The Graduate and Professional Student Council welcomed new members and returning leadership to the group's new Executive Board during its meeting Wednesday night.
Crystal Brown, a second-year law school student, will don the hat of GPSC president. Brown said she will focus next year on the role of the organization as fully representing all graduate and professional students.
In her address to the council as one of three presidential candidates, Brown said she noticed graduate and professional students getting lost in University conversations, using the Campus Culture Initiative as an example. In response, Brown said she decided to serve as an advocate for her peers.
"I found myself acting in this role [as president] without even knowing it," she said.
Brown has been a GPSC representative for two years, and said she is aware of the issues and operations of GPSC and its constituents. She cited issues such as financial aid, Central Campus and international student experiences and noted the importance of continuing the endeavors of the previous Executive Board.
"The first thing on the agenda would be to take a look at GPSC internally," Brown said after her election.
She suggested the council introduce a discussion of students' concerns in general assembly meetings. She added that GPSC needs to balance the needs of both graduate and professional students.
"I'm going to school to be the best advocate that I can be for anyone. I don't take that job lightly," she said. "I'm so excited."
Betsy Holmberg, a graduate student in clinical psychology, ran unopposed for the position of vice president.
"Hi, everyone, I'm Betsy Holmberg, and I guess I'll be your new vice president," she said before the vote took place.
Christie Eyler, a third-year M.D./Ph.D. candidate in the molecular cancer biology program, also ran unopposed for the position of executive secretary.
David Kahler, a second-year civil and environmental engineering student, ran unopposed for a second year, re-assuming the role of treasurer.
Yvonne Ford, a first-year student in the nursing school, was elected attorney general. Cong Jin was also elected academic officer in an uncontested race, listing goals of providing more funding and advocating a mentor program for graduate students.
"[I want to] lobby for coverage of conferences during our Ph.D. period," she said, asking council members for input.
Alethea Duncan and Jessi Bardill, chemistry and English graduate students, respectively, ran as an unopposed slate to become the student life chairs.
"We're running together because we're always together," Duncan said. The two spoke in tandem about proposals for social and active events.
Claire Gordy, a third-year immunology student, was elected communications coordinator. She said she will use innovative forms of publicity-like giant sidewalk art-as well as traditional mediums.
Ali Saaem, a biomedical engineering student, and Elizabeth Rach, a third-year computation biology and bioinformatics student, were elected unopposed as community affairs coordinator and student group liaison, respectively.
In other business, Kahler presented the budget proposal for the next academic year, which GPSC approved.
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