Graduate Student Senate
Graduate and Law students at 草榴社区 are represented by a graduate student run governing body, the Graduate Student Senate (GSS). Each graduate program at 草榴社区 has one senator representative. An executive board makes up the leadership of the GSS.
GRADUATE STUDENT SENATE
The purpose of the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) is to support the academic and non-academic well-being of the entire graduate student body at 草榴社区. In keeping with this mission, GSS will perform the following duties:
- Serve as the representative body of the entire graduate student community in all manners related to the graduate student experience at 草榴社区.
- Govern in a manner consistent with the University鈥檚 Mission Statement.
- Act as liaison between the University鈥檚 graduate students and its administration, faculty, and staff.
- Provide a forum for the graduate student body to discuss issues pertaining to any aspect of the graduate student experience at 草榴社区.
- Represent graduate student interests to the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff.
- Encourage communication, networking, and social interaction among graduate students through campus-wide events hosted by the GSS and/or through collaboration with others in the 草榴社区 community.
- Promote effective communication strategies for the graduate student body鈥攖o audiences both internal and external to the University.
- Happy Hour at Gullifty's Sept. 20 4pm-6:30pm
- Town Hall Date TBA
- Graduate Student Spring Garden Party Date TBA
Executive Board and Senators
The President will represent the entire graduate student body in all matters related to the graduate student experience at 草榴社区. The President will act as the primary liaison between the GSS and University Administration. The President shall uphold the GSS constitution and Bylaws and has the authority to implement GSS policy, as guided by the GSS and with support from the Executive Board. The President schedules, coordinates, sets the agenda, and presides over meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Board. The President, along with the VP, will write the Annual Report and has the power to appoint and remove committee chairpersons.
Furthermore, the President, Vice-President, and External Affairs Officer will serve on the University Council as the three (3) graduate student representatives, per the University Council bylaws.
GSS President 2025-2026:
Simon Brooks
Simon graduated from 草榴社区 in 2021 as a Grand Challenges Scholar focusing on the theme of Intersectional Sustainability, and as the recipient of the Robert D. Lynch award, majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Engineering Entrepreneurship and Theology.
Simon graduated from 草榴社区 in 2021 as a Grand Challenges Scholar focusing on the theme of Intersectional Sustainability, and as the recipient of the Robert D. Lynch award, majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Engineering Entrepreneurship and Theology.
Simon has organized four TEDx Conferences, curating over 35 TEDx Talks through his leadership with TEDx草榴社区U as an undergraduate and graduate student. He also currently serves as adjunct faculty, entering his third year teaching the Science, Inquiry, & Self section of 草榴社区鈥檚 Communitas Program. Simon has previously served as the Engineering Co-Chair and President of 草榴社区鈥檚 Doctoral Student Council, and he is honored to serve as the President of 草榴社区鈥檚 Graduate Student Senate.
The Vice President assists the President in the execution of their duties. In the absence of the President due to resignation or an inability to perform a particular duty, the Vice President will act in the capacity of the President to perform all duties. The Vice President will also oversee all internal committees and working groups and will be the main contact person for external organizations and groups. The Vice President will also perform any duties assigned to them by the President.
Furthermore, the President, Vice-President, and External Affairs Officer will serve on the University Council as the three (3) graduate student representatives per the University Council bylaws.
GSS Vice President 2025-2026:
Leila Mwangi
Leila Mwangi is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical and Biological Engineering, specializing in developing alternative gene therapeutics using non-viral vectors. Her research focuses on cellular engineering of plasmids and redesigning their components to enhance transgene expression. She investigates host cell proteins and their interactions with small molecule inhibitors, particularly in cancer treatment. Through her work, she aims to improve the efficacy and precision of gene therapy, offering hope and better outcomes for cancer patients.
Leila earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University. She worked in the Kim Lab, where she developed nanoparticles intended to cross the blood-brain barrier for targeted glioblastoma treatment. As a result of her work, she co-authored a paper detailing the specifications of these particles.
She is committed to community service, serving as a member of 草榴社区 Engineering Service Learning (VESL) through the Center for Humanitarian Engineering and currently co-leading the VESL Kenya project. She is also the vice president of the African and Caribbean Graduate Students Association and the 草榴社区 Representative for the ACS BIOT Mid-Atlantic Graduate Chapter Board. Leila is also currently serving as the vice president of the Graduate Student Senate.
As a member of the GSS, Leila is dedicated to ensuring graduate student voices are heard, increasing awareness of available resources, and fostering inclusion of graduate students within the broader 草榴社区 community.
The Treasurer will be responsible for drafting and maintaining the budget and the other financial records of the GSS. This includes preparation and submission of the final budget, recording and reporting all spending, coordinating reimbursements, and assisting with planning of GSS events with the Events Committee. The Treasurer may not be the Treasurer for any other organization while holding this position. The Treasurer will also perform any duties assigned to them by the President.
GSS Treasurer 2025-2026:
Carina Azuine
Bio Coming Soon
The Secretary will be responsible for recording meeting minutes for the GSS Executive Board, General Assembly, and Town Halls. This includes taking attendance, summarizing meeting minutes for all GSS members and other stakeholders, and maintaining GSS records. The Secretary will work with the President and the Communications Officer to oversee internal and external communications to the 草榴社区 Community. The Secretary will also perform any duties assigned to them by the President.
GSS Secretary 2025-2026:
Iuliia Stoliarova
Iuliia is a second-year master鈥檚 student in Political Science and Government. Originally from Russia, she earned her undergraduate degree from Soka University of America with a double concentration in Social & Behavioral Sciences and Humanities. Following graduation, Iuliia worked for a year at a personal injury law firm in Los Angeles, California, an experience that solidified her interest in pursuing a legal career. She plans to attend law school and hopes to practice law with a focus on social justice. At 草榴社区, Iuliia works closely with Professor David Barrett and also serves as a Resident Assistant for the sophomore class, where she supports students in their personal and academic growth.
The Communications Officer will be responsible for maintaining communications with the 草榴社区 Community. These communications may include a website, mailing lists, any and all social media, and meeting announcements. The Communications Officer will also be the liaison to the 草榴社区 Student Government Association (SGA). The Communications Officer will also perform any duties assigned to them by the President.
GSS Communications Officer 2025-2026:
Sophia Edwards
Sophia Edwards is a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Biology. She is from Sarasota, FL, but spent her undergrad years in Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated from Boston College in May 2024, where she pursued a major in Public Health and a minor in Biology while competing all four years for their D1 varsity women鈥檚 tennis team. In her senior year, she was a captain of the team. During her undergraduate experience, she conducted public health epidemiological research under Dr. Phil Landrigan and was also involved in many student organizations and leadership roles. Given her background in public health and her love for biology, Sophia hopes to pursue medical school upon graduation. At 草榴社区, she competed for the Wildcats on the D1 tennis team during her first year of graduate school.
The External Affairs Officer will be responsible for coordinating relationships with organizations outside of 草榴社区. The External Affairs Officer will be responsible for following national trends that affect graduate students, bringing opportunities from beyond the University to the attention of graduate students, and reporting any potential issues to the GSS.
Furthermore, the President, Vice-President, and External Affairs Officer will serve on the University Council as the three (3) graduate student representatives per the University Council bylaws.
GSS External Affairs Officer 2025-2026:
Kyra Noelle Kervick-MacLean
Bio Coming Soon
The International Student Affairs Officer will be responsible for monitoring issues, initiatives, and institutional, domestic, and international policies related to the well-being of the international students at 草榴社区. The International Student Affairs Officer must be an international student. The International Student Affairs Officer will assist 草榴社区 with the integration of international students into the academic, cultural, and social life of 草榴社区 and its surrounding communities. The International Student Affairs Officer will also perform any duties tasked to them by the President.
GSS International Student Affairs Officer 2024-2025: Issac Bua
Isaac Bua is a Ugandan national and second-year M.S. student in Sustainable Engineering. He is passionate about leadership and sustainability, with a research focus on data center decarbonization. As the International Student Affairs Officer in the Graduate Student Senate (GSS), Isaac enjoys engaging with fellow students, supporting their needs, and helping address their pressing questions. Outside academics and leadership, he enjoy playing Soccer and Tennis, and his favorite mind game is Bridge.
A GSS Representative is elected or appointed to represent their college's student organization.
Graduate Student Council (CLAS)
David Heuring
Student Bar Association (Law)
Molly Moore
Center for Engineering Education and Research (CEER)
TBD
Graduate Nurse Network (FCN)
Emily Cranston
Student Government Association (VSB)
Richard Lu
Doctoral Student Council
Annika Bergstrom
A GSS Senator is someone who belongs to a GSS committee. You can become a senator by using the "Committee Sign Up" link.