PRESIDENT

Albert is a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the English department. He has been an organizer with TUGSA since his first year in the bargaining unit, having previously served as a union steward and then as secretary during the ’24-’25 academic year. He is looking forward to organizing around our upcoming round of contract negotiations and bringing his experiences to the negotiating table.

VICE PRESIDENT

Sam is a second-year MFA student in the English department. His work has recently engaged with the way language holds potential to reconfigure power’s distributions along institutional, ecological, and interpersonal scales. He has been a member of TUGSA since the start of his time at Temple and has past work experience in law, retail, and education. Sam is excited to serve as Vice President for this upcoming year of contract negotiations to help build upon the momentum achieved by past and present union members and to advocate for a university culture that prioritizes graduate workers’ collective interests and needs.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

Carolina is a fifth-year Ph.D student in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Her research focuses on contemporary Latin American literature, with a special interest in children narrators, and feminine and queer writing in Latin America. She is also a translator and interpreter of English, Spanish and Portuguese. She has been an active member and organizer in TUGSA since she became part of the bargaining unit, and believes strongly in the importance of community and labor organizing, especially as an international worker at Temple.

ORGANIZING DIRECTOR

Taylor is a 2nd year PhD candidate in the Political Science Department. Her main focus is American Politics, mainly the effects of incarceration/ law-enforcement contact on voter behavior and turnout. She strongly believes in the union and maintaining a community and safe space for all grad student workers. 

TREASURER

Nicole is a fifth-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

Jackson Lied is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Political Science studying international law, and international organizations as they pertain to maritime security, such as the global governance of naval conflict, maritime terrorism, and piracy. After having joined half-way through the previous rounds of negotiations, he has served as a general organizer and coordinator, both during and after the 2023 strike. He believes adamantly in the ability of collective bargaining/action to secure real benefits and respect for the hard-working graduate students of Temple. He also serves as the Co-President of the Political Science Graduate Student Association. 

BOARD APPOINTED PAST OFFICER

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.

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

Jolie received her MFA in Playwriting from Temple this past May. As a TUGSA member, she served on the Stewards Council, the Contract Research Team, and as Director of Organizing on the ’24-’25 Executive Board. Her experience as a Teaching Assistant made clear that being a graduate worker at Temple means occupying an inherent role in the union. As we work toward the next contract, she is excited to organize alongside members to make that role visible to all grads, embracing both the collective responsibility it demands and the genuine joy to be found in claiming it.

OFFICE ORGANIZER

Aradhna is from Massachusetts and recently received her MFA in Poetry from Temple. She enjoys writing poetry that explores the particularities of the cities and towns where has lived. As a TUGSA member, she was part of the Stewards Council, and was the Director of Community Outreach on the ’24-’25 Executive Board. Aradhna values the community that TUGSA promotes with its ability to connect grad workers from all subjects. She looks forward to using her writing and communication skills to strengthen TUGSA’s cause. 

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!