Graduate Student Advisory Council Members
Meet the members of the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC).
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Kubarat Ayinde
Master's student in Communications
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Franklin Akuoko-Frimpong
Master's student in Fashion Design and Merchandising (FCS)
I am a graduate student in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department, specialising in Fashion Design and Merchandising. I currently serve as a Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, and I am actively engaged as a fashion designer as well as a design and textile researcher.
Throughout my academic journey, I have consistently sought opportunities to serve and lead. My leadership experience spans from junior high school through university, where I have held positions such as Senior School Prefect, SRC Advisor, and Course Representative. These roles have enabled me to develop strong communication, advocacy, and problem-solving skills while representing the interests of diverse groups of students.
My philosophy of leadership is simple: to serve those I represent by listening to their concerns, bringing their needs to light, and working collaboratively to find practical solutions to the challenges they face. I believe that effective leadership is rooted in service, accountability, and a genuine commitment to improving the experiences of others. As a Graduate Student Advisor, my goal would be to advocate for fellow graduate students and support the committee in the best way possible. I am committed to being a voice for students, fostering open communication, and contributing positively to initiatives that enhance graduate student success.
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Gwynneth Boynton
Master's student in College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA)
Gwynneth (she/her) is a 2nd year graduate student in the College of Education's college student personnel administration program (CSPA). She also serves as a graduate assistant in the Dean of Student's Office for the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) unit of the Student Involvement Suite. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2024 with her B.S., double majoring in psychology and communication.
Gwynneth's main goal as a member on this council is to successfully facilitate the development of impactful future experiences for graduate students at Illinois State University through meaningful evaluation of past experiences & feedback with leaders of Illinois State University's Graduate School. She sincerely hopes to be a resource for anyone curious about the graduate school experience, or for those who need support and/or advocacy from their community.
Gwynneth is responsive in her email inbox & encourages anyone with questions or curiosities to reach out there.
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
I am a first-year master’s student in the Sociology program and a graduate teaching assistant for the Sociology department. I graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2025 with a B.A. in Sociology. In my free time I enjoy playing tennis and reading. I am serving on GSAC because I want to be able to support my fellow graduate students, whether they are currently enrolled in a program or incoming students. My goal is to be a reliable resource that students can turn to when they need guidance or assistance throughout their graduate experience.
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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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Mahak Kaur
Master's student in Marketing Analytics
I currently serve as a Graduate Assistant with International Student and Scholar Services, where I work closely with international students as they navigate university processes, immigration requirements, employment, and different stages of their academic experience. Prior to becoming a graduate assistant, I worked in the same office as a student employee, which gave me an even deeper appreciation for the importance of clear communication, accessible resources, and meaningful student support.
My academic and professional interests also extend into marketing, analytics, technology, AI, and research. I am especially interested in how data and technology can be used to better understand people, improve communication, and create better experiences. I have always been someone who notices when something could be clearer, more welcoming, or simply work better, and I enjoy being part of the process of improving it.
Through GSAC, I hope to bring a thoughtful and student-centered perspective while also learning from graduate students whose programs, backgrounds, and experiences are different from my own. I am especially interested in helping strengthen communication between graduate students and the university, making resources and opportunities easier to navigate, and ensuring that different student perspectives are represented.
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Sheilla Nelson
Doctoral student in English
Sheilla Nelson dreams, thinks, writes (as Aisha Nelson), and currently also studies and teaches as a PhD in English student at the Department of English, here in Illinois State University, Normal. Apart from several features, exhibitions and publications of various genres of her creative writing and other art in various mediums and spaces, Nelson’s work has been shortlisted by Erbaccé Press, and has won the Harmattan Poetry Prize and the Professor Kofi Awoonor Literary Prize. Drumbeat is her first full-length staged play; Aku the Sun Maker, her first children’s storybook, has Gã, English, and several other translations and adaptations. Nelson is currently the Co-ordinator of the Abena Korantemaa Oral History Prize, and a 2019-2020 Fellow of the African Union’s Centre for Linguistic and Historical Studies (CELHTO). Her creative and academic interests explore the silences and intersections between literary and visual art forms, song and memory and culture alike, and the questions that these raise about meaning, identity, gender, reality—the existential! Having found community and growth as an international and graduate student here at ISU, Nelson is happy to meaningfully and concretely pay forward the opportunity by serving on the GSAC.
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Oluwatodimu Elizabeth Ogunade (she/her)
Master’s student in Social Work
Oluwatodimu is a Master of Social Work student at Illinois State University, with a background in education and an MA in Rhetoric and Writing from Northern Illinois University. She currently works with Academic Support Services at ISU and at a mental wellness center, and was selected for the Illinois LEND Fellowship at UIC, focused on neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her work centers on digital media literacy and the impact of AI on mental health, including a proposal on AI literacy and psychoeducation presented at DLAC Ignite. She is serving on GSAC because she wants to connect with fellow graduate students and contribute to a stronger, more supportive graduate community at ISU.
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Anmol Seelan
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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Caroline Sharpe
Doctoral Student in Biological Sciences
Anmol Seelan is a first-year PhD student in Biological Sciences at Illinois State University and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School of Biological Sciences. Originally from India, Anmol’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in bacterial surface adhesion and colonization.
As an international graduate student, Anmol values the diverse community at ISU and is excited to serve on GSAC as a voice for graduate students. He hopes to help improve the graduate student experience, strengthen communication between students and the Graduate School, and help new and current graduate students navigate their time at ISU.
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Blessing Soyebi
Doctoral student in Biological Sciences
Blessing Ngozika Soyebi (she/her) is a PhD candidate in the School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University. Her research focuses on STEM education and examines how civic engagement connects to STEM students’ motivation, career decision-making, and STEM identity. Through this work, she hopes to identify ways that community-engaged STEM experiences can support students’ sense of belonging, prepare them to use science to serve the public good, and foster persistence in STEM.
Before beginning her doctoral studies, Blessing gained more than ten years of experience in science teaching and educational leadership. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science education. Her experiences as a teacher and researcher have shaped her commitment to supporting students from different backgrounds and improving their experiences in STEM.
As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Blessing is committed to listening to graduate students’ concerns, connecting students with helpful resources, and contributing to an inclusive and supportive graduate community at Illinois State.
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Nick Stulga
Master’s student in Communication
I am a second-year communication grad student at ISU. I am a graduate teaching assistant who currently teaches two sections of COM 110. For my thesis, I am looking at how the gym affects close interpersonal relationships. I love all kinds of music deeply. You can find me writing poetry and practicing my guitar in my free time. The gym is my safe space—controversially leg day is my favorite.
I joined GSAC with the vision of making ISU a better place for students who feel lost and new to the school. I came here as a transfer student in my junior year of undergrad, so I know how it feels to navigate a new environment with little help. I want students to have better access to school resources and feel included in the groups they decide to join on campus. All students deserve to succeed here at ISU!
Since you as the student are the one paying tuition and funding the school in large, you deserve to have your voice heard and noticed. If you ever have any questions, comments, and/or concerns for me about ISU or otherwise, please reach out to me via the contact link below (nstulga@ilstu.edu). Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps make this campus a more inclusive place for students from all backgrounds.
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Jaeda Thomas
Master’s student in Business Administration
- I am a graduate student pursuing my Master of Business Administration in the College of Business at Illinois State University, having also earned my B.S. in Human Development and Family Science from ISU. I am pursuing my MBA to build advanced expertise in organizational strategy, executive leadership, and business administration, with the goal of driving operational excellence and leading dynamic, impact-focused organizations.
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My passion for leadership and service has been a defining part of my time at Illinois State. I have actively sought opportunities to represent student interests across campus, serving as Treasurer of the Student Fee Board, an FCS Department Student Ambassador, and a student representative on both the University Hearing Panel and the Reinstatement Committee. These experiences have strengthened my advocacy, problem-solving, and governance skills while giving me a deep understanding of the university system. -
I am serving on GSAC because I am dedicated to being a strong, approachable voice for my peers. My goal on the council is to advocate for graduate student needs, help make university resources easier to navigate, and build an inclusive, supportive community where graduate students across all programs feel represented and empowered to succeed. Please feel free to reach out to me—I am deeply committed to hearing from you so we can work together to make meaningful change happen on our campus. -