Gannon University: Graduate Student Association
(GSA)
The Erie, PA and Ruskin, FL campuses joined forces in early 2017 to review the
importance of fostering a healthy graduate culture throughout each student’s
educational journey. With the support of both the Vice President of Academic
Affairs and the University Graduate Council, student, faculty and staff
representatives were elected to develop the formal association. The Graduate
Student Association (GSA) is the voice of graduate students (masters and
doctoral) which serves to address graduate student related areas throughout the
higher education experience. To learn more, please review the GSA mission, members,
professional development, service-learning, and social information.
Mission
The purpose of the Gannon University Graduate Student
Association is to create an open environment for graduate students
to engage in professional and personal growth. This purpose is
executed through the following objectives:
- Encourage and recognize
graduate student culture through outstanding scholarship and
accomplishments of its members
- Promote the advancement of
education and practice in the art and science of administration
- Create further awareness and
understanding of the professions, including inter-professional
communication and partnerships
- Collaborate with graduate and
undergraduate students, faculty, and community members to improve
the communities in which we live and work
- Advocate and represent Gannon
University's mission when hosting campus guests, GU Alumni, and
community members
Professional Development
The GSA will host and encourage participation in various
professional development opportunities to members. Events may be
on-campus or online in order to accommodate all populations of
learners. Please visit our social media outlets to view upcoming
events.
Service Learning
The GSA strongly advocates the university mission of service.
Graduate students will lead service-learning initiatives throughout
the academic year. Activities may correlate with university events
or graduate programs.
Social Media
The Gannon University Graduate Student Association understands
the importance of embracing technology and social media outlets in
our current time. The GSA currently has presence on Facebook.
Please visit our page to learn more about membership and upcoming
events by clicking on the Facebook icon on this page or search
Gannon University, Graduate Student Association.
Members
Membership shall be limited to students in good academic
standing, as per the University's Graduate Catalog, in the Gannon
University Graduate Programs. The Graduate Student Association
(GSA) represents and welcomes students from all academic programs,
at both university campuses (Erie and Ruskin), and our online
student population.
The GSA was founded by students, faculty and staff of the Erie,
PA and Ruskin, FL campuses. Graduate students were nominated by
their department faculty. Faculty and staff were chosen from
Graduate Council and serve various roles for the university.
Masters and Doctoral students from the College of Engineering and
Business (CEB), College of Humanities, Education and Social
Sciences (CHESS) and the Morosky College of Health Professions and
Sciences (MCHPS) who embodied the student perspective. Faculty and
staff from both campuses provided the essential university support
and guidance throughout the association's development. The GSA
founding members established bylaws, logos, formal processes,
proposals, social media presence and service-learning
initiatives.
Founding Committee Members (Erie, PA)
College of Engineering and Business
- Amanda Kochirka - Public Administration
College of Humanities, Education and Social
Sciences
- Athar Almadanat - Organizational Learning & Leadership
- Angela Jeffery - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences
- Daniel Fromknecht - Physical Therapy
- Mariah Hudson - Athletic Training
Founding Committee Members (Ruskin, FL)
Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences
- Jessica Boyd - Occupational Therapy
- Rebecca Himes - Occupational Therapy
Executive Committee Members
Elections are held each year to identify a set of student
leaders. They represent each university college: College of
Engineering and Business, College of Humanities, Education and
Social Sciences, and Morosky College of Health Professions and
Sciences. They also represent each university campus: Erie, PA and
Ruskin, FL. Their role is to lead the GSA through a series of
initiatives, while fostering relationships with their peers,
faculty, staff, and the community.
Your 2020-2021 Representatives:
- Ruskin Campus: Julia Berti (OT), Jessica O'Connor (OT)
- Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences: William Bays (PT), DeAnna Smith (OT)
- College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences: Kathryn Straatman (MHA), Chris Theriault (MHA)
- College of Engineering and Business: Korey MacIsaac (MPA), Furba Sherpa (MPA)
Advisor Contact Information