Spring is in the air, and with it are the GPSS officer elections for academic year 2026–2027. Please see the following resources to learn more:
As Fall Quarter begins, the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) is excited to welcome both new and returning graduate and professional students to the 2025–2026 academic year at the University of Washington. Whether you are just starting your program or continuing your journey, GPSS is here to represent you, support you, and connect you with opportunities across campus.
GPSS is the official student government for over 18,000 graduate and professional students across the University of Washington campuses. We advocate for your needs with university leadership and policymakers, provide funding opportunities for research and student initiatives, and host events that foster community and professional development. Our goal is to ensure that every graduate and professional student has a voice and access to the resources they need to thrive.
This Fall Quarter, GPSS is hiring. We are seeking graduate and professional students to join our leadership team in paid officer and staff positions. These roles are an opportunity to lead initiatives, shape policy, and directly support the graduate student community. Learn more and apply:
We are also recruiting liaisons to serve on university-wide committees, boards, and task forces. Liaisons ensure graduate and professional student perspectives are included in decision-making while gaining valuable leadership and policy experience.
We invite you to get involved this year—whether by applying for a position, attending a Senate meeting, serving as a liaison, or participating in GPSS events. All events and opportunities are open and free to every graduate and professional student.
Website: gpss.uw.edu
Email: gpssvpadmin@uw.edu
Instagram: @gpssuw
Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.office.com/r/aEGyxrbAV7
We look forward to representing you this Fall Quarter and throughout the 2025–2026 academic year.
—
The GPSS Executive Team
Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS)
University of Washington
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) is now accepting applications for its staff positions for the 2025–2026 academic year.
These positions provide an excellent opportunity for graduate and professional students at the University of Washington to engage in meaningful work that supports student advocacy, shared governance, community building, and the overall mission of GPSS. Staff members play a key role in representing the interests of over 18,000 graduate and professional students across all three UW campuses.
There are six distinct staff roles, each aligned with a core area of GPSS operations:
All positions are posted on Handshake, the University of Washington’s official job platform. You can also view the job descriptions and application form directly at the end of this post.
Please ensure you are logged in with your UW NetID to view and access the postings.
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate serves as the official student government representing the interests and welfare of graduate and professional students at the University of Washington. Working with GPSS offers students the chance to build professional experience in leadership, policy development, communications, event planning, and advocacy, while directly contributing to the graduate student experience.
We encourage all interested students to apply. For questions or additional information, please contact gpssvpin@uw.edu or visit our About page.
| Election Details | Links |
| GPSS ELECTION EXECUTIVE SESSION GUIDE | Details Here |
| GPSS ELECTION COMPLAINT PROCEDURES | Details Here |
| GPSS 2025-2026 VOTERS’ GUIDE | Details Here |
| 2025-2026 GPSS OFFICER ELECTIONS FAQ | Details Here |
On behalf of the GPSS Elections Committee, we announce the release of the Special Elections Guide for the Vice President of Finance Special Elections on May 21st. We encourage all of you to consider nominating yourself for candidacy.
Check out the guide here.
You may pre-file for candidacy using this Candidacy Form until Monday, May 19th, 5:30pm. Anyone can run from the floor for this position (nominate themselves during the Senate meeting).
Please refer to the Special Elections guide for position duties, candidacy rules, and other election information.
Please share within your networks! Any graduate student who meets candidate eligibility may run this election.
| Name | Resume | Statement of Objectives |
| Abhinav Bhargava | Link Here | Link Here |
| Adaora Ugwueze | Link Here | Link Here |
| Anne Rizvi | Link Here | Link Here |
| Bryan Cadena Barboza | Link Here | Link Here |
| Don Minhas | Link Here | Link Here |
| Gaurav Joshi | Link Here | Link Here |
| Hector Emanuel Delgado Diaz | Link Here | Link Here |
| Mel Gurcay-Morris | Link Here | Link Here |
| Riley Talamantes | Link Here | Link Here |
| Yi (Margaret) Hui | Link Here | Link Here |
Héctor Delgado Díaz is originally from Puerto Rico. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in General Science from the Universidad de Puerto Rico en Cayey, followed by a master’s in Physics from California State University, Los Angeles. He is currently a 6th year dual-title PhD student in Astronomy and Astrobiology working with Dr. Rory Barnes. His research focuses in understanding the conditions required for planets orbiting stars completely different from the Sun to support life.
Since joining GPSS in 2024, Héctor has been an active member of the Diversity Committee, the Travel Grants Committee, and the U-Pass Advisory Board. He is especially passionate about making education more accessible and inclusive, both within the university and beyond. Outside of the university, he loves to learn languages, play Smash Ultimate and dodgeball.
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) actively participated in the United States Student Association (USSA) Legislative Conference 2025 from March 21-25, playing a key role in the relaunch of the organization. GPSS successfully wrote and passed a resolution to formally join USSA and cast five votes in favor of ratifying the USSA Charter, establishing itself as a founding member. During the conference, GPSS representatives networked with student organizations from 19 states, attended trainings and workshops on federal administration and higher education policy, and engaged with USSA alumni and federal officials. They also took part in an Education Rally near the Capitol on March 24, advocating for student rights. In addition, GPSS met with the UW Federal Relations Team to strengthen collaboration on federal issues and held meetings with key congressional offices, including Representatives Randall, DelBene, Baumgartner, and Newhouse, as well as Senators Murray and Cantwell, to discuss critical topics such as Pell Grants, federal student loans, and free speech on campus.
The WA State Government is proposing large cuts to public higher education campuses and financial aid.
Join The Washington Student Association, The Washington Bus, and the Washington Student Engagement Network at the Capitol in Olympia on April 7th for a rally demanding our legislators to make no cuts to financial aid nor increase tuition for students.
We will follow up the rally with direct action by lobbying legislators in the hallways of the committee chambers, as well as in schedule meetings in their office, and sitting in on committee meetings.
Currently, financial aid is at risk, as the state is actively looking at cutting programs that help students go to college, such as the Washington College Grant and Graduate Student Loan Program, as well as increasing tuition for students. We cannot allow this to happen! We need to mobilize students and tell our elected officials the importance of higher education and how investing in our future workforce can help us with the current budget deficit the state is facing.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Edgar Espino at edgar@washingtonbus.org
If you need assistance with travel costs, please contact Nancy Canales at executive.director@wastudents.org
Let’s work together to show our state leaders how important our institution’s role is!
Alexandros Peltekis obtained his B.S. in Chemistry and Computer Science for the University of Florida. Now, he is a PhD student studying Computational/Theoretical Chemistry under Xiaosong Li in the Chemistry Department in the University of Washington. His research focuses on developing quantum chemistry methods in the relativistic domain.
He joined GPSS in the Fall of 2024 and since then has become an active member of the Provost’s Advisory Committee, Chair of the Judicial Committee, and participated in many GPSS programs to foster a stronger graduate and professional community. Outside of his academic and professional responsibilities, Alexandros actively supports local improv groups through participation and volunteering, which strengthens his creativity, quick problem-solving, and team-building skills.
Run for a GPSS Officer Position – Make a Difference!
Are you passionate about advocating for graduate and professional students? Do you want to lead initiatives that improve student life at UW? Consider running for a Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) Officer Position for the 2025-2026 academic year!
As a GPSS Officer, you’ll:
✅ Represent graduate and professional students at UW and beyond
✅ Advocate for student needs to the university administration, local and state government
✅ Manage a budget of nearly half a million dollars
✅ Collaborate with faculty, staff, and student organizations to improve student experiences
✅ Build leadership skills while getting paid for 19.5 hours/week, with tuition coverage and health benefits
📅 Election Date: May 7, 2025
📌 Nomination Deadline: May 4, 2025, 5:30 PM
🔗 Learn more & apply: GPSS Elections Form
This is your opportunity to step up, lead, and create meaningful change for students across campus. Feel free to reach out with any questions!