
+	hash, _ := hashPassword(name + "123")
+	u, err := app.createUser(email, name, hash, roles, deptIDs)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}