Elections 2008 - Candidates
The order of candidates on this list and on the ballot was randomly determined by the GSA Elections Board. All candidate
statements are in compliance with the GSA Elections Codes.
President
Michelle Hashemi
Statement of Intent:
Hi Everyone! My name is Michelle Bita Hashemi and I would love having the honor of being your 2008-2009 GSA President. I am currently in my first year of the Masters in Public Health program. My prior leadership experience comes from various positions I held in 2006-2007 at UC Irvine. I have an approachable personality and have had experience working with people of all ages, making me confident in having the responsibility of being your representative for faculty, administrators, and other students.
One of my goals in being your president is to make the campus more environmentally friendly. Our university has the power to serve as an amazing example, especially for issues concerning pollution, recycling, using more eco-safe items, etc. I also hope to address issues you find important, so I am always open to suggestions on how to make your graduate experience more enjoyable.
I really appreciate your support! Thank you!!!
Jamal A. Madni
Slate: GSA Commitment
Statement of Intent:
Hi, I’m Jamal Madni, a second year graduate student in Electrical Engineering and I’m running for President on the GSA Commitment Slate. I have a passion to serve graduate students and a commitment to have GSA provide an ideal academic environment/experience for you. My priorities are:
- Increase visibility and awareness of GSA issues and ideology to students, alumni, administration, and other UC campuses.
- Create multi/interdisciplinary programs, research opportunities, socials and events for graduate students across different departments.
- Advocate for graduate student diversity by supporting/garnering campus & statewide initiatives that help underrepresented, low-income, international, or married students at UCLA.
- Streamline the dissemination of information to/from GSA with reference to academic councils and student interest groups.
- Provide mechanisms by which graduate students can periodically give feedback on overall student experience.
- Explore an increase in funding for the Graduate Student Resource and Writing Centers.
Visit: www.gsacommitment.com/gsa2008
List of Experience:
- ASUCLA Communications Board Chairman, 2007-2008
- Created and founded “ASUCLA Communications Board Newsmagazine Editor of the Year Award.”
- Created “Publication Start-Up Initiative” to allow new publication ideas to be supported by ASUCLA Student Media in print/online form.
- Co-Creating “Newsmagazine Revitalization Plan” that illustrates a School of Community Journalism, which would develop activist journalism skills for students through seminars, workshops, community affiliates, and advisement.
- GSA Judicial Review Board Chairman, 2006-2007
- Served as chairman of the inaugural board to serve as the primary entity to oversee and deliberate student grievances with reference to the functionality and operations of GSA.
- Helped configure/recreate section 11 of GSA Codes pertaining to grievance procedures.
- UCLA Academic Senate Graduate Council, 2007-2008
- Review UCLA graduate education: degree/inter-departmental programs, academic diversity, study abroad programs
- UCLA Academic Senate Committee for Degree Programs, 2007-2008
- Review proposals of new graduate programs leading to existing degrees and/or graduate level certificates.
- Approve members of departmental thesis committees.
- GSA Engineering Graduate Orientation Committee Campus Tour Guide, 2006-2007
Vice President of Internal Affairs
Ryan Roberts
Slate: GSA Commitment
Statement of Intent:
Hi, I’m Ryan Roberts, a grad student in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures running for Internal Vice President as part of the GSA Commitment slate. I have spent the last two years serving in various roles of GSA and believe in the importance of serving graduate students. As VPI, I will work hard to:
- Look to increase the visibility, understanding, and impact of GSA.
- Work closely with the GSA president to streamline the operations of the central office.
- Work with the Director of Communications to improve the technological capabilities of GSA.
- Continue to better the communication and representation of the academic councils and graduate student group leaders.
- Work with administration and the coordinator of the Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) to continue to improve funding and programs of the GSRC as well as the Graduate Writing Center (GWC).
Visit: www.gsacommitment.com/gsa2008
List of Experience:
- ASUCLA Communications Board, 2007-2008
- Crafted policy to enable publication of new student media titles while highlighting the legacy of current publications.
- Advocated a greater online visibility for newsmagazines and proposed a model to provide long-term viability for current newsmagazines.
- Committee on the Library and Scholarly Communications, GSA Academic Senate Appointment, 2006-2007
- Provided feedback and advocacy to the committee regarding graduate student sentiment on the operations at the UCLA libraries.
- GSA New Student Orientation, Volunteer 2007
- Graduate Student Researcher, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, 2005-2006
Vice President of External Affairs
DeAnnah Byrd
Statement of Intent:
If elected as the Vice President of External Affairs I would do my best to serve UCLA graduate and professional students. I understand students’ broader struggle for social change, especially with the proposed increase in student fees. I will represent the collective voice of all graduate students and make your concerns my highest priority. I have lobbied legislators in Sacramento on behalf of students and will continue to fight for issues that are important to you.
As a first-year PhD student in the Department of Community Health Sciences, I have dedicated my research to improving the lives of others by addressing the factors that contribute to black/white disparities in infant mortality rates. Thus, I understand the importance of equal access and opportunity. Using my public health background and experiences I will advocate for accessibility, affordability, and quality education for the UC system. I know your vote is important and I am asking that you vote for DeAnnah Byrd as your Vice President of External Affairs.
List of Experience:
I have participated in several campus activities such as:
- Attended the 2007 Minority Health Conference
- Served as the UCLA delegate for the Student of Color Conference (SOCC) at UC Santa Cruz
- Presented a workshop entitled “Demystifying the Myths of Graduate School” to several undergraduate students at the SOCC conference, which gave me insight into the numerous unanswered questions students have
- Participated in the Students of Color for Public Health meetings and activities
- Attended 2008 UC student lobby conference in Sacramento, CA
Monica Sanchez
Slate: GSA Commitment
Statement of Intent:
I’m Monica Sanchez, a PhD student in Education and I’m running for External Vice President for a second term as part of the GSA Commitment slate. If elected I will help continue to build resources for our graduate student community by working to generate support for your diverse academic and personal needs. As External Vice President I will work hard to:
- Advocate for increased financial assistance for graduate students
- Fight against excessive fee increases and will provide opportunities for students to voice their concerns to elected officials, regents and deans.
- Support graduate student-initiated projects and encourage community involvement of graduate students by continuing to build external partnerships with local city, government and alumni networks.
- Work closely with the UC Student Association to advocate of behalf of graduate student needs at UCLA and across the UC system.
Visit: www.gsacommitment.com/gsa2008
List of Experience:
- GSA Vice President of External Affairs, 2007-08
- Outreached and advocated on behalf of graduate students UC-wide as Vice Chair of the University of California Student Association (UCSA) Graduate and Professional Students Committee.
- As a member of the Strategic Planning Committee for the UCLA Alumni Association Assisted helped in directing the future action of the Association.
- GSA President, 2006-07
- Supported the expansion of programs such as the graduate writing center that helped graduate students obtain their academic and professional goals.
- Advocated for graduate student diversity by serving on the Chancellor’s Committee on Diversity to assist underrepresented students at UCLA.
- GSA Director of Community Service, 2005-06
- Organized the first GSA Community Service Commission.
- Advocated for funding and resources to graduate student community service projects.
- Student Activities Center Board Member, 2005-06
- Served as representative to GSA to work with Student Affairs and UCLA Recreation to address student needs.
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Myha J. Ngo
This candidate withdrew after voting began so her name remains on the ballot.
Argus Sun
Slate: GSA Commitment
Statement of Intent:
My name is Argus Sun and I am running for Vice President Academic Affairs on the GSA Commitment Slate. I’m a graduate student in the Biomedical Engineering IDP. I have attended UCLA for a total of 4 years. Throughout that time I have done my best to take a participatory role at our campus. As VPAA, I will work hard to ensure that UCLA maintains its dedication to academic excellence with students at the forefront. My top priorities are:
- Listen to and report students’ feedback during Interdepartmental Program Reviews
- Advocate policies that improve students’ academic experience based on their feedback
- Be available as a resource for students to voice academic concerns
Visit: www.gsacommitment.com/gsa2008
List of Experience:
- John Wooden Center Board of Governors, Vice-Co-Chair
- Represented students in overseeing the operation of JWC and other campus athletic and recreation facilities
- Recreation Board
- Assisted the Program Review team in performing it’s 7-year review
- Annual College Welcome and Honor Day, Guide
- Provided incoming freshmen and family members with information regarding campus resources and experiences
- UCLA Alumni Association, Alumni Academy 2006
- Attended dinner meetings with speakers from admissions, housing and scholarships.
- Sat on Alumni Association Finance Committee meeting.
- UC Day, Advocate
- Talked to legislators in State Capitol regarding increasing and maintaining funding for UCLA programs
- Staff, UCLA Housing
- UAW member
Neda Jahanshad
Statement of Intent:
My name is Neda Jahanshad and it is my sincere hope to serve as Vice President of Academic Affairs. As a first year doctoral student, UCLA has been everything I could have asked for and more. I have been amazed to find such a strong sense of purpose and pride here, one that pervades every facet of campus life. As the representative for the Academic Senate's Council on Research, I appreciate the depth and detail involved in integrating all the diverse academic disciplines proudly offered at this exceptional institution, and it would be my honor and pleasure to continue serving our graduate community. The more fellow students I meet, the more I realize just how fortunate I am to study in a place where academic excellence is matched only by the talent of its student body. I thank you for your consideration and look forward to great times to come.
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