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Executive Committee

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

 

LEADERSHIP TEAM

President – Taylor Weber – [email protected]

Taylor Weber is a Ph.D. student in Theory and Practice in Teacher Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She serves as President of the Graduate Student Senate and previously served as Communications Director and a Senator for her department. With several years of experience as a public school teacher and English Language Arts Department Chair in Tennessee, Taylor brings a strong background in education, leadership, and student advocacy to her work with graduate students. At the University of Tennessee, she serves as a Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, mentoring preservice teachers and contributing to research focused on elementary education. Her commitment to graduate education and excellence in teaching was recognized with the 2025 Graduate Student Senate Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching. Taylor is dedicated to strengthening communication, increasing awareness of graduate student resources, and fostering a more connected and engaged graduate student community.

Vice President – Jeandré Joubert – [email protected]

Jeandré Joubert is a graduate student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, pursuing a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management. He serves as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Office of Title IX in the Division of Campus Compliance Services, supporting community outreach, prevention, research, and compliance initiatives. Jeandré is also a Health Executive Administrative Intern with Covenant Health Methodist Medical Center Oak Ridge, gaining hands-on experience in hospital operations, strategic planning, and capital initiatives. He serves as Vice President of the Graduate Student Senate and previously served as the Graduate Student Senate Secretary.  He strives to advocate for graduate and professional students and promote meaningful campus engagement. Jeandré is passionate about healthcare leadership, student advocacy, and service, with the long-term goal of pursuing a career in hospital administration.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

 

 

Accomplishments from Previous Executive Committees

Check out the accomplishments document for this year!

Executive Committee Members
  • President – Iyanuoluwa Oyetunji
  • Vice President – Shokoufeh Soleimani
Officers
  • Secretary – Rizwan Majeed
  • Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair – Abdulrasheed Sado
  • Senate Chair – Katrina Stack
  • Technology Director – Ark Ifeanyi
  • Communications Director – Valentina Gómez and Tia Nickens
Committee Chairs
  • Legislative Steering – Burke Codemo
  • Access and Engagement – Dimetri Brandon and Shamatanni Chowdhury
  • Travel Awards – Hannah Thompson, Kelsey O’Neill, Maddie Ross, Christian Kemefa
  • Programming Events – Alexis Lamb
  • Institutional Advocacy and Advisory – Ed Chacon
  • International Student Support – David Achodo
  • Judiciary – Matthew Cooper

Check out the annual report published by GSS 2023-24 Leadership.

Executive Committee Members
  • President – Katherine Trubee
  • Vice President – Hannah Thompson
Officers
  • Secretary – Dale TeGantvoort and Iyanuoluwa Oyetunji
  • Treasurer – Anirban Roy
  • Senate Chair – Samuel Affar
  • Technology Director – Jessica Barfield
  • Communications Director – Valentina Gómez
Committee Chairs
  • Legislative Steering – Jeronimo Silva
  • Access and Engagement – Adaora Ede
  • Travel Awards – Hannah Thompson, Kelsey O’Neill, Maddie Ross
  • Programming Events – Anika Sarkar
  • Institutional Advocacy and Advisory – Taylor Baird
  • International Student Support – Samuel Affar and Aritra Moulick
  • Judiciary – Aritra Moulick

  • Passed two resolutions and two proclamations
    • A Resolution Addressing the Need for Increases in Graduate Stipends and the Establishment of Cost of Living Adjustments
    • A Resolution Advocating for Increased Transparency and Communication Regarding Current and Future New Construction on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Campus
  • Disbursed over $400,000 to 871 graduate and professional students (13% of the population) through the travel awards and academic support award programs
  • Strengthened shared governance with SGA and Faculty Senate
  • Hosted a joint Town Hall with SGA and campus administration
  • Hosted or participated in many social events 
    • Welcome Back Mixer
    • 5 homecoming events
    • 2 senator socials
    • Grad Student Night at the Ice Bears with Wiener Dog Races
    • GSS Awards Banquet
    • Grad Student Night at Vol Baseball during GPSAW
    • Gather in the Gardens during GPSAW
    • T-shirt Tie Dye in the Pride Center
  • Participated in the University Task Force on Graduate Housing
  • Collaborated with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and the International House (iHouse)
  • Created an ad-hoc committee on International Student Support
  • Moved into a new office space in the Student Union (174A)
  • Hosted 10 senate sessions

 

Executive Committee Members
  • President – George T. Fields
  • Vice President – Leighton Chappell
Officers
  • Secretary – Karen Norwood
  • Treasurer – Anirban Roy
  • Senate Chair – Zane Smith
  • Technology Officer – Katherine Trubee
  • Communications Director – Zaina Shams
Committee Chairs
  • Legislative Steering – Hannah Thompson
  • Access and Engagement – Adaora Ede
  • Travel Awards – Kassie Hollabaugh
  • Programming Events – Austin Conte
  • Institutional Advocacy – Tabatha Rainwater
  • Graduate Student Senate Advisory – Breanna Schaeffer

  • Passed two resolutions
  • Made significant constitution and bylaw changes
  • Hosted GSS Awards Reception
  • Hosted GSS 5K and donated proceeds to the Big Orange Pantry
  • Hosted a town hall
  • Hosted and supported many social events 
  • Lobbied for an increase in stipends and a decrease in fees
  • Disbursed over $350,000 to graduate and professional students through the travel awards and academic support award programs
  • Hosted 10 senate sessions

 

Executive Committee Members
  • President – Hunter Hammock
  • Vice President – Mohamed Al Sager
Officers
  • Secretary – Kat Capstick
  • Treasurer – Davis Carter
  • Senate Chair – George T. Fields
  • Technology Officer – Samaneh Morovati
Committee Chairs
  • Equity and Diversity – Lufuno Phophi
  • Legislative Steering – Igor Bernardi
  • Travel Awards – Kassie Hollabaugh
  • Graduate Student Well-Being – Brigid Ogden
  • Graduate Student Senate Advisory – BJ Armstead
  • Programming and Events – Leighton Chappell
  • Finance and Annual Fundraiser – Davis Carter