Please join us in congratulating Nilima Mow on her recent election as the president of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA)!
Nilima is an international PhD student in the Linguistics program and a research assistant on the NSF CAREER project "Documenting Temporal Contrasts in Akuzipik, an Alaska Native Language, and Community Linguistics in Service of its Continuance," working under Linguistics Director Dr. Sylvia Schreiner. Nilima is actively involved in researching endangered languages, including Akuzipik and Hawrami. Nilima's research interests include language documentation and revitalization, sociolinguistics, and computational linguistics. Her current research is Exploring St. Lawrence Island English: Language Contact, Variation and Akuzipik Influence. Nilima is also passionate about TESOL, second language acquisition, and teaching pedagogy.
Nilima is the current 2024-2025 GAPSA graduate representative for the Linguistics program and a member of the International Student Advisory Board.
Her priorities include:
1. Enhancing support structures and services for all graduate students by advocating for accessible mental health resources, increased financial aid opportunities and comprehensive academic and career support. She aims to ensure that every student regardless of their background feels supported in adapting to the demands of graduate education and thriving within our diverse academic community.
2. Expanding professional and academic growth opportunities through targeted workshops, networking events, mentorship programs, collaborative research initiatives, designated workspace arrangements for Graduate Research, Teaching and Professional Assistants (GRA/GTA/GPA) and hosting career fairs tailored to the unique requirements of graduate students.
3. Advocating for enhanced graduate student resources, including affordable housing options, expanded childcare services, improved transportation and parking facilities, increased accessibility to comprehensive health services, and effective resource-sharing strategies to enhance their overall academic and personal development.
4. Advocating for international students by promoting clear guidance on immigration policies, increasing financial aid, offering tailored academic and career support, and ensuring a smoother transition to academia in the U.S. She will actively listen to their needs and communicate these concerns to university leadership, helping students adapt to the new educational system and culture.
5. Promoting interdisciplinary research and interdepartmental engagement to create broader academic and professional opportunities for graduate students.
6. Building a sense of community by organizing events celebrating different cultures, fostering dialogue between students, faculty, and administration, and continuously improving transparent communication channels to ensure all student voices are heard and valued.
Congratulations, Nilima!
April 29, 2025