The Executive Board
The Executive Officers implement and advocate the interests of graduate and professional students to the university administration and handle the day-to-day operations of GPSG. The Executive Branch functions by coordinating numerous events, working alongside student leaders, and leading efforts to improve the graduate and professional student experience.
Board Members
President
Senior Vice President
Chief of Staff
VP for Advocacy and Government Affairs
VP for Communications
VP for Diversity and Inclusion
VP for Finance
Lauren Hawkinson
President
Lauren Hawkinson is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Human Movement Science Curriculum. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Winona State University in 2012, and a master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science with emphasis in Athletic Training from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2014. Prior to returning to Chapel Hill to pursue a PhD in Human Movement Science, Lauren worked clinically as an athletic trainer at the University of Richmond and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Her research area of interest is the development of successful implementation strategies for ACL injury prevention programs in a variety of youth sport settings. Outside of research and teaching, Lauren enjoys college sports, reading, and playing the piano.
The President shall be empowered to call and conduct Senate meetings, to appoint committees, to organize a GPSG Cabinet and designate positions therein, to represent the GPSG at all University functions, to speak on behalf of the graduate and professional students, and to initiate and oversee any projects, business, or programs necessary to fulfill the purposes of this organization, so long as these activities are consistent with the Constitution.
Katie Heath
Senior Vice President
Katie is a 5th-year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering. She grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas and received her BS in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas. Her research involves using medical imaging to improve radiation therapy for cancer patients. She currently works as a Graduate Research Assistant with the UNC School of Medicine. Outside of her research, Katie loves crafting, nail art, trying new foods, and playing dungeons and dragons.
The Senior Vice President shall serve as the President of the Senate, the legislative body of the GPSG. These duties include running Senate meetings, increasing Senate participation, securing University administration and other external representatives to speak before the Senate, increasing knowledge inside and outside of Senate about the role of GPSG and the Senate, facilitating dissemination of events and information amongst departments, and overseeing the Senate committees.
Abhigna Rao
Chief of Staff
Abhigna is a 2nd-year Master’s of Public Health student in the Health Behavior program at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She grew up in Morris Plains, New Jersey, and received her Honors BA in Interpersonal Communication from the University of Delaware. She is pursuing a career in program implementation and evaluation, and is interested in exploring the intersection of education, stigma, and health agency. She currently works as a Graduate Research Assistant with the UNC School of Medicine.
Outside of her academic roles, Abhigna is passionate about leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. This past spring, she led a student-wide survey for campus safety, and is looking forward to working on even more initiatives this upcoming year to support positive changes for the student body. When she’s not focusing on classes or extracurriculars, Abhigna enjoys working on her bookbinding and embroidery projects, or kicking back with a true crime show.
The Chief of Staff shall be responsible for selecting, organizing, advising, and supporting the GPSG Cabinet, which shall include members and positions as designated by the President. During the first meeting of the GPSG Senate each academic year, the Chief of Staff shall present a “GPSG Cabinet Charter” outlining the current positions, appointees, and the responsibilities of appointees. This charter shall be approved by the Senate by a majority vote of the members present and voting. The powers of the Chief of Staff shall not be limited to those presented here as the President of the GPSG may encourage him or her to take on additional duties or responsibilities.
Andrew Worrell
VP for Advocacy and Government Affairs
Andrew is a dual degree student at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy and UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Law. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Global Economic Studies with a concentration in Latin American Studies and a minor in P.P.E from UNC-Chapel Hill. After graduating in 2015, he spent four years working with students as they navigated the transition from high school to life after graduation for the College Advising Corps and the CollegeBoard. His experience working with underserved student populations has led to his interest in the law and public policy. After graduation he hopes to continue working in the public sector.
A native North Carolinian, he grew up in Deep River and now lives with his wife and a cat in Pittsboro. In his spare time you can find him working on his jump shot, hiking, exploring new food, or trying to convince himself to run a marathon.
The VP for Advocacy and Governmental Affairs shall be concerned with business outside the realm of the Senate, serving as a liaison between the GPSG, University administration and the community, and be responsible for compiling regular reports on the activities of University Standing Committees, Advisory Committees and Boards and all other duly established committees external to the GPSG, and reporting those activities to the Executive Committee.
Luke Conners
VP for Communications
Luke is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Mathematics at UNC studying low-dimensional topology. In his role as Vice President for Communications, he aims to streamline and focus the sharing of information among the different arms of GPSG to build a more efficient advocacy network for grad students. He grew up just outside Rochester, NY and Kansas City, KS before receiving bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics from Rice University in Houston, TX. Outside of graduate school, he enjoys hiking, reading, rock climbing, and taking in the outstanding live music scene in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
The VP for Communications shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of meetings of the Senate, the Executive Board, and the GPSG Cabinet, as well as for maintaining attendance records of GPSG Senators. The VP for Communications shall maintain all records and files of the GPSG, as well as maintain a current copy of the GPSG Constitution, and shall arrange for permanent preservation of these documents. The VP for Communications shall publish a list of all representative units, their Senators, and contact information. The VP for Communications maintains the GPSG Website and Newsletter.
Ashley Addison
VP for Diversity and Inclusion
Ashley is a native of Holly Hill, South Carolina. She holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is currently a third-year PharmD Candidate at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Ashley hopes to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry to increase medication access and improve the quality of healthcare. Using her prior knowledge and experience, she hopes to improve the Carolina experience for all through advocating for the diverse needs of graduate and professional students.
In her spare time, Ashley enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, cooking/trying new recipes.
Vacant
VP for Finance
The VP for Finance shall be empowered to oversee the annual budget, to requisition funds, to keep all financial records, to keep a physical properties list consistent with expenditure of GPSG allocated funds and to conduct all other financial affairs pertaining to the GPSG as necessary.
Minutes and Documents
All minutes can be found at the GPSG archives.