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Graduate and Professional Student Senate

Masquerade Ball

The Masquerade Ball is open to all graduate and professional students. Food and drink will be provided. The event is for those 21 years and older. Alcohol available only to those with a government-issued ID. The dress code is formal, and masks are encouraged!

GPSS Halloween Speakeasy

Join GPSS for our Halloween Speakeasy. Enjoy games, snacks, and drinks (21+ with ID) while connecting with fellow grad students. Please fill out the RSVP form.

Costumes encouraged and there might be a prize for the best one!

Senate Meeting of October 22nd, 2025

Location

Agenda

  1. Call to Order (Sponsor: Ryan Wicklund, Time: 1 min.) [ACTION]
  2. Approval of Agenda (Sponsor: Ryan Wicklund, Time: 1 min.) [ACTION]
  3. Approval of Minutes (Sponsor: Ryan Wicklund, Time: 1 min.) [ACTION]
  4. Land Acknowledgement (Sponsor: Pavandeep Josan, Time: 2 min.) [INFORMATION]
  5. Announcements and Public Comments (Sponsor: Ryan Wicklund, Time: 7 min.) [INFORMATION]
  6. University of Washington Alumni Associations (UWAA) (Sponsor: Noah Hough, Time: 10 min.) [INFORMATION]
  7. Diversity Leadership Conference Updates (Sponsor: Pavandeep Josan, Time: 5 min.) [INFORMATION]
  8. Committee Formation (Sponsor: Ryan Wicklund Time: 20 min.) [POSSIBLE ACTION]
  9. Executive Senator Positions (Sponsor: Noah Hough, Time: 3 min.) [INFORMATION]
  10. Executive Senator Election (Sponsor: Ryan Wicklund, Time: 20 min.) [POSSIBLE ACTION]
  11. Washington State Student Association (WSA) (Sponsor: Annika Peterson, Ryan Wicklund, Time: 5 min.) [INFORMATION]
  12. United States Student Associations (USSA) (Sponsor: Annika Peterson, Time: 5 min.) [INFORMATION] 
  13. GPSS Budget Report (Sponsor: Riley Talamantes, Time: 8 min.) [INFORMATION]
  14. Legislative Agenda Draft (First/Second Reading) (Sponsor: Annika Peterson, Time: 15 min) [ACTION] 
  15. Resolution on Installation of Bidets and Hand Showers in UW Campus Restrooms to Advance of Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (First Reading) (Sponsor: M A Tariq, Time: 5 min.) [INFORMATION]
  16. Senator of the Month (Sponsor: Pavandeep Josan, Time: 5 min.) [INFORMATION]
  17. Senate Giveaway (Sponsor: Juan Mora, Time: 5 min.) [INFORMATION]
  18. Adjournment (Sponsor: Ryan Wicklund, Time: 1 min.)  [ACTION] 

Total expected time: 114 minutes

Recap of the Meeting

  • Ayush Goyal shared an announcement about the Dempsey Startup Competition (deadline: November 18th). Emilio Castanedo shared an announcement about the “Take Up Space: Race & Public Policy Symposium” at the Evans School.
  • Ryan Wicklund introduced the Graduate School Dean Joy Williamson-Lott. She is historian of education by training and has been in the dean position since 2019. She shared about the work of the Graduate School.
    • All degree programs except MD, PharmD, DDS, and JD are under the umbrella of the Graduate School.
    • The Graduate School is responsible for everything from admissions through graduations for graduate students, including tuition waivers and programming events.
    • The Graduate School also reviews all graduate programs every ten years.
    • The Dean has monthly office hours, to which we are all welcome. The next one is November 10th at 1pm.
    • While the programs are best equipped with guiding students about the specific process of earning the degree and the local situation, the Dean is interested in hearing about how the graduate education at UW works as a whole. She cannot problem-solve very local concerns, however, nor undo decisions made by the student’s program.
    • Graduate Student Research Resilience Fund is raising money to help support Ph.D. students whose Principal Investigators (PIs) have lost federal funding. The funding is applied for by the student’s program.
  • Natasha <?>, Jack <?>, and Shannon Bailie gave a presentation about the proposed Student Health Fee (SHF) of $125 per UW-Seattle student per quarter.
    • The fee is spearheaded by ASUW.
    • The fee is not health insurance, but rather a shared investment that would support students having basic services available on campus.
    • Currently students pay $175 Student Activities Fee (SAF) per quarter, but only $69 of that goes to fund Counseling Center, Husky Health, and LiveWell. The other $106 go to fund everything else from the Food Pantry to GPSS.
    • The fee will be voted on by the student body next week.
    • Riley Talamantes further explained the impact that the institution of the SHF would have on GPSS and other SAF-funded units.
    • There is information online about the specific programs that SAF funds.
  • The Senate voted to elect senators to the Elections Committee and the Judicial Committee.
  • Annika Peterson presented the 2025-2026 Legislative Agenda for the second reading, and the agenda was unanimously approved.
  • Pavandeep Josan presented for the second reading the Resolution on Installation of Bidets and Hand Showers in UW Campus Restrooms to Advance of Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion. Following a discussion by the senate body, the resolution was approved.
  • Ryan Wicklund presented for the first reading the Joint Resolution (with ASUW) for a Graduate and Undergraduate Student Regent.

Welcome to Fall Quarter and the 2025–2026 Academic Year with GPSS

Welcome from the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS)

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.

Watch our Introduction Video

Explore the GPSS Handbook

GPSS Handbook 2025-2026 (1)Download

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:

GPSS Staff Applications – 2025–2026 Academic Year

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.


Application for 2025-2026 Liaison Positions are open!

What You Can Expect from GPSS in 2025–2026

  • Policy and DEI initiatives that support graduate and professional students
  • Events that connect community across departments and campuses
  • Advocacy and lobbying opportunities to elevate student voices
  • Leadership and professional development opportunities to build influence, sharpen skills, and expand your impact.

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.

Stay connected with us:

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

GPSS Logo

GPSS Now Hiring Staff for the 2025–2026 Academic Year

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.

Position Information:

  • Compensation: $24.60 per hour
  • Hours: 18 hours per week (hourly student employment; does not qualify for tuition coverage)
  • Employment Period: September 25, 2025 – June 12, 2026
  • Note: No work is required during university holidays and academic breaks
  • Eligibility: Open to all UW graduate and professional students

Available Positions:

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.

About GPSS:

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.

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GPSS Election 2025-2026

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

Candidates Information

Candidate Information

Name Resume Statement of Objectives
Richard Schure Link Here Link Here
Ryan Wicklund Link Here Link Here

Name Resume Statement of Objectives
Noah Nguyen Hough Link Here Link Here

Name Resume Statement of Objectives
Pavandeep Singh Josan Link Here Link Here

Name Resume Statement of Objectives
Annika Peterson Link Here Link Here
Miles Parker Link Here Link Here

Name Resume Statement of Objectives
Anushka Bhagchandani Link Here Link Here

Name Resume Statement of Objectives
Juan Andres Contreras Mora Link Here Link Here

GPSS Special Elections 2025-2026

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.

Candidates for Special 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