Graduate Student Senate (GSS)
The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) is the official representative body for graduate students at Texas Christian University, providing professional and financial support as well as open forums for discussing issues, events, and other matters pertinent to graduate students. There is no membership fee. All graduate students are eligible and welcome to attend GSS events and run for GSS officer positions.
Contact GSS by emailing the executive board at gss@tcu.edu or by directly emailing a board member.
Message from the President
Annie H. Cowden, Graduate Student Senate President
Dear TCU Graduate students,
I am honored to serve as your 2023-2024 Graduate Student Senate President. The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) is committed to enhancing the experience of graduate students at TCU. Graduate students are a vital part of the TCU community and your voices matter. My goal is to ensure that the needs of graduate students are brought to the table and that GSS is part of decision making on campus. Further, it is the goal of GSS to support graduate students through programs that foster relationships with peers and faculty, grow intellectually, and prepare professionally for life beyond TCU. I encourage you to get involved in your departments, programs, and with the GSS.
TCU is on the rise and you are part of the incredible growth that has made TCU a world-class institution for 150 years. Thank you for entrusting me with the great responsibility of leading the TCU Graduate Student Senate through our sesquicentennial year.
Go Frogs and Lead On!
Annie H. Cowden
President, Graduate Student Senate (GSS)
Texas Christian University
Graduate students are invited to join us at our Graduate Student Senate meetings.
2023-2024 Graduate Student Senate Meetings
All meetings take place from 3:30-5pm CST in the BLUU Chambers (3rd floor) unless otherwise noted. Zoom participation is also available using the following meeting ID: 645 867 6157
August 31, 2023
September 21, 2023
October 19, 2023 (BLUU Auditorium, 1st Floor)
November 6, 2023 at 4-5:30pm
December 7, 2023
January 25, 2024
February 22, 2024
March 28, 2024
April 25, 2023 (Beck-Geren, BLUU 3rd Floor)
2023-2024 GSS Officers
President – Annie Cowden (Education)
Vice President for Logistics – Lucius Seger (History)
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Joshua Turpin (Biblical Studies)
Vice President for Student Experience – Erma Sinclair (Theological Studies)
Vice President for Student Engagement – Christelle Fayad (Science Education)
Vice President of Mental Health and Wellness – Lauren Latiolais (Social Work)
Vice President of Student Parents and Childcare – Mackenzie Preston (Social Work)
Vice President for Finance – Traci Grube-Gaurkee (History)
Historian – Codee Scott (History)
Platforms 2020-2021
Public Statement: BLM Statement (June 2020)
Platforms from 2019-2020
Child Care for Graduate Students: GSS Child Care Report
Survey on Graduate Needs: GSS Needs Assessment Report
Expansion of GSS with Senate Model: Senators and Officers
Platforms from 2016-2017
Rock the Vote
Spotlight on Graduate Student Experience: Graduate Student Dinner flyer
Third Annual Graduate Student Appreciation Week: GSAW Flyer
Platforms from 2015-2016
Health Insurance Proposal Committee Report: Proposal for Graduate Student Health Insurance
Campus Carry Opinion: GSS Campus Carry Opinion 2015-2016 Senate
Second Annual Graduate Student Appreciation Week: GSAW Flyer
Platforms from 2014-2015
Inaugural Graduate Student Appreciation Week: GSAW Flyer
2022-2023 GSS Officers
President – Leslie Ekpe (Education)
Vice President for Logistics – Jackson Pearson (History)
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Kelly Phommachanh (Education)
Vice President for Student Experience – Gabi Nunez (Education)
Vice President for Student Engagement – Annie Cowden (Education)
Vice President of Mental Health and Wellness – Nate Guyton (Counseling)
Vice President for Finance – Zhan Shi (Education)
Historian – Nataly Dickson (English)
2021-2022 GSS Officers
President – Leslie Ekpe (Education)
Vice President for Logistics – Jackson Pearson (History)
Vice President for Student Engagement – Molly Little (Communications)
Vice President for Finance – Musanna Galib (Business)
Historian – puck glass (Brite)
2019-2020 GSS Officers
President – Tim Ballingall (English)
Vice President for Logistics – Katie Tran (Business) & Isuru Perera (Liberal Arts)
Vice President for Student Engagement – Kelcia Righton (Women & Gender Studies)
Vice President for Finance – Amy Ray (Physics)
Historian – Courtney Kimmel (History)
2018-19 GSS Officers
President – Nathan Brasher (Business)
Vice President for Logistics – Pavle Mamul (Business)
Vice President for Student Engagement – Dana Shaaban (English)
Vice President for Finance – Alok Bhargava (Business)
Historian – Jongkeyong Kim (English)
2017-18 GSS Officers
President – Elizabeth Hood (Business)
Vice President for Logistics – Sara Kelms (English)
Vice President for Student Engagement – Whitney James (English)
Vice President for Finance – Jon Gulbransen (Business)
Historian – Annette Wren (English)
2016-17 GSS Officers
President – Dan Kamin (Business)
Vice President for Logistics – Blake Hill (History)
Vice President for Student Engagement – Ashley Hughes (English)
Vice President for Finance – Sharif Islam (Mathematics)
Historian – Amanda Milian (History)
2015-16 GSS Officers
President – Jackie Hoermann (English)
Vice President – Jay Jay Stroup (English)
Treasurer – Guillermo Patino (Business) / Matt Brown (Business)
Secretary – Meta Henty (English)
2014-15 GSS Officers
President – Jay Jay Stroup (English)
Vice President – Amanda Barnett (English)
Treasurer – Kyralyssa Hauger (Chemistry)
Secretary – Nelli Bodiford (Chemistry)
2013-14 GSS Officers
President – Chris Williams (Business)
Vice President – Christine Dallao (Business)
Treasurer – Mirza Hasan (Chemistry)
Secretary – Nelli Bodiford (Chemistry)
2012-13 GSS Officers
President – Kaitlin Phillips (Communication Studies)
Cayce Jones (Communication Studies)
Nishant Maller (Business)
Marielle Kahn Weintraub (Psychology)
2011-12 GSS Officers
Matthew Acuff (Business)
Miriam Villanueva (History)
Jordan Ditty (Business)
Marjorie Buckner (Communication Studies)
2010-11 GSS Officers
Keith Altavilla (History)
Megan Smith Gratch (Art History)
Emilee Taylor (English)
Nicole Green (English)