Vice President of Financial Affairs

Statement:

I am running for a position on the UCSB Graduate Student Assembly because I care deeply
about graduate student advocacy, transparent leadership, and building systems that help
organizations serve students effectively and equitably. As a second-year PhD student in
Counseling Psychology at UCSB and a psychologist in training, I understand how important it is
for graduate students to have leaders who are organized, communicative, and committed to
using institutional resources in ways that directly support student needs. My first choice is to
serve as Vice President of Budget, Finance, and Committees, though I would also be excited to
contribute as Vice President of Communications.
I am especially well qualified for the Treasurer role because of my direct experience in financial
leadership. I currently serve as Treasurer for the Students of Section 17 (SAS) leadership
board, where I created and now maintain the budget for the 2025–2026 academic year. In this
role, I handle reimbursements and payments for all SAS activities, prepare routine monthly
reports, and oversee grant-related funds and financial processes. These responsibilities closely
mirror many of the duties outlined for the GSA finance position. I have also recently been
reelected to continue serving in this role for the 2026–2027 academic year, which reflects the
trust others have placed in my work and leadership. In addition, I serve as Treasurer for the
Unity in Diversity Graduate Student Network (UDGN), further strengthening my experience with
financial stewardship, organization, and accountability. I also serve on the Society of Counseling
Psychology financial committee, where I support the current APA Division 17 Treasurer and
collaborate with a committee of psychologists on nonprofit budget planning and financial
decision-making.
Beyond finance, I bring strong communication, time management, and interpersonal skills that
would also serve me well in a communications role. Through my work with the Access Grads
club, I update websites multiple times per quarter, manage email communication, support
outreach, host events, and engage in advocacy and mentorship for students navigating
graduate education. These experiences have helped me build skills in clear communication,
public-facing organization, and student-centered programming.
If elected, my goals would be to promote transparency in GSA budgeting, help streamline
financial and reporting processes, support equitable and responsible allocation of resources,
and contribute to a Graduate Student Assembly that feels dependable, accessible, and
responsive to student concerns. Whether through finance or communications, I want to help
strengthen the infrastructure that allows graduate student advocacy and community-building to
thrive.
At this time, I do not anticipate any major conflicts of interest. If elected, I would approach the
role with professionalism, transparency, and care, and I would disclose and appropriately
manage any potential conflicts should they arise.