Graduate School Government | 2024-2025 Candidates
Simara Vines (President)
Malaki Fleming is Running Mate
Hello zips! I'm Simara Vines, and I'm a first-year student pursuing a master's degree in national security. I recently completed three semesters to earn my bachelor's degree in political science. I was an Associate Justice in the Undergraduate Student Government throughout my time as a student. I planned a campus-wide holiday celebration and coordinated donations to the ACCESS Women's Shelter. In addition, I participated with numerous campus organizations and was a member of the Spanish juvenile teaching assistant committee, the Honors Civics Club President, the Honors and BCAS Dean's Team, the Pre-Law Society, and the Office of Multicultural Development. My college background gave me a lot of leadership experience, which is why I'm excited to run for GSG President. For the 2024–2025 academic year, I would like to see more student-supportive programming at UA, as well as platforms for student advocacy, professional, academic, and social opportunities, and post–graduate opportunities that will allow students to broaden their experiences and connect them with their future career paths. Being a part of GSG would provide me with the opportunity to pursue my goals of being a student leader and peer advocate. I believe that my ability to lead, be creative, and be organized would make me a valuable member of GSG. I oversaw and organized all of the meetings for the Honors Civics Club while I served as president. I could handle everything, including communication, graphics, and supply gathering.
Malaki Fleming (Vice President)
Simara Vines is Running Mate
Hello Zips! My name is Malaki Fleming, and I am excited to be running for Vice President of GSG. I will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Educational Administration & Leadership to strengthen my passion of being an educator. Throughout my undergraduate years, I have actively participated in numerous campus organizations and groups. I've served as both an Associate Justice and Chief Justice for the Judicial Branch of the Undergraduate Student Government, acted as a peer mentor and student representative for the School of Education, and worked as an undergraduate fellow for the H.K. Barker Center of Economic Education, assumed the role of Director of Programming for the Honors Civic Club, served as a member of the Akron Council of Education Students, and participated in various University Council Committees. In this future capacity, I aspire to continue advocating for the UA student body. My focus will be on identifying and addressing the challenges and barriers that graduate students encounter in their pursuit of further education. Graduate Student Government possesses massive potential to engage with graduate students and enhance their educational experiences. Throughout the past academic year, I have witnessed the significant impact that GSG can make when it harnesses its full resources and begins to address the challenges encountered by graduate students. I would like to build on this momentum and push our efforts forward, building upon the foundation laid this year. My greatest strengths lie in my leadership abilities and my capacity to listen. In a leadership role, it's imperative to lead with the best intentions and a mindset focused on addressing the needs of those who entrusted you with their support. I firmly believe that my success in previous roles stems from my awareness of both my strengths and weaknesses, and my willingness to listen to others. I value the perspectives and advice of those around me, understanding that collaboration and open communication are essential components of effective leadership
Megan Frey (President)
Running Mate is Nicole Baker
I am a third-year graduate student at the University of Akron studying Industrial-Organizational Psychology. During my time in this program, I have acquired extensive knowledge in organizational training and selection, team building, interpersonal relations, organizational culture and development, workplace leadership, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. I am an active member of the UA community, with involvement as Treasurer of GSG (2023-2024) and as an executive leader in graduate student organizations, IOGSC and IOGAEC. Additionally, I am a founding member of IOGAEC, where we aim to further bolster the relationship between our current students and alumni. While I currently serve as the Treasurer of GSG, my plans to further support graduate students does not stop there. I want to continue the hard work my predecessors have put in and continue advocating for the graduate student population. By remaining a core member of GSG, I plan to build upon the current infrastructure and bring my knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm to serve the dedicated graduate students of UA. I am motivated and enthusiastic to help out wherever I can. I am committed to helping graduate students and believe that I could do well in a leadership role in GSG. When I am a part of a team, my team members can depend and rely on me. My current studies in industrial-organizational psychology cover a lot of organizational processes and topics that are highly relevant for working with GSG and the graduate student population.
Nicole Baker (Vice President)
Running Mate is Megan Frey
I’m a third-year student in the M.A/Ph.D. Industrial-Organizational Psychology program with a passion for improving organizations from the bottom up. I believe that for a program and organization to run efficiently, care should be put into the people that make up the program. I have served as Secretary and Vice-President of two student organizations on campus, IOGSC and IOGAEC, respectively. I have been at the forefront of rebuilding the culture within my department and want to execute these efforts at a broader level for graduate students on campus. In previous years I have seen how much effort has gone into supporting graduate students and I want to be a part of this effort. I believe that having a new person enter the Graduate Student Government would bring novel ideas to expand and bolster the organization. I am gaining a high-level understanding of the research and theory that goes into organizations through my graduate studies here at Akron. With this knowledge, I plan to help lead the Graduate Student Government with strategies that are backed by science. I’m passionate about creating a space where individuals feel welcome and igniting the passion in other graduate students to best serve our community.
Deja Gresham (Senator for the College of Business)
I am a first-year graduate student pursuing a major in Business Information Systems focusing on Business Analytics. During my junior year, I served on the academic board, where I honed my leadership and teamwork skills. My passion lies in leveraging data to drive informed decisions, a commitment I intend to bring to our graduate community. As an advocate for collaborative problem-solving, my experiences and dedication make me a fitting candidate for this position. I'm eager to contribute to our collective growth and success. I am deeply committed to enhancing the graduate student experience and advocating for our collective needs and interests. As a member of the academic board during my undergraduate years, I witnessed the power of student representation in effecting positive change within our community. Now, as a graduate student, I recognize the unique challenges and opportunities that we face, and I am eager to contribute my skills and perspectives to address them effectively. Serving will allow me to actively engage with fellow students, amplify their voices, and work collaboratively to implement initiatives that promote academic success, personal development, and overall well-being within our community. One quality that I could bring to the Graduate Student Government is my strong analytical and problem-solving skills. This skill set would be invaluable in assessing our graduate student body's diverse needs and concerns and devising strategic plans to address them. I am proficient in data-driven decision-making, which can help inform evidence-based policies and initiatives within the government.
Prathiksha Madi Shetty Naidu (Senator for the College of Business)
I'm Prathiksha Madishetty Naidu, currently pursuing a Master's in Business Analytics. As an international student, I understand the unique challenges we face and am passionate about enhancing the graduate student experience. I am actively involved in organizations like WIB, ZAB, and the GSG Taskforce, and at the Institute of Global Business within the College of Business, I offer a varied viewpoint to our graduate community. If given the opportunity, I hope to use my academic interests and involvement in events to positively impact the role and work toward creating a more welcoming and encouraging atmosphere for all graduate students at the University of Akron. I have a strong commitment to improving the graduate student experience as a whole because I have been involved in a few campus activities and represent fellow graduate students, making sure that their needs and concerns are heard and met. I am committed to helping develop initiatives that will improve the graduate student experience, and I am also looking forward to networking with peers as a member of the GSG in order to work together to achieve shared objectives and to develop my leadership abilities even more by actively participating in the Graduate Student Government's decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic planning processes. One important skill I can provide the Graduate Student Government is my ability to encourage cooperation and create understanding between different groups. Throughout my academic career and extracurricular activities, I have continuously shown that I am committed to fostering inclusive environments that respect and take into account the viewpoints of all people, and I have quite some experience in managing teams. Lastly, my involvement in organizations, groups, and academics has all helped me develop strong communication abilities.
Tausif Utchhash (Senator for the College of Business)
Hello, fellow graduate students! My name is Tausif Utchhash, and I'm a Master's student at the University of Akron, majoring in Business Analytics-Information Systems Management. Currently, I serve as the Senator at Large of the Graduate Student Government, where I advocate for your needs and concerns. Additionally, I chair the GSG Student Engagement and Success Taskforce, striving to enhance our academic and social experiences. As the GSG representative at the University Council Committee and the Campus Wellness Committee, I actively participate in meetings and discussions that benefit our community. With a deep commitment to serving our diverse graduate student body and a track record of leadership and engagement, I am dedicated to representing your voices effectively. I humbly ask for your support in electing me as the senator for the College of Business. Together, let's create a thriving environment for academic excellence and personal growth. I am deeply committed to advocating for the needs and interests of my fellow graduate students, and I see the Graduate Student Government (GSG) as an ideal platform to effect positive change. By being a part of GSG, I can actively contribute to shaping policies and initiatives that enhance the academic, social, and professional experiences of graduate students at our university. I am passionate about fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every graduate student can thrive, and serving in GSG allows me to directly engage with issues that matter most to our community. Moreover, I believe in the power of collective action and collaboration, and by working together within GSG, we can amplify our voices and make meaningful impacts that benefit all graduate students. One quality or strength that I bring to the Graduate Student Government (GSG) is my strong dedication to fostering collaboration and inclusivity. I firmly believe that diverse perspectives and voices are essential for effective governance and decision-making. With my background in leadership roles within the university community and my ability to facilitate open dialogue and teamwork, I am confident in my capacity to bridge gaps and build consensus among fellow graduate students. Additionally, my commitment to actively listening to the concerns and suggestions of my peers ensures that I can accurately represent our collective interests within GSG. By promoting a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, I aim to create a more vibrant and responsive environment within GSG that truly serves the needs of all graduate students.
Myles Walker (Senator for the College of Business)
(no biography submitted)
Jessica Sparks (Senator for the College of Health and Human Science)
My name is Jessica Sparks and I am finishing up the last semester of my first year of graduate school. I am in the nurse anesthesia program, which is a 3 year doctorate degree. I was elected as the student representative for my cohort, as well as the DNP committee student representative. I believe these positions show leadership qualities, and prove that I would make a great candidate for GSG senator. I am interested in GSG because I am interested in policy and change, as well as being a voice for people I represent. I plan to participate in policy within my field of study upon commencement, and feel that GSG is a great way to be involved before then. I believe the College of Health and Human Sciences makes up a huge majority of our campus, and I have a great working relationship with the Dean of the School of Nursing. Additionally, I received my undergraduate degree within this college in 2018 and feel I can be a voice for those within the college.
Asal Yousefisiavoshani (Senator for the College of Engineering and Polymer Sciences)
I, Asal, am a 3rd year Ph.D. student at the department of polymer science conducting research on fracture mechanics of glassy polymers. I am currently a member of polymer student organization (PSO) serving as event coordinator. I was also a member of Diamond Graduate Women’s Leadership Xperience last semester. I believe my experience in PSO and Women’s Leadership Xperience prepared me to help graduate students in UA and support them by being demanding and having good communication with different authorities within UA including Deans of colleges and schools, UA President and Provost, etc. As a female international graduate student, I am pretty aware of the challenges of a graduate student life, and I believe there are areas that we can improve in UA and support our graduate student to facilitate challenges for them. I think there is a disconnection between graduate students, GSG, faculty, deans, and our executives; e.g. many graduate students do not know what GSG can do and even some do not even know if there is any GSG. Therefore, improving communication is a certain thing I will be working on to improve