Graduate Student Advisory Council Members
Meet the members of the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC).
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Jazmine Benson
Master's Student in Politics & Government
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MD Ikram Hossain Bhuiyan
Master’s student in Technology
MD Ikram Hossain Bhuiyan (he/him) is a graduate student in the Department of Politics and Government. Prior to joining ISU, he brought extensive experience from his work with leading international organizations in Bangladesh. He served as a Policy Analyst at BRAC, where he contributed to critical research on social protection programs and marginalized communities, and as a Communication with Communities (CwC) Coordinator for UNICEF in Cox's Bazar, working directly with Rohingya refugee populations. His professional journey also includes roles as a Project Manager at BacBon Ltd., where he led nationwide teacher training initiatives, and as a Project Officer with e-Education NPO in Tokyo, Japan, mentoring over 1,000 students.
Ikram's academic excellence has been recognized through multiple prestigious awards, including the COUNTRY Financial Scholar award, ISU Political Science Scholar Award, and ISU Presidential Persistence Scholarship in 2025. Ikram is known for his exceptional leadership abilities and cross-cultural competence. He was selected as the “Social Change Maker” as a national youth leader in 2019 from Bangladesh by Toyota Foundation. He has served as the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Student Association at ISU. He is also a member of Phi Sigma Alpha chapter at ISU campus. His membership in the Graduate School Advisory Council at ISU demonstrates his dedication to enhancing the international student experience and fostering inclusive academic environments. Through his multilingual capabilities and diverse professional background spanning three countries, he can bring a unique global perspective to the academic community. -
Gwynneth Boynton
Master's student in Communication
Gwynneth (she/her) is a first-year graduate student in the School of Communication, and the Graduate Assistant for Marketing at ISU Campus Recreation. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2024 with a B.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a double major in Psychology and Communication.
Gwynneth’s main goal as a member of GSAC is to create a more fulfilling experience for current and future graduate students at ISU. She aspires to be a resource for undergraduate student who are curious about the graduate school experience while serving as an advocate for current graduate students to promote their concerns and needs.
Gwynneth is excited to be a part of this team and looks forward to making meaningful change on campus while gaining professional and leadership experience.
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Kathleen Christian
Master's student in Sociology
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Emily Hill
Master's student in Kinesiology & Recreation
I am a first-year master’s student in Recreation Administration and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation. I also work with ISU Athletics as event staff and hope to pursue a career in event management after graduation. My background in athletics, recreation, and student involvement has shaped my passion for creating engaging experiences and building community. In my free time, I enjoy fitness and circus arts. I am serving on GSAC to advocate for graduate student needs, help strengthen the graduate student community at ISU, and help ensure that graduate students have the resources and support they need to thrive both physically and mentally.
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Fredrick Igwe
Master's student in Theatre
Fredrick Igwe is a master’s student in Theatre Studies and a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of Ghana. His academic interests lie in the intersections of African performance traditions, pre- and post-colonial drama in West Africa, community-engaged theatre, and applied performance/theatre.
Fredrick’s scholarship explores how performance operates as a site of political critique, social cohesion, and a catalyst for social transformation within African contexts. His recent work examines the performative dimensions of Nigerian protest movements, particularly the #EndSARS movement, and the application of community-based theatre as a tool for civic engagement, health literacy promotion, and social change.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Fredrick is deeply committed to working with marginalized and underrepresented communities through theatre and applied performance. His practice emphasizes the transformative potential of storytelling in fostering dialogue, empathy, and collective action, particularly in spaces where performance becomes a means of empowerment, healing, and reflection.
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Nayeemul Islam
Master's student in Marketing Analytics
All the way from Bangladesh, I am pursuing my MS in Marketing Analytics at the College of Business. After completing my Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Dhaka, I went on to serve stints at Bangladesh's one and only unicorn, bKash Limited and then at an AI Analytics firm in Germany. When I'm not dealing with deadlines, I am probably either at the ISU Gym or DJ-ing for my roommates.
As a representative of the GSAC, I want to be the voice of graduate students, especially of those from the College of Business. I am always available to my fellow Gradbirds if they require any assistance or have a concern regarding Graduate School
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Sean McDaniel
Master's student in Psychology
I am a second-year Clinical-Counseling Psychology master’s student at Illinois State University (ISU). I currently provide therapeutic services as an outpatient mental health counseling intern at Heritage Behavioral Health Center in Decatur, and I actively promote wellness-based initiatives and facilitate educational courses as a graduate assistant through the Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW) Department. I previously served as a Screening, Assessment, and Support Services (SASS) therapist intern at the Center for Youth and Family Solutions (CYFS) where I provided crisis intervention services for adolescents in McLean County.
In my free time, I enjoy listening to music and spending quality time with my partner. I believe that finding a healthy work-life balance is the most important part of graduate school, and I would love to discuss self-care tips with anyone who may be interested or struggling!
I look forward to connecting with colleagues through the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) while advancing the interests of the Psychology department, including areas associated with advocacy and mental health awareness on campus. I am proud to serve on GSAC for a second year, and I would love to hear feedback related to your experiences navigating graduate school!
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Ishmael Neequaye
Master's student in English
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Sheilla Nelson
Doctoral student in English
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Caroline Sharpe
Master’s student in Kinesiology & Recreation
Caroline Sharpe is a first-year master’s student in the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity program and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation, where she teaches Active for Life courses. Her academic interests center on the psychological factors that influence athletic and professional performance, motivation, and well-being. Caroline is especially motivated by the opportunity to collaborate with students from different colleges, nationalities, and degree levels. In her free time, Caroline enjoys going on walks with friends and traveling to cool places. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Caroline is committed to fostering connection, advocacy, and professional growth among graduate students.
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Blessing Soyebi
Doctoral student in Biological Sciences
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Nick Stulga
Master’s student in Communication
Graduate Assistantship: ISU University Housing Services' Student Development & Conduct
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Natasha Tchaikovsky
Master’s student in Applied Community and Economic Development - Sociology