GPSS Election Breaks Turnout Records and Ushers in a New Era of Graduate Student Leadership
In a landmark moment for graduate student representation at West Virginia University, the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) concluded its 2025-26 elections with record-breaking voter turnout and some of the most competitive races in the organization’s history.
With 253 total votes cast, this year’s election surpassed the previous record of 184 votes from 2023-24, reflecting heightened student engagement and confidence in shared governance.
The race for GPSS President drew widespread attention. Md Hadisur Rahman, a PhD student in Industrial Engineering, won with 147 votes (58.1%). His opponent, Kallie Schafner, a PhD student in Cellular and Integrative Physiology, received 106 votes (41.9%). The race was marked by dynamic campaigning and community debate.
In the Vice President contest, Shihab Ullah Shibli, a master’s student in Industrial Engineering, secured victory with 106 votes (41.9%), defeating a competitive field that included Amarachi Nina Uma Mba with 37 votes (14.6%), Sagar Sharma Timilsina with 28 votes (11.1%), Uthman Olawoye with 46 votes (18.2%), and Kallie Schafner received 36 votes (14.2%) in this race.
The most tightly contested race came for Secretary, where three candidates were separated by just six votes:
- Silpa Beegala: 87 votes (34.4%)
- Shihab Ullah Shibli: 85 votes (33.6%)
- Mahatab Bin Rashid: 81 votes (32%)
Each candidate brought a unique vision to the role, and the split reflects both the challenge of choice and the high quality of leadership in the candidate pool.
The Treasurer position saw Mahatab Bin Rashid, a master’s student in Mechanical Engineering, win with 116 votes (45.8%), defeating Silpa Beegala with 81 votes (32%), and Sagar Sharma Timilsina, who earned 56 votes (22.1%).
For SGA Liaison, Amarachi Nina Uma Mba, a PhD student in Communication Studies, achieved a decisive victory with 134 votes (53%). Her competitors included Silpa Beegala with 71 votes (28.1%), and Jake Voight, who received 48 votes (19%).
The Senator position for the Statler College delivered one of the most competitive and high-stakes races of the cycle. In a dynamic four-way contest, Rumana Subnom secured a decisive win with 125 votes (49.4%), followed by Uthman Olawoye, who garnered a strong 92 votes (36.4%). Sagar Sharma Timilsina and Aman received 26 votes (10.3%) and 10 votes (4%), respectively. The spirited race demonstrated robust peer engagement and a desire for impactful representation within one of WVU’s most prominent academic colleges. GPSS also saw other candidates elected to represent their respective academic units as Senators, including:
- Jake Voight for the College of Creative Arts (167 votes)
- Geffen Wesley Stanhope for the College of Law (168 votes)
- Silpa Beegala for the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (177 votes)
- Amarachi Nina Uma Mba for the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences (183 votes)
- Kallie Schafner for the School of Medicine (173 votes)
- Kneisha McDonald for the School of Pharmacy (182 votes)
The election came just days after GPSS was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student Organization Award for 2024–2025 by WVU Student Engagement and Leadership, adding symbolic weight to this year's leadership transition.
This election was more than a process, it was a statement. It showed how invested our graduate and professional students are in the future of WVU.
Though the elections have concluded the door remains open to all candidates and students who want to be involved. Students who were not elected are encouraged to engage through appointed positions, committee work, and upcoming initiatives.
As GPSS transitions into a new term with a renewed mandate and historic support, its focus turns to building on recent successes, expanding advocacy, and ensuring that every graduate and professional student's voice continues to be heard.
See the election's results here: https://shorturl.at/y2slu