The Executive Committee is currently comprised of the President, Vice President, Officers, and Committee Chairs. Please email gss1@utk.edu if you are interested in serving as an executive officer or committee chair.

• President – Iyanuoluwa Oyetunji – gss1@utk.edu

Iyanuoluwa Oyetunji, from Nigeria, is a 3rd year PhD student in the Department of Nutrition, and the president of the Graduate Student Senate. His research is focused on the relationships between dietary patterns/diet quality and risks of chronic diseases including obesity and colorectal cancer, and he currently works on projects funded by the National Institutes of Health.  

Previously, Iyanuoluwa served as a member of the Steering Committee to establish the Nigerian Student Association in UTK and later served as a member of the maiden Executive Committee of the association. Iyanuoluwa loves relationship building and he hopes to leverage the GSS’ relationship with university administrators to advocate for graduate student needs as he leads the senate this academic year. 

Outside of Knoxville, Iyanuoluwa is a fellow of the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) Student Think Tank (2024/25 cohort). This Think Tank consists of 6 students across the US working with the AJPH. At leisure, Iyanuoluwa likes to hike, travel, play board games, listen to and play music on his acoustic guitar, and hang out with family and friends. 

• Vice President – Shokoufeh Soleimani – gss2@utk.edu

Shokoufeh Soleimani is a second year PhD student studying Biomedical Engineering, from Iran. She is excited to serve as the GSS Vice President and enrich the campus community by connecting with others and fostering a spirit of collaboration. She is dedicated to creating a campus environment where every student feels valued, heard, and empowered to achieve their full potential, tackle the challenges ahead, and build a more inclusive, vibrant, and socially conscious community. 

Officers

• Senate Chair – Katrina Stack – gsschair@utk.edu

Katrina Stack is a fourth year PhD candidate in Geography. Her research focuses on the intersections of memory, historic preservation, and Black geographies, with a particular emphasis on the Civil Rights Movement and historic house museums. Katrina is the graduate research fellow for the Beauford Delaney Papers collection through UT Libraries.

This is Katrina’s second year with GSS. She has also served in leadership positions for her department’s graduate student organization, GeogGrads. She is excited to contribute to the positive impact of GSS this year as Senate Chair.

• Secretary – Rizwan Majeed – gss3@utk.edu 
• Treasurer – Coming Soon! – gsstreasurer@utk.edu
• Technology Officer – Ark Ifeanyi

Ark is an engineer passionate about applying artificial intelligence (AI) to solve complex problems in the energy sector. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Benin, Nigeria, where he contributed to research projects on renewable energy and power systems and supported the IEEE student body. He then pursued a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy Systems Technology from Loughborough University, UK, focusing on the development and implementation of sustainable energy systems. At Loughborough, he held leadership roles in student organizations like Engineers without Borders (EwB) and served as a Chevening Scholarship Ambassador.

Currently, he is enrolled at the University of Tennessee’s Bredesen Center, pursuing a PhD in Energy Science and Engineering with a minor in statistics. His research focuses on applying AI to the Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) of nuclear plants, specifically by developing machine learning algorithms to enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of nuclear energy production.

Ark is also interested in engineering management and entrepreneurship. Outside work, he enjoys wall climbing, playing soccer, and watching Vol Hoops.

• Communications Director – Valentina Gomez – gsspress@utk.edu

Originally from Santiago, Chile, Valentina is a second-year Master’s candidate in the College of Communications and Information’s Public Relations program. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a degree in Journalism and minors in Retail and Merchandising Management, as well as Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. During her time as an undergraduate student, Valentina gained valuable experience as a social media student assistant for the Center of Global Engagement and as a Marketing Intern for VolDining. Valentina serves as an International Scholar and Family Support Graduate Assistant for the International Student and Scholar Services department. In her free time, she enjoys baking, trying new restaurants with her friends, and napping with her dogs, Petunia and Cleo.

Committee Chairs

• Legislative Steering – Coming Soon!
• Equity and Diversity – Dimetri Brandon, Co-Chair

• Equity and Diversity – Samatanni Chowdhury, Co-Chair
• Travel Awards – Co-Chairs – Hannah Thompson, Kelsey O’Neill, Maddie Ross
• Programming Events – Coming Soon! – gssevents@utk.edu
• Institutional Advocacy and Advisory – Ed Chacon
• International Student Support – Coming Soon!
• Judiciary – Matthew Cooper

Matthew Cooper is a PhD student in his 4th year in the Political Science Department. His research focuses on public law, the death penalty, and separation of powers. His dissertation focuses on the complex interactions between federal agencies and the Office of the Solicitor General when it comes to government appeals to the Supreme Court.

Matthew has experience teaching, both as a teaching assistant and as a primary instructor for Introduction to American Government (POLS 101) and as a primary instructor for Judicial Process and Policymaking (POLS 341).

Matthew has been the Graduate Student Senate representative for the Political Science Graduate Student Organization since 2023.

Matthew completed his undergraduate studies, with honors, at the University of Tennessee in 2021.

 

Accomplishments from Previous Executive Committees