The University of Idaho is a leader in master's, doctoral, legal and medical education – and we value the contributions of these students and strive to support their work. For this week’s Friday Letter, I connected with Ananth Jillepalli, president of the Graduate and Professional Students Association at U of I. Originally from India by way of Syracuse, New York, Ananth will complete his doctoral degree in computer science this spring. Ananth’s research focuses on cybersecurity; his mentor is Assistant Professor Daniel Conte de Leon. Ananth is committed to serving students, improving the academic environment and leading by example. President Chuck Staben: What are you studying? Why did you choose the University of Idaho? GPSA President Ananth Jillepalli: I’m a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Computer Science. My field of study is cybersecurity of critical infrastructure. Five years ago, when I was scouting for a decent grad program with an emphasis on cybersecurity, the University of Idaho’s cybersecurity program was ranked as one of the top 10 in the U.S. I investigated the department’s website, and I liked the resources and flexibility offered by the cybersecurity program here. CS: Tell me about the GPSA. Why is the organization important? What are the organization’s goals and major priorities, as you see them? AJ: GPSA is a student service organization run by graduate students and for graduate students. It’s important to have an organization like GPSA on every campus because we champion the welfare of graduate students. In the last four years alone, GPSA has helped the university institute several initiatives for grad students. Some examples include in-state tuition waivers for teaching assistants, financial support for grad student clubs and uniform pay scales for graduate assistants’ stipends. GPSA’s goals and priorities, under my leadership since fall 2018, have been four-fold: 1) Minimize bureaucracy and maximize efficiency; 2) Advocate for a parental leave policy for grad students; 3) Advocate for health insurance packages for teaching assistants; and 4) Cultivate a strong graduate student identity and activity on the Moscow campus. Although there remains a lot more to be accomplished, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made on each of these issues. CS: What have you learned about being a leader, as president of the GPSA? AJ: Four things about leadership have stood out to me during my time in GPSA: 1) One has to be better than themselves and their peers, for true leaders must lead by example; 2) One must realize and understand that not everything is always clean – one cannot grow and maintain a beautiful garden without getting their hands dirty; 3) Bringing about change in an organization is hard, and even harder is ensuring that the change is actually implemented and not just left on paper; and 4) One must use their powers like the waves of an ocean – harsh and unrelenting at times, yet welcoming and soothing at other times. CS: What’s a challenge you’ve had to overcome as a student or as GPSA president? What did you learn about yourself? AJ: Until recently, GPSA has had an idealistic organizational structure, which was steeped in red tape and prone to inefficient management. Since joining GPSA four years ago, my biggest challenge has always been to change the way GPSA functions, to make it as efficient as possible. And after years of struggling with this challenge, I realized that the only realistic solution was to rewrite the GPSA Constitution from scratch. I rewrote the GPSA Constitution with help from the GPSA executive board, and it is on the path to be ratified by the GPSA body. There were several times where I considered dropping this action item. However, in the end, I’m glad to have not abandoned it. We now have a structure that’s still democratic, but will facilitate quicker action. I’ve learned that well-guided decisiveness and perseverance pays off in the end. CS: What would you tell prospective graduate students about U of I? AJ: Prospective grad students are like seedlings looking for a place that will help them grow. U of I is that fertile soil that will provide them with all the opportunities and resources required for them to grow and bloom. I have been at U of I for four years and all through this time, I’ve never once been disappointed about choosing U of I for my grad studies. I’d happily give U of I an 11/10, and I would choose this school again if I could ever go back in time. CS: What are your future plans? AJ: I hope to graduate by summer 2019, and after that I wish to serve in academia. The field of cybersecurity is growing rapidly, and I want to teach and do research that contributes to a safer, more secure world. President Staben: Thanks, Ananth, for sharing your insight, and for representing students in GPSA. We wish you continued success as president and in your future after U of I! | | Go Vandals! Chuck Staben President | | | | We appreciate Ananth Jillepalli's leadership, and the contributions of all advanced degree seekers in building a dynamic living and learning community! | | Greg Nelson Gives the Gift of Exploration At a young age, the historical and cultural sites that Greg Nelson ’77 and his family visited on camping trips exposed him to topics ranging from the segregation of the South to the mythical romance of the West. As a student at the University of Idaho, Nelson continued to expand his understanding of the world through similar learning opportunities. Nelson has chosen to give scholarship support to U of I students studying geography to ensure they have a broad education. “It feels great to be able to take part in a student’s journey through higher education and make sure that they are not crushed by heavy student debt,” Nelson said. “As an individual with modest means, I can give to U of I now with a charitable gift annuity and receive income and some tax benefits.” Gifts like Nelson’s will provide students room to explore options in U of I’s welcoming and individualized environment. For more information on charitable gift annuities, contact Sharon Morgan, morgans@uidaho.edu or toll-free at 866-671-7041. | | Meet Tom Mueller: From Idaho Logger to SpaceX Co-founder From Jan. 25 at CNBC: Tom Mueller started life in Idaho, the son of a logger; he himself worked summers logging when he was a student. But today, Mueller is a rocket scientist and co-founder of Elon Musk's SpaceX. Mueller isn't famous like Musk, but he is a linchpin in the story of SpaceX — as chief technology officer of propulsion, he leads the team that makes sure the rockets lift off. Mueller met Musk in Los Angeles in the early 2000s through a mutual friend, and they decided to build rockets that could one day take humans to Mars. Read more. | | JFAC Approves $7 Million Scholarship Boost From March 5 in Idaho Education News: The Opportunity Scholarship is in line for a $7 million increase. The new money, approved unanimously by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, would fund at least 2,000 additional college scholarships next year — and cut into unmet demand. The need- and merit-based Opportunity Scholarship is the state’s centerpiece financial aid award, and part of a multimillion-dollar campaign to convince high school graduates to continue their education. This year, Idaho is awarding $13.5 million in scholarships. Boosting the program to $20.5 million is one of Gov. Brad Little’s top budget priorities. Even with this year’s $13.5 million — a record Opportunity Scholarship budget — more than 3,400 eligible students remain on a waiting list. […] The Opportunity Scholarship budget bill still must pass the House and Senate. Read more. | | | | |