Student government at GSPH is vibrant, diverse, and multifaceted. Our student organizations focus on diverse topics in public health and society at large.
The memberships of each organization represent the best-cross section of our diverse student population in terms of gender, racial and cultural identity, program and department, and individual areas of interest and research. Student groups also provide a glimpse into the minds of the best and the brightest students that our school has to offer, the future and current leaders of our fields. The Student Government Association includes sub-organizations such as the Minority Student Organization, the Association of Women in Public Health, the Global Health Student Association, the Doctoral Student Organization, the Student Public Health Epidemic Response Effort, and the Health Policy and Management Association. These organizations provide forums for students to share experiential wisdom with others, socialize with peers from other departments, and contribute to large projects on student programming with the Office of Student Affairs and the Dean’s Office. Actively engaging in the student government experience allows students the opportunity to influence the overall tone of their learning environment and make GSPH more of a home.
Student Government Association (SGA)
The Student Government Association serves the GSPH students by providing opportunities for community service as well as planning social activities. Additionally, the SGA oversees the activities of the other student organizations at the GSPH. We would like to wish you a great academic year!
2009-2010 Officers
President: Shannon Kearney, smk75@pitt.edu
Vice President: Gina Londino, gil2@pitt.edu
Secretary: Kyle Ferrar, kjf10@pitt.edu
Treasurer: Jason Flatt, jdf50@pitt.edu
Doctoral Student Organization (DSO)
The DSO provides an ongoing structure that encourages interaction among GSPH doctoral students and faculty, with an emphasis on developing an informal network of contacts to facilitate their research efforts. There are no dues, and monthly meetings during the school year are open to all members. It maintains an informal student network for the exchange of information and ideas, and provides group support to graduate students.
2009-2010 Officers
Co-President: Michelle Meyer, mlm89@pitt.edu
Co-President: Marquis Hawkins, msh19@pitt.edu
Secretary: Angela Bazaco
Treasurer: Amy Perkins
Minority Student Organization (MSO)
The MSO was formed in 1996 to promote the welfare and interests of minority students at the Graduate School of Public Health. The organization sponsors social events and community outreach activities throughout the academic year, including monthly meetings, a fall reception welcoming new and returning students, a monthly newsletter, study and help sessions, and workshops. Member in the MSO is open to all faculty, staff, and students of GSPH. For more information, visit MSO's Web site.
2009-2010 Officers
President: Raynard Washington, rew11@pitt.edu
Global Health Student Association (GHSA)
The GHSA seeks to promote interest in global health issues among GSPH students through the facilitation of information exchange among GSPH global health researchers, worldwide global health organizations, and the large body of international students enrolled at GSPH. In addition, the GHSA has organized a speaker series, Peace Corps information sessions, and is planning a long-term project that will involve collaboration with the work of its advisor, Dr. Robbie Ali, in Indonesia, particularly in the area devastated by the tsunami. For more information, visit GHSA's Web site.
2009-2010 Officers
Co-President: Laura Tomedi, let20@pitt.edu
Co-President: Tara Capece, tac46@pitt.edu
Secretary: Annie Nagy, amn15@pitt.edu
Treasurer: Kim Butler, kmb147@pitt.edu
Association of Women in Public Health (AWPH)
The Association of Women in Public Health is an organization that combines two of the most fundamental issues of human health—public health and women’s roles. Improvements in public health have been accredited with increased length and quality of life. Many studies have shown that when women have increased knowledge, informed attitudes, and developed skills, they, their families, and their communities also experience increased life expectancy and improved quality of life. The AWPH therefore strives to improve the general public health and to recognize women’s roles in this improvement.
2009-2010 Officers
Vice President: Senayit Kidane Haile, skh11@pitt.edu
Treasurer: Xiaoxue Li, xil55@pitt.edu
Social President: Indira Nsiah Nketiah, nsiahnketiah@gmail.com
Health Policy and Management Association (HPMA)
The Health Policy and Management Association (HPMA) allows students to gain an understanding of the working policy and management aspect of Public Health through active engagement with industry healthcare organizations. Through HPMA, students interact in local and national professional development activities and community service projects that shape future healthcare leaders who are ethically responsible and community aware. HPMA is an active participant in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Higher Education Network, allowing students the opportunity to attend educational events and to develop mentorship bonds with local and national healthcare executives.
2009-2010 Officers
President: Anjali Kundu, alk89@pitt.edu
Vice President: Rachel Goffman, rmg41@pitt.edu
Secretary: Kelly Butler, kelly.r_butler@hotmail.com
Finance Chair: Sandhya Chaluvadi, chaluvadi85@pitt.edu
Student Public Health Epidemic Response Effort (SPHERE)
SPHERE is an organization of public health students interested in epidemic response, community preparedness, and hands-on experience. All Masters and Doctoral students enrolled at GSPH are eligible to enroll. SPHERE participates in outbreak or disaster response activities with Local and State Health Departments, is involved in public health emergency management responses, and participates in community health events and promotions. For more information, visit SPHERE's Web site.
2009-2010 Officers
Jill Diesel, jcd20@pitt.edu
Alexis Oetting, aao12@pitt.edu
Rachel Bailey, rrb16@pitt.edu
Tina Assi, tina.assi@gmail.com
Sara Marshall, slm90@pitt.edu
Travis Rabbit, tar33@pitt.edu
Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
The GPSA is the official umbrella organization for graduate and professional students at the University of Pittsburgh. The purpose of GPSA is to represent both the academic and non-academic interests of all graduate and professional students, and to provide student-initiated and student-controlled services. GPSA does not supplant graduate student organizations in departments or schools, but rather coordinates joint efforts, promotes communications among the schools, and provides a unified voice for graduate students to the University community.
In recent years, GPSA has offered a number of services to graduate and professional students, including Carnegie Museum passes, travel funding, and free appointments with a lawyer. The activities fee assessed on all graduate students includes does to GPSA. Approximately three-fourths of the dues raised from each school reverts to its individual student government to help carry out its activities. For more information, visits GPSA's Web site.
2009-2010 Officers
Theresa Fanelli, tjf23@pitt.edu
Daniel Jimenez, daj13@pitt.edu
PJ Dillo, pad26@pitt.edu
Public Health Fitness And Recreation Organization (PHFARO)
PHFARO, a new organization formed in 2009 and anticipating University certification as a student organization, aims to provide a friendly, nurturing environment for members through promotion of social interaction and physical fitness. Its three primary goals are as follows:
1) To promote physical activity among GSPH students through participation in events such as intramural sports, group exercise sessions, organized activities (i.e. bowling) and others;
2) To promote social interaction through study groups and through organized events such as game nights, social events at off-campus venues, group attendance at Pitt sports events, and others;
3) To help GSPH students to improve or maintain psychological wellbeing through recognition of potential or existing problems and reachout to members.
2009-2010 Officers
President: Harrison Brand, hab45@pitt.edu
Vice President: Brandon Cicero, bdc26@pitt.edu
Business Manager: Ann Wiringa, aewiringa@gmail.com