Officers

A.J. Balatico

President

(he/him/his)

A.J. is a sixth year Ph.D. candidate in Learning Sciences and Human Development at the UW College of Education. His research interests include gifted and STEM education policy and practice. Other areas of interest include computational neuroscience, robotics, and disability studies. Before beginning his doctoral program, A.J. was a high school physics, chemistry, and environmental science teacher.

The 2023-24 academic year is A.J.’s second term as President. At the UW, A.J. served as the previous GPSS VP of Finance, a member of the Student Technology Fee Committee, and as member and advisor to the Red Cross Club at UW. He also teaches various enrichment classes at the Robinson Center for Young Scholars for Saturday and Summer programs. A.J. enjoys reading, listening, and watching all kinds of media, as well as talking about things. Feel free to stop by our office.

Come as you are. You belong here. You are enough. Shinzou wo sasageyo.

Office Hours: 9-5 most days, but email, Microsoft Teams, or Slack to set up an appointment

Amanda Chin

Vice President of Internal Affairs

(she/her)

(206) 543-8760 | gpssvpin@uw.edu

Amanda is a second-year master’s student in the Library and Information Science program and is interested in public and academic librarianship, and taxonomy (not taxidermy). Her undergraduate majors are in East Asian studies and Studio Art from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. She is passionate about connecting and building communities which has led her to pursue her current path in graduate school and her current role in GPSS. When she is not working or wading through piles of readings, you’ll find her cooking, reading through Webtoons, and rewatching her favorite films.

Office Hours: Tues 1-5, Wed 12-5

Nick Juno

Vice President of External Affairs

(he/him)

(206) 543-8760 | gpssvpex@uw.edu

Nick is a second year MPA student at the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance with an interest in international development. Nick grew up near Snohomish, WA and attended the UW for undergrad, studying political science and psychology. After graduation, Nick worked on campaigns around Washington and went on to the State Legislature as staff to Senator Marko Liias and Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib. Nick is always down to find new restaurants or happy hours around Seattle, enjoys getting 4th place in pub trivia, and is earnestly learning how to cook (send recipes).

Office Hours: Please email for an appointment: gpssvpex@uw.edu

Matthew Moran

Vice President of Equity and Inclusion

(he/him)

(206) 543-8988 | gpssvpei@uw.edu

Matthew is a second year graduate student at the Evans School of Public Policy working to complete a Masters of Public Administration. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz double majoring in Politics/Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Matthew has been a passionate advocate for the growth of Ethnic studies and support for historically marginalized students. While in undergrad, he applied his advocacy as the Chief of Staff to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and a Residential Assistant in student housing. In his free time, Matthew loves to bake pastries, hike, watch hockey and soccer, and go to drag shows.

Office Hours: Mon 12-2, Wed 12-2

Jack Flesher

Vice President of Administration

(he/they)

(206) 543-8988 | gpssvpadmin@uw.edu

Jack Flesher (he/they) is a PhD Candidate in Ethnomusicology, and has also completed certificates in Ethics, Public Critical Race Scholarship, and Philosophy for Children. His current research explores philosophy with children as a method of co-investigation into children’s musical cultures, cultural politics, affect, and issues of social justice and morality within music and the arts at large. In addition to being the Philosopher-in-Residence at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, Jack’s previous work has considered issues of affect, gender, sexuality, and indigeneity in popular music, in both scholarly and community-based collective songwriting contexts. As a four-year member of GPSS, stepping into the role of Vice President of Administration has allowed Jack to give support to and make meaningful change within the Senate towards greater participation and awareness across campus.

Office Hours: Tues 1-5, Wed 1-5

Jon Choi

Vice President of Finance

(he/him)

(206) 543-7024 | gpssvpfb@uw.edu

Jon is a full-time, second-year Master of Business Administration student with a concentration in global business and product management at the Michael G. Foster School of Business. After growing up in Southern California, he graduated from University of California, San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Writing. Before coming to the University of Washington, Jon worked in multiple industries–from electronics manufacturing to aerospace and telecommunications–in a variety of roles–from quality engineering to data analytics and project management. In his free time, Jon enjoys catching up on shows and playing video games. Please drop by the GPSS office or send an email to gpssvpfb@uw.edu to set up an appointment (also available on Microsoft Teams).

Office Hours: Tue 1-3, Thu 1-3, Fri 11-3