Graduate and Professional Student Senate

Staff

Noah Hough
Office Director

(she/her)

(206) 543-8576 | gpssom@uw.edu

Noah is a first-year graduate student at the College of Engineering, pursuing a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering. Originally from Vietnam, she earned her undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering from the University of Washington-Bothell. Over the years, Noah has held various roles in higher education and is deeply committed to promoting educational equity. She is an esteemed recipient of both the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer and Graduate Scholar Scholarships. An avid hiker and backpacker, Noah loves exploring the great outdoors. In her leisure time, she delves into books and indulges in her favorite sitcoms.

Office Hours: Thurs 1-3

Kana Saarni

Creative and Communications Director

(she/hers)

(206) 543-8576 | gpsscomo@uw.edu

Kana is a first-year master’s student in the UW Communications Leadership program pursuing a Master of Communication in Digital Media. Kana grew up in Vancouver BC, where she pursued her BA in Political Science at the University of British Columbia. Kana spent the last few years working in digital communications for the Government of British Columbia and is really passionate about the intersection between politics and  communications! In her spare time, find her snowboarding at the local mountains, taking photos, or nose-deep in a fantasy novel!

Office Hours: Wed 12-5

Jahnvi Shah

Events Director

(she/her)

(206) 543-8576 | gpssevnt@uw.edu

Jahnvi Shah is a first-year Master of Architecture student with a diverse academic background and a passion for design. She completed her undergraduate studies in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at MS University in India, where she actively participated in college cultural events as an event organizer and design team head. These experiences ignited her passion for design and led her to make a remarkable career transition into the field of architecture. Beyond her academic pursuits, Jahnvi is an avid painter, an art gallery enthusiast, and a nature lover who enjoys hiking.

Office Hours: Tues 1-3

Linh Pham

Budget Director

(she/her)

(206) 543-8576 | gpssbs@uw.edu

Linh is a full-time Master of Science in Business Analytics student at UW Foster School of Business. She is originally from Vietnam, but she came to the United States and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Richmond. Prior to joining UW, Linh had accumulated experience working as a Sales Data Analyst and Technology Consultant. Linh is always down to exploring more coffee shops and restaurants, and she can give you recommendations for the best Vietnamese restaurants in the city. At the same time, as she just moved to the WA state, Linh has been pushing herself towards doing more outdoor activities.

Office Hours: Thurs 1-5

Daniel Cook

Senate Director

(he/him)

(206) 543-8576 | gpsssc@uw.edu

Daniel is a first-year PhD student in History, where he is concentrating on the history of scientific expeditions and the co-production of knowledge in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Peru. He majored in History and Spanish Linguistics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, worked as an Auxiliar de Conversacón in Spain, and spent the last six years teaching social sciences at the high school level in San Diego while earning his Masters degree in History from San Diego State University. Daniel spends the little free time that remains struggling to learn another language, training for marathons, cooking for his wonderful partner, taking his dog out for adventures, and binge watching Steven Universe. He hopes to play a positive role in ensuring access to student government this year.

Office Hours: Wed 11-1

Madeline Valdez

University Affairs Director

(she/her)

(206) 543-8576 | gpssua@uw.edu

Madeline is a fourth-year undergraduate studying Political Science: International Security at the University of Washington. She has prior experience working at GPSS’ undergraduate counterpart, ASUW, as the Community Organizer for the Office of Government Relations and is excited to continue building community at UW through GPSS. She is passionate about legislative work and has campaigned for Congresswoman DelBene, worked within the social advocacy campaign space at Emerson Collective, and will be serving on ASUW’s Legislative Steering Committee this year. In her free time, Madeline enjoys hiking with her dogs, skiing, baking, and discovering alternative concert venues.

Office Hours: Mon 1-2, Fri 1-2

Mykhail Lembke

Policy Director

(he/him)

(206) 543-8576 | gpsspol@uw.edu

Mykhail is a first year MPA student at the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance with an interest in social policy or leadership and decision making. Mykhail grew up on the east side of the state in the small town of Goldendale, but has lived in Seattle the past six years. For his undergraduate degree, Mykhail studied Political Science at the UW with minors in Diversity and LSJ (Law, Societies, and Justice). Mykhail has worked in the state Legislature the past three sessions, as an intern, a communications specialist and as a civic education coordinator. Mykhail enjoys playing volleyball, running, and firmly believes pineapple belongs on pizza.

Office Hours: Wed 12-3

Jess Juanich

Equity and Inclusion Director

(he/him)

(206) 543-8576 | gpsspol@uw.edu

Jess Juanich is a third-year part-time Master of Public Administration student at the UW Evans School of Public Policy & Governance. He is a born and raised Seattleite and has previously worked in DEI-specific roles for Slalom and Sonos. Jess also volunteered as a budget delegate facilitator on the Mental Health committee for the Seattle Participatory Budgeting Project and the City of Seattle Office of Civil Rights, where he co-developed project proposals for Seattle residents to vote on with public dollars. Jess previously managed two mentorship programs for over 300+ underrepresented employees over 6 months and was a graduate fellow for the National Development Council (NDC) where he worked on case-studies and analysis for community economic development in King County. He enjoys playing music on the guitar, piano, drums, and ukulele and eating yummy donuts.

 

Office Hours: TBD

Adrian Lavergne

 Legislative Organizing Director

(he/him)

(206) 543-8576 | gpssod@uw.edu

Adrian is a final-year graduate student pursuing a Masters in Information Management. His undergrad is in Law & Policy from UW Tacoma. He has prior experience as the Legislative Liaison for ASUWT and as VP of Communications for the Washington Student Association. Through GPSS, he hopes to give a voice to those students that need it most. Adrian is an avid backpacker, lover of houseplants, and a writer of stories.

Office Hours: TBD