Message to Professional Students
May 2026 — Recognition, Celebrations & Thank you
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Dear Fellow Graduate and Professional Students,
As the semester comes to an end and campus fills with celebrations, reflection, and laughter, we hope you are taking
a
moment to recognize all that you have accomplished this year. We are excited to share opportunities to celebrate and
support our community, including awards and recognition for our grad student leaders,
travel grants, and ways to get involved with GAPSA.
To those who are graduating, congratulations on this tremendous milestone! We are so proud to
celebrate with you and
hope you will stay connected as alumni through the GAPSA Alumni Association and upcoming alumni events. We also encourage you to explore these alumni resources
as you begin this next chapter.
We also want to thank you for your continued support and engagement throughout the year
– whether by attending events,
sharing feedback, participating in GAPSA initiatives, or simply reading these newsletters. On behalf of the
Executive Board, it has been an honor to connect with so many of you, learn from you, and support this
community.
Best of luck with finals, deadlines, and all the
adventures of end-of-semester life. We hope you finish strong, celebrate in style, rest easy, and head into summer
with
good vibes and well-earned pride.
Until next time,
Ludwig Zhao
President,
Graduate and
Professional
Student Assembly
gapsa.president@gapsa.upenn.edu
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FEATURES
Join GAPSA
Interested in leadership experience? Want to get involved on campus? Join us! We are looking for
Committee Directors,
Deputies, and Members to support student events, advocacy, and fund management. Whether it is
your first or tenth time
in student government, there is a role for you. Apply here by May 31, 2026.
FEATURES
Apply for GAPSA Individual Grants!
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 June 5 at 5 PM ET: Apply here!
FEATURES
GAPSA Alumni Mixer – May 14
Our alumni mixer series is a happy hour for GAPSA students and alumni to network. Join us for
some fun, food, and drink
at New Deck Tavern as we celebrate our new graduates! Includes two drink tickets and light fare.
When: Thursday, May 14 (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM ET)
Where: New Deck Tavern (3408 Sansom St)
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988328801971
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ADVOCACY [TOP]
Feedback on Open Expression Guidelines
A draft of the Guidelines
on Open Expression
was recently published in the Almanac, and all members of the Penn community are invited to
share their feedback.
The deadline for submitting online anonymous
feedback has been extended to May 29.
GAPSA encourages all graduate and professional students to review the draft and share
any feedback they may have using the
form。
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EVENTS [TOP]
Alumni Weekend – May 15-17
GAPSA is proud to provide grad students and alumni with discounted Alumni Weekend passes.
Includes: Franklin Fest, Alumni Day Picnic, All-Alumni Breakfast, and Penn Alumni giveaway. Use
promo GAPSASTUDENT26 to register for $20 grad student tickets
($40 off). Use promo GAPSAALUMNI26 to register for
$30 alumni tickets ($20 off). (Limited availability.)
When: May 15-17, 2026
Tickets:
https://penn.events.alumniq.com/go/aw26
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EVENTS [TOP]
University Graduate Leadership Awards Reception – May
14
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AWARDS & RECOGNITION [TOP]
GAPSA & University Graduate Leadership Awards
We are proud to celebrate our graduating students and honor our student leaders as they become
alumni. The GAPSA MVP
Award recognizes one student from each of GAPSA's committees and councils, who
is chosen annually by their peers, for
their respective service to GAPSA. The 2026 winners are:
| Councils |
| Connor Hunter-Kysor, IDEAL Council |
Kendese Nangle, Professional Council |
| Kallahan Brown, Research Council |
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| Divisions &
Committees |
| Jordan Lor, Advocacy |
Anant Aggarwal, Alumni Relations |
| Abhik Kumar, Financial Reporting |
Elyzia Wong, Fund Management |
| Abhinav Pathrabe, Logistics |
Yue Jiang, Public Relations |
The GAPSA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes one student annually, who
embodies the GAPSA-for-Life spirit through
their dedication and service to the graduate student community over the course of their degree
at Penn. This year's TWO
recipients are:
Kallahan Brown
Dora Maria Racca
The GAPSA Alumni Distinguished Service Award recognizes one alum annually for
their loyalty, dedication, and service to
GAPSA. The inaugural recipient is:
Simeon Ristic
In addition, the University recognizes graduating student leaders for their service and lasting
contributions to graduate student life at Penn through two University-wide awards.
The Dr. Andy Binns Impact Award for Outstanding Service to Graduate & Professional
Student
Life recognizes students who have significantly impacted graduate and professional
student life
through service involvement in student life initiatives or organizations. This year’s
winners are:
Meha Chauhan
Rong Tang
Jasleen Kaur Virk
The President & Provost's Honor for Developing New Initiatives in Graduate
& Professional
Student Life recognizes students who have initiated lasting new developments that
have enhanced
graduate and professional student life at Penn. This year’s recipient is:
Ludwig Zhao
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SHOWCASE [TOP]
Graduating? Join the GAPSA Alumni Association
Congratulations to all our graduates! Please keep in touch with us. The Alumni Association promotes mentorship,
networking, and leadership connections between our grad students and alumni all around the world.
Join and sign up for
the GAPSA Alumni Newsletter by updating your contact information here.
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