Four people sitting down on a couch

GPSA Executive Board

Teresa Marie's Headshot

Teresa Marie

GPSA President, 2024-2025

Teresa Marie is a third-year Ph.D. student in Criminal Justice at UNLV, working under the guidance of Dr. Alexis Kennedy. A first-generation college student and a Philip J. Cohen Scholar Alumni, Teresa earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice from UNLV in 2016. She went on to pursue her Juris Doctor at the University of Massachusetts School of Law and a concurrent Master of Public Policy from UMass-Dartmouth. Her research centers on juvenile justice issues, underscoring her dedication to social justice and policy reform.

In her leadership role as GPSA President, Teresa draws on her extensive background as an advocate, a position she held both by nature and training. She previously served as GPSA Treasurer, gaining valuable insight into graduate student needs and priorities. Teresa’s commitment to representation and collective action guides her vision for GPSA, with goals that include affordable graduate student and family housing, improved working conditions for graduate assistants, expanded childcare access, and increased campus engagement through athletic and community events.

Teresa is also focused on broadening GPSA’s outreach to connect with more students across disciplines. She intends to collaborate closely with the executive board and council to encourage involvement in on-campus committees and to promote transparency of committee initiatives. By fostering direct communication and engagement, Teresa hopes to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for UNLV’s graduate and professional students. An active member of the UNLV community, Teresa is often seen at athletic events wearing her signature big red hat. Outside of her academic and leadership responsibilities, she enjoys hiking, camping, photography, and actively participating in Pirate Fest and the Age of Chivalry Renaissance Faire.

 

Portrait of Aliciah Carr

Alycia Carr

GPSA Vice President, 2024-2025

Alyciah Carr is a fourth-year Ph.D. student specializing in bio-cultural anthropology at UNLV, originally from western New York. She double majored in anthropology and psychology at SUNY Oswego, and her academic journey focuses on evolutionary theory, modern mating selection, and critical issues related to artificial reproduction and human rights.

Alyciah has become a dynamic presence within the UNLV community, working at the Lied Library Graduate Commons and actively participating in GPSA activities, including the spring 2023 lobbying trip to Carson City. Having served as GPSA Secretary during the 2023-2024 academic year, Alyciah possesses valuable insights into the inner workings of the graduate student government, including meeting procedures, file management, and the organization’s structure. Her previous role as a member of the GPSA Sponsorship Committee has also equipped her with a thorough understanding of the GPSA’s competitive Sponsorship Program—experience that is crucial for her service as Vice President and chair of the Sponsorship Committee. Alyciah is passionate about enhancing the graduate and professional student experience at UNLV and aims to further the Sponsorship Program, recognizing its immense value in enabling her peers to conduct vital research and scholarly work.

Dedicated to advocating for better financial, mental, and physical support for students, Alyciah strives to foster a supportive environment within the UNLV community. Outside of academia, she is a proud cat mom to her adorable feline, Kevin. She enjoys reading, hiking, and sharing delicious meals with friends, embodying her love for food in all its forms.

Devin Lopez (photo)

Devin Lopez

GPSA Treasurer, 2024-2025

Devin Lopez is a dedicated advocate for graduate students, currently serving as GPSA Treasurer for the 2024-2025 academic year. He has been an active member of GPSA since Fall 2022, initially as the political science representative and later as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee during the 2023-2024 year. Devin holds a B.A. in Political Science from Chapman University and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science at UNLV, with a concentration in American Politics.

Since joining the UNLV community, Devin has served as a graduate research and teaching assistant and has been a vocal advocate for graduate assistants through the Nevada Graduate Student Workers. His research interests focus on campaign finance reforms in U.S. states and the recent resurgence of the labor movement, positioning him to provide a unique perspective within GPSA to enhance graduate assistant pay and working conditions.

As Treasurer, Devin is committed to addressing potential budgetary challenges facing GPSA. He believes in the importance of maintaining and expanding essential services for graduate and professional students and aims to work collaboratively with fellow officers to create a sustainable budget framework. Additionally, Devin serves as the Vice President of the Political Science Graduate Collegium, where he has organized various research workshops to support graduate students in his department.

Outside of his academic pursuits, Devin is a classically trained cellist and a proud alumnus of the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. He enjoys engaging with the community and is dedicated to enhancing the graduate student experience at UNLV.

experience make her a valuable asset to the GPSA and the broader university community. As an active community member on UNLV's campus, you can catch Teresa at UNLV athletic events in her big red hat. In her free time, Teresa enjoys hiking, camping, photography, and hanging out at the annual Pirate Fest and Age of Chivalry Ren Faire.

David King Headshot

David King

GPSA Secretary, 2024-2025

David King is currently a third-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at UNLV, specializing in organic and polymer synthesis. He began his research journey as an undergraduate in 2020, graduating cum laude with a B.S. in Biochemistry from UNLV. David aspires to contribute to environmentally sustainable materials research and is passionate about STEM education.

As a GPSA Representative for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry since November 2023, David has become actively involved in advocating for the needs of his peers and supporting the graduate community. He also serves as a Grad Rebel Ambassador and is a fellow in the NSF Culturally Relevant and Responsive Teaching program. His experiences in these roles have equipped him with valuable insights into the issues facing graduate students at UNLV.

David is eager to serve as GPSA Secretary to further enhance the organizational stability of the association. He aims to maintain effective communication and collaboration within GPSA, ensuring that the voices of graduate and professional students are heard. With a strong commitment to fostering a supportive environment, David looks forward to contributing to initiatives that enhance the graduate student experience at UNLV.

In his free time, David enjoys learning random scientific facts, curating music playlists, and spending quality time with his cat, Chowder.