The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) Executive Committee consists of the elected officials including the President and Vice President as well as the various directors, who are approved by 2/3 vote of the Assembly, to manage the essential functions of the organization. The President may also invite other “Members, Participants, and graduate students to participate in the Executive Committee meetings,” who shall not (Article IV, §4)
Human Development and Family Sciences Department,
College of Natural Science
Brian Wilkey is a Ph.D candidate in Human Development and Family Sciences where he studies human mating strategies. This is his second term in GSA leadership having served as both Vice-President under David Villarreal and assuming the Presidency when David Villarreal stepped down. He is passionate about improving graduate and professional education here at UT-Austin and throughout the country; he also serves as the Chairman of the Student Advocates for Graduate Education (SAGE), an advocacy group that speaks on behalf of the graduate and professional students of tier-one research universities. President Wilkey hopes to increase university-wide participation in the GSA this year as well as draw attention to the incredible pool of talent that UT-Austin cultivates in its graduate students. His Value Proposition asks people to consider how they define the importance of graduate education and what the knowledge creators and innovators currently pursuing their degrees can bring to the world at-large. President Wilkey wants to hear from you at any time of the year and encourages you to reach out either via email or stopping by his listening hours in the GSA suite. He truly believes that what you start here will change the world!
Jennifer Clegg is a fifth year PhD student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow in the Department of Psychology. Over the course of her graduate career, she has studied children’s use of imitation as a tool for social learning across diverse cultural contexts, including the U.S. and Vanuatu. Prior to becoming the Academic Affairs Director, Jennifer was the Psychology GSA representative and continues to serve as President of the Psychology Graduate Student Association. Outside of graduate student life, Jennifer is a member of the Junior League of Austin, the President of the Austin Emory Alumni Association, and passionate corgi owner.
Master of Public Affairs (MPAff),
LBJ School of Public Affairs
Vance Roper is a third year dual degree student in the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and the School of Architecture. He currently serves as the Vice-President of the Graduate Student Assembly. Vice President Roper followed a family tradition when he entered the military at 17, where he served on multiple continents. After his departure from the military, he started his post-secondary education where he achieved his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Saint Edwards University. Vice President Roper has a wealth of experience in public affairs and with advocating/lobbying. This experience spans federal, state, and local governments, as well as for profit and non-profit organizations. He has dedicated his life to public service including his service in the United States Army, his work advocating for disabled veterans, and his pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and in Community and Regional Planning.
Human Development and Family Sciences Department,
College of Natural Science
Eden is a doctoral student in the Human Development and Family Sciences department where she studies romantic relationship development and maintenance throughout adulthood. This is her second term as the administrative director of the GSA. Last year, the Rules and Administration committee finished a huge project by revising and approving the new GSA Constitution, By-Laws, and Internal Rules of Procedure. This year, Eden hopes to keep the GSA running smoothly under the newly approved governing documents and she hopes to create and codify a procedure to aid future GSA leaders through the transition between executive board administrations. Please feel free to contact Eden with any questions or concerns regarding administrative procedures or GSA rules. Hook ’em horns!
Master of Business Administration (MBA),
McCombs School of Business
Blake Williamson is an MBA candidate at the University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business. After graduating from Wheaton College (IL), he served as an Air Force Intelligence Officer for five years. He continues to serve as a Captain in the Air Force Reserve. At McCombs, he is the President of the Armed Forces Alumni Association and the Finance Director for the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA). Blake enjoys his work with GSA as it provides him the opportunity to work with graduate students across the University of Texas towards the end of solidifying its place as the best university in the world.
Master of Business Administration (MBA),
McCombs School of Business
Rachel Truair, an Austin native, has a bachelor’s in communication from St. Edwards University and specializes in digital marketing and demand generation strategies for startups and small businesses. After building two startups, including PetRelocation, an $8M worldwide pet transportation company which grew 30% in sales year over year for eight consecutive years, in 2015 she started her own marketing and communications consultancy. In her spare time, Truair is an avid fly fisherwoman and also serves on the City of Austin’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission tasked with drawing and maintaining the district lines for Austin’s ten city council seats.
Master of Business Administration (MBA),
McCombs School of Business
Erica Larson is a second year Executive MBA student at McCombs School of Business. She received a bachelor’s in Hispanic Studies and Business Foundations at The University of Texas at Austin and is a lifetime Longhorn fan. Her professional career has encompassed working for a Sports Marketing Firm managing PGA Golf Tournaments and doing marketing and branding at Coca-Cola for the vitaminwater, smartwater, and Powerade brands. Erica enjoys running half marathons and traveling around the world in her free time.
Molecular Biosciences Department
College of Natural Science
Stephanie is a Ph.D candidate in Microbiology, where she studies how the ribosome, an essential and complex machine in all living cells, becomes activated. This is Stephanie’s second term as the membership director of the GSA. Last year, in addition to her work as membership director, she also participated on the Rules and Administration committee to help revise the GSA’s governing documents. Through these combined efforts, the GSA was able to dramatically improve membership and attendance. This year, Stephanie plans to continue her efforts to increase membership and participation.
Master of Business Administration (MBA),
McCombs School of Business
Erik graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY with his B.A. in Political Science. He relocated to Austin, Texas in 2007 where he worked for a marketing agency for seven years and now works as a Demand Generation Manager at Lifesize, a division of Logitech. Outside of work and class, Erik is the President of the Chapter Advisor’s Board of the Alpha Nu Chapter of Sigma Chi. He is also the “owner” of two Brussels Griffons.
Fatma Tarlaci is a Pd.D. candidate in the program in Comparative Literature. Her primary research is in comparative and world literature, digital humanities, and Turkish literature. She served as a graduate student board member at American Comparative Literature Association in 2011-2013. She is currently a member of Modern Language Association Committee on the Status of Graduate Students in the Profession. She will graduate in 2016.
Health Outcomes and Pharmacy Practice
College of Pharmacy
Tolani is proudly Nigerian and a doctoral candidate in the Health Outcomes and Pharmacy Practice where she studies cancer prevention and health disparities. She earned her B.Pharm (Hons) at the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 2008. She was a pharmacist in Nigeria serving different roles before moving to the US in 2011. This year, Tolani hopes to improve the overall (physical and mental) health of graduate students at UT. Improving health-seeking behaviors, promoting mindfulness and improving the mental health of graduate students are some of the overarching goals outlined for this year.
Given the heterogeneous mix of graduate students we have at UT, we welcome anyone who wants to be a part of this wonderful cause. You don’t have to have a background or any experience in the health field. We need a diverse team with diverse talents so everyone is welcome! All that we ask is that you have a positive attitude, the ability to work on a team, a desire to improve the health of graduate students and the desire to have fun!