2026-2027 EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONS

The five members of the GPSG Executive Board are elected by the graduate and professional student body. This year, elections will take place from February 16 to 22.

Meet the Candidates

President

Leads GPSG, represents graduate and professional students to the University, and sets priorities for the year.

Victoria Wyant

School of Public Health

Victoria A. Wyant is a second-year PhD student in the Health Services Research and Policy Program at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research interests focus on health systems, policy evaluation, and workforce-related challenges, with an emphasis on advancing equity through evidence-based decision-making. Victoria holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Miami, as well as a Master of Public Health and a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Miami. Her interdisciplinary training informs her approach to health services research by integrating biomedical science, public health, and policy analysis.

She currently serves as President of the School of Public Health Student Government and represents graduate students on the University Planning and Budgeting Committee and the University Graduate Council on Graduate Study. Nationally, she has served as a Student Ambassador for the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM). She is also a Pitt Irvis Fellow and SREB scholar. Prior to Pitt, Victoria contributed to the Framing the Future 2030 initiative at the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health and worked on applied research through the Firefighter Cancer Initiative and Prevention Education and Research in Latin America (PERLA).

Biography

Statement

Since arriving in Pittsburgh, what has stood out to me most is how the city balances its scale with a genuine sense of community. Neighborhoods feel connected, people take the time to know one another, and there is a shared pride in place. That sense of belonging motivates my continued investment in graduate student leadership and service at the University of Pittsburgh. My approach to leadership is grounded in action. As President of the School of Public Health Student Government, I have worked closely with students, faculty, and administrators to translate student needs into concrete outcomes. Over the past two years, I helped oversee and allocate funding that supported more than 72 student travel grants, 39 poster presentation grants, and 7 thesis grants, ensuring that financial barriers did not limit students’ ability to present, participate, or advance their work. I have also worked collaboratively to elevate student concerns related to academic experience, equity, and wellbeing into institutional conversations where decisions are made.

Beyond my school-level role, I serve as the graduate student representative on the University Planning and Budgeting Committee and on the University Graduate Council on Graduate Study, where I engage in curriculum discussions. These experiences have strengthened my ability to listen carefully, navigate complex systems, and advocate effectively within institutional structures. I am equally committed to building connection outside the classroom. Through co-sponsored programming, professional development workshops, community service initiatives, and social events, I have worked to create spaces where graduate students can connect across disciplines. I strive to be a leader who can guide both joyful moments and hard conversations, while creating space for honesty around pressure, finances, and inclusion. I bring an intentional, collaborative, and care-centered approach to leadership, and I am committed to continuing this work in service of graduate students and the broader Pitt community.

Committees

Ensures graduate and professional students are represented on university‑wide committees.

Ellie Hardman

Katz Graduate School of Business

As a committed and results-driven leader, I am passionate about building strong, collaborative teams. With over 5 years of experience in organizational leadership, I have guided diverse groups towards achieving shared goals while fostering an inclusive and engaging environment. I am originally from Wales, UK, and have been within and around US Higher Education for 6 years, undertaking my Masters in Accounting at Penn State, and working as an Account Specialist at Pitt. I will be enrolled within the Part-Time MBA beginning Summer 2026 and hope to utilize my learnings from past roles and future courses to ensure every member's voice is heard.

Biography

Statement

I have been a member of numerous sporting organizations, held a position as an events management coordinator, and now serve as an account specialist for the SORC office at Pitt. My roles have enabled me to streamline communication between committees, colleagues and peers to empower individuals. I believe given the correct tools, resources, and support; committees can thrive and turn every idea into action. If elected, I will focus on strengthening inter-committee collaboration, improving transparency, and ensure every organization has the space to grow stronger, feel more connected and create an impact to not only themselves but others.

Communications

Manages GPSG’s website, email, and social media to keep students informed and engaged.

Anoosha Fayyaz

School of Computing and Information Science

I am a PhD student in the School of Computing at the University of Pittsburgh. I have prior training in physics and a lot of experience in graduate student governance and advocacy. During my master’s program, I was Chair of the Graduate Assistant Advisory Committee (GAAC). This committee was formed under the University System of Maryland’s Meet and Confer policy to represent graduate assistants in discussions with university administration on employment-related issues. In this role, I worked closely with graduate students and administrators to tackle issues related to compensation, health insurance, contracts for hourly positions, performance evaluations, and the Graduate Assistant Handbook. I also served on the executive council of the graduate student organization. I collaborated regularly with the Dean of the Graduate School and senior university leaders to highlight graduate student concerns and improve communication. My experiences have given me a strong understanding of shared governance, committee structures, and the importance of making sure student voices are effectively represented and communicated back to the broader graduate community.

Biography

Statement

Finance

Oversees GPSG’s budget and funding to ensure responsible use of graduate student activity fees.

Chubie Nwadiogbu

School of Nursing

My name is Chidiebube Nwadiogbu but I prefer to be called Chubie (Chew-bee) for short. I was born in Nigeria and raised in New Jersey since I was 9 years old. I obtained my BSN from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2021 where I was part of a sorority (Alpha Kappa Alpha), a tutor, and a mentor for other nursing students within the program. My first job was at Hackensack Meridian Hospital on their Trauma stepdown unit. I worked about a year in a community ICU at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, NJ and 2 years in MICU at Cooper University Hospital (Level 1 trauma Center). I am a dedicated and compassionate Graduate Nurse Anesthetist Student with progressive career history in direct critical patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environments. I have consistently developed strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication. I am also well rounded with being involved in leadership positions in Sorority and Volunteer Work.

Biography

Statement

As a previous Financial secretary for my Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Treasurer for my youth ministry in Church, I have experience with managing budgets, maintaining financial records, and budgeting to support organizational goals. I have led numerous fundraising events for the sorority that were a success in not only reaching our financial target but also were memorable and fun to all participants. Both roles have strengthened my attention to detail, understanding the accountability when handling funds, and working with other executive members to provide the best outcome. I believe that my skills and background would be an excellent fit for the VP of Finance position in the GPSG executive board.

Programming

Plans events and programs that build community and support students.

Mahdi Mazloum

Dietrich School of Art and & Sciences

I am a PhD student in Computational Modeling and Simulation with a concentration in Neuroscience. Since 2024, I have served as the President of the Iranian Student Association (ISA), where I lead the planning and execution of cultural, social, and professional events, manage budgets, and coordinate with university partners and student volunteers. I am also a member of the CNBC Leadership Council Events Center and currently serve as one of the GPSG event organizers during the academic year. Through these roles, I have gained extensive experience in large-scale programming, cross-organizational collaboration, and inclusive event planning for a diverse graduate student community.

Biography

Statement

I am applying for the Vice President of Programming position because I am committed to creating inclusive, well-organized, and engaging programming that supports the academic, professional, and social needs of graduate and professional students. My experience in student leadership has prepared me to manage the full scope of responsibilities associated with this role with care, efficiency, and accountability.

As President of the Iranian Student Association, I have overseen the planning of events that required close coordination with university offices, external vendors, and student volunteers. These experiences have strengthened my ability to manage event logistics from start to finish, including budgeting, venue coordination, ticketing, attendance verification, and compliance with university policies. I am comfortable determining event budgets, updating them throughout the year, and confirming venues well in advance to ensure smooth execution. Clear communication and collaboration are central to my approach. I will work closely with the Vice President of Communications to ensure timely and effective advertising for all GPSG events. As Chair of the Event Planning Committee, I will prioritize structured meetings, transparent processes, and active recruitment of committee members, while clearly communicating EPC recommendations and outcomes to the Assembly Board and Executive Board. I take graduate student feedback seriously and will respond promptly to concerns and event requests.

Accessibility is a priority for me, and I will consistently consider transportation, physical access, and inclusive event design when planning GPSG programming. I am also prepared to administer ticket registration policies, verify student status, coordinate with ticket offices and vendors, and maintain accurate records for reporting purposes. I am committed to holding regular office hours, meeting with students by appointment, and reporting all relevant activities to the GPSG President and boards. Finally, I view this role as one of stewardship and continuity, and I will ensure that all procedures, documentation, and technical details are clearly passed on to the next Vice President of Programming.

How to Vote

All Pitt graduate and professional students will receive an email on February 16, 2026 at 8 a.m. with instructions for how to vote. Voting will remain available until February 22, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Voting will take place on the Experience Pitt platform (experience.pitt.edu).
Each person may vote for one person in each position.
Results will be announced on February 23, 2026.

Campaigning Rules

Candidates may begin formal campaigning starting on February 10. Candidates may tell other people that they intend to run before this date, but may not engage in activities that encourage other people to vote for them (mass emails, flyering, etc.). Campaigning early will result in disqualification.
Campaigning is candidate driven. GPSG will not endorse any candidates, although we will offer equal opportunities to be featured on our social media, website, and email newsletters.
Candidates may also encourage students to vote for them through social media, email lists, and tabling and your school. Other suggestions include:
- Distributing or posting flyers (please adhere to the University posting policy)
- Contacting your school for information regarding tabling
- Gathering support from your school and students group of which you are a part
- Emailing listservs and posting on groupchats
- Connecting to students from other schools
Candidates are not expected to incur any cost while campaigning.
Negative campaigning will result in candidate disqualification.