External Co-President

Statement: My name is Laura Snell, and I currently serve as the External Co-President of the GSA. I am a fourth year PhD student in the Religious Studies Department. Through the GSA, I have had the honor of representing and advocating for graduate students at the campus, system, and state level across a wide range of issues from the Chancellor search to impending budget cuts and the dangers facing our community. In the current moment, this work is critical for our community and our future. This year the GSA has worked to change our organizational structure to strengthen advocacy for our community. We are also in the final stages of launching a laptop loaner program for graduate students developed by myself and my predecessor Annjulie Vester. I am committed to these projects and hope to see them through if re-elected. In addition to External Co-President, I have served as the Graduate Student-Faculty Liaison in my own department for three years, and previously as the Recording Secretary for the UAW 4811 (formerly 2865) Santa Barbara Campus Unit for one year. Prior to UCSB, I served in student government during my master’s degree at Yale, worked in non-profits, and have been committed to community organizing on the east and west coast for over ten years. Thank you for your consideration!