President: Daniil Rose (djr6389@psu.edu)
The Graduate and Professional Student Association President is the elected chief executive officer of the GPSA. The President collaborates with university leadership, including the University President and the Vice President for Student Affairs, to advocate for student needs and influence policy decisions. The President sits on key decision-making boards such as the Board of Trustees (non-voting), Alumni Council, and the Student Fee Board, contributing to strategic planning and resource allocation. Additionally, the President provides leadership within the GPSA, setting goals, guiding the executive team, and ensuring effective communication and collaboration between students and the university.
Vice President: Sabrina Knox (sgk5260@psu.edu)
The Vice President of the Graduate and Professional Student Association is an elected representative of the graduate and professional student body. This role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including fulfilling various duties as assigned by the President and ensuring the smooth operation of the organization. The Vice President chairs all GPSA Assembly meetings, guiding discussions and decisions that shape the association’s policies and actions. Additionally, the Vice President is responsible for sitting on the Borough Council for the Borough of State College, representing the interests of graduate and professional students in local governance and contributing to community development.
Executive Director of Marketing & Communications: VACANT
The Executive Director of Marketing & Communications serves as the GPSA secretary and oversees the Department of Communications. The Executive Director of Marketing & Communications, with the support of department staff, is responsible for taking and publicizing minutes from GPSA meetings, managing communications through email and social media, and recording special presentations. The Executive Director of Marketing & Communications is also responsible for distributing GPSA materials and ensuring that the online presence is an accurate information source for graduate and professional students.
Executive Director of Finance & Business: VACANT
The Executive Director of Finance & Business is the treasurer of the Graduate and Professional Student Association and is in charge of the Department of Finance. The Executive Director of Finance & Business, with the support of department staff, is responsible for planning the budget, managing expenses and recording fiscal transactions for the Assembly, and for tracking the expenses and budget for the Graduate and Professional Student Association. The Executive Director of Finance & Business is also the organization’s primary liaison to the Office of Associated Student Accounts (ASA).
Executive Director of Diversity & Advocacy: VACANT
The Executive Director of Diversity & Advocacy is responsible for leading the Department of Diversity & Advocacy. The Executive Director of Diversity & Advocacy works closely with the GPSA President and Executive Board Members to ensure that the voices and needs of the minority graduate and professional student body are heard and addressed by the university administration and the community. The Executive Director of Diversity & Advocacy ensures a culture of inclusion and respect is present among the GPSA members and promotes and leads diversity initiatives that enhance the academic, social, and professional development of the student body.
Executive Director of External Affairs: VACANT
The Executive Director of External Affairs of the Graduate and Professional Student Association is in charge of the Department of External Affairs. The Executive Director of External Affairs, with the support of department staff, develops and establishes relationships with stakeholders, offices and units at the Pennsylvania State University that affect graduate and professional students, works with GPSA delegates to promote the Graduate and Professional Student Association through tabling events and other opportunities, oversees all outreach and liaison efforts, and maintains a database of organizations and contacts for future GPSA collaborative projects.
Executive Director of International Student Affairs: VACANT
The Executive Director of International Student Affairs of the Graduate and Professional Student Association is responsible for the Department of International Student Affairs. This role involves developing and nurturing relationships with campus offices, international organizations, and other entities that impact international graduate and professional students. The Vice President works closely with GPSA Assembly delegates to promote the interests and needs of international students through events, outreach activities, and collaborative initiatives. They oversee all efforts related to international student engagement and advocacy and coordinate GPSA’s efforts to support and enrich the international student community.
Chief of Staff: VACANT
The Chief of Staff of the Graduate and Professional Student Association is responsible for managing and directing the Departments of GPSA. This role involves overseeing the day-to-day operations of the association and ensuring that each department functions efficiently and in alignment with the GPSA’s strategic goals. The Chief of Staff coordinates between departments to facilitate communication and collaboration, and supports the President in executing the association’s initiatives and policies. By maintaining effective oversight and promoting collaboration, the Chief of Staff helps to drive the success and impact of the GPSA.
Graduate School Student Faculty Senator: VACANT
The Graduate School Faculty Senator serves as one of two graduate and professional student representatives to the University Faculty Senate. The Graduate School Faculty Senator is elected by the graduate and professional student body as the Graduate School’s official student representative. The Faculty Senate deals with issues regarding academics and programs along with the policies governing them at Penn State.
University GPSA Faculty Senator: VACANT
The University GPSA Faculty Senator serves as one of two graduate and professional student representatives to the University Faculty Senate. The University GPSA Faculty Senator is appointed by the GPSA. The Faculty Senate deals with issues regarding academics and programs along with the policies governing them at Penn State.
Chair of Graduate Council Student Caucus: VACANT
Through the Graduate and Professional Student Association, the graduate and professional student body elects five members to serve on Graduate Council, the decision making body for the Graduate School. Only the Chair of the Student Caucus (internally elected) serves on the Executive Board, but all student Graduate Council members are considered delegates of GPSA and are elected each year during the GPSA elections.
Adviser: Dr. Taléa Drummer-Ferrell (trd5380@psu.edu)
The Adviser guides the graduate and professional student government through their advice on leadership, their commitment to service, and their knowledge of Penn State.
Dr. Taléa Drummer-Ferrell is the Associate vice president for Student Affairs at Penn State.
Department of Communications
The Department of Communications is a permanent department within the Graduate and Professional Student Association Executive Branch, responsible for all communications efforts within and on behalf of the GPSA. The department is in charge of the GPSA office, the distribution of materials by the GPSA, and documents and communications put out by the GPSA.
Staff Members:
- Communication Manager: Vacant
Department of Finance
The Department of Finance is a permanent department within the Graduate and Professional Student Association Executive Branch, responsible for all financial information and transactions conducted on behalf of the GPSA. The department maintains the GPSA budget and facilitates expenditures in line with the decisions of the GPSA.
Staff Members:
- Finance Manager: Vacant
Committees & Departments GPSA Liaises With
The Department of External Affairs is a permanent department within the Graduate and Professional Student Association Executive Branch, responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships between the GPSA and groups and offices at Penn State, within the local community, and nationally as well. The department runs GPSA outreach efforts to the graduate and professional student body as well as liaison efforts and contact information for organizations that work with and partner with the GPSA. The department also contributes to the regular newsletter housed by the Department of Communications.
Liaisons
- Big Ten Graduate Student Coalition
- Black Graduate Student Association
- Campus Recreation Advisory Committee
- Canvas Advisory Group
- Center for Performing Arts Advisory Council
- Counseling and Psychological Services Advisory Board
- Graduate Alliance for Diversity and Inclusion
- Graduate Exhibition Committee
- HUB-Robeson Center Advisory Board
- Libraries Student Advisory Board
- National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS)
- PSU Votes Steering Committee
- Research Computing and CyberInfrastructure (RCCI) Advisory Council
- Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Roundtable
- State College Borough Council Graduate/Professional Student Representative
- Student Child Care Advisory Committee
- Student Health Advisory Board
- Student Insurance Advisory Board (SIAB)
- Student Legal Services Advisory Board
- Student Transportation Advisory Committee
- University Public and Safety Committee
Presidential Representation – These positions are automatically filled by our President (Daniil Rose) or in their absence the Vice President, or a delegated Executive Branch member by the President directly
- Board of Trustees (non-voting)
- Graduate School Alumni Society (GSAS)
- Penn State Alumni Council
- Strategic Plan Oversight Committee
- Student Fee Board
- Student Leader Scholarship Selection Committee
- Student Leaders Roundtable