Graduate Student Senate

Graduate Student Senate Executive Council Election

2026-2027 Graduate Student Senate Executive Council Election

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The Graduate Student Senate’s annual election of Executive Council Members (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Communications Director) will take place online from April 20, 2026, to April 22, 2024.

Graduate Students: Please see your email for the voting link!

This serves as an open call for candidates. The elected council members will serve a one-year term from the commencement day on May 17, 2026, to the commencement day in 2027. The duties of all executive council members are outlined in Article III of the GSS Constitution (pdf).

Candidate Eligibility

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  • Candidates must be full-time or part-time graduate students for the entire academic year during which they would hold office.
  • Candidates must be committed to working diligently, advocating on behalf of all UVM graduate and professional students, and serving as official representatives of the Graduate Student Senate.
  • Candidates must also be willing to carry out the duties and responsibilities outlined in the GSS Constitution (pdf).

Scholarship Award

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Each member of the Executive Council will receive a service scholarship for each Fall and Spring semester in which they hold office. The President and Vice President will receive $1000, and the Treasurer, Secretary, and Communications Director will receive $750. The scholarships will be allocated at the end of each semester of service in accordance with the University of Vermont Payments to Students Policy.

Candidate Application

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The Graduate Student Senate is currently accepting nominations for Executive Council positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Communications Director.

Please note: The nomination deadline has been extended to April 13 at midnight.

Benefits of serving in the GSS Executive Council:

· Develop leadership and administrative skills
· Enhance the graduate student experience by leading initiatives and advocating for peers
· Connect with UVM leadership and serve as a voice for graduate students
· Receive a stipend ($1,000/semester for President & Vice President; $750/semester for Treasurer, Secretary & Communications Director)
· Enjoy a free parking pass (President and Vice President only)

GSS Executive Council Positions:
President – Lead the GSS, represent graduate students to UVM leadership, and ensure the Senate runs smoothly. This includes working closely with the university President, Provost, and Dean of the Graduate College, serving on key university committees, and overseeing the Executive Council.

Vice President – Meet with university administration, run Senate meetings, assist with agenda setting, and step in for the President when needed. The VP also coordinates graduate student orientation and supports senator engagement.

Treasurer – Manage GSS finances, oversee grants, and ensure responsible budgeting for student initiatives. This role leads the Finance and Elevate Grant Committees.

Communications Director – Keep graduate students informed by managing GSS emails, social media, and weekly newsletters with updates on events, grants, and opportunities.

Secretary – Maintain Senate records, take meeting minutes, and ensure the GSS website is updated with relevant information.

How to Apply:
Submit your nomination by April 13 at midnight via the Nomination Form Link.
(Late submissions will not be considered.)

For questions, please contact current GSS President, Saba Rafie at srafiei@uvm.edu.

We look forward to your participation!

Best regards,

Nominee's Statements of Purpose

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Nominees for President:

Elise Miller
The Graduate Student Senate has the ability to facilitate real improvement in the well-being of graduate students, and I am running for GSS President to do exactly that. Graduate students are a diverse group with a variety of needs, and I want to be YOUR advocate to voice your needs to the administration while providing resources directly from GSS to you. I have three overarching goals for GSS over the next year. Firstly, many graduate students are struggling financially and mentally. The Senate can directly reduce financial insecurities through collaboration with community sponsors, fundraising for Rally Cat Cupboard, providing scholarships to support unpaid internships, advocating for research and tuition funding, and working with GMT to ensure public transportation meets the needs of the graduate students. As President, I will also leverage my position to advocate for increased higher education funding from the State Legislature. Finally, the current political environment necessitates additional support for international students through collaboration with Migrant Justice and campus rapid response groups, and through the provision of resources. My second goal is to facilitate a sense of community among graduate students as well as connections between graduate students, alumni, and career networks. Students should feel welcomed by the graduate community from the minute they commit to attending UVM. Resources will be provided to all new students before they even arrive on campus. During Orientation Week, I will prioritize additional programming, including outdoor activities, meals, and other social events, as well as important educational workshops, such as a Sexual and Domestic Violence Awareness workshop. Throughout the rest of the year, GSS can provide a wider variety of social events, such as international student events, plant/seed giveaways, bouquet-making, yoga on the green, trivia night, therapy dog visits, book or clothing swaps, free boba tea and coloring pages, participating in Sexpo sexual health fair, and more. In addition to social events, I believe professional development should be facilitated by the Senate. Such programming includes free headshots, linkedin advising, networking events, industry-specific career panels and speakers, and facilitating matching students with alumni mentors. These events should prioritize accessibility and collaboration with on-campus and off-campus partners. Accessibility can include wheelchair-accessible spaces, virtual options, free childcare, and events at convenient times for full-time employed students. My third goal is to improve Senate functioning through structural reform and relationship-building. This begins with a Fall Senator Orientation where senators can learn how the senate works and how they can be most effective in their role, while also forging effective working relationships. Structural changes include: increased structure for committees; reassessing existing committees; a more effective system of communication; distributing power more equally throughout the Senate; and providing more flexible voting options. As President, I would advocate for the presence of a professional advisor for the Senate and training new Executive Council members. Additionally, I would like to transition away from utilizing a “bare-bones” line-item budgeting system. We should be better aware of where students’ funds are going while also using performance measurements and impact-budgeting to ensure spending leads to the results we want. There is so much the Graduate Student Senate can be doing. As GSS President, I will work to ease financial stressors and create a sense of belonging for students. I currently serve as the GSS representative on the Faculty Senate Financial and Physical Planning Committee, where I have been able to voice the financial struggles of graduate students. I also serve as a member of the Student Advisory Board for the Center for Health and Wellbeing, where we are working to make physical and mental health services more accessible and effective for students. I have dedicated myself to advancing justice through volunteer work with groups like Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Migrant Justice, and the ACLU of Vermont. Even before moving to Vermont, I advocated for reproductive rights, maternal health, and gun reform in Indiana and Tennessee. I know what it’s like for change to be an uphill battle, and I’m ready for the hard work of making life better for graduate students as the next GSS President.
Collin Coil

For the past two years, I have been deeply embedded in university governance as a GSS senator, a member of the Graduate College's Graduate Executive Committee, the sole graduate student representative on the University's Strategic Planning Committee, and a member of the Graduate College's Strategic Planning Committee. I know how these institutions work, where they fall short, and what it takes to move them. I'm running for GSS President because I believe the Senate can do more for graduate students. My first priority is to create a GSS that shows up in grad students' lives, not just in meeting rooms. That means monthly on- and off-campus events, a standing comments-and-concerns channel so students can bring issues directly to the Senate, and community partnerships that address real needs: food security through Swipe Out Hunger and the Intervale Center, financial empowerment through VITA (free tax filing through the IRS), and building the kind of graduate community that makes Burlington feel like home. Second, I want the GSS to be a body that actually delivers. That means a strategic plan with measurable goals, transparent metrics published on our website, and streamlined processes. I will ensure that the GSS runs efficiently to address grad student needs. It also means establishing a parliamentarian and governance guardrails to prevent continued violations of the GSS Constitution. And it means using our resolution power deliberately: to push for more university-built housing, a deposit assistance program, a graduate student lounge, printing credits, and public disclosure of stipend ranges across GTA, GRA, and Pre-Doctoral Fellow positions. Third, I want to strengthen our relationship with the Graduate Student Union. The GSS and GSU share the same constituency, and we should act like it. I will establish a formal GSS-GSU liaison, invite the Union into our welcome week activities, and ensure the Senate passes a monthly resolution in support of a fair contract. When grad students are at the bargaining table, we should have a Senate at their back. I am not running to hold a title. I am running because I have the experience, the relationships, and the specific plans to make the GSS a more effective, more transparent, and more student-centered body. I would be honored to serve as your next President.

Nominees for Vice-President:

Natlie Cote

I am nominating myself for the role of Vice President because graduate school hasn’t been the greatest experience and I can only imagine how it might be for people less privileged than I. I want to create change to better the graduate experience at UVM. My graduate program is only 2 years, so I don’t have a lot of time to get things done. I can at least put some things in motion as Vice President of the Graduate Student Senate. I have previously served in multiple leadership positions at my undergraduate university including president of a club, a peer mentor for first year students, and the chair of the student affairs committee in the student government association (undergraduate senate). I am also getting a degree in higher education and student affairs. Everything I am learning in class is applicable to creating the best graduate experience for students at UVM, particularly on the side of student affairs. I feel like there are a lot of strong academics on the senate and potentially on the executive council next year, but there aren’t a lot of senators that understand how student affairs work and how they should be working to help graduate students. UVM is a recently named R1 Research institution. If the university wants to maintain this status then they need to get on board with better support for graduate students. Other R1 research institutions make their grad students a priority. They have entire student centers dedicated to graduate students, housing accommodations, and support for family members of graduate students. One of the credentials to be considered R1 is to have at least 70 Ph.D students graduating every year, last year that number was 68. Which was close enough that we didn’t lose our status, but if we don’t bring that number up, we will lose that. If the university cares about their R1 status they are going to have to take our concerns seriously and start discussing ways to support graduate students outside of the classroom. This will also increase admissions to graduate programs which could bring in more money for the university. I have heard the concerns that housing is a major issue for graduate students. I hope to start up an initiative to fix this. While I can’t solve the housing crisis in the greater city of Burlington, I hope to start the discussion of how to better connect roommates, how to find housing to meet students needs, connecting with the Office of Community Relations to see what supports they can provide, and perhaps even working with the companies UHDS has contracts with to adjust rent prices to graduate student stipends. Undergraduates at UVM typically have financial support from their families, which is not as common for graduate students. There need to be separate standards for undergrads and grads, they are not the same and they can not be treated as such.
Additional Info: I cannot attend commencement, I will be at a summer internship in South Carolina. That being said, if elected, I would want to be doing some work for GSS over the summer to prepare for the year ahead.
Kush Sharma

Hi, my name is Kush Sharma and I am running for Vice President of the Graduate Student Senate. I believe deeply in the power of intentional collaboration to create systemic change—a conviction forged through my experiences as an international student, a community organizer, and an advocate for marginalized voices. As someone who has navigated the edges of institutional life, I am committed to ensuring that every graduate student at UVM feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Why I'm Running My undergraduate experience at Bates College taught me that transformative change happens when we create spaces where everyone belongs. As Co-President, I initiated curriculum reform efforts, established a safe residence for international students, and sat on the President's Advisory Council to push for tangible campus improvements. These experiences showed me that student leadership is most powerful when it's rooted in authentic representation and genuine accountability. Now, pursuing my Master of Social Work, I'm more convinced than ever that systemic change requires both vision and persistence. The graduate student experience is uniquely complex: we're often invisible in campus conversations, financially stretched, navigating demanding academic programs, and grappling with isolation. As Vice President, I want to ensure our voices are not just heard but centered in institutional decision-making. Relevant Experiences and Skills My career has been defined by building coalitions, managing complex relationships, and translating vision into action. While fundraising for non-profit arts in Vermont, I cultivated relationships with donors and community partners by understanding their values and co-creating initiatives that mattered to them. I didn't simply ask for support, I built genuine partnerships grounded in shared purpose. This same relational approach is exactly what our graduate student community needs. As an acting teacher, I managed programs serving a diverse student body, coordinated complex logistics, and created inclusive spaces where all voices could flourish. I know how to build teams, delegate thoughtfully, and maintain systems that actually work. As a UVM employee, I've gained direct insight into how UVM's administrative systems operate and where we can advocate for more responsive, student-centered policies. Vision for Improving Graduate Student Experience I envision a Graduate Student Senate that operates as a genuine hub for connection and advocacy. Too often, graduate students feel fragmented across departments and disciplines. I want to implement initiatives that: Build Community: Create intentional spaces—both formal and informal—where graduate students across programs can connect, share resources, and support one another. This includes peer mentorship networks, interdisciplinary socials, and community-building events that center on wellness and belonging. Amplify Our Voices: Establish regular forums where graduate students can articulate their needs. I'll work extensively with the Graduate Student Union to ensure that graduate student perspectives are embedded in conversations about tuition, benefits, mental health resources, and academic policy. Beyond our own advocacy, I am committed to ensuring that the Graduate Senate extends meaningful support to other groups around campus who are fighting for systemic change—recognizing that our power grows when we work together. Support International and Marginalized Students: Drawing from my own experience, I want to create pathways for international students, students of color, and others on the margins to access resources, navigate institutional barriers, and see themselves reflected in leadership. Advocate for Systemic Change: Work alongside administration to identify structural inequities affecting graduate student life—from stipend adequacy to healthcare access to family-friendly policies—and develop concrete proposals for change. What I Bring to This Role I bring authenticity, organizational skill, and an unwavering commitment to those who have been historically excluded from decision-making spaces. I've proven that I can build diverse coalitions, manage competing priorities, and stay accountable to the communities I serve. Most importantly, I bring deep listening and a belief that when we center the voices of those most affected by policies, we create better solutions for everyone. As your VP, I promise to show up with intention, work collaboratively across differences, and fight fiercely for the graduate student experience. Let's build a Graduate Student Senate that reflects our collective power and potential. I'm running alongside brilliant peers—Collin Coil, Eliza Beebe, Avi Chawla, and Chhayank Srivastava—as a unified slate committed to transforming the graduate student experience at UVM. Vote for our alliance. Vote for Kush - It’s A Joint Effort for High Rewards.

Nominee for Treasurer:


Chhayank Srivastava
It’s been an eye-opening year serving as the Chair of the Elevate Committee, and honestly, it’s shown me both the incredible potential we have as a community and the hurdles that often keep us isolated in our own departments. I’m really excited to run for GSS Treasurer because I want to keep building on the progress we’ve made, with a focus on making our graduate experience more connected, safe, and transparent. Having managed both the Fall and Spring Elevate cycles where we successfully increased the number of awards and made sure they reached a more diverse group of students across all colleges. I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference clear, fair support can make. I’ve also spent a lot of time "under the hood" of our systems to make grant applications smoother, and I plan to bring that same technical precision to managing our budget openly and accurately. I truly believe the GSS should be the force that breaks down the silos we often feel stuck in, and I’m ready to hit the ground running this Fall to make that happen. Here are the key things I’m promising to tackle: 1) Worker Rights & International Student Advocacy: I plan to work closely alongside the GSU to fight for a better contract and improved working conditions. I’m committed to being a strong voice for our international student community and ensuring all graduate workers are treated with the respect we deserve. 2) The Graduate Gazette: We all know the current newsletter often gets buried in our inboxes. I want to replace it with a "one-stop shop" Gazette for everything from campus jobs and housing to healthcare. 3) Live, Subscribable Calendar: I want to launch a calendar you can actually sync to your phone. It’ll help you plan for GSS events weeks in advance and send out alerts whenever there’s free pizza on campus—because let’s be real, who doesn't love free pizza? 4) Safety & Wellness First: I’ll work to make the "Preventing Emotional, Physical, and Sexual Violence" workshop a regular, semesterly event to ensure a safer campus environment, particularly for our women-identifying students. 5) Smarter Parking: While we can't get everyone a green pass, I’ll fight to move up the 3:30 PM limit so graduate students can park in green zones earlier in the day. 6) Proactive Outreach: We need to support new grads from day one, so I’ll be amping up our outreach to incoming students to build a stronger community immediately. I’ve already pledged my summer to planning these initiatives so we can start making an impact the moment the semester begins. I’d love the chance to be a loud, inclusive, and approachable voice for all of us!
Additional Info: One thing that really drives me is the belief that leadership shouldn't be a "top-down" mystery. I’ve seen how often decisions are made behind closed doors, and as your Treasurer, I want to pull back that curtain. Whether it's showing exactly how our student fees are being used to support you or making sure that the Senate is actually consulted before big decisions are finalized, I’m all about accountability.

Nominees for Secretary:


Diego Martinez Mayorga
In my previous experience as graduate student, I was not as involved as I would have liked to be in the matters of student governance and graduate student representation. Since I am in the beginning of my PhD program at UVM, I feel like the position of Secretary of the GSS EC would be a good introduction for myself into student governance. After focusing on myself as an undergraduate and MSc student, as well as receiving assistance from graduate students during that time, I feel like it would be a great opportunity to continue to learn from grad students and return the assistance to younger grad students by providing advice, leadership and experience to them as a figure in the EC. In terms of relevant experience, I have volunteered in sporting associations (University of Alberta Rec Sports, Edmonton Soccer Association), with the University of Alberta Env Student Association and as a grad student mentor (1-on-1) during my final year as a MSc student. As a lifelong sports athlete (participator is more apt), I have always held the belief that life is a team sport. You can't do anything meaningful alone, and I personally believe I have the personality to lead the way in many situations, whether in a profesional, recreational or personal setting. I believe my previous experience in grad school, as well as in the industry would provide a valuable asset to new or graduating students alike who are struggling in different aspects of grad student life (work life balance, supervisor friction, job prospects to name a few). My life exposure (born in South America, raised in Canada, research in Europe and now school in the US) gives me a unique vantage point to understand cultural, ethnic and religious differences and similarities in the grad student population and navigate these areas accordingly to produce positive outcomes for all. Finally, speaking three language (English, French and Spanish) fluently increases my approachability. In my view, graduate students typically struggle in certain areas: 1. The workload factor; coming from undergrad to grad is a big difference in terms of workload and worklife. 2. the independence factor; you are expected to be very independent in graduate school, and not everyone is equipped to work in that manner. 3. the supervisor factor; not all students and not all supervisors are made the same. how does one manage that relationship to create success for all and 4. the career factor: what do we do after grad school? i would like to improve the grad student experience at UVM by addressing these factors through initiatives like student led townhalls, invitations extended to industry partners to provide advice to future graduands and finally, to address certain areas is to provide a "grad school handbook" in which students and the EC alike can answer questions to common grad student questions

Eliza Beebe
I am running for Secretary of the Graduate Student Senate at UVM because I believe that meaningful community is not something that simply exists – it is something we actively build, tend to, and strengthen through intentional communication and shared purpose. As a first-year graduate student, I have felt both the excitement and the disorientation that can come with entering a new academic environment. This role feels like a natural and energizing way for me to become more deeply engaged in shaping a graduate experience that is not only academically rigorous, but also connected, inclusive, and human-centered. My interest in this position is grounded in both my academic background and my personal values. I graduated from Amherst College in 2020, where I studied psychology and became deeply interested in how individuals relate to one another within systems – whether that be classrooms, organizations, or communities. Through that lens, I’ve come to understand that communication is not just logistical; it’s also deeply relational. The way information is shared, the clarity of messaging, and the accessibility of institutional processes all shape whether people feel included or alienated. As Secretary, I would approach the role not just as a recorder of information, but as a steward of transparency, clarity, and connection. In terms of relevant skills, I bring strong organizational abilities, attention to detail, and a deep respect for thoughtful communication. I have experience balancing multiple responsibilities, managing timelines, and ensuring that important information is both accurate and accessible. Beyond technical skills, I consider one of my core leadership strengths to be my ability to listen – to truly hear what people are saying, synthesize that information, and reflect it back in a way that moves conversations forward. This is especially important in a role like Secretary, where the responsibility is not just documentation, but helping to create continuity and shared understanding within the Senate and across the broader graduate student body. I am also running as part of a collaborative group of candidates for the Executive Council, and this feels especially important to me. Leadership, in my view, is most effective when it is relational and team-oriented. I am excited about the possibility of working alongside peers who are equally committed to strengthening the graduate student experience, and I believe that our collective energy can create meaningful momentum. In terms of vision, I see an opportunity for the GSS to become a more visible, accessible, and engaging presence on campus. Many graduate students, especially those balancing coursework, research, and outside work, can feel disconnected from larger institutional structures. I would love to help bridge that gap by ensuring that Senate communications are clear, consistent, and actually reach students where they are – whether that’s through streamlined email updates, more digestible meeting summaries, or creative approaches to sharing information. One specific goal I have is to make Senate materials more accessible and user-friendly. Meeting notes and agendas should not feel like dense, inaccessible documents – they should feel like tools that invite engagement. I would prioritize creating concise, well-organized summaries that highlight key decisions, ongoing initiatives, and ways for students to get involved. I’m also interested in exploring ways to centralize important information so that graduate students can more easily navigate resources, opportunities, and advocacy efforts. More broadly, I am passionate about fostering a sense of community among graduate students. While the Secretary role is not traditionally seen as outward-facing, I believe it can still contribute to community-building by ensuring that communication reflects the voices and experiences of students. This might look like incorporating student feedback into reports, highlighting different programs or student groups, or finding small ways to make Senate work feel more connected to everyday student life. Ultimately, I am running for this position because I care deeply about the kind of environment we are creating together. Graduate school is a formative and often challenging time, and I believe we all benefit when there is a strong, supportive, and communicative community around us. I would be honored to serve as Secretary and to contribute to building a Graduate Student Senate that is thoughtful, transparent, and genuinely responsive to the needs of its students.
Additional Info: I am running for e-council with Collin Coil, Kush Sharma, Avi Chawla, and Chhayank Srivastava!

 

Nominees for Communications Director:

Zahra Khadem
I am interested in serving as Communication Director for the Graduate Student Senate because I want to help make graduate student communication at UVM clearer, more useful, and more engaging. Graduate students are busy, and important information can easily get lost. I would like to help make sure students hear about opportunities, resources, and events in a way that is timely, clear, and easy to follow. As a PhD student at UVM and an international student, I understand how important good communication is for feeling connected and supported. I know that when information is organized and accessible, students are more likely to get involved and benefit from what the university offers. I believe I would bring strong writing skills, organization, and consistency to this role. In academic settings, I regularly communicate through reports, presentations, and professional emails, and I understand the importance of clear and respectful communication. If selected, I would focus on specific goals: improving the clarity of announcements, sharing more consistent updates about funding and campus resources, increasing engagement through better use of email and social media, and creating simple ways for students to share feedback with the Senate. I would also like to spotlight graduate student achievements and experiences to help build a stronger sense of community across departments. I am interested in this position because I want to contribute in a practical way and help improve the graduate student experience at UVM. I would be excited to support a Graduate Student Senate that is visible, approachable, and connected to the students it represents.

Aviral Chawla
For four years of my studies, my fellow grad students have been the best part of this experience. Burlington is not an easy place to settle into, and I am forever grateful for the people who made it feel like home. This community held me up. Running for Communications Director is how I want to hold it up in return. I bring real experience to this work. I trained at major marketing firms. I served as communications lead for all four years of undergrad, where I grew our college's social media presence fivefold. I have managed large platforms, written press releases, and learned that good communications starts with understanding your community and what they actually care about. GSS has done strong work keeping us connected. I want to build on that with three specific changes. First, I want to cut through the noise. Emails are cheap, and a hundred unreads prove it. I will make our communications shorter, sharper, and directly relevant. Every message will carry consistent subject line tags, so when you see "\[Free Food, Events\]" or "\[Funding, Deadline\]," you know in a glance whether it matters to your day. I will also build and maintain a shared GSS events calendar, so nothing falls through the cracks. Second, I want to make our Instagram a space that actually reflects this community. That means a regular schedule: student spotlights, resource highlights, and coverage of GSS events. This initiative will help us connect each other outside of our departments; and foster a shared identity. Third, I want to close the feedback loop. Right now, communication flows one direction. I plan to introduce a simple, recurring mechanism for grad students to tell GSS what they need to hear about, what they're missing, and what's not working. GSS represents you to the university administration, and I will make sure that everybody is heard in that call. I care about this community, and I want every one of us to feel connected to it. Let's make GSS something you actually want to hear from.

Election Results

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Voting will take place online from April 20 until April 22. Election results will be posted by the Chair of the Election Committee on the Graduate Student Senate website and will also be distributed by the Chair of the Election Committee to the graduate college list serve by the following week. 

Please reach out to gss@uvm.edu with any questions regarding the election process or procedures.

Call For Senators!

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Please use this form to nominate yourself to be a Graduate Student Senator in the 2026-2027 academic year.

If more than three individuals from your graduate program (either a Master's or PhD program) self-nominate, then your department will hold an election to determine the three representatives for that program.

Thank you!