Meet the team

María Dolores Castillo

Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs, M.A.
Pronouns: she/her/ella 
Email: mdcastillo2@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

Hello! My name is María Dolores Castillo (she/her/ella) and I am a first-generation, Chicana graduate student from Los Angeles, CA. I hold a bachelor’s degree in both Politics and Legal Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) and am currently a part of the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) master’s program – Cohort 15 – at the University of San Francisco (USF). Aside from being a grad student, I currently work full-time as a Student Involvement Coordinator at UCSC, where I work alongside students to create campus wide programs to increase student belonging and retention practices. Besides school and work, I love spending time with my family and friends, and have been motivating myself to cook new food!

Mabel Bush

Program: Public Health Masters, MPH
Pronouns: she/her 
Email: mcbush@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

Hi everyone! My name is Mabel Bush, I am originally from Pomona, CA and am a second year in the MPH program. After working in biotech for 7 years, I decided to pivot into Public Health. I am interested in policy making related to infectious disease, pandemic preparedness, and health equity. In my spare time, I enjoy discovering bookstores around the city, seeing interesting buildings around the world, and trying to trick myself into enjoying running.  

Sophia Scipi

Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs, M.A.
Pronouns: 
Email: sfscipi@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

Hi everyone! I am currently in the Master of Science in Accounting program under the School of Management, in addition to working as an Accounting Associate. As Vice President of Treasury for the Graduate Student Senate, I manage the graduate student activity fee budget, review funding requests from graduate student organizations, and report on allocations and spending to the Senate and the graduate student body. My priority is making sure our student funds are used thoughtfully, transparently, and in ways that directly benefit students, so please reach out if you have any questions! 

Jacqueline (Jackie) Azevedo

Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs, MA
Pronouns: she/her
Email: jmazevedo@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:
Hi everyone! My name is Jacqueline Azevedo, but please call me Jackie. I am first generation, Portuguese American, and originally from the Central Valley - Hilmar CA. I graduated from the University of California, Merced (UCM) with a B.S. in Management and Business Economics and a minor in Sociology. I am currently a second year grad student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program at the University of San Francisco (USF). I currently work as an Assistant Resident Director supporting the day-to-day operations of a residential community while supervising and mentoring a team of Resident Advisors (RAs). Outside of school and work, I am involved in the club women's water polo team, I enjoy line/swing dancing, volunteering at the food pantry, and exploring new coffee shops around SF (please send me recommendations). 

Emilio Sánchez

Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs, M.A.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Email: esanchezmena@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

​My name is Emilio, and I'm a graduate student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs master's program within the School of Education. I'm truly excited for the opportunity to learn f​rom, engage with​, and work collaboratively alongside our graduate student population at USF throughout this academic year​ to address their collective needs and interests.

Nancy Galicia

Major: B.S. Economics
Minor: Investing
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Email: ngalicia2@dons.usfca.edu
Class of 2028

Mizrahy Bernardo:

Major: M.A. Higher Education and Student Affairs
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
Email: mabernardo@dons.usfca.edu
Class of 2027

Michaiah Pettway:

Major: B.S. Biology
Minor: African American Studies & Chemistry
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Email: mrpettway@dons.usfca.edu
Class of 2029

Toygar Yildiz

Program: Applied Economics, M.S.
Pronouns: he/him
Email: tcyildiz@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

I'm a graduate student in the Applied Economics program and I’m excited to contribute to USF's Graduate Student Senate. As a first-generation immigrant from Turkey with bachelor's degrees in Economics and Business Administration, I've experienced firsthand the challenges international students face from navigating unfamiliar legal processes to finding adequate mental health support during uncertain times. During my undergraduate studies, I served as DanceSport team captain, managing the relationship between students and school administration, an experience that shaped my belief in the power of strong, well-organized communities. As senator, I want to help expand legal support for international students, push for stronger mental health resources, connect underprivileged students with the support they need to thrive, and strengthen the kind of community that keeps relationships and school spirit alive well beyond graduation.

Vacant

Degree:
Program: 
Hometown: 
Email:

Officer Bio

Lesley Estrada

Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs, MA. 
Pronouns: she/her/ella 
Email: laestrada6@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

Hi! My name is Lesley Estrada, and I am from Bakersfield, CA. I graduated from California State University, Bakersfield with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Psychology as a first generation student! I currently work full time at UC Berkeley as a Resident Director while balancing my graduate studies for Higher Education and Student Affairs. Outside of work and school, I am the eldest of 4 girls! I love to travel, cook, go on runs, and nap.

Ethan Collier-Moreno

Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs, M.A.
Pronouns: he/him/él
Email: edcolliermoreno@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

Howdy! I’m a proud San Diego native, but I split my time between there and Mexicali, B.C. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Ethnic Studies and a B.S. in Educational Sciences. I'm honored and excited to serve the GSS as one of the School of Education Representatives, bringing experience from my time as a union organizer to better serve our graduate student population. Outside of classes, work, and GSS, catch me at a café, book store, hunting Smiskis, or playing Pokémon Champions on my Switch!

Edvina Bahar

Program: Business Analytics, MBA
Pronouns: she/her 
Email: ebahar@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

I'm Edvina, and I am a second time School of Management representative at GSS. I'm an MBA candidate at here at USF and I'm currently building expertise in product analytics, market strategy, and data-driven decision-making. I'm also passionate about bringing change to USF and making sure student voices are heard, and I can't wait to do that another year!

Neil Srinivas

Program: School of Management, MBA
Pronouns: 
Email: nvsrinivas@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

Neil is a second year Full Time MBA student at University of San Francisco School of Management, with a background in medicine and experience across healthcare operations and process improvement. His transition from medicine into healthcare operations has shaped his interest in improving systems, bringing different perspectives together, and creating meaningful impact within organizations. As a School of Management Representative, Neil hopes to bring that same collaborative approach to GSS by advocating for his peers and helping build a more connected and supportive graduate student community.

Taeya Paolella

Program: MPH
Pronouns: she/her
Email: tmpaolella@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

I’m a Master of Public Health student passionate about community health, advocacy, and creating positive change. I enjoy getting involved in my community and finding ways to make public health more accessible and impactful.

Hamsa Parab

Program: Public Health, MPH
Pronouns: she/her, they/them
Email: hamsaparab@gmail.com

Officer Bio:

My name is Hamsa Parab (she/they) and I am a first year MPH student at the University of San Francisco and one of two Representatives of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. I am passionate about enriching the lives of our graduate student community and cultivating a sense of belonging on campus. My health interests include adolescent and young adult mental health, maternal and women's health, and digital health infrastructure. Feel free to connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/hamsa-parab-0098902b2

Dash Sylvester

Program: Juris Doctor, J.D.
Pronouns: he/him
Email: djsylvester@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

I am someone who cares about the community and I make it my duty in my day-to-day life to create effective solutions for the things/people I care about. I am grateful to be a part of the GSS team and I hope to contribute meaningfully to GSS's overall mission.  

Zoria Temple 

Program: School of Law, J.D.
Pronouns: she/her
Email: ztemple@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

Zoria is a 3L at the University of San Francisco School of Law. She is interested in pursuing a career in environmental law and or employment law. In her spare time she enjoys being at the beach and exercising. 

Vacant

Degree:
Program: 
Hometown: 
Email:

Officer Bio

Val Ramos

Program: Masters Sports Management 
Pronouns: she/her
Email: vnramos@dons.usfca.edu

Officer Bio:

I’m passionate about sports and love being part of the energy and community that comes with them. Outside of sports, I love traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with my dogs, who are truly my best friends!