Brown School PhD Students Appointed to New Graduate Council

Nicole Strombom and Hannah Kinzer, both PhD students in the Brown School’s Public Health Sciences program, have assumed key roles in the newly established Graduate Professional Student Council (GPSC). This new body merges the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) and the Graduate Professional Council (GPC) into a single, unified student government.

Operating on a one-year trial basis, the GPSC aims to more effectively address key issues such as student health, transportation, and visa concerns. The GPSC will hold unified meetings followed by breakout sessions dedicated to the specific needs of the former GSS and GPC chambers, ensuring continued attention to PhD-specific matters.

Nicole Strombom: Co-President, GSS Chamber

Nicole Strombom, a fifth-year doctoral student, was elected Co-President of the GPSC for the 2024-2025 term, representing the GSS side. In her role, she’ll help plan key networking and professional events. She will collaboratively draft the council’s constitution to establish a strong foundation for the future of the GPSC. Her main focus is to advocate for student needs and enhance the graduate student experience at WashU.

“I will work with graduate students to ensure their experiences at WashU are the best they can be. This is done through graduate students coming together to discuss pressing issues facing graduate student populations and through key social/networking events,” Strombom said.

In addition to her work with the GPSC, Strombom is a predoctoral fellow at the Clark-Fox Policy Institute. She is a Legal Epidemiologist and utilizes this methodology to understand how laws create social contexts that impact health outcomes. Currently, her research focuses on child, maternal, and family health. She holds a JD and MPH from Saint Louis University (SLU).

Hannah Kinzer: Secretary, GPC Chamber

Hannah Kinzer, a fourth-year doctoral student, has been elected Secretary for the 2024-2025 term, representing the GPC side. Her responsibilities will include managing the monthly newsletter, updating the council’s website, and overseeing its social media channels. Kinzer said she’s looking forward to supporting students and keeping them informed about campus events. 

“I started my program during the pandemic, so I am excited to see all the activities and events that are happening now. It can be overwhelming, and making sure that students get consistent, up-to-date, and relevant information across communication platforms is important,” Kinzer said.

Kinzer’s research focuses on equity and communication in infectious disease prevention. She holds an MPH from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

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The Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) is hosting a Welcome Social on Monday, August 26, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Hillman Hall’s Clark-Fox Forum. There will be snacks, yard games, and board games. GPSC meetings open to all graduate and professional students. Meetings are on the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Graduate Center.