NAU Graduate Student Government
Advocating for all graduate students at NAU
The NAU Graduate Student Government (GSG) represents and advocates for the graduate student body within the university administration and local, state, and national governing bodies. If you are interested in one of the vacant positions, please email GSG@nau.edu.
2025-2026 Graduate Student Government Directors
Phoenix Eskridge-Aldama – President
Phoenix Eskridge-Aldama is a PhD Candidate in the Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability program at Northern Arizona University. Her main research interest is environmental political science, particularly climate change and political mechanisms of obstruction to climate action. She attended the University of Arizona for her B.A. in Environmental Studies, with minors in Spanish, Government and Public Policy, and Geoscience. As the previous Director of Climate Action here at NAU, she has created the Climate Action Committee student club in order to get students involved in campus sustainability projects. As the Graduate Student Government President at NAU, Phoenix is dedicated to amplifying student voices and advancing sustainability initiatives across campus and beyond.
Jennifer Lee – Vice President of Internal Affairs
Jennifer Lee is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at the NAU North Valley campus. She participates in research and advocates for autism awareness. At NAU, she is a Culturally Centered Addictions Research Training (C-CART) scholar and is working towards outreach for substance use/addiction in underserved communities. Her study interests also include cultural influences on mental health stigma, childhood development, and health psychology. Born and raised in AZ, Jennifer tries to avoid the heat by building Legos, volunteering, or watching Grey’s Anatomy. As a first-generation Asian-American graduate student in her family, she hopes to build personal connections in her role while supporting other graduate students to thrive at NAU.
Cosmos Ansah- Vice President of External Affairs
Cosmos Ansah is a PhD student in Political Science at NAU. He completed both his bachelor’s and master’s in Ghana, where he hails from. Cosmos is driven by a strong curiosity about environmental institutions and how they are designed to tackle cooperation problems. His passion for environmental politics stems from his desire to contribute to sustainable environmental governance. When he’s not immersed in learning and research, you can find him on the soccer field, exploring hiking trails, or enjoying a refreshing swim.
Vanessa (Vee) Urbina-Ledezma- Chief of Staff
Vee Urbina Ledezma is a first-year graduate student for the Master of Education in Human Relations at Northern Arizona University Online. They also attended NAU for their bachelor’s in social work, with a minor in Sociology and a concentration in Social Justice and Inequality. As a first-generation student, human rights and advocacy have been the backbone of their professional and academic career. As Chief of Staff, Vee takes pride in advocating for the voices and concerns of the student body, ensuring that every individual feels represented and seen throughout their journey in higher education. This commitment to student representation is grounded in the idea that higher education should be a space of growth and opportunity for all. When they are not serving as Chief of Staff, Vee also serves as an NAU staff member as an Enrollment Coordinator with the transfer team in assisting students transfer from community colleges to NAU.
Doris Amoakohene- Director of Special Events
Emily Grams- Director of the Poster Symposium
My name is Emily Grams (she/her) and I am pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Science & Policy. I received my B.S. in Environmental Science and Global Sustainability from NAU in 2019 and my J.D. with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2022. As a member of NAU’s Graduate Student Government I serve as the Director of the Graduate Poster Symposium and am a committee member of the Climate Action Committee. When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, dog, and turtle.
Mehwish Maria Hameed- Director of Travel
Mehwish Maria Hameed is a Ph.D. student in Political Science. She holds master’s degrees in Education, International Relations, and English Literature and boasts over a decade of university-level teaching experience in Pakistan. Her research centers on conflict resolution through international organizations, particularly those addressing climate change-induced conflicts. Mehwish’s academic prowess is matched only by her adventurous spirit. She finds joy in skydiving, hiking, and expressing her creativity through cooking. Her academic journey underscores her dedication to education, while her research reflects her commitment to addressing pressing global challenges
Aden Stern- Director of Climate Action
Aden Stern is a Ph.D. student studying Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability from Cleveland, Ohio. He is interested in environmental justice, water, environmental sociology, and political ecology, and is working as a GA for the NOAA-funded project “Enhancing Cultural and Ecological Resilience in Arizona: Assessing Tribal Priorities to Guide Forest Restoration Projects” alongside Dr. Diana Stuart.
Collins Chukwunonso Ezea- Director of Inclusive Excellence & Access
Collins Chukwunonso Ezea, is a second-year Master’s student in Applied Sociology at Northern Arizona University. Originally from Nigeria, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Nigeria, Collins brings a global and culturally grounded perspective to his academic and professional work. His research focuses on mental health and global health, with a particular interest in addressing disparities that impact underserved communities. He is committed to advancing innovative, inclusive solutions that promote psychological well-being and health equity across diverse populations. Collins believes that mental health is foundational to human development and social stability, and he is passionate about using research to inform policies and programs that support holistic care.
He is committed to fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone’s unique perspectives are valued. With a strong sense of empathy, integrity, and cross-cultural sensitivity, Collins strives to build bridges between communities and promote meaningful dialogue. In addition to his academic work, Collins is an experienced freelance writer, skilled in crafting content that educates and inspires. By combining academic insight with clear communication, he contributes to creating more inclusive, informed, and compassionate spaces—both within and beyond the university setting.
Nayeem Hasan- International Student Representative
Graduate Student Government College Representatives
College of Arts and Letters
Jizel Gomez
College of Education Representatives
Emem Sunju-Abbey
Christopher Tennefos
College of the Environment, Forestry & Natural Sciences Representative
Gavin Moriarty
College of Health & Human Services Representative
Alexa Lynn
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Representative
Megan Marshall
Steve Sanghi College of Engineering Representative
Emmanuella Tagoe
W.A. Franke College of Business Representative
Daniel Solis