Smiling members of the Chancellor's Graduate & Professional Student Advisory Board.

Chancellor's Graduate & Professional Student Advisory Board

The CGPSA board was established to facilitate direct communication between the Chancellor and graduate and professional students at the University of California, Davis. The board informs students about activities within the Offices of the Chancellor and provides comprehensive recommendations to the Chancellor about graduate and professional student needs. The purpose of the Chancellor’s Graduate and Professional Student Advisory Board is to advise the Office of the Chancellor and advocate on behalf of graduate and professional students.

Application

Applications to become a member of the Chancellor's Graduate & Professional Student Advisory Board opens every Fall, the deadline to submit an application is mid-October.

Membership

Chaired by the Graduate Student Advisor to the Dean and the Chancellor (GSADC), the CGPSA board comprises of about 22 current graduate and professional students representing a variety of departments, graduate groups, professional schools, and perspectives on graduate student life.

The 2025-2026 board includes eight returning members, bringing expertise to the four subcommittees for this academic year.

Meet the 2025-2026 board:
Chair: Denise Yamhure Ramirez – GSADC 25-26
Vice chair: Brent Horning

Resource Communication and Dissemination

Enhancing transparency, information flow, and accessibility of resources across graduate and professional students.

NameProgramEmail
Chair: Trevor GannaloBiochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and
Developmental Biology		[email protected] 
Sara SuAnimal Biology[email protected]
Prasannadatta KawadkarComputer Sciences[email protected] 

 

Inclusive Excellence

Strengthening Inclusive Excellence initiatives for inclusive practices and equitable access to academic and community support.

NameProgramEmail
Chair: Maria Calderon
Leon		Psychology[email protected] 
Kelsey RanchoBiochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and
Developmental Biology		[email protected] 
John CadizTransportation Technology and Policy[email protected] 
Mariah WadeSociology[email protected] 
Maria Carolina LecompteTransportation Technology and Policy[email protected] 

 

Parents and Caregivers

Advocacy to better support and recognize graduate and professional student parents and caregivers.

NameProgramEmail
Chair: Christina ThomasNative American Studies[email protected] 
Sophie QuynnComputer Science[email protected] 
Ramatoulaye OuattaraImmunology[email protected] 
Carsen DunnChemistry[email protected] 
Alisha BurchEnvironmental Engineering[email protected] 

 

Academic and Professional Development

Identifying, promoting and creating initiatives that promote career advancement, academic growth, and leadership development.

NameProgramEmail
Chair: Celeste NavasCultural Studies[email protected] 
Oby OkoyeChemistry[email protected] 
Makan FarhoodimoghadamComputer Sciences[email protected] 
Brent HorningReligion, Culture, and Society[email protected] 

Please direct any questions, comments or concerns to [email protected].

 

2024-2025 Board Projects

1. Student-Parents & Student-Caregivers Subcommittee: An exploration into strategies for more effectively identifying student caregivers and parents, and linking them to available campus resources.

2. Resource Communication & Dissemination Subcommittee: Focuses on increasing access to campus resources and reducing barriers to access. 

3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee: Provides perspectives and suggestions to foster a more inclusive campus environment. 

Board Reports

Please direct any additional questions, comments, or concerns to [email protected].