The University of Central Oklahoma Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) recently named 18 graduate students to the 2021-22 Graduate Student Advisory Board (GSAB).

Following a nomination and evaluation process, the graduate students were selected based on their academic achievement and faculty mentor recommendations.

Among the returning members selected was Kingfisher’s Sydney Werner.

Werner is a school counseling major.

“The graduate college provides students with opportunities to be at the center of their own learning through having a GSAB,” said Jeanetta D. Sims, Ph.D., dean of JCGS.

“Given their level of leadership and service, GSAB members are situated in dual roles as contributors to and beneficiaries of their educational experience.”

This year’s advisory board is comprised of both new and returning members.

New members include Shelby Smittle, an educational leadership major from Lawton; Natalie Hampton, a public health major from Spencer; Rajeshwari Jayabarathi, a business analytics major from Oklahoma City; Madison Parks, an adult and higher education – student personnel major from Yukon; Samantha Coplen, a biology – molecular botany major from Oklahoma City; Sadie Collins-Ivy, a family child studies major from Oklahoma City; Brittney Waugh, an educational leadership major from Lawton; Cassidi Kennedy, a literature major from Oklahoma City; and, Daniel Joo, a biology major from Edmond.

Joining Werner as returning members are Angela Cross, a business analytics major from Oklahoma City; Gray Thomas, an experimental psychology major from Edmond; Samantha Dawes, a counseling psychology major from Bethany; Madison Roberts, a forensic science major from Broken Arrow; Hollie Blackstock, a counseling psychology major from Broken Arrow; Breonna Cole-man, a nursing education major from Oklahoma City; Bryan Shannon, a public health major from Tulsa; and, LaTrishia Wilson, a nutrition and food science major from Tulsa.

“The GSAB provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to voice their thoughts and ideas pertaining to how best to help graduate students at UCO,” said returning advisory board member Hollie Blackstock. “I am excited to serve another year.”

Based on their graduate majors, the 2021-22 advisory board contains representation from UCO’s College of Education and Professional Studies, College of Business, College of Mathematics and Science, College of Liberal Arts and Forensic Science Institute.