Graduate Council
The Graduate Council is the coordinating body for graduate study in the university and serves as an advisory board to review appeals on matters concerning the interpretation of regulations governing graduate study and the degree programs as related to the university as a whole. The Council shall approve all changes in the graduate curriculum, evaluate trends in graduate education, and make recommendations to the Faculty Senate concerning the mission of graduate education and the utilization of resources within the university to meet the needs of its graduate constituency. The decisions of the Graduate Council are subject to review by the Faculty Senate and final approval of the provost of the university.
VICE-CHAIR: Dr. Annette Barnes
Graduate Council Bylaws Loading...
Spring 2026 Meetings
Thursday, February 19, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 12, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 16, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 14, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
2025 - 2026 Graduate Council Membership
Department
Person
Type
Provost (designee)
Dr. Jessica Clark (Dr. Clifton Griffin)
Ex officio
Registrar
-
Ex officio
Faculty Senate Liaison
Dr. Jim Fox Ex officio
Assistant Vice-President of Enrollment Management
Allen Koehler
Ex officio
Graduate Program Manager
Jessica Scott
Non-Voting
Graduate Student Council Representative
Holly Thompson
Voting
Graduate Program Directors (Master's)
Program
Director
Applied Biology (M.S.)
Dr. Eric Liebgold
Health and Human Performance (M.S.)
Dr. Scott Mazzetti
Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Dr. Yvonne Downie-Hanley
Conflict Analysis & Dispute Resolution (M.A.)
Dr. Ignaciyas Soosaipillai
Education - Curriculum & Instruction (M.Ed.)
Ruth Malone
Education -Curriculum & Instruction Higher Education (M.Ed.)
Dr. Brian Stiegler
Education - Educational Leadership (M.Ed.)
Dr. James Fox
Education - Reading Specialist (M.Ed.)
Ruth Malone
English (M.A.)
Dr. Stephanie Bernhard
Geographic Information Systems Management (M.S.)
Lauren McDermott
History (M.A.)
Dr. Aston Gonzalez
Mathematics Education (M.S.M.E.)
Dr. Jennifer Bergner
Nursing (M.S.)
Dr. Annette Barnes
Public Communications
Dr. Joshua Bolton
Social Work (M.S.W.)
Dr. Stephen Oby
Teaching (M.A.T.)
Dr. Starlin Weaver
Graduate Program Directors (Doctoral)
Program
Director
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Dr. Maida Finch
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
Dr. Annette Barnes
School Representatives
School
Name
Term
Fulton School
Dr. Christine Spillson
2025-2027
Henson School
Vacant
Perdue School
Melissa Bugdal (At-Large) 2024-2026
Seidel School
Dr. Heather Porter
2025-2027
College of Health and Human Services
Dr. Mark Shaffer
2025-2027
Minutes & Agendas
Spring 2026
Date
Documents
Thursday, February 19, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
2/19/26 Agenda
Thursday, March 12, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
3/12/26 Agenda
Thursday, April 16, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
4/16/26 Agenda
Thursday, May 14, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
5/14/26 Agenda
Archived Minutes and Agendas
