Aishwarya Bhondge, Candidate for Vice President of Fairfax Campus

Aishwarya Bhondge, Candidate for Vice President of Fairfax Campus

Graduate Degree Program: Master’s student, Health Informatics, College of Public Health (full-time student)

Expected Date of Graduation: May 2026

Campus of Academic Department: Fairfax

Campus(es) of Classes, Work, and/or Residence: Fairfax

Biography and Candidate Statement

I am a graduate student in Health Informatics, deeply passionate about supporting and advocating for my peers in the graduate and professional community. Throughout my academic journey, I have actively participated in various student organizations and held leadership roles, including Coordinator and Team Leader. These experiences have equipped me with the skills to effectively collaborate, communicate, and lead initiatives that address student needs. These experiences have also given me a strong understanding of the challenges graduate and professional students face, including issues related to funding, mental health, and access to academic and professional resources. Through these engagements, I have built relationships with faculty, administrators, and fellow students, which will be invaluable in the role. I am excited to run for the position of Vice President with GAPSA because I believe in the power of strong, inclusive representation. As graduate and professional students, we face unique challenges that require dedicated advocacy and effective leadership. My experience in student organizations and leadership roles has given me the skills to build bridges between students and administration, communicate effectively, and advocate for meaningful change. If elected, my priorities will include: 1. Strengthening Communication and Advocacy: I will work to ensure that GAPSA remains a strong, unified voice for all graduate students. By fostering open lines of communication between students and the administration, I aim to ensure that students’ concerns are heard and addressed. 2. Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: I will focus on creating more inclusive spaces for graduate students from all backgrounds. I want to work on initiatives that support underrepresented groups, ensuring they have equal access to resources and opportunities. 3. Enhancing Student Resources: From mental health support to academic resources, I aim to enhance the programs and services available to graduate and professional students. I will work to increase funding and improve access to both academic and non-academic resources that help students succeed. 4. Fostering Collaboration: Collaboration with other student organizations is key to creating a strong, united student body. I will work to build partnerships across campus to tackle issues that affect multiple student groups and maximize the impact of our efforts. I am confident that my leadership experience, problem-solving skills, and dedication to student advocacy make me a strong candidate for this role. My goal is to help make GAPSA a more effective, inclusive, and supportive organization for all graduate and professional students. I am eager to serve as your Executive Officer and work together to create meaningful change that will benefit our community.

Availability and Commitment to the Time and Expectations of the Position