2025-2026 GSS Senate Executive Council

Ariel is a first-year doctoral student in the Leadership Studies program within the School of Counseling, Higher Education, and Leadership Foundations. They have earned a Bachelor of Sociology and Psychology, and a Master of Sociology from BGSU. Ariel served as the Sociology Masters senator in their first year and as the Representative-at-Large for the past two years. Their research has examined ADHD, criminology, and deviance while looking to explore more in Leadership Studies to be able to work with University students in the future.

Shubham is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Computer Science. He holds a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics and Operations Research from the Schmidthorst College of Business at BGSU and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Delhi, India. He has previously served as a senator for the Applied Statistics master’s program, as Secretary, and as Interim Vice President.

Zack Matthews is a motivated leader and ambitious student here at Bowling Green State University. He is an experienced professional with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from BGSU and is in his second year of the Leadership Studies Doctoral Program. Zack held positions such as Supply Chain Analyst at Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. and Raw Material Planner at GKN Automotive. He is currently a Graduate Research Assistant and Treasurer of the Graduate Student Senate.

David is an ABD doctoral student in the School of Counseling, Higher Education, and Leadership Foundations. He holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in Music Composition. At BGSU, David has formerly served as a graduate assistant for the National Student Affairs Archives in the Center for Archival Collections and as Graduate Student Senate’s president. Outside of BGSU David has served as faculty in music and a variety of artistic and leadership professional roles. With extensive interdisciplinary experience, David integrates knowledge across disciplines and professions, focusing on the relationship between people and systems to support effective leadership and sustainable development.

Second year masters student focusing on computer science and software engineering, working as a graduate assistant with the cybersecurity faculty. Graduated from BGSU in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science as well. Previously worked as a software engineering intern at AAIS and APKD. Previously worked as an international student ambassador for the year 2023-2024 and returning again for the year 2025-2026. I am passionate about computer science and solving complex problems through code.

I spend most of my days breaking down complex problems and finding solutions. My interest in tech sparked at a young age, and that curiosity has only grown since. Over time, I’ve continued to explore the field, build new skills, and shape that early spark into something more meaningful. Outside of my academic studies, I’m an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction.

Morgan Poole is receiving her MA in Sociology this summer from BGSU and will be a 1st year PhD student in the sociology department this fall. Within the sociology program Morgan has a major concentration in criminology and minor concentrations on both family and quantitative research methods. Her main research interests include parental incarceration, intergenerational substance use, and cults. She has worked as both a TA and RA in the sociology program and will be starting to teach this fall.

Prior to being elected as Representative-at-Large, Morgan served as the sociology MA senator for two academic years. Through this time, she has gained an understanding of the importance of graduate student voices and advocacy. She hopes to take these values into her role of representative at large.

Syeda Zainab Akbar is a fourth-year PhD student in the School of Media and Communication. She holds a Master's degree in Digital Humanities and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, and English. Her previous work experience spans diverse sectors, including industry, non-profits, and for-profits with a focus on the intersection of technology and social impact. Currently, her research is centered on examining the authenticity of communication on social media platforms, delving into the implications of digital interactions on societal perceptions and trust.

Mmaduabuchi Akujuobi is a third-year doctoral student in the Leadership Studies program. He earned his bachelor’s and first master’s degrees in Public Administration. Due to his strong passion for teaching, he obtained a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Bowling Green State University. His research interests include humanitarianism, human resources management, advocacy, diversity and inclusion, and public governance. Mmaduabuchi believes that serving as the Student Affairs Representative will provide him with a veritable platform to advocate for BGSU’s graduate students. Mmaduabuchi believes that students’ welfare is undoubtedly connected to students’ academic success.

My name is Tanner Hurst and I am pursuing a Geology masters degree under Dr. Lepre. I'm most interested paleoclimate, sandstones, and humanity's place in deep time. I am originally from and completed my undergraduate in a small Appalachian town called Marietta Ohio but moved here for graduate school. Over the summer I was able to secure an internship with Ohio's Geologic Survey and when I graduate from BGSU I intend to work for a state geologic survey. For me geology, rock units, and sediments speak to me as the processes of continual planetary evolution.  They allow for a connection between the present and the deep past, an understanding of how the natural world around us came to be, and to some extent where we came from. I am a serial rock collector and have pounds of rocks that I can go into excruciating detail about what they allow you to interpret from the natural world. When I think about our place in Earth's history I am remined of how unprecedented humanity's impact on the environment has been, and how it is largely not positive. I hope that in this position I will be able to make a positive impact on BGSU's community and do my part in making the world a more sustainable place.

I’m Mohammed Shakeel Shaik, a passionate tech enthusiast with a focus on problem solving approaches. I’ve worked in diverse roles from leading a logistics startup to assisting in event operations and building AI-powered applications which have shaped my collaborative and community-focused approach.

As the Online Student Representative, I’m here to ensure that online students feel heard, connected, and supported. I’m committed to improving access to resources and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement.

Fun Fact: I built an app that only takes pictures when you smile!

Katie Ware ‘22 has served as the Graduate Student Trustee since May 2024. She is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in Biological Sciences, studying ecology and conservation biology following successful completion of her masters degree in the lab of Dr. Karen Root. Her dissertation research is focused on how bird communities respond to different kinds of disturbance, including forest management, hurricanes, and window collisions. Katie is also the Executive Director for the West Central Ohio Land Conservancy, a non-profit land trust based in her home county (Hancock) and surrounding counties. She also volunteers as a bird bander and bird-watching guide with Black Swamp Bird Observatory and as an advisor for the Ohio Young Birder’s Club. On campus, Katie has previously served as the Graduate Student Senate Environmental Affairs Representative, taught Anatomy and Physiology labs, and has served as a Biology Graduate Student Orientation Leader. She completed her bachelor’s degree at The University of Findlay and currently lives in Findlay, with her husband Sam.