Jack smiles calmly into the camera, standing before an image of a family tree styled after yggdrasil. His befuddled cat is cradled in his arms. Jack's hair is brown. The cat is white and multi-tones of grey.
GPSS President (Ph.D. Candidate: Science and Technology in Society)

Personal Statement

I'm excited about this opportunity to serve the graduate and professional community. In the upcoming academic year I intend to facilitate meaningful structural change that improves the lives of students, graduate students, staff, and faculty. Drawing on my political organizing experience, I will empower the GPSS within shared governance and draw from a diverse range of constituents to pass legislative adjustments to how the university operates. Including, but not limited to, enhancing the financial transparency of the university and foundation, instituting equity and ethics as core values under-girding all decisions, and democratic reforms to what has traditionally been a top-heavy administrative institution.

Statement of Intent

I'd like to serve the interests of the graduate and professional student community and do my best to facilitate institutional changes that improve the financial, academic, and mental wellbeing of all graduate students. 

Platform Statement

I intend to streamline the resolution process to initiate necessary institutional changes across the university. I aim to create more transparency at all levels of governance and in the financial expenditures of the university. In so doing, I will leverage financial oversight to financially support marginalized and under-resources community members including the CCCs and international students. Additionally, I will encourage an atmosphere of legislation that will usher in much needed changes to old university systems.

Alice smiles gently, exuding confidence, wearing a grey t-shirt. Her hair is a delicate ombre ranging from a rosy violet to a shell pink
GPSS Vice President and Director of Legislative Affairs (Ph.D. Student: Science and Technology in Society Program)

Personal Statement

I am looking forward to providing a supportive role in securing equity, access, and well-being for the graduate student body at VT. Although the previous members of the executive board will be sorely missed, I know the group we have here is just as dedicated to advocacy and realizing quality-of-life improvements across the university. Thank you for putting your trust in me, and the other newly minted members of the board. I am proud to serve this community.

Statement of Intent

I want to help make the GPSS the best it can be. Maruf and Awad have done an awesome job, and I want to continue that mission into the future. 

Platform Statement

I think the first 6 months to a year should be focused on maintaining continuity and establishing a good working relationship between the exec board and the GPSS body. With so many board members leaving, I think it will take a moment to find a rythmn with a new group. After this period, and hopefully through the end of Covid-19 related enterprises, my goals would be to start working on: 1. A summer grant program for grad students, 2. Increasing local partnerships with business and markets to make fresh, healthy food more accessible to grad students, 3. Establishing a more streamlined communication interface between the GPSS and grad student population (at large) to ensure transparency and clear communication, 4. Confirm the dedication of the GPSS to transparent communication with upper administration and provide more clear guidelines on what the exact expectations of 'transparent' communication are.

Anusha Prasad, Director of Finance, Masters Student, Geoscience

Anusha smiles confidently into the camera. Her dark brunette lightly curly hair is in a half up half down style, and she is wearing a delicate red wrap blouse decorated with images of flowers and adorned with a lacy neckline.
GPSS Director of Finance and Treasurer of the GPSS (Master's Student, Department of Geoscience)

Personal Statement

The graduate student body makes up a large portion of the student body population at Virginia Tech. As a part of that community, I have always valued organizations that actively strive to support the growth and well-being of their fellow members. I am hoping to use my position as an Executive Board member to further enrich the graduate student experience and help ensure that all voices on campus are heard.  

My intention is to act as a team player as the Director of Finance position expands and evolves while GPSS transitions. I wholeheartedly believe that it is the elected board members’ responsibility to execute tasks in a transparent manner to do right by the delegates of the organization and in turn the whole graduate student body. I intend to act with transparency and honesty as I facilitate the GPSS budget and Graduate Student Budget Board.

Statement of Intent

The graduate student body makes up a large portion of the student body population at Virginia Tech. As a part of that community, I have always valued organizations that actively strive to support the growth and well-being of their fellow members. I am hoping to use my position as an Executive Board member to further enrich the gradaute student experience and help ensure that all voices on campus are heard.

I have prior experience handling finances of large organizations. I was the Vice President of Finance of the Signma Kappa Sorority. I was in charge of handlin approximately $80,000 and creating a budget for 21 officers. I was the Fundraising Chair of Mines Without Borders (affiliated with Engineers with out Borders and I worked for the Foundation at my previous institute. These positions have allowed me to gain a lot of insight about the ins and outs of how universitites allocate funds for student organizations. I will use my previous experiences to improve upon my role as an executive team member and a representative of the graduate student body.

Platform Statement

My intention is to act as a team player as the position of Director of Finance expands and evolves while GSA transitions into GPSS. I whole heartedly believve that it is the elected board members' responsibility to execute tasks in a transparent manner to do right by delegates of the organzation and in turn the whole student body. I intend to act with transparency and honesty as I facilitate the GPSS budget and the Graduate Student Budget Board. I am open to suggest and more than wilking to address any qualms that might come up as the Graduate Student Budget Board expands.

Micki shares a sunny, sunlit smile, framed by flowers and pathways between them
GPSS Director of Programs (Entomology in CAUS)

Personal Statement

My name is Micki and I am looking forward to serving as the Director of Programs for the remainder of 2021. My goals for this year are to focus on resources and programs that address mental health of graduate students and their financial security. I strongly believe that these two issues go hand in hand, and play a key role in the success of graduate students. I hope to address these issues by expanding awareness of current programs and resources provided by the GPSS, and to help students navigate these resources in a timely manner so that they can maximize their benefit. Additionally, I plan to encourage approaching current objectives and new programs with aims of preventative action for our incoming and current students, while we work on long term correction for the benefit of future students. I am excited to be a part of a team that can bring changes for the benefit of our graduate students.

Statement of Intent

As a graduate student at Virginia Tech, I see serving as a GPSS representative not only as a civic duty to the University, but also as a privilege. I am passionate about representing my fellow graduate students, not limited to those in the Entomology department, and speaking out for fair treatment, representation, and inclusion.

With my extensive list of prior leadership positions held, I believe I am qualified and understanding of the effort and dedication necessary to excel as Director of Programs. My strengths in communication and organization will be valuable for the function of the role and operation as a productive team. In addition, l work confidently in leadership roles and I strive to always lead with an open mind and adaptability.

I work with a direct and calculated approach, and am exceptionally detail oriented. Principles that I follow are that I never delegate a task that I am unwilling to do myself. I am not ashamed to admit when I need clarification or assistance, and I make great effort to make any environment that I am a part of welcoming, inclusive, and engaging.

As I progress further into my graduate program, I have been driven to further find understanding in the treatment and services available for graduate students, and am active in informing my cohort to support their success. I am forward about the fair treatment and inclusion of graduate students, as well as appreciative when given the opportunity. My goal is to increase my support and serve those around me through representation as Director of Programs for GPSS.

Platform Statement

I believe that each graduate student is an invaluable, and all too often underappreciated, asset of the university and should be shown adequate appreciation and acknowledgement. I aim to spread encouragement and awareness through representation by delivering transparent communication and by providing myself as an approachable resource to students and faculty.

I aim to address issues that create barriers for the success and efficiency of GTAs and GRAs. I am committed to bringing awareness to issues such as financial insecurity, inadequate mental health resources, and parking disparities. Although these may seem like indirect barriers in graduate student success, small improvements and providing resources that assist in navigating students towards current resources can provide unmeasurable differences in the success of graduate students. I have had personal experience and frustration with all three issues, and while solutions may not be feasibly immediate, I am well versed in ways to acknowledge and utilize current resources as time is spent addressing and advocating for solutions.

My goal is to use my exceptional communication skills and interpersonal intelligence to work with faculty in higher leadership positions to bring awareness of the diversity of students' needs and find productive solutions that will serve the University through the success of it’s graduate students, and to bring the gap in communication for both students and board members. 

Amanda smiles at the camera, her brunette hair backlit in the Blacksburg Spring sunshine. She appears youthful and confident.
GPSS Director of Communications and Secretary of the GPSS (Ph.D. Program: Department of Sociology)

Personal Statement

I am very excited to be a part of the GPSS Executive Board and to continue the good work done by the previous board members. As Director of Communications, I will prioritize building solidarity among graduate students and increasing transparency regarding the GPSS's goals and meetings, especially for students who are unable to directly engage with the GPSS. One of my major goals is to use social media to publish statements against injustices that occur at Virginia Tech so that students affected by these injustices know that the GPSS stands with them. I also hope to strengthen relationships with Virginia Tech staff and build a coalition of campus workers. Above all, I will serve as an advocate for my fellow graduate students. Together, we are stronger.

Statement of Intent

Graduate students deserve representatives who will always put students' interests first. I believe I have the skills and dedication necessary to serve as an Executive Board Member of the GPSS as I have continuously served my fellow graduate students both in official and unofficial capacities since starting at VT in 2019. As a former member of the Executive Board of the Sociology Graduate Student Organization (2019-2020), I created and executed a graduate student needs assessment at the beginning of the pandemic. The results of that assessment led to additional funding opportunities for graduate students in the department. In the past year, I have been an advocate for students facing challenges within the department. I am running for this position so that I can continue this work on a larger scale.

Platform Statement

In this role, I intend to create transparent communications for graduate students across email and social media. I believe that the GPSS should have a strong social media presence, through which we can advertise events and campaigns. I believe that strong communication will increase solidarity among gradaute students, creating a student body that is more capable of fighting for its needs.

emily smiles happily into the camera, her smile is broad and welcoming. She wears a black cardigan over a burgandy patterned shirt. Her black pendant is engraved
GPSS Director of Events (Ph.D. Program: Higher Education)

Personal Statement

I am excited to serve as the Director of Events for this coming academic year! I plan to focus on coordinating accessible events that are as inclusive as possible. I will bring a proactive access lens to event planning, meaning that I will choose wheelchair accessible venues, label food ingredients, plan for multiple means of participation, and promote accessible presentation guidelines. I will follow accessibility guidelines in event marketing materials by using high color contrast, recommended fonts and font sizes, and image descriptions. I will post signs to restrooms, including locations of all-gender restrooms or single occupancy restrooms. I will give participants the option to include their pronouns on name tags and when introducing themselves. By prioritizing access, I hope to plan events that will make all students feel welcome to attend. I will plan a mix of social and educational events that give graduate students an opportunity to get to know one another and learn together. I will also build off the momentum of Director of Events from last by getting food from locally owned business and using biodegradable products. I look forward to getting started!

Statement of Intent

I enjoy planning and attending events that foster community. I value spaces that allow folx to bring their whole selves. Therefore, I want to plan accessible events that are as inclusive as possible. I will bring a proactive access lens to event planning, meaning that I will choose wheelchair accessible venues, label food ingredients, allow multiple means of participation, and promote accessible presentation guidelines. Additionally, I will encourage participants to share access needs in advance. I will work with executive board members to secure funding if event attendees need captioning, ASL services, or specific types of food available. I will also follow accessibility guidelines in event marketing materials by using high color contrast, recommended fonts and font sizes, and image descriptions. I will post signs to restrooms, including locations of all-gender restrooms or single occupancy restrooms. I will give participants the option to include their pronouns on name tags and when introducing themselves. By prioritizing access, I hope to plan events that will make all students feel welcome to attend.

Platform Statement

I want to plan a mix of social and educational events that give graduate students an opportunity to get to know one another. I will plan one or two large social gatherings with food and interactive activities. I hope to plan educational events that focus on topics of interest to graduate students such as dissertation and thesis writing tips, managing imposter syndrome, networking advice, and job search suggestions. I will work to make each event as accessible as possible and will invite participants to share their access needs in advance. I will also build off the momentum of last’s year’s Director of Events by getting food from locally owned business and using biodegradable products.

Phil has blue eyes, and auburn hair which is short and parted to the side on the top. His beard and mustache are neatly trimmed. He wears a black suit with a pale blue button down shirt and a maroon tie
Graduate Student Representative to the Board of Visitors (Ph.D. Student, Center for Administration and Policy)

Phil Miskovic is a PhD student in the Center for Administration and Policy (CPAP), focusing his research on local government. Phil splits his time between Blacksburg and Crewe—a town of about 2,300 population in rural Nottoway County, about three hour’s drive from the main campus—where he serves as that town’s mayor. He says his motivation comes from a desire “to bridge the gap between theory and practice, especially in economically disadvantaged areas rich with strong communities and culture, but lacking in financial resources or the subject matter expertise of the modern public administrator.”  

Phil has a Master’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BA in Religion from Hampden-Sydney College. He also serves as a graduate assistant in public relations for the College of Architecture and Urban Studies and as the emergency planner for Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).  Prior to his employment with DBHDS, Phil was a policy analyst for Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety in the administration of then-Governor Bob McDonnell.