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The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) represents the constituency of nearly 7,000 graduate and professional students across all Virginia Tech campuses. The GPSS consists of a Senate comprised of Senators and an Executive Board elected by the Senate. 

GPSS is committed to improving campus life, supporting scholarly development, and strengthening the graduate student community. We serve as a liaison between our constituency (All graduate and professional students at VT) and the university administration, making sure your voices are heard at every level. Delegates to the Graduate and Professional Student Senate do this by serving on a variety of University commissions and committees. We are also actively involved in advocacy initiatives pertaining to the graduate and professional students of VT. Members of the Virginia Tech GPSS Executive Board participate in regular meetings with administration, and serve on committees and commissions.

GPSS works closely with our sister organizations, the Roanoke Graduate Student Association and the Greater DC Metro Area GSA, to ensure that graduate and professional students across all Virginia Tech campuses are represented and supported.

We also run  programs that promote graduate research and educational excellence, including the annual Research Symposium, where top presenters are awarded scholarships for their exceptional work. We are actively involved in advocacy initiatives pertaining to the graduate and professional students of Virginia Tech.

To foster community, GPSS hosts social and community-building and social events throughout the year, such as the Welcome Back BBQ, Meet the Dean, Little Hokie Hand-Me-Down, and more. All graduate and professional students are encouraged to attend our General Assembly meetings, either in person or virtually. 

The Graduate Student Budget Board (GSBB) oversees the allocation of student activity fee funds to graduate and professional student organizations (GSOs). Its goal is to distribute these funds fairly and equitably to support events and initiatives that enhance the social and professional experience of the graduate and professional student community at Virginia Tech.

Who are Senators: Each academic entity at Virginia Tech with graduate or professional students (such as departments, schools, interdisciplinary programs, or supra-departmental units) is encouraged to have a local-level student organization like GPSS. These entities may send up to two senators to represent the needs and perspectives of their constituency (Graduate and Professional Students in their academic entity). They:

1. Attend Senate meetings
2. Inform constituents (Graduate and Professional Students in their academic entity) of GPSS proceedings, including legislation, events and programs, etc.
3. Be available to their constituents (Graduate and Professional Students in their academic entity) and communicate their concerns and issues to the Senate
4. Speak, vote, and propose motions and legislation at the biweekly Senate meetings
5. Serve on a wide range of university commissions and committees

Who are Executive Board (Exec Board/Eboard) Members: The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) is led by an Executive Board elected by the Senate. EBoard guides the organization’s strategic direction and ensures the effective implementation of its initiatives. Members of the EBoard also participate in regular meetings with the university administration and serve on committees and commissions.

We welcome the involvement of all Virginia Tech graduate and professional students in all of our programs, events, senate meetings, and activities. We welcome the involvement of all members of our constituency! Visit the Get Involved page to learn how you can participate, connect with others, and make a difference in the graduate student experience.