Graduate Council

The Graduate Council, reporting to the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, in consultation with the Dean of the Graduate School, defines graduate education policies at the University in alignment with university regulations and state governing bodies. This includes criteria for student admission, retention, and program completion, as well as policies on graduate faculty membership, program revisions, degree requirements, courses, and assistantships. The Council also advises the Dean of the Graduate School on graduate education matters.  

Membership  

The Council comprises 27 members, including 14 elected faculty members, seven dean-appointed faculty members, three graduate faculty members appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, two graduate student representatives, and the Dean of the Graduate School as an ex-officio member. Deans of academic colleges are ineligible for Council membership. The Council elects a chairperson annually from its members.  

Meetings  

The Council typically convenes on the second Tuesday of each academic month. Additional meetings may be scheduled by the Chairperson, Dean of the Graduate School, or Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.  

Standing Committees  

The Council's standing committees include: 

  • Appeals Committee 

  • Curriculum Committee 

  • Fellowships Committee 

  • Graduate Faculty Membership Committee 

  • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Committee 

Committee members, including the chairpersons, are appointed by the Council Chairperson for an academic year, with reappointment possible. Each standing committee includes members from each academic college. Faculty members on these committees must be continuing, full-time members of the Graduate Faculty.  

Additional Committees  

 The Council reserves the right to establish and appoint other standing or ad hoc committees as needed. 

 

Current Members for 2024-2025:

Elected Members


Name

Department

College
Catherine Roche-WallaceMUSArts
Wesley BradfordMUSArts
Ignatius CahyantoMKTGBusiness Administration
Brian BoltonECONBusiness Administration
Natalie KeeferEDCIEducation
Amanda Shuford MayeauxEDFLEducation
Peng YinMCHEEngineering
Farzad FerdowsiEECEEngineering
Elena BabatsouliCODILiberal Arts
Nathan RabalaisMODLLiberal Arts
Scott SittigHLSINursing & Health Sciences
Frances StuebenNURSNursing & Health Sciences
Rui ZhangGEOSSciences
Nicholas KooyersBIOLSciences

Academic Dean Appointed Members


Name

Department

College
Ashlie BoelkinsARCHArts
Javier Portillo-EliasECONBusiness Administration
Marietta AdamsEDCIEducation
Mark ZappiCHEEEngineering
Laurel RyanENGLLiberal Arts
Christy LenahanNURSNursing & Health Sciences
Beenish ChaudhryCMIXSciences

Dean of the Graduate School Appointed Members


Name
DepartmentCollege
Raju GottumukkalaMCHEEngineering
TBDTBDTBD
TBDTBDTBD

Graduate Student Members

NameGraduate Program
Clement Okolo, GSO PresidentMaster's Student, Informatics
TBDTBD

Ex-Officio Member

NameOfficeCollege
Mary Farmer-KaiserDean of the Graduate SchoolGraduate School