Introducing the 2025-2026 ECE GSA Officers

The start of a new school year brings new possibilities for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Student Association, a Registered Student Organization at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, commonly known as the ECE GSA. Each spring, the group elects a new team of officers to represent ECE graduate students and lead the organization’s initiatives for the following year. The 2025-2026 GSA leadership team includes five ECE graduate students eager to continue the GSA’s mission of fostering a supportive and inclusive community for their peers. 

Second year PhD student Khailanii Slaton, currently researching simulation, robotics, and machine learning, has stepped into the role of GSA President this September. After planning events for the organization as a volunteer executive board member during the 2024-2025 school year, Slaton came to recognize just how important the GSA is in enhancing the graduate school experience, and sought to get more involved. “I decided to become an officer because I want to serve as an advocate for my fellow graduate students,” says Slaton. “Specifically, I believe my creativity, organizational skills, and leadership qualities can contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and impact of the GSA. I’m thrilled to have been granted the opportunity to build onto this organization!” 

And though it’s just begun, the GSA’s plans for building upon the organization during the school year are already in motion. The group hosted several of their signature events this past summer, such as coffee hour gatherings, an ice cream social, and a game night at the Memorial Union Terrace, and plans to sustain those favorites throughout the year as well as introduce a few new initiatives for graduate students to take part in. When asked about the leadership team’s aspirations for the year ahead, Slaton described the vision of the group as a dynamic and inclusive hub for ECE graduate students. “We’re currently focused on a rebrand, which includes refreshing our social media presence, launching new initiatives, and breathing new life into existing ones. Our goal is to make GSA a more visible and engaging organization that connects with a larger segment of our community, possibly even including alumni.”

One initiative that the group is currently prioritizing is the Buddy Program, a mentor-mentee matching system designed to help incoming graduate students adjust to graduate student life in Madison. For new students arriving from varying geographical backgrounds, this connection serves a truly invaluable purpose. Mentees receive resources, guidance, and emotional support from an experienced graduate student, and will have the opportunity to attend community-building events alongside their mentor. In addition to the Buddy Program, the GSA looks forward to offering ECE graduate students with opportunities for social connection, mental health support, and scholarly growth.

As the GSA continues to build upon its efforts ahead of the new year, officers encourage participation in the organization from students of all ECE graduate programs: PhD, MS Research, MS Accelerated, and Postdoctorate. “GSA is a representation of all the graduate students in ECE regardless of their area of involvement. The more people involved, the more effective this representation will be,” says Public Relations Officer Dishant Sapkota, first year PhD student. Sapkota is echoed by Secretary Olivia D’Souza, second year MS Research student, who adds that being a part of the organization can benefit all graduate students, no matter the degree. “The graduate school experience extends beyond the walls of labs and classrooms,” says D’Souza. “Getting involved in GSA will help you cultivate relationships and experiences that enhance your time here at UW–Madison.” 

With plenty of activities throughout the year, getting involved with GSA is as simple as showing up. “All graduate students and postdocs are welcome to participate and help the GSA working committee with event ideation, planning, and organization,” says Vice President Immanuel Williams, third year PhD student.

ECE graduate students can find information on the GSA on Instagram at @uwmadecegsa, and keep an eye on their email inbox for upcoming events. 

Get to know a GSA officer!

Question: What do you enjoy most about being part of the GSA? Read Khailanii, Dishant, and Immanuel’s answers below.

Khailanii: This might sound a little silly, but truly, my favorite part is hosting events! I love being creative, coming up with fresh ideas to engage the community. Overall, it brings me so much joy to see people having fun and connecting with each other.

Being part of GSA has also had a meaningful impact on my own experience. I’ve met some really kind and supportive people through the organization, which has been especially important for me since my lab isn’t located in Engineering Hall. That physical distance can sometimes make me feel a bit disconnected, but GSA helps me stay in touch with my community! 

Dishant: Even though I haven’t been a part of UW-Madison itself for long, let alone GSA, I did enjoy all the coffee hour events last semester. An hour to relax, have coffee and snacks, and chat about random stuff with other grad students.

Immanuel: The best thing about ECE GSA is the part where I can hang out with like-minded people with similar interests. It has also allowed me to learn more about cultures around the world when  I interact with many international students.