Graduate Student Association

About the Graduate Student Association

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is both the governing body and planning board primarily for graduate students enrolled in face-to-face quarter programs, in addition to the recognized graduate student organizations registered with Campus Engagement within Student Life. The GSA also advocates for and serves all graduate students across the University, including online and semester programs, collaborating with the Graduate College and campus partners to enhance the graduate student experience.

The Executive Board Members of the GSA are nominated and elected by graduate students annually in the spring and serve from July 1 - June 30 (fiscal year). In collaboration with the Graduate College, Campus Engagement within Student Life, and various academic and student services units, the GSA and recognized graduate student organizations host hundreds of programs and events to meet the many interests of the graduate student population at Drexel and bring together students, postdocs, alumni, faculty and professional staff across academic disciplines and organizations. From research symposiums, academic panels, interdisciplinary workshops, and writing boot camps, to ski trips, white water rafting, intramural sports and happy hours, there is something for everyone in our vibrant Drexel graduate student community.

Executive Board Members of the GSA 2023-2024

For general inquiries, please contact the GSA E-Board at dsogsa@drexel.edu.

Goals

Serve as a liaison between the graduate student community, Student Life, the Graduate College and University leadership.
Outreach to the graduate student community to better understand their needs and advocate for them.
Integrate a medium of communications to encourage graduate students to express their concerns, opinions, and suggestions in an accessible way.
Increase engagement within the graduate student community and build connectedness through communications (newsletters, social media) and events (face-to-face and online), including personal, professional, academic, cultural, and social.
Collaborate with the IGSA, USGA, and other student organizations to enhance student life at Drexel.
Expand the GSA by getting more graduate students actively involved in committees/senate.
Create a culture of service and give back to the greater Philadelphia community.
Ensure justice, diversity, equity and inclusion in all GSA events, activities and business.

Role	Name, Program & Bio	Photo
President Provides leadership and oversees the goals, operations and activities of the GSA and Executive Board (E-Board). Advocates for the needs of graduate students across campus. Acts as spokesperson for GSA at all meetings and events unless otherwise delegated, including Student Life Faculty Senate, Student Life Board of Trustees, Graduate College, Enrollment Management and Student Success, etc.	*Vacant*
Vice President of Operations Maintains and tracks inventory owned and operated by the GSA, including the GSA office and supplies. Assists President in managing overall function of the E-Board. Prepares E-Board meeting agendas, noting action items. Assists with GSA communications. Ensures staffing coverage at events and roles and responsibilities of E-Board members.	Ash Karale PhD Program in Physics College of Arts and Sciences As the Vice President of Operations, Ash blends his proficiency in astrophysics with a genuine passion for fostering a vibrant community. With a long-standing curiosity for the mysteries of outer space, he brings a unique perspective to the role. Goal-oriented and highly organized, he flourishes in challenging environments. A firm believer in the value of communication and collaboration, Ash seeks to enrich the graduate student community by fostering interdisciplinary connections and advocating for student needs. He is always open to new opportunities to learn and contribute.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Oversee the planning and execution of academic events and opportunities, including Scholars Share, Drexel Emerging Graduate Scholars (DEGS) Conference, professional and career development, acts as the GSA rep for oversight and review of travel and health insurance deductible subsidy awards, and advocates for the graduate student body in review of academic policies and procedures in partnership with the Graduate College.	Manish Bhatia Master's Program in Business Analytics LeBow College of Business
Vice President of Student Life Oversees planning and execution of social, cultural, and inclusive community-building events and activities for graduate students across campus and online, including service projects. Responsible for submitting event form and all pertinent details in DragonLink. Works with other VPs on event budget, details, and communications and marketing events to all graduate students.	Mounika Thatipamula Master's Program in Business Analytics LeBow College of Business
Vice President of Finance Oversees all financial transactions, including the annual budget allocation process to fund all GSA and sponsored organizations, manages budgets and quotes submitted for purchases and events, point person for all sponsored org treasurers, manages the U-Store for student purchases (tickets, items, etc.)	Nupur U. Agrawal Master's Program in Accounting LeBow College of Business
Vice President of Communications & Marketing Responsible for all GSA communications, including listserv emails, newsletters, marketing events and opportunities for graduate students across campus and online, oversees GSA social media accounts. Designs graphics for emails, social media, flyers, branding for merchandising.	Anil Kumar Karapa Master's Program in Cybersecurity College of Computing and Informatics
Vice President of Student Governance Leads the recognition and re-recognition process for sub-orgs. Services as point of contact for sub-org student leaders in regards to the recognition process, DragonLink, space improvement grant, The Good Ideas Fund (TGIF), etc.	Jilu James Master's Program in Information Systems College of Computing and Informatics
Academic Chair Works closely with the VP for Academic Affairs in planning and execution of academic programs and events. Serves as Chair of the GSA Academic Affairs Committee (AAC), planning meetings, agendas, managing oversight of committee subcommittees, chairs, membership, and activities (Teams site), and liaises between the AAC, E-Board, Graduate College, and Student Life.	Abhijnan Prakash Lnu Master's Program in Electrical Engineering College of Engineering
Communications & Marketing Co-Chair Works closely with the VP for Communications & Marketing for all GSA communications, including listserv emails, newsletters, marketing events and opportunities for graduate students across campus and online, and assists to oversee GSA social media accounts.	Ritika Gabhe Master's Program in Accounting LeBow College of Business
Communications & Marketing Co-Chair Works closely with the VP for Communications & Marketing for all GSA communications, including listserv emails, newsletters, marketing events and opportunities for graduate students across campus and online, and assists to oversee GSA social media accounts.	Sanjoli Sogani Master's Program in Data Science College of Computing and Informatics
Finance Co-Chair Works closely with the VP for Finance on all financial transactions, including the annual budget allocation process to fund all GSA and sponsored organizations.	Anirudh Shivaram Master's Program in Business Analytics LeBow College of Business
Finance Co-Chair Works closely with the VP for Finance on all financial transactions, including the annual budget allocation process to fund all GSA and sponsored organizations.	Harshit Rai Master's Program in Computer Engineering College of Engineering
Student Governance Finance Co-Chair Works in tandem with the VP for Student Governance to approve applications for space improvement grant, TGIF, set up U-Store links for sub-orgs, etc.	Darshit Rai Master's Program in Data Science College of Computing and Informatics
Student Governance Finance Co-Chair Works in tandem with the VP for Student Governance to approve applications for space improvement grant, TGIF, set up U-Store links for sub-orgs, etc.	Titu Thomas Master's Program in Engineering Management College of Engineering
Student Life Co-Chair Works in tandem with the VP for Student Life to approve applications for space improvement grant, TGIF, set up U-Store links for sub-orgs, etc.	Georgina George Master's Program in Information Systems College of Computing and Informatics
Student Life Co-Chair Works in tandem with the VP for Student Life to approve applications for space improvement grant, TGIF, set up U-Store links for sub-orgs, etc.	Prayuja S. Teli Master's Program in Computer Science College of Computing and Informatics
Alumni Board Member	Cimi Patani MS '24 in Electrical Engineering College of Engineering

More Information

For a list of recognized graduate student organizations, click here.

For information about the International Graduate Student Association (IGSA), visit the International Students page.

For information about the College of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies Graduate Student Associations, visit their website.

For a complete list of Drexel's student organizations, visit DragonLink.

For questions or more information about student organizations, visit the Student Life website or contact Student Life.

Cimi Patani

Master's Program in Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering

"Hey there, my fellow Dragons! Thanks to our fantastic events, I've always thought of the Graduate Student Association as a treasure chest full of new friends. We're all more than faces in a crowd, and I love discovering the unique, 'movie-worthy' stories each of you carries. You'll often find me embarking on spirited adventures down the rabbit holes of the vast Internet, discovering intriguing tidbits and exploring the expansive universe of knowledge. With my natural organizing skills and strategic mindset, a busy to-do list is my idea for a great day. I am thrilled to meet, listen, learn, and contribute to our amazing GSA community. By the way, have you ever wondered how dragons blow out candles!?"