President: Lawrence Miller (lawrence@psu.edu)
The Graduate and Professional Student Association President is the elected chief executive officer of the GPSA. The President works with different offices across Penn State to help graduate and professional students, including the University President and the Vice President for Student Affairs. The President sits on various decision making boards including the Board of Trustees (non-voting), Alumni Council, and the Student Fee Board.
Executive Vice President: Jillian Kerr (jmk6857@psu.edu)
The Executive Vice President of the Graduate and Professional Student Association is an elected representative of the graduate and professional student body. The Executive Vice President fulfills roles and responsibilities as necessary or as designated by the President. Additionally, the Executive Vice President is responsible for chairing all Assembly meetings of the GPSA, and acts as the President’s Chief of Staff by overseeing the day-to-day work of the Executive Branch’s departments to ensure effectiveness.
Vice President of Marketing & Communications: Alicia Grana (amg7888@psu.edu)
The Vice President of Marketing & Communications is the secretary of the Graduate and Professional Student Association and is in charge of the Department of Communications. The Vice President of Marketing & Communications, with the support of department staff, is responsible for taking and publicizing minutes of GPSA Assembly and Executive Branch meetings, administering and facilitating communications to the graduate and professional student body through our email newswire and social media accounts, and recording and publicizing GPSA special presentations. Additionally, the Vice President of Marketing & Communications manages the GPSA office and the distribution of materials from the GPSA office and the GPSA’s online presence is updated so that it is an accurate source of information for graduate and professional students.
Vice President of Finance & Business: Dallas Zebrowski (drz5065@psu.edu)
The Vice President of Finance & Business is the treasurer of the Graduate and Professional Student Association and is in charge of the Department of Finance. The Vice President 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 Vice President of Finance & Business is also the organization’s primary liaison to the Office of Associated Student Accounts (ASA).
Vice President of Diversity & Advocacy: Cate Givens (ceg5565@psu.edu)
The Vice President of Diversity & Advocacy is responsible for leading the Diversity & Advocacy Committee and overseeing its activities. The Vice President 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 Vice President 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.
Vice President of External Affairs: Kristen Reish (kzr5452@psu.edu)
The Vice President of External Affairs of the Graduate and Professional Student Association is in charge of the Department of External Affairs. The Vice President 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.
Graduate School Student Faculty Senator: Lawrence Miller (lawrence@psu.edu)
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: Cierra Chandler (cbc5718@psu.edu)
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: Gabe Lara (grl5035@psu.edu)
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. Adam Christensen (aec187@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. Christensen is the Director of Student Affairs Research and Assessment 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 (Lawrence Miller) 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