Spotlight on GSA President | Maria Guiza
“My role is to try to enrich graduate events and networking opportunities. The GSA communicates with graduate students and reaches out to them about their needs and their graduate experience.”
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) serves as the representative voice of the graduate student community, fostering engagement, leadership, professional development, and a vibrant graduate student experience. The GSA advocates for graduate student interests, supports initiatives that enhance academic and social success, and promotes collaboration across programs and disciplines.
As the umbrella organization for all graduate student clubs and organizations, the GSA provides guidance, resources, and coordination to help student groups thrive. Through its own offerings and support of other graduate-student clubs, the GSA encourages community building, interdisciplinary connections, and opportunities for students to develop personally and professionally beyond the classroom. The GSA is a great way to meet other graduate students.
For more information contact GSA@Hood.edu or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HoodGSA.
PURPOSE: The objectives of the GSA shall be to:
a. Promote better communication among graduate students, the faculty, and the administration.
b. Provide Graduate students with an official and representative forum in which to raise Graduate student concerns.
c. Provide funding for the purposes of Graduate student societies, research projects, and educational conferences.
d. Provide activities and services which will assist students in their graduate and post-graduate work.
e. Provide social and networking opportunities for Graduate students.
f. Strengthen the Hood community and bridge the relationships between the College and its Graduates.
MEMBERSHIP
All students enrolled in graduate studies or students presenting a statement by their department(s) certifying them to be graduate students shall automatically be eligible to become members of the Graduate Student Association.
a. Active membership of the Graduate Student Association shall be chosen without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, age, religion, color, political affiliation or ideology, or national or ethnic origin
b. Active membership requires that the members be a full or part time Graduate Student at Hood College.
c. Full and Part-time Graduate students retain full privileges within the Graduate Student Association with the right to hold office and vote.
d. The Graduate Student Association recognizes various Graduate Societies.
e. The Graduate School at Hood College recognizes various academic disciplines.
Types of Events:
Café B4 Class: Get a coffee and a snack before your class. Feel free to mingle with us and other graduate students or dash to your next class!
Mixers: Meet grad students in other departments or even someone who is in your class that you haven’t met yet! Mixers are great for meeting new friends and networking.
Getting Involved:
We know graduate students can be very busy, from family life to working full time jobs, so you can be as involved as you’d like. If you would like to help us plan events or if you only have time to help spread the word of upcoming events and activities to your fellow classmates we would love to have you join. If you want more information about the GSA or you wish to join the GSA please email gsa@hood.edu.
Welcome to Hood College! We are thrilled to have you join our community and look forward to the unique contributions you will bring. My name is Samuel Pierre, and I am the president of the Graduate Student Association (GSA).
The GSA is committed to enhancing the graduate student experience here at Hood College. As such, our goal and mission are to foster a supportive and inclusive environment, bridging communication between graduate students and the College, and advocating for every single member of our community, regardless of race, gender, religion, or cultural background.
As we launch into this semester, let me remind you that the GSA is here to ensure that your time at Hood is not only academically enriching but also filled with opportunities outside the classroom. We have a range of exciting events planned for this fall semester, and I encourage you to stay connected by following us on Instagram (@hoodgsa), Facebook (@HoodGSA), and X (@Hood_GSA). Help us spread the word by sharing our posts and getting involved.
Remember, YOUR VOICE MATTERS. Whether you are online or on-campus, pursuing a master’s, certificate, or doctoral degree, your participation is crucial to the success of our community. Thank you for choosing Hood College for your graduate education. Welcome home, Blazers, where #YOUBELONG!
Here’s to a fantastic semester and a successful year ahead.
Regards,
Sam Pierre
The Hood College Grad Student Veterans (HCSV) organization serves as a catalyst for student veteran success by providing resources, network support, and advocacy throughout and beyond higher education. The chapter connects members with the on-campus resources needed for personal and academic achievement, raises the visibility of grad-student veterans, and fosters camaraderie among graduate student veterans.
For more information, click here.
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) and GSA-sanctioned grad-student clubs and organizations are composed exclusively of currently registered graduate students. At this time, undergraduate students and alumni are not eligible to participate in GSA-sponsored clubs, activities, or events unless the program is specifically organized in partnership with a recognized undergraduate student organization or an official alumni group.
All graduate student clubs operate under the authority and oversight of the Graduate Student Association. To ensure effective coordination and equitable support across the graduate student community, all clubs must be formally sanctioned by the GSA. The GSA is responsible for approving new clubs, allocating resources and funding, coordinating event scheduling, and administering other club-related programs and services.
Students interested in establishing a new graduate student club are encouraged to contact GSA@hood.edu for detailed information regarding the club formation process, requirements, and available support. The GSA is committed to helping students develop organizations that enhance graduate student engagement, leadership, and community building.
Introducing New GSA President | Samantha Brandt
Hood MBA student, Samantha Brandt, is the new Graduate Student Association (GSA) President. Samantha is also a Hood ALTY scholar as she completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at Hood College.
Spotlight on GSA President Laura Espinosa
Laura is a native of Columbia and she looks forward to involving more international graduate students in the GSA.