The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is an on-campus registered student organization (RSO) that is only for graduate students at Illinois State.
The GSA organization plans several different events throughout the academic year and will work with the Graduate School to ensure that students are being supported during their graduate school journey. The mission of the Graduate Student Association is to dedicate time and resources to develop, support, and further the experiences of graduate students at Illinois State University.
The GSA executive board will coordinate student activities aimed at enhancing the intellectual, educational, social, and cultural interests of graduate students. Additionally, the board will provide resources to promote positive wellness for students pertaining to mental health and physical health. Finally, the board will recognize various research produced by graduate students and provide opportunities to become more engaged with the University and our community.
Meet and learn more about GSA President Edcel Javier Cintron-Gonzalez and Vice President Derek Lough.
#Gradbirds join both the Graduate School and GSA during the first annual GradBird Gathering. 
Graduate students meet with GSA executive board to go over different events and professional development opportunities that will be happening in the upcoming semester. 
Fellow #GradBirds attended the Bowling Event hosted by GSA in August of 2021. 
GSA hosted a pumpkin painting event for graduate students around Halloween. 
Graduate students enjoy the Movie Trivia event held fall 2021.
Edcel Javier Cinton-Gonzalez, GSA president
Hello! My name is Edcel Javier Cintron-Gonzalez. I was born on the island of enchantment known as Puerto Rico, where I lived most of my life in the towns of Hormigueros, Mayagüez, and Cabo Rojo. I moved to Bloomington-Normal back in Fall 2019 to start my Ph.D. in English studies with a specialization in children’s and young adult Literature.
My interests are way too many to list, but I do enjoy playing video games, writing about video games for the website Gamers with Glasses, writing my monthly children’s literature book reviews (in Spanish) feature at the Palabreadores Newsletter, writing poetry and short stories when I have the creative muse, and cooking. I love to go on cooking TikTok and Instagram Reels and find out what exciting recipes I can do or make for a get-together with my friends. I’m the current president of the Graduate Student Association (GSA).
What are you most excited about for GSA in this upcoming year?
I’m really excited to work for an RSO again. It’s been some time since I got involved in an executive board for an RSO so I’m really happy, excited, and honored to serve the role of president. I’m excited to meet new and current graduate students here at ISU, network with other students, and collaborate on different campus activities. I’m also excited for all the social events we are planning for this academic year, and I hope all graduate students can come and enjoy what we have planned. I’m also excited for more graduate students to get involved with GSA, whether that’s attending our activities or interest in joining or executive board for future planning and engagement.
Do you have any advice for those who are interested in becoming more active in GSA?
I know graduate school can be a challenge, especially in the first semesters when we have to finish our coursework. Speaking from experience, we sometimes feel that we don’t have time to socialize or get to know what ISU offers in terms of social activities. During my first year as a graduate student, I would go to Redbird Life and find out what activities were available to us. By reading the Graduate School newsletter and emails, I found out about GSA and started following their social media to know when they are hosting activities. When I started attending GSA’s activities, I had a fantastic time. I got to talk to other people outside my discipline, ate tasty food, and had fun with the different activities and events offered, such as trivia nights, movie nights, pumpkin carving, paint nights, bowling events, and more! While all of us came here to get a degree and fly to our next adventure (Reggie Redbird pun intended), it is also important to allow ourselves to have fun and enjoy what ISU campus life has to offer. I also think it is OK to tell ourselves that we can have fun and relax from our work as graduate students and workers.
What does GSA mean to you?
For me, GSA is a space to forget about the stressful life of a graduate student for a moment and just have fun. It means a lot to me since I’ve met some awesome peers through GSA and I’m excited to keep providing this social space for current and new graduate students to enjoy.
Derek Lough, GSA vice president
Hello, fellow #GradBirds. I’m currently both the vice president and treasurer for the GSA. While I’m wrapping up my course work for my doctoral studies in the School of Teaching and Learning, I enjoy serving as an SDG Compact Fellow for the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative and preparing for my dissertation.
What are you most excited about for GSA in this upcoming year?
I’m most excited that we were able to serve our constituency in the GSA by negotiating costs for the big Welcome Event the GSA is hosting in August with the Graduate School staff. Not one dollar for the event is coming from the GSA budget!
Do you have any advice for those who are interested in becoming more active in GSA?
Be sure to attend events. The best way to get involved is to be present.
What does GSA mean to you?
The Graduate Student Association is an opportunity for master’s and doctoral students to shape their educational experiences and environment. I’m happy to serve my fellow #GradBirds as an executive for the GSA to ensure a well-rounded education—including plenty of community, fun activities, and food!
