04/25/2025
🎓 IGSA Executive Board Nominees | 2025–2026 🗳️
We are excited to introduce this year’s motivated and passionate nominees running for the Executive Board of the International Graduate Student Association (IGSA) for the academic year 2025–2026. The list below features eligible nominees who have submitted their required election videos, confirming their participation, except one nominee, whose eligibility is pending video submission.
📌 Note: Video submission from Krishnapriya Lnu is pending. Eligibility for this nominee will be confirmed upon receiving a valid video submission
Each candidate is listed under the primary role they are contesting for, and several have also expressed interest in alternate positions if not elected to their first choice.
With the election scheduled for April 29, nominees have one full week to campaign and connect with the international graduate student community.
President
Hena Akhter
“I am a highly passionate individual for student-led activities and community engagement, I want to create a safe space for all the international students and help them feel included by events that get them financial literacy, intra-departmental activities and research support along with cultural inclusion. My vision is to be able to help the international student community surpass their fears in these trying political times and be able to feel like they are at home. I have held various leadership responsibilities before so I would be the ideal candidate for it and I will be able to coordinate with various people involved at once.”
Phanindra Varsh*t Pamujula
“I am passionate about building a supportive and inclusive environment for international graduate students at UC. Having served as the president of the IEEE student chapter during my undergraduate studies, I understand the value of leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. As President of IGSA, I aim to amplify student voices, foster community engagement, and work with the UC International Office to enhance the student experience.”
Akshaya Kilari
“My name is Akshaya Kilari, and I am excited to submit my nomination for a position with the International Graduate Student Association (IGSA). As an international student myself, I understand firsthand the challenges, transitions, and opportunities that come with studying in a new country. This has inspired my interest in joining IGSA—to help foster a strong, supportive, and inclusive community for all international graduate students. If elected, my goal is to enhance the IGSA’s role as a bridge between students and university resources, while also promoting cultural exchange and collaboration. I envision organizing engaging events, professional development workshops, and informative sessions that empower students academically, socially, and emotionally. I also aim to ensure that the voices of international students are heard in university decision-making processes. I am committed to representing our diverse community with integrity, empathy, and energy. Thank you for considering my nomination!”
Vice President
Olalekan Okunlola
“I am interested in this position in order to serve my fellow international students and ensure that their voice and concerns are being heard where it matters. Ensure good relationship with all nations that comprises of the IGSA and foster unity and peace.”
Krishnapriya Lnu (to be
“I am interested in this position because I am an approachable and empathetic individual who genuinely enjoys communicating, organizing, and volunteering. With a strong background in public health programs and community engagement, I have gained valuable experience in connecting with people and managing responsibilities effectively. My goal, if elected, is to foster active student participation and create an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and valued. I want to encourage a culture of care, support, and open communication—both for students’ mental well-being and professional growth. As an international student myself, I understand the unique challenges many of us face, and I am committed to being a voice and support system for all students. With my medical background as a dentist and my extensive experience in public health, I bring a well-rounded perspective. I have learned to listen with empathy, understand diverse mentalities, and communicate in a way that builds trust. My scientific training allows me to approach situations logically and without bias, which I believe is essential in making thoughtful, balanced decisions. As Vice President, I will ensure that all ideas are shared, respected, and effectively communicated to our leadership and community.”
Rayel Basu
“I am interested in this position as I already serve the post of a HOD (English) as well as the Senior Coordinator at my current institute, thus, demonstrating and executing leadership roles effectively and so, I believe, if elected, I will serve the committee in the best of interests. Besides, I am an avid believer of exchanging of ideas and knowledge sharing that in turn empower others and help in successful team building. My goals and vision will be to empower the international graduate students by addressing their concerns while also upholding the beliefs of the University.”
Alaa Tukruna
“I am very interested in serving as Vice President of the UC IGSA because I am committed to building a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community for international graduate students. As a current MPH Epidemiology student, I've seen firsthand the power of student advocacy and representation through my experience serving in various leadership roles, including Vice President of Gamma Rho, the national public health honor society, HSL Representative for the Health Sciences Graduate Student Association (HSGSA), and Learning Distance Representative for the CEHSA at UC. These experiences have encouraged me to get more involved in meeting the different needs of foreign students, advocating for their voices, and facilitating chances for involvement, mentorship, and academic achievement. - If I become vice president, my goal will be to promote dialogue between IGSA leadership and the international graduate student community at large to make every student heard and cared for. My goal is to produce collaborative events that bridge students from different disciplines, promote cultural exchange, and provide academic and professional development resources targeted toward international students. In addition, I would focus on collaborating with university administrators to tackle concerns specific to international students, including visa issues, cultural adaptation, and availability of campus resources. My vision is to help make IGSA a louder and more prominent voice on campus, a hub where international students feel empowered, engaged, and valued. With successful collaboration and collaborative leadership, I believe that we can build a thriving, robust international graduate community that thrives at UC and beyond.”
Bal Krishna Adhikari
“I want to contribute for the positive changes in our UC international students community. I want to create a task force for helping incoming international students. I want to create a desk where students can easily get any information they need to complete their academic works. I would try to work actively with other students organizations and administrations along with the local community to help students in finding proper solutions for their problems.”
Treasurer
Gayashan Rasanjana Jayavilal
“I want to improve my managerial skills that are helpful for my job application process. I want to work in other positions and improve myself as a leader. If I get elected, I want to organize activities that bring social interactions among international students and also among local students. Thank you.”
Secretary
Yasmin Sahlloul
“As a detail-oriented person, I’m gravitated towards roles that help me support others by creating structure and maintaining organization. Moreover, as secretary, I’d ensure to document meetings, minutes, and forward them to the board afterwards. Given my passion for initiatives (or relevant social events), I also look forward to brainstorming for such valuable opportunities, for our group members to benefit and enjoy from! Being able to coordinate such events with the communication chair is a bonus; 2 brains are always better than one, and this collaboration ensures that plans are well thought-out and effectively executed. If elected, my goal is to promote clarity, consistency, and teamwork within the board while helping foster a more connected community. Excited for a chance to support and grow with the IGSA.”
Fatima Anwar
“I feel I can express myself better through my writings and I love to communicate and interact. The role of secretary encompasses roles that I have enjoyed doing previously in different walks, also being a T.A. requires some of these aspects as well. Thus, this role will help me better serve the community with confidence. I feel compassion is needed and one of my vision is to build a robust organization where the voice echoes through different engagements and reaches out well.”
Tvish*ta Polakala
“I’m really excited to apply for this position because being involved with student organizations previously like the Rotaract Club has been such a meaningful part of my journey. I’ve found that I genuinely love working behind the scenes to bring people together, whether it’s planning fun events or helping things run smoothly. It’s something I truly miss, and joining the International Graduate Student Association feels like the perfect chance to do more of what I love while meeting new people along the way. If elected, I’d love to focus on creating a mix of fun, inclusive events like game nights, outdoor sports, or sip and paint evenings as well as some helpful professional development activities that teach us real-world skills like managing finances or doing taxes. I really believe that shared experiences help build deeper connections, way more than just small talk, and I’d be so excited to help create that sense of community and belonging for all of us in grad school.”
Video files: https://mailuc-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/vijayaat_mail_uc_edu/EmrCpvb04odLtS_Z1IuPlxABC6gtlkacd_tlMYimZhQOyw?e=aGCN02 Links to an external site.
📅 Election Details
Date: April 29, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Zoom (accessible via CampusLink -QR code)
Who Can Vote?
Only students registered as IGSA members on CampusLink/GetInvolved are eligible to vote.
📌 Make sure to join IGSA on CampusLink/GetInvolved by April 28, 2025, at 3:00 PM. New member approvals will pause after that until the elections conclude.
Election Process
Each nominee will have 2 minutes to present their vision.
A brief Q&A session will follow for that position.
Voting will take place immediately after all speeches for each role.
If a nominee is not elected for their preferred role, they may choose to be considered for other positions without re-presenting their speech.
