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GSS Election 2025-2026

GSS Election Applications 2026-2027 The Graduate Student Senate’s annual election of officers (President and Vice President) will be held online from March 25, 2026, through April 1, 2026. This is an open call for candidates. These elected officers will serve a one-year term, June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027. The transfer of power will occur at the May senate session on May 5, 2026. The duties of both the President and Vice President are outlined in the GSS Bylaws (Article III). 

Candidate Eligibility 

  • Must be currently enrolled in at least one credit hour and maintain good academic standing in the Graduate School, College of Veterinary Medicine, or College of Law; candidates from all disciplines and programs are encouraged to apply! 
  • Must be enrolled as a full-time graduate or professional student on campus for at least two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) following the elections, with the flexibility to attend regularly scheduled meetings in the role of GSS President or Vice President. 
  • Committed to working diligently, advocating on behalf of all graduate and professional students, and serving as official representatives of the Graduate Student Senate. 
  • Motivated, inspirational, and eager to collaborate with campus stakeholders to advance the mission of the Graduate Student Senate. 
  • Former collegiate/professional leadership experience and/or involvement with GSS is highly preferred. 

Leadership Award 

The role of an elected officer offers a unique perspective on the intricate network of individuals and offices across campus and provides opportunities to meet and collaborate closely with key administrators. It also presents significant networking and professional development opportunities inherent to the position. All GSS leadership members are expected to represent and advocate for all constituents and entities they serve, including our students, The Graduate School, and the UT community, with professionalism and integrity. While these positions require a considerable time commitment, representing our graduate and professional student body is a great honor and allows for meaningful impact on our campus community. In recognition of this service, officers will receive a GSS Leadership Award of $3,000 for the President and $2,000 for the Vice President, with half of the award paid at the end of each fall and spring semester.  

Candidate Application/Letter of Intent 

If you are interested in running for the office of GSS President or Vice President, please submit the following information using the application below: 

  • Full Name 
  • Contact Information 
  • NetID 
  • Department 
  • Expected Graduation Date 
  • Program Type 
  • Position for which you would like to run (either President or Vice President) 
  • Copy of your resume or CV, including your leadership experience and campus involvement (including GSS service) 
  • A short statement of intent to be shared publicly (i.e., explain to the graduate and professional student body why you would like to be elected and your vision for GSS in 250 words or fewer)
  • Professional headshot (shared on website and formal announcement of candidates) 
  • Contact information for three professional references.

 

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION 

 

The deadline for submitting your application is Friday, 20 March 2026, at midnight. Submissions that do not meet the deadline and/or the criteria listed above will not be reviewed. 

After submission review, final candidates will be notified on March 23, marking the start of the campaign week.  

Final candidates are expected to attend the March 24 senate session and provide a short elevator pitch about their background, experience, and vision for GSS.  

Voting will be announced to the graduate and professional student body. Voting will take place online from March 25 until April 1. The formal announcement of the election results will be made by April 7. 

Following the announcement of election results, the President-elect and Vice President-elect will be expected to begin onboarding and attend all Senate meetings/formal sessions. This is intended to provide a smooth transition and foundation for the incoming leadership team.  

The transfer of power and swearing-in ceremony will take place during the last GSS meeting of the year, on May 5 at 5:30 pm in SU 169. After the transition of power, the President and Vice President will be expected to remain available over the summer to cultivate their leadership team and policy agenda. 

Please reach out to gss@utk.edu AND hhammoc1@utk.edu with any questions regarding the election process or leadership roles within GSS.  

Election dates and the candidate application procedures and deadlines were updated on Monday, March 23, 2026.