Election Results-Spring 2024

Meet the Spring 2024 Candidates

• ​Zihua He

Candidate for President

My name is Zihua He, a dedicated first-year Master of Public Administration student at the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. I am excited to announce my candidacy for the position of President of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA). As your GPSA President, my vision is to create a dynamic and supportive community that addresses both current and future needs of graduate and professional students. My goals include: Establishing robust communication channels to keep students well-informed about GPSA actions and initiatives. I plan to introduce a bi-weekly newsletter and a more interactive online forum to ensure transparency and foster a two-way dialogue. I will promote interdisciplinary networking and collaboration by organizing regular events that bring together students from various fields. These will include academic workshops, career panels with alumni, and social events aimed at building professional and personal connections. My focus will be on actively engaging with university administration to improve mental health services, expand housing options, and enhance academic support, ensuring that the well-being of our community is a top priority.

• Ocean Karim

Candidate for President

Hello! My name is Ocean Karim. I am a Masters Student in Public Health, and I'm running to be your next GPSA President. With extensive involvement in GPSA and many campus committees, and activism on campus overall, I'm a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, and transparency. GPSA has the potential to improve the quality of graduate student life on campus, and I aim to achieve this through restructuring GPSA and addressing the many issues that plague our community. Parking and Public Transportation continue to be an inconvenient struggle for us. The food pantry has the potential to have more expansion & outreach. The funding structure for graduate clubs needs to be more equitable so that clubs can succeed. How GPSA communicates with you needs to be improved for greater transparency. We need to upgrade the Big Red Barn to help foster a community for us all. I plan to bring more awareness to these issues (and more!) at hand, bring together a united front, and firmly advocate for the right people for all graduate students. Let's unite, raise awareness, and advocate for all graduate students. Reach out at sok27@cornell.edu with questions or concerns. Thank you, and I hope I can count on your support for my candidacy for President!

• Ava LaGressa

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Candidate for President

As a dedicated member of the Cornell Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), I write to you to articulate why I am the ideal candidate for the Presidential position. With aspirations to contribute to the broader landscape of governance, I am well-positioned to lead with integrity and purpose. As part of my role on the GPSA, I have proven my commitment to serving the Cornell community. I advocate for all students, ensuring that voices are not just heard but actively considered. My experience in local government, includes working in NY’s 11th Congressional District, where I worked on a number of cases. Further, my experience as the President of my undergraduate student government, has equipped me with the skills necessary to enact meaningful change. I introduced new positions for international students and students with disabilities and facilitated a solar panel construction project. I always work to better the communities I am apart of. If elected as President of the GPSA, I will continue to prioritize the diverse needs of our student body. I am prepared to lead with empathy, integrity, and dedication to amplifying your voice. Together let’s embark on a journey of progress, collaboration, and collective empowerment!

• Nicholas Brennan

Candidate for Executive Vice President

Over my past year on GPSA as a Physical Sciences Representative, I've come to learn that the Assembly holds great potential for achieving institutional change for graduate and professional students. I've also learned that the organization's power is greatly subdued by its outdated procedures and confusing structure. With my background in student government reform, I'm running for Executive Vice President of GPSA to: 1) Strengthen GPSA's legislative workflow and committee system and return power over agenda-setting to representatives. 2) Streamline and unify GPSA's funding organs and increase transparency around student organization financial procedures/guidelines. With a strong structural footing established, I plan to use my role as EVP to: 1) Reform GPSA's financial guidelines to prioritize equity in funding among student organizations, phase-out coarse block allocations, and bolster the graduate extracurricular community with event-informed funding strategies. 2) Push for technology subsidies/discounts to offset the costs of electronics & software used to perform university duties (research, teaching, etc). 3) Seek an extension of Cornell's first-year free/subsidized TCAT pass program for graduate and professional students.

• Bhaswati Sarmah

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Candidate for Executive Vice President

As a candidate for GPSA Executive Vice President at Cornell University, I bring a passion for fostering a supportive graduate student community and advocating for their diverse needs. I would work towards enhancing the professional development opportunities available to graduate students in addition to the already existing tasks. By collaborating with campus resources and industry partners, I will strive to create workshops, seminars, and networking events that empower students to thrive in their academic and professional pursuits. My goal is to ensure that every graduate student has access to the resources and support they need to excel in their chosen fields and make meaningful contributions to society. I will work tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equity, and transparency within our community, striving to create a campus environment where every graduate student feels valued and supported. Together, let's build a stronger, more vibrant graduate student association that prioritizes both academic excellence and professional growth.

• David Axel Browne

Candidate for Vice President of Finance

Over the past year, as your VP of Finance & Appropriations for the GPSA, I have dedicated myself to enhancing our financial operations and accessibility. Recognizing the complexities in our previous guidelines, I spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul to simplify them, ensuring that our guidelines are transparent and user-friendly. This initiative has made GPSA funds more accessible, empowering more graduate students to benefit from our resources. A key achievement has been funding of the new furniture for the Big Red Barn, significantly improving our communal space. Additionally, I introduced the AIF to support diversity within the graduate community. Moreover, I increased the amount of money for each tier and set the new activity fee, a pivotal decision that directly impacts our community engagement. As the incumbent, my experience positions me uniquely to hit the ground running. My proven track record of effective financial management and commitment to the GPSA’s goal of strengthening community ties assures that I am the most fit to continue leading these efforts. I am eager to build on our successes and further enhance the graduate student experience. Vote to keep moving forward with a proven leader. Thanks, David.

• Salman Matan

Candidate for Vice President of Finance

Greetings, esteemed colleagues! I am Salman Matan, a second year BME PhD student. It is with unwavering enthusiasm that I announce my candidacy for the esteemed role of Vice President of Finance for the academic year 2024-2025. Drawing from my experience as a GPSA voting member and two-time treasurer for the Biomedical Graduate Society, I am poised to chart a course of financial excellence for GPSA. My proven ability to steward finances at both the graduate and undergraduate levels positions me to enact tangible and transformative change within GPSA's financial landscape. By casting your vote in my favor, you are endorsing a commitment to fiscal prudence, strategic foresight, and the unwavering advancement of our graduate student community. Let us unite in our pursuit of prosperity and progress. Together, we will leave an indelible mark. Vote Salman Matan for Vice President of Finance!

• Zander Lynch

Candidate for Vice President of Operations

My name is Zander Lynch and I am a soon to be second year PhD student in Linguistics. I have been a GPSA voting member since my arrival here at Cornell in the Fall of 2023 and I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to contribute to the graduate community by being an active and voting member of the GPSA. I believe that I can continue to make a difference in the GPSA by using all the knowledge and skills that I have acquired in the past year to continue to improve the graduate experience in any way that I can through GPSA. The main issue that I hope to work on is finishing the revision of the GPSA bylaws.

• Andi Garcia-Ortiz

Candidate for Vice President of Communications

My name is Andi Garcia-Ortiz, I am a rising third-year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering. It has been a privilege to serve as your VP for Communications this academic cycle. During my time on the executive board, I have advocated for the interests of fellowship PhD students. As a fellowship student, I am personally invested in fellowship PhDs access to faculty parking permits. I love my role and I wish to continue as your Vice President for Communications in the upcoming school year. I hope to improve how GPSA communicates information by upgrading our social media platforms and restructuring the bimonthly Communique. I plan to implement new initiatives, like Instagram Story Takeovers where committee chairs who are hosting events can directly promote it. Outside of GPSA, I have served two terms as the Communications Director for the Graduate Chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES).

• Coral Douglas

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Candidate for Humanities Voting Member

As a music graduate student, I am surprised by my department’s lack of involvement with the GPSA. I would like to bridge the gap between Cornell entities, as well as continue to help oversee the composition program’s graduate student group: The Experimental Sound Series at Cornell.

• Aleesha George

Candidate for Diversity and International Students Chair

I’m Aleesha George, a third year Chemistry Ph.D student. With a background in student leadership and a strong commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, I’m excited to contribute my skills and experiences to this important role as DISC chair. My decision to run for the position of DISC Chair stems from my personal experience as an international student from Kerala, India. I understand the challenges that students face when transitioning to a new academic and cultural environment and I’m committed to ensuring a smooth transition for others. During my undergraduate years, I had the opportunity to lead the student community, gaining valuable insights into student advocacy and community engagement. My goal as DISC Chair is to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students from all backgrounds that every student’s voice is respected and valued which enhances our academic experience. I aim to expand the influence of the DISC committee, turning it into a driving force for positive transformation on campus while remaining aligned with the goals set by previous committees. Through proactive outreach efforts and a robust feedback system I’ll tirelessly address the needs and concerns of our diverse student community.

• Ayushi Kapoor

Candidate for Diversity and International Students Chair

I’m Ayushi Kapoor, pursuing Master of Public Administration at Jeb. E. Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University, and I have served as Secretary of Communications and Partnerships for DISC for 2023-24, where I spearheaded efforts to foster inclusivity and amplify diverse voices within our community. Through strategic social media campaigns, internal coordination, and international mixers, I facilitated engagement and gathered feedback to enhance Cornell's resources for graduate and professional communities. Motivated by a deep-seated commitment to dismantling barriers and promoting belonging, I aspire to lead DISC in creating a supportive network where every individual feels empowered, celebrated, and connected. Drawing on my experiences as an international student and diversity advocate, I believe in the power of solidarity and collective action to ensure that no one ever feels isolated or unsupported within our community, continuing to build upon the foundation of inclusivity and unity. Looking ahead, I aim to establish initiatives in tax preparation assistance, strengthen alumni relations, provide peer mentorship, and further explore life at Cornell, enriching the legacy of inclusive excellence at our institution.

• Jason Chobirko

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Candidate for Teaching, Faculty Advising, and Mentorship Award Chair

I am a 4th year graduate student in the department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and current president of the GGD GSA, one of the many field-groups on campus. My goal has always been to provide opportunities for students both in my program and beyond to have the best time here at Cornell that they can and have their voices heard on issues they face. This involves organizing academic support panels, social de-stress events, and outreach events with the local Ithaca community. Through this process, I have attended GPSA meetings and seen the good that can be done through the collaboration of graduate students across Cornell. It is my hope that I can fully participate and let the voices of my fellow graduate students be heard by serving as Teaching, Faculty Advising, and Mentorship Award Chair. Thank you.

• Dinesh Ghimire

Candidate for Life Sciences Voting Member

I am a first year PhD student in Plant Breeding and Genetics at SIPS. I already served in this position last year and have participated in all the meetings (except one). I liked the discussion and agenda that we bring up at GPSA meeting and since some of the decisions could impact a large proportion of grad students at Cornell, I would like to be a part of that decision making process and utilize my vote to help make a decision. I also served as a secretary at DISC and would like to continue that which is possible if I have any positions at GPSA. Being on my first year of PhD with a lot to figure out yet, I do not want to commit myself to higher positions yet and would like to learn more by being a voting member in Biological section. This would allow me to actively engage with the issues and policies relevant to our community while simultaneously expanding my knowledge base. Moreover, I am committed to foster inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that the voices of all graduate students are heard and represented. Overall, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as a voting member and am eager to bring my skills, experience and perspective to the table. If provided with the opportunity, I would love to be a part again.

• Siim Sepp

Candidate for Life Sciences Voting Member

My name is Siim Sepp, and I am honored to represent Biological Sciences in GPSA. As a second-year PhD student in the Field of Plant Breeding and Genetics within the CALS I am committed to representing the voices and interests of our diverse biological sciences- and international students community. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of advocating for the needs of our students and collaborating with colleagues from various disciplines to address common challenges. I have worked to ensure that the concerns of our biological sciences students are heard and addressed. If re-elected, I am committed to building upon the progress we have made and continuing to be a strong advocate for our community. I will strive to: - Keep advocating on behalf of Biological Sciences- and international students - Promote mental health and wellness initiatives tailored to the challenges faced by biological sciences students, such as long hours in the lab and intense academic pressure. - Ensure transparency about how the Graduate Student Fee funds are used

• Srikanth Kumar Karaikal

Candidate for Physical Sciences Voting Member

I am Srikanth Kumar K, pursuing PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics, here at Cornell. I am currently an voting member and was very informative the campus. And also raised the issue of transportation + brought resolution for that as well. Therefore, would like to continue the voting member for the upcoming year as well.