President

Email: gpcpresident@missouri.edu

Parker Owens is second year law student at the University of Missouri School of Law. Parker is from Noel, Missouri. He first arrived at the University of Missouri in 2016 for his undergraduate programs. Parker earned both a Bachelor of Journalism from the Missouri School of Journalism and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Trulaske College of Business in May 2021. He began law school in Fall 2021. Before serving as President, Parker previously served as the Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs..

Vice President

Email: gpcvicepresident@missouri.edu

Mary is earning a master’s degree in Health Informatics. She is from Nigeria. She previously earned a master’s degree in Romance Languages from the University of Missouri and holds a bachelor’s degree in French from University of Ilorin (Nigeria).

Her research focuses on patient/provider communication and advocates the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) for the development of enhanced health care systems that make it easier for patients to consult with providers, regardless of location.

She previously served as Events Coordinator for the Africa Graduate Professional Student Association at Mizzou. She is also a volunteer co-host of World Woman on KOPN 89.5fm.

She is currently a graduate research assistant with the University of Missouri Peace Studies Program.

( gpcvicepresident@missouri.edu )

Treasurer

Email: gpctreasurer@missouri.edu

Okpasuo, Onyekachi Juliet is a doctoral student in the Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutics (MPT) graduate program, School of Medicine. Her research generally focuses on mechanism of T cell co- potentiation by anti-CD3epsilon monovalent fab fragment, downstream signaling network of co-potentiated T cells and potential immune related adverse events of immunotherapies. Originally from Nigeria, Juliet received her master’s degree in Parasitology and Public health and has a B.Sc. in Zoology and Environmental Biology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Juliet also served as the Treasurer of the African Graduate and Professional Student Association (AGPSA) in Mizzou. In addition, Juliet is a research assistant in the MPT graduate program

Secretary

Email: gpcsecretary@missouri.edu

Elizabeth Taylor is a doctoral student in the Mizzou School of Social Work. Her research interests generally focus on those involved in the criminal legal system. She is particularly interested in returning citizens and their outcomes as they reenter their communities after a period of incarceration, treatment for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders within corrections, and trauma-informed care in the correctional setting. She is currently working as a graduate research assistant for the Prison Research and Innovation Network (PRIN). Originally from Texas, Elizabeth earned a Master’s in Sociology from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor’s in Sociology with a minor in society and health from the University of Mississippi. She is currently the GPC Secretary (gpcsecretary@missouri.edu)

Director of Professional Development

Email: muoslprofdev@missouri.edu

Jessica Osaze is an international student from Edo State, Nigeria. Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Literature from the University of Benin. Upon earning her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Missouri, she became a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). Presently, Jessica is a final year student in the Master of Health Administration (MHA) and Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) program in the Department of Health Management and Informatics (HMI) at the MU School of Medicine. She is also earning her PhD in Translational Biosciences with an emphasis in Population and Precision Health. She is the GPC Director of Professional Development. Jessica is passionate about advocacy, learning, and opportunities for growth. She is interested in every meaningful opportunity to create a positive experience along the graduate school journey of Mizzou tigers. For ideas and actions on improving the successful climate of Mizzou tigers while adhering to the Mizzou core values of respect, responsibility, excellence, and discovery, please reach out to Jessica via muoslprofdev@missouri.edu.

Director of Programming

Email: gpcprogramming@missouri.edu

Patrick Bokolo is a doctoral candidate in Department of Chemistry. He is from Nigeria. He got his bachelor’s degree in industrial chemistry from Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria. His research interest focuses on production, separation and radiolabeling of medically relevant radioisotope used for cancer drug development, and he is working under Dr. Heather Hennkens. He is the Director of Programming (gpcprogramming@missouri.edu)

Director of Communication

Email: gpc.communication@missouri.edu

Blessing Ekene Okafor is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication. She is from Nigeria. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Nigeria), a master’s degree in English Language from the University of Lagos, (Nigeria) and a second master’s degree in Communication Studies at North Dakota State University. Her research in organizational communication explores topics related to workplace communication, organizational dissent, organizational culture, and power. She explores the various expressions of dissent and how employees can effectively communicate in both social and cultural context. As a teaching assistant, Blessing has years of experience teaching Public Speaking. Outside of her research and teaching, Blessing is passionate about leadership, she previously served as her departmental representative to GPC, and she received the GPC 2021 general assembly member award. She is the vice president of Mizzou 2. She served as a Deaton advisory board member for the Deaton Institute, Student employee advisory board member for MU career center. She is also a Graduate Scholar of Excellence Mentor for the MU Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. She is the current Director of Public Relations (gpc.communication@missouri.edu )

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Director of National Affairs

Email: gpc.legislative@missouri.edu

Director of State Affairs

Email: gpc.state.affairs@missouri.edu

GPC Immediate Past President/Ex Officio

Email: agwvxd@mail.missouri.edu

Al Willsey is a sixth-year doctoral candidate in the Philosophy Department, currently working on a research fellowship provided by his department. He received both a B.S. in Philosophy and a B.S. in Mathematics from Mizzou in 2015, and then received a M.A. in Philosophy from Mizzou in 2017. Al previously served two terms as GPC President, and also served as GPC Treasurer prior to that. In addition, Al is a Teaching Assistant in the Philosophy Department.