Paul Taele, Ph.D. student in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University, was recently elected to serve as the 47th president of the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) for the 2016-2017 academic year. Previously, Taele served as the communications officer for the Computer Science and Engineering Graduate Student Association (CSEGSA). He will be the first computer science and engineering graduate student and also the first engineering graduate student to serve as president of GPSC since 2009.
GPSC serves as the university-sponsored government for the graduate and professional student body. In his role as president, Taele will lead the executive committee consisting of four vice presidential officers, 10 standing committee chairs and the general assembly of graduate student leader delegates spanning over 70 departments, programs and non-departmental organizations. During his term, he will also assist with high-level meetings and events alongside the university administration and his presidential counterparts in the Faculty Senate, University Staff Council and Student Government Association.
Taele recognizes several computer science faculty members for their lasting impact on his education, including his adviser, Dr. Tracy Hammond, Dr. Ricardo Gutierrez-Osuna and Dr. Aakash Tyagi.
"Dr. Hammond has been an inspirational role model to our research lab and to the department in promoting the importance of leadership,” Taele said. “She has encouraged our lab members to actively seek service roles as student leaders such as within our department's CSEGSA.
"Dr. Gutierrez was a tremendous guide to us when he served as our CSEGSA adviser, and taught me and the other officers how to be effective and respectful leaders. Dr. Tyagi has also been very pivotal as a wonderful mentor and taught me the importance of compassion and selfless service."