The Graduate Liaison positionÌýfosters communication between the Graduate School and the students it serves. Graduate Liaisons are hired from arts, engineering, humanities, communication sciences, natural sciences, and social sciences. The Graduate Liaisons areÌýthe primary contact for communicating to other graduate students in their representative area about Graduate School events and initiatives.ÌýGraduate Liaisons are also responsible forÌýprovidingÌýthe Graduate School with information and feedback from students.

Each Graduate Liaison creates and leadsÌýa professional development activity. These initiatives areÌý"Peer2Peer" Workshops, Podcasts or Webinars. Graduate Liaisons will also supportÌýcross-disciplinary connections, brainstormÌýideas for program initiatives, and helpÌýturn student feedback into actionable goals.

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Kristen Bruchko

Kristen Bruchko

Graduate Liaison for Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
I am a third-year PhD student specializing in Astrodynamics within Aerospace Engineering. My research focuses on using path planning techniques for trajectory design in multi-body systems. I also serve as the outreach coordinator for the Aerospace Graduate Student Organization. I received my B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2017, then worked as a systems and software engineer full-time for Northrop Grumman until 2019. Some of...
Stephanie Couey

Stephanie Couey

Graduate Liaison for the Humanities
English
I am a Ph.D. candidate in English and an instructor of literature and creative writing courses, currently through the Department of Continuing Education. My research specializes in Modern and Contemporary U.S. Literature, and my dissertation is on Multi-Ethnic Women's Literature that focuses on food, hunger, and the body alongside considerations of national identity. I'm also a poet and fiction writer, and previously earned my MFA in Poetry, also here at...
Emily Loker

Emily Loker

Graduate Liaison for the Communication Sciences
Communication
I am a communication Ph.D. student in the community and social interaction emphasis. My primary research interest is communication activism for social justice, specifically communication activism for social justice pedagogy. I have a master’s in public service from the Clinton School of Public Service where I completed research projects on communicating the need for criminal justice reform, expanding access to education, and diversifying the STEM fields. I graduated with B.A...
Kurt Melendy

Kurt Melendy

Graduate Liaison for the Arts
Music
Kurt moved to Boulder, CO from Ann Arbor, MI to pursue his Doctoral Degree of Musical Arts on the Double Bass. Kurt holds a Masters of Music on the Double Bass and a Masters of Chamber Music from University of Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University. Outside of being a graduate student, he enjoys improvising music on his double bass and composing. Kurt used to...
Emily Nocito

Emily Nocito

Graduate Liaison for the Natural Sciences
Environmental Studies
Emily Nocito is a doctoral candidate in environmental studies,where she focuses on marine protected areas, marine conservation, and international governance. In addition to being the Graduate Liaison for Natural Sciences, she is an instructor for Continuing Education. When not studying, writing, or grading papers, she enjoys reading, archery, exploring used book stores and is always looking for cool cafes.
Marija Sajekaite

Marija Sajekaite

Graduate Liaison for the Social Sciences
Political Science
I am a PhD candidate in political science. I study political behavior with a focus on participation and environmental attitudes in developing countries. When I'm not working, I enjoy biking, running, reading novels, and playing video games.