Graduate Student Senate

The purpose of the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) is to support the academic and non-academic well-being of the entire graduate student body at Villanova University. In keeping with this mission, GSS will perform the following duties:

1. Serve as the representative body of the entire graduate student community in all manners related to the graduate student experience at Villanova University.
2. Govern in a manner consistent with the University’s Mission Statement. 
3. Act as liaison between the University’s graduate students and its administration, faculty, and staff.
4. Provide a forum for the graduate student body to discuss issues pertaining to any aspect of the graduate student experience at Villanova.
5. Represent graduate student interests to the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff.
6. Encourage communication, networking, and social interaction among graduate students through campus-wide events hosted by the GSS and/or through collaboration with others in the Villanova community.
7. Promote effective communication strategies for the graduate student body—to audiences both internal and external to the University.

• Happy Hour at Gullifty's Sept. 20 4pm-6:30pm
  
• Town Hall Date TBA
  
• Graduate Student Spring Garden Party Date TBA
  

Constitution 

Bylaws 

2024-2025 Academic Year

2023-2024 Academic Year

• Townhall Meeting Minutes - October 4, 2023 and recording.

The President will represent the entire graduate student body in all matters related to the graduate student experience at Villanova. The President will act as the primary liaison between the GSS and University Administration. The President shall uphold the GSS constitution and Bylaws and has the authority to implement GSS policy, as guided by the GSS and with support from the Executive Board. The President schedules, coordinates, sets the agenda, and presides over meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Board. The President, along with the VP, will write the Annual Report and has the power to appoint and remove committee chairpersons.

Furthermore, the President, Vice-President, and External Affairs Officer will serve on the University Council as the three (3) graduate student representatives, per the University Council bylaws.

GSS President 2026-2027: 
Simon Brooks

Simon graduated from Villanova University in 2021 as a Grand Challenges Scholar focusing on the theme of Intersectional Sustainability, and as the recipient of the Robert D. Lynch award, majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Engineering Entrepreneurship and Theology.

Simon has organized four TEDx Conferences, curating over 35 TEDx Talks through his leadership with TEDxVillanovaU as an undergraduate and graduate student. He also currently serves as adjunct faculty, entering his third year teaching the Science, Inquiry, & Self section of Villanova’s Communitas Program. Simon has previously served as the Engineering Co-Chair and President of Villanova’s Doctoral Student Council, and he is honored to serve as the President of Villanova’s Graduate Student Senate.

The Vice President assists the President in the execution of their duties. In the absence of the President due to resignation or an inability to perform a particular duty, the Vice President will act in the capacity of the President to perform all duties. The Vice President will also oversee all internal committees and working groups and will be the main contact person for external organizations and groups. The Vice President will also perform any duties assigned to them by the President.

Furthermore, the President, Vice-President, and External Affairs Officer will serve on the University Council as the three (3) graduate student representatives per the University Council bylaws.

GSS Vice President 2026-2027:
Leila Mwangi

Leila Mwangi is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical and Biological Engineering under Dr. Jacob Elmer, specializing in developing alternative gene therapeutics using non-viral vectors. Her research focuses on cellular engineering of plasmids and redesigning their components to enhance transgene expression. She investigates host cell proteins and their interactions with small molecule inhibitors, particularly in cancer treatment. Through her work, she aims to improve the efficacy and precision of gene therapy, offering hope and better outcomes for cancer patients.

Leila earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University. She worked in the Kim Lab, where she developed nanoparticles intended to cross the blood-brain barrier for targeted glioblastoma treatment. As a result of her work, she co-authored a paper detailing the specifications of these particles.

She is committed to community service, serving as a member of Villanova Engineering Service Learning (VESL) through the Center for Humanitarian Engineering and currently co-leading the VESL Kenya project. She is also the vice president of the African and Caribbean Graduate Students Association and the Villanova Representative for the ACS BIOT Mid-Atlantic Graduate Chapter Board. Leila is also currently serving as the vice president of the Graduate Student Senate.

As a member of the GSS, Leila is dedicated to ensuring graduate student voices are heard, increasing awareness of available resources, and fostering inclusion of graduate students within the broader Villanova community.

The Treasurer will be responsible for drafting and maintaining the budget and the other financial records of the GSS. This includes preparation and submission of the final budget, recording and reporting all spending, coordinating reimbursements, and assisting with planning of GSS events with the Events Committee. The Treasurer may not be the Treasurer for any other organization while holding this position. The Treasurer will also perform any duties assigned to them by the President.

GSS Treasurer 2026-2027:
MKay Atkinson

Bio Coming Soon

The Secretary will be responsible for recording meeting minutes for the GSS Executive Board, General Assembly, and Town Halls. This includes taking attendance, summarizing meeting minutes for all GSS members and other stakeholders, and maintaining GSS records. The Secretary will work with the President and the Communications Officer to oversee internal and external communications to the Villanova Community. The Secretary will also perform any duties assigned to them by the President.

GSS Secretary 2026-2027: Taylor Marin

Bio Coming Soon

The Communications Officer will be responsible for maintaining communications with the Villanova Community. These communications may include a website, mailing lists, any and all social media, and meeting announcements. The Communications Officer will also be the liaison to the Villanova University Student Government Association (SGA). The Communications Officer will also perform any duties assigned to them by the President.

GSS Communications Officer 2026-2027:
Ashon Calhoun

Ashon Calhoun is a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Communication. Originally from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Penn State and then studied at the Defense Information School before continuing his academic and professional journey at Villanova. Alongside his graduate studies, Ashon serves as a Digital Marketing and Communications Graduate Assistant for the Graduate College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and has built a multidisciplinary background spanning media production, advocacy, education, public affairs, journalism, and strategic communication.

While attending Villanova, Ashon also served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a Mass Communications and Public Affairs Staff Sergeant, where he specialized in photography, videography, journalism, and community engagement. Passionate about creative storytelling, his work often blends documentary-style visuals, photography, and digital media to explore identity, community, and human connection.

At Villanova, Ashon’s research focuses on visual communication, social justice storytelling, media framing, and participatory documentary work. In 2025, he was honored with the NCTA ChangeMaker Award for his commitment to service, leadership, and social impact.

The External Affairs Officer will be responsible for coordinating relationships with organizations outside of Villanova University. The External Affairs Officer will be responsible for following national trends that affect graduate students, bringing opportunities from beyond the University to the attention of graduate students, and reporting any potential issues to the GSS.

Furthermore, the President, Vice-President, and External Affairs Officer will serve on the University Council as the three (3) graduate student representatives per the University Council bylaws.

GSS External Affairs Officer 2026-2027: 
Irina Milanese

Bio Coming Soon

The International Student Affairs Officer will be responsible for monitoring issues, initiatives, and institutional, domestic, and international policies related to the well-being of the international students at Villanova University. The International Student Affairs Officer must be an international student.  The International Student Affairs Officer will assist Villanova with the integration of international students into the academic, cultural, and social life of Villanova and its surrounding communities. The International Student Affairs Officer will also perform any duties tasked to them by the President.

GSS International Student Affairs Officer 2025-2026: Naomi Maranga

Naomi Maranga is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at Villanova University, where she works in Dr. Andrew Lee's Materials for Extreme Environments Lab. Her research focuses on hydrogen energy and its intersection with various materials and renewable energy systems. Her work also explores applications of machine learning in advanced manufacturing, and an earlier focus on cognitive health, reflecting a long-standing interest in engineering research that serves people.

Naomi holds a bachelor's degree in systems science engineering and a master's degree in Robotics from the University of Pennsylvania under the advising of Dr. Robert Ghrist. During her time at Penn, she served as Fabrication Lead in the Additive Manufacturing Lab and conducted research at the GRASP Lab whilst also being an active member of the Penn Band.

Originally from Kenya, Naomi brings a deeply international perspective to her work and community. She speaks Swahili, some Korean and American Sign Language, a reflection of her genuine curiosity about the power of language to connect people across various cultures. Outside the lab, she enjoys playing tennis, making music with friends, and spending time in nature.

As International Students Senator for the Graduate Student Senate, Naomi is passionate about outreach and community-building. She's demonstrated this through her work with NSBE, Villanova's Graduate Centre, Villanova's Leadership Program and beyond. She is committed to making Villanova a more inclusive and navigable space for graduate students from around the world, ensuring that students who arrive far from home find not just resources, but also supportive community.

A GSS Representative is elected or appointed to represent their college's student organization.  

Graduate Student Council (CLAS)
David Heuring

Student Bar Association (Law)
Molly Moore

Center for Engineering Education and Research (CEER)
TBD

Graduate Nurse Network (FCN)
Emily Cranston

Student Government Association (VSB)
Richard Lu

Doctoral Student Council
Annika Bergstrom

A GSS Senator is someone who belongs to a GSS committee. You can become a senator by using the "Committee Sign Up" link.