The Graduate Student Association (GSA) provides programs and services to enrich the graduate student experience and promotes, supports, and represents graduate student interests and values. The GSA sponsors two main events annually to enhance student experience and showcase student achievements, the Graduate Student Research Symposium and the Graduate Student Awards Banquet. The GSA also meets monthly to provide a forum for graduate students to network with peers, learn of valuable campus support services, and express concerns on both academic and non-academic issues.
To submit questions or concerns to the GSA, please email them directly at GSA@grad.msstate.edu.
Announcements & News
Please visit Cowbell Connect to stay up to date on current GSA news and announcements. Also follow us on various social media accounts here.
2026-2027 GSA Officers
President – Manoj Kumar Reddy Allam
Vice President – Melvy Fernandes
Vice President of Meridian Affairs – Vacant
Secretary – Mohammad Nafe Assafi
Treasurer – Bipin Bastakoti
Technology and Marketing Coordinator – Lorena Benavides-Riano
Service and Outreach Coordinator – Chami Rampati Dewage
In addition to the GSA Officers, one representative from each department and program, known as Departmental Representatives, form the Graduate Student Council (GSC). The GSA requests up to three nominations from Graduate Coordinators of each program by August 31, and selects the representative for the upcoming academic year. For more information, please email the GSA at GSA@grad.msstate.edu.
Meetings
2026-2027 Graduate Student Association meetings will be held the 3rd Thursday of the month from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
For current meeting information, events and the GSA Officers, please visit the Graduate Student Association Cowbell Connect page or follow the GSA on social media (Twitter and Instagram - @msstate_gsa)
2026-2027 Monthly GSA Meeting Dates
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Thursday, January 21, 2027
Thursday, February 18, 2027
Thursday, March 18, 2027
Thursday, April 15, 2027
Events and Programs
Graduate Student Association Department Representative
- Representatives from each Academic Department will be selected at the beginning of the Fall Semester to form the Graduate Student Council. More information will be sent to students each August.
- 2026-2027 GSA Department Representative Application
Graduate Student Research Symposium
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Welcome Week - September 2026
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Appreciation Week – April 2027
- GSA Awards Types (both found on Cowbell Connect and typically open in February):
- 2027 GSA Graduate Advisor of the Year - Check Cowbell Connect for nomination deadlines
- 2027 GSA Graduate Student Excellence Award - Check Cowbell Connect for nomination deadlines
- You must be signed in to see both forms
Graduate Student Award Banquet (held annually in April)