Leadership
2026 Leadership
President: Arjun Sivakumar
Vice President: Dharaneesh CKV
Social Chair: Vighnesh Nair
Financial Chair: Sushant Kumar Shah Kanu
Communication Chair: Dominic Jibin James
Operations Chair: Jaideep Manupati
Academic Building One Representative: Nawar Wali
Online Campus Representative: Rachel McCoy
CGPSA Representative: Mihir Patel
Alexandria Campus (WAAC) Representative: Fatemeh Mashhadi Mohammadzadeh Vazifeh
Arlington Campus (VTRC-A) Representative: position not filled
Arjun Sivakumar
President
As a master's candidate in computer science, my journey across South America, India, and now the U.S. has deepened my conviction that diversity is among humanity's greatest strengths. These experiences have fueled my passion for building inclusive, connected communities. At Virginia Tech, I am committed to creating spaces where students connect, collaborate, and celebrate together. Through cultural events, welcoming shared spaces, and strong partnerships with administration, I want to make Virginia Tech in the greater D.C. area a place where everyone belongs.
Dharaneesh CKV
Vice President
I will champion transparency, foster open dialogue, and support initiatives that drive both academic and personal growth. I am a dedicated advocate for graduate students, and I am committed to bridging the gap between students and leadership at Virginia Tech. I believe that a thriving campus is one where innovation, collaboration, and inclusion are not just ideals but everyday realities. Working closely with the GSA team, I will ensure that every graduate student's voice is heard, valued, and reflected in the decisions that shape our collective future.
Vighnesh Nair
Social Chair
A proud Hokie and passionate community builder, I believe every student deserves a campus where they feel heard, supported, and inspired. I am dedicated to connecting students, faculty, and administration, making it easier for ideas and concerns to reach the right people. Through community-driven initiatives, improved collaboration spaces, and a commitment to inclusion, I will ensure every student has the resources they need to succeed. Let's make Virginia Tech in the D.C. area a place that reflects our creativity, collaboration, and Hokie pride!
Mihir Patel
Communications Chair
As a master's student in computer science with a passion for clear and meaningful communication, I am dedicated to strengthening how the GSA connects with and informs its student community. With a focus on clarity, accessibility, and engagement, I work to deliver timely updates, elevate student voices, and foster a more informed and engaged graduate community, ensuring every communication reflects the values and needs of every student I serve.
Dominic Jibin James
Communication Chair
As a master's student in computer engineering, I believe impactful communication links great ideas and engaged communities. Through leading campus recruitment initiatives and building brand partnerships, I developed strong skills in strategic outreach and creative storytelling. I will ensure our events, achievements, and opportunities reach every student across the D.C. area. From social media content to campus flyers, my goal is to build a more connected graduate community where everyone feels informed, included, and inspired to participate. Let's amplify DC-GSA's voice together!
Jaideep Manupati
Operations Chair
I am a master's student in computer science with a strong foundation in event operations and logistics. I bring hands-on experience from serving as a DJ and technical manager for the 9th International Festival of Lights and the Ground Management Lead for Techvaganza, a major undergraduate technical fest overseeing venue operations and crowd control. With additional experience coordinating logistical transport and safety for student wellness trips, I am committed to bringing precision, care, and strict safety compliance to every DC-GSA event. My goal is to ensure every gathering runs flawlessly from setup to finish.
Sushant Kumar Shah Kanu
Financial Chair
As a master's candidate in computer science, my journey across Nepal, India, and now the U.S. has deepened my conviction that diversity is among humanity's greatest strengths. These experiences have fueled my passion for building inclusive, connected communities. Drawing from my experience of hands-on financial management running a family business, I bring real-world expertise in budgeting, inventory optimization, and profit management to GSA. I am committed to absolute transparency and making every dollar work smarter for the graduate student community.
Nawar Wali
Academic Building One Representative
I am a Ph.D. student in computer science at Virginia Tech with a passion for fostering stronger connections between students, research, and campus life. Drawing from my experience as a Student Ambassador and Graduate Honor System Panelist, I bring a deep commitment to transparency, communication, and advocacy. I am dedicated to ensuring graduate student voices are represented in decision-making, expanding interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting inclusive events that strengthen belonging across campuses. I am committed to being an active and responsive representative who listens to student concerns and turns them into meaningful action.
Rachel McCoy
Online Representative
I am a master's student in computer science who understands firsthand what it means to balance work, grad school, and staying involved. Driven by the belief that being busy should never mean missing out, I am committed to making campus life more accessible and manageable for students juggling jobs, classes, commutes, and everything in between. My goal is to create opportunities that fit real schedules, not ideal ones, and to ensure that every student, no matter how much they have on their plate, feels connected, included, and like they truly belong.
Fatemeh Mashhadi Mohammad-zadeh Vazifeh
WAAC Representative
As a master's student in architecture and a proud member of the WAAC community, I believe that every student's voice deserves to be heard across the broader Virginia Tech greater D.C. area. Driven by a deep connection to WAAC as a place of learning, growth, and creative discovery, I am committed to carrying forward the ideas, concerns, and aspirations of my fellow students. My goal is to illuminate WAAC's presence, foster meaningful collaboration across campuses and disciplines, and ensure that WAAC's perspective helps shape graduate student life where decisions are made.