Graduate Student Advisory Council Members
Meet the members of the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC).
-
Daniel Chukwudi
Master's Student in Hydrogeology
I am a master’s student and graduate teaching assistant at the department of Geography, Geology, and The Environment. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, I'm dedicated to speaking out for the needs and concerns of other graduate students.
-
Jacob DiCiaula
Master’s student in Criminal Justice Sciences
I am very honored to serve on a board that can help graduate students. My parents are both ISU alumni, and I was born and raised in Bloomington-Normal. Some of my earliest memories are attending ISU football and basketball games. After attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for my undergraduate degree and Chicago-Kent Law School, I practiced as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney in Chicago and central Illinois.
I am a Criminal Justice Studies major. My research focus is on the ethnography of prosecutors and looking at how they are selected and promoted with an eye toward how prior work as a defense attorney may affect their attitudes toward criminal diversionary programs.
I am also a veteran of the United States Army, having served active duty in the 1/25th ID, 3-21 BN stationed at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. I would be happy to speak with any veterans who are navigating the various processes required for receiving education, disability, or other benefits.
-
Clementina Edema
Master's student in Communication
I am a first year Master's student at the School of Communication, where I major in organizational communication and public relations. Before coming to ISU, I worked as a sales and marketing manager for a multinational company in Nigeria. I also used to volunteer to rehabilitate inmates through arts and theatre performances as well as teach them how to read and write.
I enjoy working out as I start my day at the REC center, I also love to explore different places and eat new food from different cultures.
I am excited to be a member of the GSAC because I want to highlight issues relating to graduate students, especially international graduate students, and find solutions to them.
-
Breanne Evans
Master's student in Creative Technologies
I am a 2nd-year graduate student in the Creative Technologies Program, focused on graphic design and advocating for sustainable creative methods. I work full-time as a Marketing Assistant at Heartland Community College, where I find engaging ways to tell student stories.
As an adjunct professor, I taught Computer Imaging and Design and Introduction to Digital Media at Heartland Community College and will teach Composition and Design for Digital Media at Illinois State University next semester. I am excited to serve on the Graduate Student Advisory Council because I have seen first-hand how crucial education is in promoting creativity.
-
Stella Uju Eze
Master's student in Social Work
I am a first year graduate student in the School of Social Work studying for my MSW degree and I am a Graduate Research Assistant with the National Board Resource Center, College of Education at Illinois State University. I have a background in Law from Nigeria and I am a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, duly called to the Nigerian Bar in 2011. I also have a Masters degree in Law and this will be my second Masters, in Social Work.
I held a student leadership position in my undergraduate days and was privileged to sit on the executive board of the Law Students’ Society, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. I love giving back to my society, wherever I find myself and am very happy to serve as a Graduate student representative on the Graduate Student Advisory Council at Illinois State University.
In my free time, I am either painting with my daughter or relaxing on the couch and sipping a glass of juice while watching a movie or reading a book.
-
Taylor Flinn
Master's student in Psychology (she/her)
Hello, my name is Taylor Flinn! I am a second-year master's student in the Industrial-Organizational and Quantitative psychology sequences. I value being a part of the Gradbird community, and I'm always looking for ways to get more involved. I'm looking forward to being a member of the GSAC council to get to know other graduate students and make positive changes to the Graduate School!
-
Meghna Gogoi
Master's student in Sociology (she/her/hers)
I am a master’s student in the Department of Sociology at Illinois State University. I am currently working as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Sociology. Before the teaching assistantship, I was working as a graduate pre-professional assistant at the Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities, Dean of Students. I have completed my bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Delhi, India. I have worked as a human resource professional in the past. In addition, I have served as a Vice President for my department during my undergraduate. Besides academics, I love singing, listening to music, and watching movies. As an international student from India, I stand for inclusivity. This council will give me the platform to voice the concerns of the graduate students. I highly encourage you to reach out to me if you have any concerns. I would love to hear about your experience in graduate school. I look forward to contributing to the Graduate Student Advisory Council.
-
Aidan Hartman
Master’s student in Kinesiology & Recreation
Aidan Hartman serves as the Graduate School Senator within the Student Government Association, undertaking key roles within the Finance and Budget Committee for both SGA and Academic Senate. He successfully completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Kansas in May of 2022 and is presently pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management here at Illinois State University. In addition to his academic pursuits, Aidan serves as a second-year Development Graduate Assistant , where he assists in the advancement of the annual fund, employing his expertise in cultivation, stewardship, strategy, and the day-to-day operations of the Weisbecker Athletic Fund.
Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Aidan is the oldest son of Hope and Wink Hartman as well as a brother to Riley, Jordan, and Quinn.
-
Md. Didar Hossain
Doctoral student in English
Hello, I am Md. Didar Hossain. I am a PhD Student in the Department of English at Illinois State University. I am also working as an Assistant Professor (currently on Study Leave) of English at English Language Institute of United International University in Bangladesh. I completed my MA in English from Bangladesh. I have published several research papers in referred international journals. I also presented my papers at two national conferences in Bangladesh. My research interests are Second Language Acquisition, Second Language Teacher Education, and Sociolinguistics. I am very happy to be a part of this council.
-
Srilekha Naidu
Master’s student in Information Technology
-
Eduardo Pimentel
Master’s student in Educational Administration & Foundations
-
Alexis Quick
Master's student in Communication
I am a first-year master's student in the School of Communication a ISU. Through my graduate teaching assistantship, I have the opportunity to teach COM 110: Communication through Critical Inquiry. Outside of ISU, I also work as the Communications Coordinator for the Community Relations team at Centier Bank, where I aid in corporate social responsibility initiatives. I completed my undergraduate studies at Manchester University in North Manchester, IN, where I studied Marketing and Business Management with a minor in Public Relations. For my undergraduate thesis, I researched connections between media and U.S. Tort Reform. As a master's student, I am focusing my studies on Public Relations and Organizational Communication. In my free time, I love spending time with friends, drinking coffee, and tending to my many plants.
-
Mahsa Rahimi
Master’s student in Economics
-
Alhassan Safianu
Master’s student in Educational Administration & Foundations
I am currently a first-year master's student in College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) at Illinois State University, where I also serve as a Pre-Professional Graduate Assistant with University Housing Services, specifically at Watterson Towers. Before joining Illinois State University, I worked as a teaching assistant at the University of Cape Coast, where I earned my bachelor's degree in education management and subsequently pursued a master's degree in education management.
My prior experience includes over three years as a teaching and research assistant at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, where I actively supported faculty in research activities and taught undergraduate courses. Furthermore, I served as a Justice on the Judicial Board for the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG-UCC), where I handled disciplinary matters and participated in constitutional amendments. This experience further enriched my leadership and administrative skills. I look forward to contributing to the advancement of graduate students through the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) here at Illinois State University.
-
Maryna Teplova
Doctoral Student in English
Maryna Teplova, Lela Winegarner Fellow, is a PhD candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Department of English at Illinois State University, with 22-year university-level TESOL experience in Ukraine; she presented at conferences and conducted professional development seminars for ESL/EFL teachers in Ukraine. Ms Teplova is alumna of the programs administered by the US Department of State: New York University (2007); California State University, Chico (2004). As Head of the Board at NGO New Vision (Dnipro, Ukraine), Maryna is also involved in civil society activity, in particular, debate and other educational projects implemented by NGO New Vision.