GPSA 2026-2027 Incoming Members
President
Nicholas Brennan
I’m Nick, a PhD Candidate in the Physics Dept. and as the current President of GPSA I’ve accomplished the following over the last year: 1) facilitated the approval of ~$400K to improve graduate student lounges, procure all new furniture for the Big Red Barn (securing up to an additional $40 K from the Graduate School), and support new programming/social events not currently supported by GPSAFC club funding; 2) lowered the student activity fee from $110 to $101 per year (an 8% decrease!); and 3) began building a relationship between CGSU-UE and GPSA for the first time, including welcoming Union leaders in giving a presentation to the GPSA voting membership.
I’m running for GPSA President for a second term to 1) complete the distribution of ~ $300K in outstanding Special Grants (approved this spring) to occur in the coming year (finishing first round of the Special Grants initiative) 2) begin planning for Cornell’s 2027 hosting of the Ivy+ Summit among graduate student governments on the Ithaca campus, 3) coordinate with GPSA finance leadership to explore opportunities for future Special Grants opportunities.
Executive Vice President
Ezra Snell II
Graduate and professional students are central to Cornell’s reputation and impact. From law and business to policy, health, engineering, and research, we drive the scholarship and innovation that shape Cornell’s influence across the world. Yet our community is often fragmented, and our needs can be overshadowed on a campus with 16,000 undergraduates. As Executive Vice President, it will be my goal to strengthen communication between graduate students and university leadership, ensuring our voices shape the decisions that affect us while also advocating for graduate priorities as the university pursues new partnerships and initiatives. I also want to foster a stronger sense of connection across our schools and disciplines. Cornell already has one of the strongest graduate student experiences in the Ivy League, supported by spaces like the Big Red Barn and other unique investments in graduate life. My goal is to build on that foundation so graduate and professional students feel seen, supported, and empowered to continue shaping Cornell’s future.
Vice President of Operations
Zander Lynch
In my past 3 years as a member of GPSA first as a voting member and then as the Vice President of Operations I have seen GPSA grow into a forum for debate, understanding, and change. In the next year I will continue to aid that growth by ensuring that every position in the GPSA is filled which happened in this past year for the first time in the past several years. I also plan to make necessary improvements and clarifications in conjunction with university leadership to the charter of GPSA which has not been updated since 2019. I know that I bring both the institutional knowledge and the desire to effect positive change which are necessary to bring these goals to fruition.
Vice President of Communications
Jordan Deskins
I am a current Masters of Public Health Student and an incoming PhD student in Nutrition at Cornell. I am interested in running for Communication Chair because I care about making GPSA communications accessible and engaging for graduate and professional students across disciplines.
I have extensive professional experience in communication roles within developmental disability, social justice, and fair trade nonprofit organizations. In these roles, I have managed mass email campaigns, developed outreach materials, and created messaging for diverse audiences. I also have strong technical skills in Canva.
If elected, I will prioritize how students connect with GPSA by making communications more accessible. I want to ensure that graduate students have clear and consistent information about activities, decision-making, and issues that impact them, along with the opportunity to be included when possible.
I would be honored to serve GPSA in this role and help make graduate student governance more transparent and connected!
Diversity and International Students Committee (DISC) Chair
Kritika Dahal
Being an international student means building a new community from scratch, adjusting to a culture you do not fully understand, and navigating everything as you go. My time at Cornell has taught me that if you have a community with shared experiences, you can navigate everything with more confidence. I am running for the Diversity and International Students Committee Chair to help build that community.
As a Master of Public Administration student, I have learned that listening to people's concerns and ideas while taking accountability for actions is what makes a truly harmonious environment. For me, that environment is one where international students can freely express themselves, and where students from different regions and disciplines can connect meaningfully. As DISC Chair, I want to be the person that students feel they can come to.
Faculty Advising, Teaching, and Mentorship Award Committee (FATMAC) Chair
Andi Garcia-Ortiz
My name is Andi Garcia-Ortiz, and I am a rising fifth-year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering. For the past three years, I have served as Vice President for Communications, where I have built a strong foundation of institutional knowledge that has helped sustain GPSA’s momentum and expand the scope of our graduate-focused initiatives. In this role, I have also advocated for our work to the Cornell University Assembly and Graduate School leadership, reinforcing the importance of GPSA within the broader Cornell community. During my time with GPSA, I have seen FATMAC transform from a committee that went largely unrepresented to a crowning jewel and staple of GPSA. As a PhD student, I have had the pleasure of serving as a teaching assistant for several undergraduate and graduate courses and know the long lasting impact quality mentorship can have on students. Looking ahead to 2026-27, I plan to expand our annual FATMAC awards ceremony to recognize outstanding individuals who demonstrate meaningful service to graduate and professional communities.
Programming Board Chair
Izzet Kosar
I am applying for the Chair of the Graduate and Professional Student Programming Board because I want to create more opportunities for people across graduate programs to connect and build a strong sense of community. In graduate school, students often have limited opportunities to connect with peers outside their program and remain within the bubble of their own cohort. With 7,656 graduate students as of 2025, I want to help bridge this gap by designing events that intentionally bring together students from different graduate and professional programs. Having gone to college in California, I had the unique opportunity to be the president of our surfing club. In this role, we coordinated events with other schools throughout the state and fostered a deep sense of community. If selected, I would bring this energy to the graduate student association and design events that encourage cross-program community building, helping us connect with people we would otherwise not have the opportunity to meet. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to a more connected graduate student community and to help create opportunities that make Cornell feel more integrated, social, and accessible across disciplines.
Student Advocacy Chair
Cecily Cox
I am interested in this role because I have seen that a student’s experience often depends on how policies are actually carried out.
As Co-President of the MBA Student Council, I have met students who felt they were treated unfairly, whether it was about absences, personal issues, or unclear rules. Most of the time, students are not looking for special treatment. They just want to be treated fairly and with understanding.
I have tried to help when possible, but I have also seen that there are limits. Often, what happens depends on who a student talks to or how their story is received. This can make the system feel unpredictable.
This is why I care about this role. The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly gives us a way to share these experiences more consistently and connect them to the policies and resources that shape student life. Without this structure, it is hard to move beyond individual cases.
If I am chosen, I want to help make expectations clearer and ensure outcomes are more consistent, because students should not have to face challenges alone.
Masters-at-Large Representative
Yousef Alay
Since arriving in Ithaca, I have been profoundly struck by the abundance of opportunities at the Brooks School and Cornell generally. This shift to surplus has redefined my approach to community impact. Having servrd youth internationally and engaged with world leaders through various international platforms, I understand that the true value of an institution lies in how effectively it translates its vast resources into accessible, transformative student experiences.
As a Saudi-trained lawyer and MPA student, I bring ten years of international youth advocacy and policy development to the table (including being selected by Dean Collen Berry of the Brooks as MPA rep. in the Dean Student Advisory Council). My goal is to help "materialize" impact, ensuring that the GPSA's initiatives are not just numerous, but inclusive and meaningful for a diverse student body. I am eager to leverage my background to help GPSA shape a future where every grad student at Cornell can navigate this abundance to find their own path of learning and service.
Biological Sciences Representative
Alessandra Coogan
My name is Alessandra Coogan, and I am a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Cornell. I am running for the position of Biological Sciences Representative.
I currently serve as the Masters of Industrial and Labor Relations Representative within GPSA; however, my academic training and research are rooted in the biological sciences. Over the past two semesters, I have been actively involved in GPSA through both the Programming Committee and the Student Advocacy Committee, where I have contributed to initiatives that promote graduate student engagement, well-being, and community building.
As I continue my PhD over the next 4-5 years, I am committed to active involvement in GPSA. At the same time, I believe that student body representation should be accurate. For this reason, I am seeking to transition into the role of Biological Sciences Representative (one that better aligns with my background) to allow a Masters of Industrial and Labor Relations student to represent their own cohort.
Thank you, and I look forward to contributing to GPSA.
Masters of Public Administration Representative
Devin Freeman
I am running for GPSA Voting Member to advocate for a more inclusive, responsive, and transparent graduate student experience at Cornell University. As a graduate student here, I understand the challenges we face from navigating rigorous academics to finding community and accessing essential resources.
My background in public policy, leadership, and student advocacy has prepared me to represent diverse perspectives and push for meaningful change. I am committed to strengthening communication between graduate students and university leadership so that our concerns are not only heard, but acted upon.
At Cornell, I will prioritize expanding professional development opportunities, improving student well-being resources, and supporting initiatives that foster connection across programs and colleges.
If elected, I will serve with accountability, transparency, and a genuine commitment to the graduate student body. Your voice matters, and I am ready to ensure it is represented.
Physical Sciences Representative
Dayun Hwang
As DISC Chair in Spring 2026, I have worked to foster a more inclusive, connected, and welcoming graduate community at Cornell by strengthening ties with international student groups, engaging broader communities beyond GPSA, and carrying out the committee’s work in line with its mission and bylaws.
This semester, I have been organizing a cultural festival to create an accessible space where students from diverse backgrounds can gather, share culture, and build community without financial barriers. Through DISC events, including our Thanksgiving gathering, I have also listened to students’ experiences, concerns, and hopes for stronger support from Cornell during graduate school and beyond.
As Physical Science Representative, I hope to bring that same commitment to advocacy, communication, and community-building to support and represent graduate students in the physical sciences.
Biological Sciences Representative
Dinesh Ghimire
I am running for the Biological Sciences Representative position in the GPSA. I previously served in this role, contributing to discussions, screening resolutions, helping with events, and representing students in the biological sciences. As a Ph.D. student in Plant Breeding and Genetics, I bring an interdisciplinary perspective and a strong commitment to student advocacy. I am familiar with GPSA processes and dedicated to ensuring that student voices are represented in shared governance. If elected, I will actively represent the needs of biological sciences students and support initiatives that promote inclusion, well-being, and academic success. Thank you for taking your time and consideration to review my statement.
Biological Sciences Representative
Zong-Yan Liu
I am running for Biological Sciences Representative because I want to help make Cornell a more supportive, connected, and inclusive place for graduate students. As a Ph.D. candidate in Plant Breeding and Genetics, I know how important it is for students in the biological sciences to have strong advocacy around research resources, professional development, and community wellbeing. Through my current service in GPSA, I have worked to connect student concerns with university leadership, supported funding decisions as Finance Commission Secretary, and contributed to efforts focused on diversity and international students. Outside GPSA, I have held leadership roles in student organizations, organized events that strengthen community, and mentored students from a wide range of backgrounds. If elected, I will continue working to improve communication, expand support for students, and represent Biological Sciences with thoughtfulness, fairness, and dedication.
Masters of Engineering Representative
Mark Mitri
My name is Mark Mitri, a first-year MEng distance learning student in Systems Engineering. As a full-time professional in the defense contracting industry, I bring a unique perspective to the role of Master of Engineering Voting Representative on the GPSA board. Much of my undergrad occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, a challenging time that built my resilience and adaptability—qualities that will serve me well on the GPSA board. I currently serve as a board member at my local school, handling fund allocation, program restructuring, and advocacy for student-focused changes. This taught me to listen to stakeholders to turn ideas into policy. Distance MEng students like me are often working professionals with tight timelines and limited campus access. My top priority is strengthening career pipelines. After undergrad, I submitted over 500 applications before landing my role. I will advocate for MEng alumni networking for distance learners, stronger Career Services partnerships, and professional development funding. I will also promote transparency, virtual wellness resources, and better engagement so every MEng voice shapes GPSA decisions. I ask for your vote to bring our perspectives to the table. Thank you.
Physical Sciences Representative
Yuqing Wu
I'm Yuqing, and I've been a representative for the GPSA (Physical Sciences) since 2024! I love this role because I get to make an impact on the Graduate and Professional student community. During discussions of legislation, I strive to consider all perspectives, and sponsor solutions that benefit all students. Last semester, I was also elected to serve as the GPSA's representative for the Committee on Academic Freedom and Professional Status of the Faculty (AFPSF). I hope I can continue making a difference for my fellow grad students!