
Thinking about getting involved? Step up. Lead the way.
GPSA elections are your chance to make an impact. We elect four executive officers—President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary—each April to represent and advocate for graduate and professional students.
About the GPSA
The Graduate & Professional Student Association is the student government for all currently enrolled graduate and professional students at UNLV. The GPSA is managed by the GPSA Council consisting of four elected officers, department-appointed council members, and the GPSA manager (administrative faculty). The four elected officers make the Executive Board which consists of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Learn More
Not sure what GPSA does? Attend a GPSA meeting or explore the GPSA Programs that support students through funding, events, and academic initiatives.
For general questions, contact gpsa@unlv.edu or stop by the Graduate Commons (an exclusive space for graduate and professional students, managed and operated by GPSA).
Why Participate?
As a GPSA Executive Board Officer, you will gain leadership experience, networking opportunities, and professional development. You will develop skills in public speaking, policy-making, negotiation, higher ed administration, and governance—and make a difference.
And Vote! Support candidates who share your vision for graduate student advocacy.
How Does GPSA Make a Difference?
Our university system seeks the student voice for major university decisions, including funding allocations, student fees, and academic policies. GPSA is the recognized UNLV graduate student government and represents this voice not only at UNLV, but to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). GPSA works with university leadership to improve the student experience.
GPSA’s programming aims to enrich the graduate student experience. Lead initiatives like the Cap & Gown Program, research grants, tutoring programs, plan major events, or develop new student resources.
Is this Doable? What’s the Time Commitment for Officers?
Training and guidance are provided. Passion is the only requirement. Faculty advisors and past leaders help new officers transition into their roles.
Meetings are scheduled with students in mind. The work is manageable alongside coursework and research. Executive Board members work as a team, no one carries the full burden alone.
Officers should expect to dedicate between 5-10 hours per week to their roles and are offered a small stipend to compensate for this service commitment. The Executive Board meets biweekly, and GPSA Council meets monthly.
What Positions Are Open?
Elections are held annually for four Executive Board positions:
- President: Leads GPSA, represents students to university leadership, and chairs meetings.
- Vice President: Manages internal operations and oversees the GPSA Sponsorship Program.
- Secretary: Maintains records, communications, and ensures transparency.
- Treasurer: Manages the GPSA budget and financial allocations.
See Position Descriptions for more detail about the expectations of each officer role and its stipend.
Eligibility
Anyone serving on the Elections Commission cannot run for GPSA Executive Board. Elections Commission members who decide to run for Executive Board must resign at least 30 calendar days before the filing period begins.
Candidates for the GPSA Executive Board election must meet the following criteria:
- Enrolled and admitted into a graduate or professional program or graduate-level certificate program at UNLV
- In good academic standing with the university
- Cannot have any open student conduct investigations
- Cannot be on academic probation
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
Position Descriptions
Required Materials to File for Candidacy
Deadline to file for this election is Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
The Declaration of Candidacy and materials must be filed via the online application, by the deadline. All submitted materials will be posted on the GPSA website and in the Graduate Student Commons in Lied Library. Faculty letters of support may be uploaded to the Declaration of Candidacy application or sent in directly to gpsaelections@unlv.edu. Faculty endorsements and letters of support are due to gpsaelections@unlv.edu no later than Friday, March 21, 2025.
Materials Checklist (for Filing Packet):
- Declaration of Candidacy: Candidates must submit an official application form declaring their intent to run for a particular office. The Declaration of Candidacy must be submitted using the online form by March 18, 2025, 11:59 PM.
- Faculty Letter of Support: Candidates must have support of a UNLV faculty member. Faculty must endorse applicants through a brief letter of support. Letters of support may be submitted by the applicant online through the Declaration of Candidacy form by its deadline.
- Letters of support may also be emailed to gpsaelections@unlv.edu no later than March 21, 2025. No letter will deem the filing packet incomplete.
- Resume or CV (optional): Applicants may submit a resume or CV to demonstrate their qualifications for an officer role.
Campaigning
Each candidate will make a campaign speech (three-minute limit) to the GPSA Council on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. The GPSA Council meets in a hybrid format via the GPSA’s Personal Zoom Meeting Room and in the Student Union, 2nd Floor, 208A Meeting Room. Candidates are strongly encouraged to attend in person.
Candidates unable to attend this meeting may pre-record their speech and submit it to gpsaelections@unlv.edu. Candidates unable to attend will forfeit their Q&A session post-speech from the GPSA Council and the public. Only candidates unable to attend the GPSA Council meeting may submit a pre-recorded speech.
NOTE: All candidates must review and acknowledge receipt of the GPSA Election Rules. Violations of the Election Rules must be reported in a timely fashion to the Elections Commission, gpsaelections@unlv.edu
More About GPSA
The GPSA supports graduate and professional students’ academic endeavors. Providing an environment conducive to student scholarship and research is our primary goal. The GPSA strives to engender a sense of community among the graduate and professional students by offering financial support and fellowship.
Programming is provided throughout the year which offers funding, scholarships, various awards, and networking to students. The GPSA represents UNLV graduate and professional students at meetings of the Board of Regents, Nevada Student Alliance, and on campus-wide committees.
The GPSA maintains offices in the Student Union, the Gateway Commons, CHB, as well as a computer lab in the Lied Library known as the Graduate Student Commons.