Graduate Student Advisory Council

Hometown/Country
Pataskala, Ohio

Biography
Sydney Walters is a PhD student in Atmospheric Sciences at the University of North Dakota. Her academic interests include tropical meteorology—specifically tropical cyclone structure, remote sensing, and societal impacts. On the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Sydney hopes to advocate for the needs of her peers and foster a supportive environment for graduate research and professional development. Outside of academic work, Sydney enjoys reading, watching sports, and exploring coffee shops.

Hometown/Country
Bismarck, North Dakota

Biography
Emma is a second-year master's student in Forensic Psychology at UND. Her academic interests include public perceptions of police use of force, forensic assessment, and legal decision-making. As a member of the GSAC, Emma hopes to advocate for graduate student needs, promote communication and engagement amongst graduate students, and to contribute to initiatives that enhance the graduate student experience. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys spending time with family and binging true crime.

Biography
Samuel M. Amendolar is a Ph.D. student in the Department of English at the University of North Dakota. His academic interests include medieval literature and manuscript studies, specifically codicology and paleography. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council and a lifelong UND student (B.A. 2016, M.A. 2023), Samuel hopes to give back to the UND campus community, which has greatly contributed to his development as a student, an instructor, and a burgeoning scholar.

Hometown/Country
Tacoma, Washington

Biography
Alexis is a graduate student in the public administration certificate program at the University of North Dakota. Her academic interests include public management and human resource management. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Alexis hopes to utilize her unique perspective as both an administrative secretary and a graduate student to serve the best interests of the graduate student population. Outside of her academic work, Alexis enjoys traveling, art, gaming, and yoga.

Hometown/Country
Nigeria

Biography
Temitayo Ikuerowo is a PhD student in Energy Engineering at the University of North Dakota. Her research interests include advanced materials for energy conversion and storage. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Temitayo hopes to strengthen dialogue between graduate students and university leadership by communicating students’ ongoing challenges and proposing potential solutions. Outside of her academic work, Temitayo loves to sing and read.

Hometown/Country
Nigeria

Biography
Uzezi Olorunmola is a Ph.D student in Artificial Intelligence at the University of North Dakota. With over 13 years in Oil & Gas, he's interested in AI-driven optimization across the subsurface-drilling-production pipeline, precisely predictive decline modeling, and CO2-enhanced oil recovery. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Uzezi will help shape people-focused policies that strengthen student-faculty collaboration. Outside academia, Uzezi loves reading, MCing, acting, and volunteering.

Hometown/Country
Akatsi, Ghana

Biography
Godwin Ahiase is a doctoral student in Higher Education at the University of North Dakota. His research interests include higher education finance, educational equity, and student outcomes. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, he hopes to promote meaningful dialogue between graduate students and university leadership while supporting initiatives that enhance student success, well-being, and career readiness. Outside of his academic work, Godwin enjoys cooking and mentoring.

Hometown/Country
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Biography
Sharmin Rahman is an international Ph.D. student in Educational Foundations and Research at the University of North Dakota. Her academic interests include underrepresented minority faculty research motivation, impostor syndrome, and student belonging. As a member of GSAC, Sharmin hopes to advocate for graduate students' needs, support inclusive communication, and strengthen the graduate student experience at UND. Outside academics, she enjoys community engagement and photography.

Hometown/Country
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Biography
Katherine Cassel is a Master's level student in Nursing at the University of North Dakota. Her academic interests include psychological health, community/public health, and chemistry. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Katherine hopes to voice choices for online students and maintain awareness of students that can not be seen on campus. Outside of her academic work, Katherine enjoys hanging out with her large family (7 kids), making art, and being outside.

Hometown/Country
Cedar City, Utah

Biography
Riley is a second-year Master's student of Social Work at the University of North Dakota. Her academic interests include veterans' and youth mental wellness. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Riley hopes to contribute as an advocate for student well-being, connect with others in various professional disciplines, and be of service to the university. Outside of her academic work, Riley enjoys reading, spending time with her kids, and finding any water she can in the Utah desert.

Hometown/Country
Nigeria

Biography
Goshen David Miteu is a doctoral student in Biomedical Sciences at UND. His academic interests revolve around neurodegenerative diseases, neurovirology and infectious disease. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Goshen will strengthen communication between graduate students and the Graduate School while advocating for resources and policies that support student success. He is also serving on the 2026–2027 Graduate Student Admissions Committee in the Biomedical Science department.

Hometown/Country
Bismarck, North Dakota

Biography
Jaxon is a Master's student in Public Health Program in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota. His academic interests include public health administration and the continuation to serve rural healthcare. As a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council, Jaxon hopes to provide graduate students with more access to employers within the job market. Outside of his academic work, Jaxon enjoys coaching at a local high school, automotive work, and his dog.