PRESIDENT

Jesús Fernández is a sixth year Ph.D student and graduate worker in the Spanish and Portuguese Department. His research in costumbrismo is trying to shed some light on the political and economic implications of comedic cultural products in Spain, from early modernity to the present. His interests range from a wide selection of cultural and political realities in the Spanish speaking world, plus a specific engagement with critical theory, philosophy and history. He has been active in different political campaigns, and, since 2019, has been a member of TUGSA and an organizer for the union.

VICE PRESIDENT

Esmeralda is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Developmental Psychology. Her research focuses on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes of racially marginalized youth. Being from Philly and attending Temple as an undergraduate, she feels especially connected to the local community. She has been a member of TUGSA since her first year and became an active organizer during the strike. As Director of Community Outreach on the ‘23-’24 Executive Board, she supported campaigns and initiatives within TUGSA and worked to connect the union to various Temple unions and other organizations.

DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZING

James is a fourth-year Ph.D candidate in Political Science with a focus on labor politics. They became a strike captain during the last contract negotiations and continued organizing as a steward in the ‘23-’24 academic year. James also spent a significant amount of time researching Temple’s budget for that year’s job security campaign. Through these experiences, they have learned about Temple’s inner workings and the day-to-day issues that grad workers face. James believes it’s only possible to keep growing through disciplined, patient organizing that includes all grad workers.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Jolie is a third-year MFA Playwriting student and Teaching Assistant in the Theater Department. Her plays explore the possibilities of individual choice and action as dictated by our current conditions, and seek to expose the hidden ideology of “common sense.” As her participation in TUGSA’s 42-day strike and union membership stand as the most meaningful element of her Temple experience, Jolie’s organizing efforts thrive by emphasizing the inherent and essential role of graduate workers within TUGSA, as well as the gratification that membership brings. It is with this mindset that she strives to organize around the strength of this union, and deepen TUGSA’s connection and commitment to our North Philadelphia community.

TREASURER

Nicole is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Math with a focus in applied math. She previously received her BA in Math from Wesleyan University. She has been an active organizer with TUGSA since her first year and has been involved in membership recruitment and contract research. In 2021 she joined the TUGSA board as Treasurer and has developed expertise in managing TUGSA's finances and maintaining the budget. As a Research Assistant in the College of Science and Technology, Nicole has also worked to connect grad students in STEM.

SECRETARY

Albert is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the English department. His research is primarily guided by decolonial theory, with his current focus being comparative work between Asian American and global indigenous studies. He has been an organizer with TUGSA since his first year in the bargaining unit, having previously served as a union steward, facilitating organizing efforts a cross a handful of departments. He is looking forward to utilizing his organizational and communication skills in service of the union’s future endeavors, especially as we move towards our next collective bargaining agreement.

BOARD-APPOINTED PAST OFFICER

Kelsey is a fourth-year Ph.D in the Klein College of Media and Communication. Being on strike with her fellow members for six weeks made her acutely aware of what we can all accomplish when we are aware of our rights as workers. As VP on the ‘23-’24 Executive Board, she achieved the behind the scenes work required to keep our union strong. Kelsey wants to make sure our union continues to thrive for every incoming grad worker.

STAFF ORGANIZER

Matt Ford is an eighth-year Ph.D. student and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Sociology. He holds a BA in English and Sociology from the University of Delaware and a MS in Criminal Justice from Saint Joseph’s University. He believes strongly in the importance of working with and learning from as diverse an array of individual voices and likeminded organizations as possible, both inside and outside the bounds of Temple’s campus. Furthermore, Matt feels the insights provided by an organized, active, and expansive membership are essential to TUGSA’s ongoing efforts at bettering the lives of our colleagues, neighbors, and allies. Matt served as Lead Negotiator during the 2022-2023 Contract Negotiations and Strike.

MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZER

Grace recently graduated with an MFA in Poetry from Temple. She joined TUGSA as a first year and was inspired to become an organizer after working on recruitment, trainings and preparing for contract negotiations. For Grace, realizing the power of collective action can be life changing for grad students at Temple, and she is committed to bringing all grads into that experience. Before Temple her experience was mostly in environmental organizing and writing. She has a previous masters degree in Research Architecture, and BA in Geography and Philosophy from UNC Chapel Hill.

OFFICE ORGANIZER

Nellie recently received her MFA in Poetry from Temple. As a TUGSA member, she was involved as an organizer with the Contract Action Team and as the Secretary on the ’22-’23 Executive Board. Her understanding of worker power is influenced by her experiences in food service, non-profits, freelancing, and public education. She loves getting to use her writing skills to reach TUGSA members and strengthen our cause. She received her BA in English and Sociology from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. Photo by Paul Gottlieb.

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!