Candidates for GPSC President:

Jaquelyn Francisco

Candidate Statement:

As a first-generation law student, student-parent, and Navajo/Jicarilla Apache woman, I am running for GPSC President because I understand the realities that graduate and professional students face—and I have the leadership experience and deep commitment to advocate effectively on their behalf.

I serve as President of the Native & Indigenous Law Students Association (NILSA), one of Arizona Law’s most active and engaged student organizations. In this role, I have coordinated national conference trips, secured funding for underrepresented students, organized cultural and professional development events, and mentored peers across all cohorts. I lead with a hands-on, community-centered approach, making space for others while pushing our collective goals forward. First-year law students have described my leadership as “transformative,” “limitless in energy,” and “grounded in empathy.” I take pride in leading with urgency, kindness, and purpose. I was honored as 2L of the Year by the National Native American Law Students Association. My professional background includes five years as a bilingual immigration paralegal, preparing over 50 legal briefs for asylum-seekers and supporting families navigating some of the most stressful legal systems imaginable. Those experiences gave me the tools to advocate with clarity, compassion, and grit.

If elected, one of my many focuses will be to continue to advance diversity and inclusion by supporting affinity groups, culturally rooted programming, and equitable student leadership across colleges. GPSC must be more than a student body; it must be a platform for justice, transparency, and action. We need to challenge any university decision-making that excludes student voices. I am not afraid to hold leadership accountable when needed. As someone who has recently been in spaces where microphones were taken and student concerns were ignored, I understand the frustration—and the power—of speaking up anyway. 

Students deserve principled, collaborative, relentless leadership that pursues equity and dignity. I am not running to be a symbolic leader. I am running to get things done for those who have been overlooked and those still finding their voice. 

I am ready to unite people across disciplines, identities, and lived experiences. Together, we can build a student government that reflects our collective strength and ensures that graduate and professional students are seen, heard, and respected at every level of the University of Arizona. I will not stand down or be silenced even when a microphone is taken away.

Best, Jacquelyn “Jacqe” Francisco

Mourad Abdennebi

Candidate Statement:

My name is Mourad Abdennebi, and I am a fourth year Ph.D. candidate in the Second Language Acquisition and Teaching Program at the University of Arizona. I am running for President of the Graduate Professional Student Council (GPSC) because I am committed to advocating for graduate students and ensuring we have the resources and support needed to succeed.

As a first-generation, international graduate student, I’ve faced many challenges—navigating financial constraints, visa demands, securing funding, and balancing the pressures of rigorous academic work and personal life. These experiences have driven me to take on leadership roles where I can make a tangible difference. I’ve served as a volunteer and development consultant for CorpsAfrica, leading sustainable development initiatives. I’ve also held leadership positions at the American Language Center, the World Leadership School, and served as Vice President of the Graduate Society of Applied Linguistics (GSAL) at Texas Tech University. Recently, I served as Social Chair for SLATSA, organizing events that fostered community among Ph.D. students and participated in outreach initiatives in Tucson with the University Fellowship and the Outreach Scholars Programs.

One of my recent impactful experiences was speaking at the UN General Assembly on development issues and youth leadership. These experiences reinforced my commitment to advocating for positive change and strengthened my belief that leadership at every level, including graduate students, can drive meaningful progress. 

With these experiences, I am ready to lead GPSC and focus on actionable changes for graduate students. Here are my 6 key action plans:

1.  Increased Financial Support: Advocate for 10-15% stipend increases for GTAs and RAs, and secure summer funding for 30% more graduate students to support year-round academic work.
2.  Affordable Healthcare: Push for comprehensive healthcare plans that include dental, vision, and dependent care coverage, and work to reduce premiums by 5-10%. 
3.  Expanded Research & Travel Grants: Increase Travel Grants by 25% and Research Grants by 30% to ensure students can attend conferences and advance their academic projects. 
4. Career Support & Job Readiness: Expand Professional Opportunities Development Grants by 40% for workshops, internships, and career development, and organize bi-annual graduate student career fairs. 
5.  Increased Basic Needs Support: Expand Basic Needs Micro-Grants by 50% and collaborate with Tucson Food Banks to double donations and create dedicated food distribution days for graduate students. 
6.  Stronger Student Advocacy: Advocate for greater transparency in university decisions and push for more graduate student representation in leadership.

 I’m committed to leading with passion and assure that graduate students have the support we deserve. Together, we can build a GPSC that addresses our needs and shapes a better future for all. Your vote is an investment in our collective success—let’s make it happen!

Candidates for GPSC Administrative Vice President (AVP)

Naama Levy

Candidate Statement:

Academic institutions rely on the cheap labor of graduate researchers and instructors; without them the entire university would crumble. Despite their important contributions, graduate students are grossly underpaid, exploited at every opportunity, and do not even have the protection of a formal work contract with their employer. The financial mismanagement at the university exacerbated these problems as we saw resources disappear and class sizes expand. There is a substantial need for advocacy for fair wages, workers’ rights, and transparency around budgets and communication. 

Our university is falling short and failing to recognize student concerns on multiple fronts. The suppression of freedom of speech, attacks on DEI, and deportation threats of international students have had a chilling effect on our community, and we demand that the administration push back against these anti-democratic trends. Students deserve to feel safe from intimidation and be offered a seat at the table any time policy, funding changes, or any issues that impact them are discussed. We need to create opportunities for students to build community and cultivate care. I will fight for effective avenues for students to express their needs and be heard because I believe in our collective power to speak up, support one another, and push for equitable practices in our organization. 

BIOGRAPHY:

Naama is a PhD student and graduate instructor in the College of Education. She is a teacher at heart and taught in a variety of non-traditional educational environments. Most recently, she taught grades 3-5 at a Waldorf school in Colorado, where she centered culturally responsive pedagogy, student-driven learning, critical and anti-racist pedagogy, and authentic relationship building. In her research, Naama is interested in “alternative” schools designed around the notion of shared governance and the involvement of both staff and students in decision making, dismantling power imbalances in the classroom and beyond. Her work’s purpose, alongside other educators, is to learn from and co-create more school communities that embody an ethic of care, liberatory practices, and a commitment to student agency, and her dream is to open such a school in Tucson. She is an advocate for vulnerable students, particularly those who have been historically under represented in the curriculum and underserved in the public system. When she is not on campus, Naama enjoys making pottery and playing guitar.

Sharanya Neelam

Candidate Statement:

Candidates for GPSC Executive Vice President (EVP) 

Travis Dean

Candidate Statement:

Candidates for At-Large Representative

Harriet Atieno Olulo

Candidate Statement:

I am Harriet Olulo, a fourth year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of German Studies. I am running for the position of At-Large Representative in the Graduate and Professional Student Council.

 The cost of graduate studies is a significant challenge for many students, and ensuring they are informed about available financial resources is crucial. As an At-Large Representative in my first term, I served on the Appropriations Committee to better understand the GPSC grant award process and advocate for more grant recipients. I actively shared information about the grants, application processes, and deadlines with graduate students to raise awareness. Additionally, I served on the Graduate Council, where I worked with colleagues to review and approve graduate curriculum proposals to enhance programs across the University. I also participated in graduate student events to connect with peers and share important resource information. If reelected, I plan to use the experience gained in my first year to further assist students by providing information on policies, funding opportunities, and support services available through GPSC and the University. My plan includes organizing regular informational sessions in collaboration with graduate student support centers like the GPSC grant office, the Graduate Center Writing Lab and Career office. Ultimately, I aim to increase graduate students' awareness of available resources to support their academic and professional growth, while continuing to collaborate with student organization leaders to achieve common goals.

Kinsey Cline

Candidate Statement: