PRESIDENT

Bram is a fourth-year PhD student in the Math department, focusing on stochastic population dynamics and game theory. After joining TUGSA in his first year, he served as a coordinator, steward, contract research team member, contract negotiation team member, and most recently as Secretary for the previous executive board, learning many valuable lessons along the way. As President, he looks to continue these organizing efforts to improve working conditions for all graduate workers, while helping to guide the union through the current round of contract negotiations.

VICE PRESIDENT

Anna is a third-year PhD student in Department of Spanish and Portuguese. She joined TUGSA as soon as she started at Temple. A lot of the benefits she has working at Temple were achieved by TUGSA before she got here, so she wanted to do her part in pushing for more and more improvements. As an international student and worker herself, she is aware of the hardships international workers are facing in the current era. She strongly believes that it is important to work together and contribute as much as we can so we can build a strong graduate student community.  

SECRETARY

L is a second year Ph.D. student and Teaching Assistant in the English department interested in how Chinese history and myths are used in creative modern community solidarity projects. Because they've organized around safety and community in multiple non-unionized engineering, research, and manufacturing institutions, they believe strongly in the difference a strong union can make. They joined TUGSA immediately after accepting their position at Temple and quickly got involved in organizing and outreach. They've learned a lot attending 2025 contract negotiations and enjoy helping our union organize and communicate effectively so Temple can be a better space for us all to work, teach, and learn.

TREASURER

Ian is a second-year Ph.D. student and Teaching Assistant in the Political Science Department, researching political violence and secession. He previously received his BA in Global Studies from the University of Arizona and an MA in African Studies from Indiana University . He has been an active organizer with TUGSA since his first year and has been involved in membership recruitment and contract research. In 2026, he joined the TUGSA board as Treasurer and has developed expertise in managing TUGSA's finances and maintaining the budget. As a Teaching Assistant in the College of Liberal Arts, Ian has also worked to connect grad students in social sciences and humanities.

ORGANIZING DIRECTOR

Alex is a second year PhD student working as a TA and RA in the Geography, Environment and Urban Studies department with an interest in the historical development of urban transportation. He previously received a BA in History and Plan II honors from the University of Texas. In his first year at Temple, Alex joined TUGSA and quickly became an active organizer as 2025 contract negotiations kicked off. Now, from his position on the board, Alex looks for ways to involve more students in determining their own working conditions.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

Exer Thurston is a Second year MFA in the Glass Department in Tyler School of Art and Architecture. research is broad, covering studio art, curation, linguistics, biological sciences, translation, taxonomy, and queer theory. They work largely as a caster and mold maker, but also work with metal, stone, ceramic, paper, neon, and fiber. Community building is central to their art practice and they have several years of experience in leadership roles. The cross-disciplinary relationships built through TUGSA have been incredibly rewarding for their practice. Exer is happy to support the rights of current and future Graduate students. 

BOARD APPOINTED PAST OFFICER

Carolina is a fifth-year Ph.D student and Teaching Assistant in the department of Spanish and Portuguese. Her research focuses on contemporary Latin American literature, with a special interest in children narrators, and feminine and queer writing in Latin America. She is also a translator and interpreter of English, Spanish and Portuguese. She has been an active member and organizer in TUGSA since she became part of the bargaining unit, and believes strongly in the importance of community and labor organizing, especially as an international worker at Temple.

STAFF ORGANIZER

Jolie served on the Stewards Council, the Contract Research Team, and as Director of Organizing on the ’24-’25 Executive Board while completing her MFA in Playwriting. Her experience as a Teaching Assistant made clear that being a graduate worker at Temple means holding an inherent role within the union and the collective bargaining process. As co-Lead Negotiator in the fight for a fair contract, she is excited to organize alongside members to make that role visible across the graduate community, embracing both the collective responsibility it demands and the genuine joy to be found in claiming it.

OFFICE ORGANIZER

Aradhna is from Massachusetts and recently received her MFA in Poetry from Temple. As a TUGSA member, she was part of the Stewards Council, and was the Director of Community Outreach on the ’24-’25 Executive Board. Aradhna values the community that TUGSA promotes with its ability to connect grad workers from all subjects. She enjoys using her writing and communication skills to strengthen TUGSA’s cause. 

ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZER

Billy completed his PhD in Psychology & Neuroscience at Temple in 2025 and is currently a Post-Doc at Rutgers. While a TUGSA member, he had served on the Contract Research Team and Elections Committee, in addition to being a Strike Coordinator and Steward. He values the community and opportunities TUGSA offers, especially to first generation students like himself, and wants to make sure they are protected and expanded for future generations of grad students at Temple. He's excited to continuing to support Temple grad students as we approach negotiations. 

MEMBERSHIP

TUGSA is entirely and only its membership. Together, we have proven we can accomplish significant things, winning improvements in our pay, benefits, and working conditions. Joining TUGSA is the first and most important step you can take in being an active part of your own experience as a graduate employee at Temple. Join TUGSA today!