The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is a student-led and student-run organization that provides professional and social opportunities to all past, present and future James Madison University graduate students. It exists to promote interdisciplinary unity between James Madison University graduate students.

Every graduate student is considered a part of the GSA. There are no fees. 

Take advantage of a great opportunity to further your graduate school life, professional careers, and the JMU community.

If you are a new grad student, we’ve created a handbook with key resources that will help you navigate grad school. It can be found here.

Members of the JMU GSA will:

• Act as a liaisons for interaction and social activity among graduate students.
• Gain professional knowledge and networking through workshops and career development events.
• Exercise leadership and organizational skills in committees and projects that support the graduate students of JMU.

Kessy Kayiganwa
President

Kessy is a second-year graduate student in Communication and Advocacy, with a concentration on Strategic Communication. She currently works as a teaching assistant and speech coach at the School of Communication Studies. She has six years of experience in marketing, public relations, event management, and strategic communications, having worked with public, private, non-governmental, and international organizations. She has a strong interest in entrepreneurship and interpersonal relationships.

Fun fact about Kessy is that she is a fashion enthusiast.

Gentijan Xhema
Vice President

Gentijan is a second-year graduate student in Public Administration, with a concentration in Public Management. He works as a financial literacy graduate assistant with Off-Campus Life and coordinates Madison Money Mentors, supporting student financial education and campus outreach. As an international student from Kosovo, Gentijan brings experience in policy, student support, and cross-cultural collaboration, with a strong commitment to helping graduate students feel connected, represented, and supported at JMU.

Gentijan enjoys reading, socializing, and staying active through the gym and boxing.

Rexhep Kameraj
Secretary

Rexhep is a second-year graduate student in the Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication program. Working as a graduate assistant at the University Writing Center, Rexhep helps students improve their writing ability and find power in their voice. During his time at JMU, he hopes to contribute to a welcoming, meaningful, and supportive graduate student community. His interests include translingualism, journalism, writing pedagogy, and UX/UI design.

Rexhep enjoys cooking, thrifting, and working out, and will always choose a cozy night in over a night out.

Valerie Brou
Treasurer

Valerie is a second-year graduate student in Public Administration, with concentrations in diplomacy and international organizations. She currently works as a graduate research assistant, supporting faculty-led research through policy analysis, policy briefs, and presentations for academic and policy audiences.

Valerie is a food lover who enjoys exploring different cultures through their cuisines.

Janet Mawango
Social Chair

Janet is a second-year graduate student in Public Administration, with a concentration in Public Management. She currently works as a graduate assistant for community building at Off-Campus Life, where she supports community building efforts for students. Janet enjoys coordinating and promoting events, bringing people together, and creating welcoming spaces for students to feel included and supported. She finds joy in learning about different cultures and meeting people from different backgrounds.

A fun fact about Janet is that she enjoys listening to music while cooking or cleaning.

Natica Blake
Online Community Representative

Natica is a second-year doctoral student in Counseling Education and Supervision. She teaches graduate-level counseling courses as a graduate teaching assistant and has over a decade of clinical experience as a licensed professional counselor. Her interests include counselor wellness, multicultural counseling, research, and expanding access to mental health care for underserved communities.

In her free time, Natica enjoys thrifting, going to the movies, watching basketball, and solving puzzles.