GAPSA MONTHLY
UPDATE

Dear Fellow Graduate and Professional Students,

Welcome back, and happy new semester! We hope you had a restful break. Even with the cold weather outside, campus is buzzing with familiar faces and fresh energy, and we are looking forward to a semester filled with connection, progress, and community.

With that in mind, we invite you to get involved with GAPSA, apply for individual grants to support your conference or workshop, and celebrate with friends at our flagship Spring Gala.

Ludwig Zhao

President, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
gapsa.president@gapsa.upenn.edu

Attending a conference, workshop, or other professional or academic activity? GAPSA is here to support your journey. You may be eligible for a Research Travel Grant and/or the President Gutmann Leadership Award (PGLA). Award amounts vary based on whether you are attending or presenting.

Apply by 3/1 at 5 PM ET: Apply here!

Ready for our largest social event of the year? Need a break from everything? Wanna just have an awesome time with some new people from different schools at Penn? Then join us on March 21st for our signature social event, Spring Gala!!! Doors open at 8 pm, and the fun doesn't stop till midnight! Student tickets sell for $35 and include food, drinks, and lifelong memories!

Get tickets here!

As we continue to navigate an ever-changing landscape, we want to highlight several important resources that provide valuable guidance for our international community from International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS):

– Immigration Policy Updates & Resources Website

– Scam Alert for Penn International Students & Scholars

– Travel Reminders

President & Vice Presidents

The GAPSA Executive Branch runs GAPSA day to day, represents graduate and professional students, and partners with campus offices and centers to advance student priorities.

President is GAPSA's public representative and principal advocate – setting annual goals and strategy, chairing Executive Board meetings, and coordinating across the Executive team and GAPSA councils.

Executive Vice President supports the team as a chief of staff – onboarding, meeting management, minutes, and conflict resolution.

Vice Presidents each lead a core portfolio – Finance (budgeting, expenses, and grants), Operations (logistics and core systems like the website and communications), Advocacy (policy agenda and advocacy forums), and Programming (program and events such as Grad Fest and the Spring Gala).

Council Chairs (Research, Professional & IDEAL)

GAPSA's Legislative Branch is made up of three councils that bring together students and fellows with shared interests to meet, discuss concerns, and advocate for their constituencies through self-governance and student-led initiatives. Each council is led by a Chair who oversees day-to-day operations, sets priorities, represents the constituency, and may issue statements and work directly with relevant campus centers and offices.

Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
Questions? Concerns?
Email gapsa.president@gapsa.upenn.edu

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