The Graduate Student Association hosts weekly department socials, graduate student activities, and an annual research symposium, EnviroDay. Funding for activities come from generous department support and faculty sponsorships, as well as dues from the students. A core group of officers is responsible for events with input and support from the graduate student body.
The GSA also manages updates to the graduate student handbook and runs an undergraduate research mentoring program to connect undergraduates interested in research with graduate students. A list of publications from current department graduate students is compiled twice a year to highlight research achievements.
Three large social functions are held each year:
- Fall BBQ / Picnic (September)
- End of Year Celebration / Holiday Party (December)
- Spring Fling (April)
MISSION STATEMENT
The GSA is a student run organization that aims to provide:
1. professional and personal support for existing graduate students,
2. events that build community among students and faculty,
3. information and guidance for incoming and new graduate students,
4. a voice for graduate students in the department and university, and
5. support, space, and outspoken solidarity with historically marginalized individuals in academia and the wider scientific research community.
Officers 2024-2025
| Name | Position | |
| Luke Groff | Co-President | hmq2xm@virginia.edu |
| Ethan Kadiyala | Co-President | qkz8dd@virginia.edu |
| Savannah Atchley | GSA Rep. to Faculty | zmv4ah@virginia.edu |
| Heather Christensen | GSA Rep. to Faculty | egs8er@virginia.edu |
| Lauren Brideau | Secretary | ysd4wx@virginia.edu |
| Vidushi Sharma | Treasurer | knz2jn@virginia.edu |
| Abby Ackerman | GSA Rep. to GSAS | yah8tn@virginia.edu |
| Rebecca Weinstein | GSA Rep. to GSAS | jca4zw@virginia.edu |
| Vidushi Sharma | Dept. DEI Rep. | knz2jn@virginia.edu |
| Kelsey O'Donnell | Dept. DEI Rep. | qnp5rg@virginia.edu |
| Paola Granados | Dept. DEI Rep. | xac4ke@virginia.edu |
| Willow Lovecky | Social Chair | wsl9ne@virginia.edu |
| Savannah Atchley | Social Chair | zmv4ah@virginia.edu |
| Kim Union | Social Chair | keu8gwx@virginia.edu |
| Heather Christensen | Social Chair | egs8er@virginia.edu |
| Mirella Shaban | Social Chair | qwe2qh@virginia.edu |
| Mirella Shaban | BIPOC in EnviSci Chair | qwe2qh@virginia.edu |
| Paola Granados | BIPOC in EnviSci Chair | xac4ke@virginia.edu |
| Jemima Elsherbini | Staff Liaison | je6ug@virginia.edu |
| Willow Lovecky | Outreach Coordinator | wsl9ne@virginia.edu |
| Heather Christensen | Outreach Coordinator | egs8er@virginia.edu |
| Abby Ackerman | Union Representative | yah8tn@virginia.edu |