GPSA accepting applications for executive board positions until Aug. 15

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) at Penn State is seeking distinguished graduate and professional students to apply for its executive board. Five leadership positions are open and cover a diverse range of responsibilities. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 15. All interested graduate and professional students are encouraged to apply.

The GPSA represents and supports the interests of the University’s current and prospective graduate and professional student body. To accomplish its mission, GPSA liaises with University administration to communicate student concerns while promoting and creating scholarship and leadership opportunities for graduate and professional students.

Daniil Rose, an integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) student pursuing a master of international affairs degree and bachelor’s degrees in computer engineering and German, has been elected president of GPSA for the 2025-26 academic year. Serving as vice president is Sabrina Knox, another IUG student working toward a master’s degree in international affairs and bachelor’s degrees in English and philosophy.

Enhancing representation of and fostering connections among graduate and professional students

Rose was inspired to join GPSA after a discussion with former president Seth Hojnacki, who received a doctor of law degree from Penn State in May 2025.

“He mentioned that there was an opening to represent the School of International Affairs,” Rose said. “I wanted to find a way to support my classmates, so I was excited to get involved.”

He decided eventually to run for president of GPSA because of his passion for student advocacy and love for Penn State, according to Rose.

“I see opportunities: opportunities for improvement in the organizational structure of GPSA, opportunities for deeper connection between graduate student organizations and opportunities for amplifying the graduate and professional student voice at Penn State,” Rose said. “I look forward to helping my fellow graduate and professional students.”

As president of GPSA, Rose hopes to expand representation of and engagement among graduate and professional students.

“I want to provide a channel for all graduate and professional students to feel like they belong and want them to get the chance to meet with people outside the scope of their everyday work,” Rose said.

Beyond his coursework and commitments to GPSA, Rose has held several internships since starting at Penn State. Most recently, he interned as a policy researcher with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in Washington, D.C.  

Increasing awareness and impact of GPSA

Knox’s interest in GPSA was sparked by her passion for interacting with students across diverse intellectual pursuits and advocating for student involvement in residence life, academic departments and artistic pursuits. She ran for vice president to increase and enhance opportunities for graduate students both during their time at Penn State and beyond.

“I want to open doors of opportunity for graduate and professional students through network building, community events, professional development and communication with University leadership,” Knox said.

For Knox, increasing GPSA’s visibility and impact among graduate and professional students is a central priority.

“When I announced I was running for vice president of GPSA, my classmates barely knew the organization existed,” Knox said. “I hope to increase the presence of GPSA across the University and to develop new and exciting events to foster student engagement.”

Knox has also held a few internships during her time at Penn State. Knox began working in summer 2024 as the global communications intern at Westinghouse Electric Company. She serves this summer as the government relations intern at the company’s Washington, D.C. office.

Aside from internships and coursework, Knox is a Paterno Fellow, Presidential Leadership Academy scholar and president of the Vocal Dimensions Jazz Ensemble in the Penn State School of Music. She is also a resident assistant and the communications and outreach chair for the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Penn State Chapter.  

Both Rose and Knox expressed gratitude to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School for the support and dedication they’ve been shown in extracurricular and academic affairs.

 “The Fox Graduate School cares about the whole student,” Knox said. “I have witnessed their passion and dedication to education and student success.” 

Opportunities to support: Open executive board positions

Executing Rose and Knox’s goals for GPSA for the 2025-26 academic year will rely on assistance from other members of the GPSA executive branch, where there are currently several vacant positions.

Penn State graduate and professional students interested in serving as executive board members of GPSA and elevating student voices are encouraged to apply to one of the following positions:

• Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
• Executive Director of Finance and Business
• Executive Director of Diversity and Advocacy
• Executive Director of External Affairs
• Executive Director of International Student Affairs
• Chief of Staff

“Serving on the GPSA executive board will give you the opportunity to make a direct impact on the lives of graduate and professional students at Penn State,” Knox said. “You will be able to work alongside a tremendous team of people who truly care about improving student life, academic excellence and professional development for our graduate student body.” 

Students interested in applying for any of the vacant positions should complete the GPSA 75th Assembly Executive Branch Application, indicating which position they’d like to be considered for, by Friday, Aug. 15. More details about each vacancy are outlined on the GPSA website.

To learn more about the GPSA at Penn State or to express interest in serving as a delegate for the 2025-26 academic year, please visit the GPSA website and email Daniil Rose (djr6389@psu.edu) or Sabrina Knox (sgk5260@psu.edu).