Graduate Student Leadership Council
What is the Graduate Student Leadership Council (GSLC)?
GSLC was formed in 2022 by a resolution passed by ASMSU recognizing that issues impacting graduate students are often different from those of undergraduates. The goal of GSLC is to promote all graduate student voices through service as representatives on university councils that affect policy changes at MSU. GSLC is composed of graduate students who serve on councils, such as Budget, Research, and Graduate Councils, and serve as representatives to ASMSU Senate and Faculty Senate.
Want to provide your feedback to GSLC?
GSLC wants to hear from you! Our goal as the GSLC is to advocate for you to help improve your quality of life as a graduate student at Montana State University. We'd like to hear about any issues you've had such as living conditions, wellbeing, and/or your rights as students. Share your feedback in our anonymous graduate student survey.
Getting involved with GSLC:
Graduate students can get involved by:
- Attending regular GSLC Strategic Meetings. Meeting times for the fall 2026 semester are the third Friday of the month from 2-3:00pm in the MSU Library Room 152. Feel free to reach out to the Council Co-Chairs to set up an appointment outside of this time.
- Filling open council or representative positions. Open positions are either filled by current GSLC member / staff nomination, or interested students can reach out to the Council Co-Chairs.
For more information, please contact the Council Co-Chairs (see below).
Current GSLC Members:
Anna French
Mary Farina
PhD Student in Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Mary is co-chair of GSLC and the housing liaison. Mary is passionate about advocating for graduate students living in campus housing and amplifying their voices regarding housing experiences and concerns.
Hossein Khadivar
PhD Candidate in Environmental Engineering
As a member of the Graduate Student Leadership Council, Hossein serves as a graduate student representative to the University Graduate Council, where he works to bring graduate student perspective into discussions surrounding graduate education, policies, programs, and student success at MSU.Hossein is passionate about strengthening communication between graduate students and university leadership, and elevating student perspectives into meaningful discussions and actions at the university level.
Ainsley Nystrom:
Ainsley serves on the University Graduate Council. Ainsley serves on the University Graduate Council. She is passionate about ensuring campus-wide transparency and communication between faculty, staff, and graduate students
Corinne Neustadter
Corinne is the Graduate Student Representative to ASMSU. She is a PhD student in environmental history and received her undergraduate degree at Colorado State University. When she isn't researching or writing, you can find her hiking, running, or skiing on public lands.
David Nelson
David is currently serving on MSU's Research Council. He is passionate about a welcoming, safe, and productive research and teaching environment for the graduate student employees of the University. Outside the University you can probably find him rock climbing.
Past GSLC Events
GSLC Town Hall - Spring 2026
GSLC wants to hear from you! We are holding a Town Hall on April 14th at noon in AJM Johnson Hall 251 to hear your feedback as we continue to advocate for graduate student needs. As always, you can reach out to us via email or the feedback form on our website. You can also get more involved by becoming a member of our organization; send us an email to learn more!
GSLC Town Hall - Spring 2025
Do you have comments about your experience as a graduate student at MSU? The Graduate Student Leadership Council (GSLC) wants to hear from you! The GSLC is hosting a town hall from 4-6pm on Tuesday March 11th, 2025 in Linfield 125. Bring your questions, comments, and complaints and drop in at any time.
GSLC Awareness Forum
The Graduate Student Leadership Council (GSLC) invites all MSU graduate students to an awareness forum on Wednesday November 13th, 2024 at 3pm in SUB Room 235. Join council members for snacks and conversation about the graduate student experience, as well as updates from MSU that affect graduate students. The GSLC wants to find out how they can work to improve the graduate student experience, and needs your feedback!