Graduate Student Association

The Graduate Student Association membership includes all students pursuing post baccalaureate degrees in the Graduate College at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The organization's mission is to improve student academic conditions and create an organization of the local, regional, and national graduate student community.

2023-2024 GSA Members

Name	Program	Office
Justin Garland	Pathology	President
Santny Shanmugarama	Pathology	VP/Secretary
Alexa Beathard	GPiBS	Treasurer
Alyssa Wheeler	GPiBS	Community Service Chair
Malika Sekhri	GPiBS	Social Chair
Stephanie Lawrence	Pathology	PR Chair
Abbi Morgan	Neuroscience	GREAT Chair
Dylan Barber	Neuroscience	GREAT Vice Chair
Morgan Tackett	Neuroscience	Pre-GREAT Workshop Chair
Madison Sanford	Neuroscience	GREAT Career Development Chair
Becca Wells	Microbiology	IDPE Chair
Amy Tucker	Graduate College	Graduate College Faculty Representative
Shelli Smartt	Graduate College	Graduate College Staff Representative

Goals

To further the academic and career development of all graduate students on the OUHSC campus.
To provide graduate students with an opportunity to provide input into the governance of the Graduate College
To provide a forum for graduate students to present their research results and to obtain travel funds to attend scientific meetings through the Graduate Research Education and Technology Forum and GSA sponsored travel awards.
To provide a social and support network for graduate students on the OUHSC campus.

Governance

Governance is vested in the Graduate College Student Board composed of elected representatives for each of the six professional colleges who serve for one academic year. Meetings, open to all Graduate students, are held monthly on the first Thursday each month at noon.

Annual Events

Orientation & Welcome Event

The 2023 Welcome Event will be held on August 24th in the Molly Shi Boren Garden at the Bird Library. This orientation event is open to all new and existing graduate students and postdocs and serves as an opportunity to hear from campus partners and student organizations along with our Dean and Vice Provost. Trainees can learn more about the Graduate College and campus resources while also enjoying the opportunity to meet with peers. All new graduate students will receive their Graduate College hoodie, marking the beginning of their graduate journey which will ultimately end with them being hooded at convocation.

International Student Lunch & Fall Check-In

The International Student Lunch & Fall Check-In will be held on October 12th on the Bird Library Patio. This event is open to all new and existing International graduate students and serves as an opportunity to hear from OU's College of International Studies and HSC Student Affairs. This also serves as an open Q&A and an opportunity to share concerns and ideas for how we can best support our International students.

Fall Festival

This event will be held on November 16th in the Library Atrium and is open to all new and existing graduate students and postdocs. Fall Festival is a pure social event filled with fun, games, and prizes.

Winter Festival

The Winter Festival will be held in December. Refreshments and games provided for all graduate students and postdocs. Date, time and location TBD.

Graduate Research Education and Technology Symposium (GREAT)

GREAT is an acronym for Graduate Research Education And Technology Symposium hosted by the OUHSC Graduate College and the OUHSC Graduate Student Association. For the past 48 years, students at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center have showcased their original research at the GREAT Symposium. Students and postdoctoral fellows compete for travel grants to present their research at national scientific meetings. Students can also participate in the Flash Talk Competition and GREAT Debate, and enjoy other GREAT events including pre-GREAT workshops which emphasize communication and presentation skills along with featured speakers and the Keynote Address.

SAVE THE DATE: GREAT 2024 will be held April 1-4!

Graduate College Convocation

The Graduate College Convocation will honor M.S. and Ph.D. graduates for the preceeding fall semester and upcoming fall and spring semesters. All Gradaute Faculty, Students, and Staff are invited to attend. The Graduate College Convocation will be held on the Saturday following the OU Norman Commencment in the David L. Boren Student Union.

SAVE THE DATE: Graduate College Convocation 2023 will be held May 13, 2023.