College of Applied Arts | Social Work MSW
2025-2026 Graduate House Members




Angelica Orosco
College of Education | SSP, School Psychology
Hello everyone, I’m Angelica [ahn-HELL-ih-kuh], but I normally go by Jeli! I was born in Colorado but, as part of a military family, I moved around a lot growing up. I primarily grew up in Burnet, Texas, and graduated from Fredericksburg High School. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in American Sign Language from the University of Texas at Austin. I’m currently pursuing my Specialist degree in School Psychology through the TXST School Psychology Master's program. My passion for this field stems from a desire to plant seeds of hope in the minds of our youth, helping build a better future for all. I’ve always loved helping others, and through school psychology, I feel like I can make the biggest impact.
Hobbies: I love dancing, singing karaoke, relaxing at Sewell, floating the river, and reading books on my Kindle.
#1 Tip for Surviving Grad School: Try not to be so hard on yourself! No one is perfect, especially at the beginning. We were all accepted into our programs for a reason, so believe in yourself and your path. Trust the process, and give yourself grace along the way!

Maham Soomro
House Leader
College of Fine Arts and Communication | Communication Design MFA
Hi everyone! I’m Maham, an international graduate student from Pakistan. I’m pursuing a MFA in Communication Design, working to make art more inclusive and form deeper connections with the people and spaces surrounding it. Basically, I’m a huge design nerd who can’t get enough of fonts. I’m a Graduate Instructional Assistant, a path through which I have discovered a passion for teaching and hope to continue spreading my love for design to more people.
Hobbies: In my spare time, I love to play soccer and read books, sci-fi in particular. I’ve recently picked up an interest in watching theatre, so I plan on catching many more shows and supporting our local theatre.
#1 Tip for Surviving Grad School: Make sure you’re dividing your time well! As much as grad school can consume a majority of your time, it is important to take a breather by spending time with your loved ones and creating memories. Future you will thank present you for it.


TBD
College of Healthcare Professions

Sara Hightower
College of Health Professions | MSRC, Respiratory Care
Hey there! My name is Sara and I am a distance learner from the Houston area pursing my MSRC! I began working in healthcare in 2009 and my journey has led me to a career centered on neonatal-pediatric care, education, and clinical excellence. I currently serve as an associate professor at Lone Star College– Kingwood and also remain active in clinical practice at Texas Children’s Hospital. When I do find free time between work and school, I love to be outside! My husband and I live outside the city on a little bit of land with our 2 dogs and 15 chickens! I’m passionate about mentoring future respiratory therapists, bridging classroom learning with real-world application, and contributing to the advancement of our field through research and education.
My tips for surviving grad school: Give yourself grace, drink the caffeine, and find joy in the chaos — don’t forget to laugh, breathe, and celebrate the little wins along the way!

Juan Vanegas
College of Liberal Arts | World Languages MA

Prabish Khadka Chhetri
College of Liberal Arts | PhD, Geographic Information Systems
Namaste! I’m Prabish, a PhD student in Geographic Information Science with strong interests in geospatial technology, environmental change, and community resilience. I'm originally from Nepal, where I earned an undergraduate degree in Geomatics Engineering. After coming to the U.S., I've continued that path—earning a master's in GIS and now teaching advanced GIS and cartography labs here at Texas State.
My research focuses on melting glaciers, climate resilience, and early warning systems in the Himalayas. I aim to combine GIS, remote sensing, drones, machine learning, and local knowledge to develop tools to empower vulnerable mountain communities to adapt to environmental change.
Hobbies: I enjoy walking in nature, sketching still landscapes, and having a good cup of tea. I enjoy the essentials of life and feel most balanced when near mountains or rivers.
Tip for Surviving Grad School: Remember your purpose. Grad school can be challenging but remembering why you're there—and taking time to recover—can make the difference between surviving versus thriving.

Lipsa Karmacharya
McCoy College of Business | MS, Marketing Research & Analysis
Namaste, everyone! I’m Lipsa Karmacharya, an international first-gen graduate student from the land of the Himalayas, Nepal, currently pursuing my Master of Science in Marketing Research and Analysis (MSMRA) at Texas State. I’m a proud first-place winner of the Bobcat Innovation Challenge, where I pitched a project rooted in my heritage — a family business that supports women artisans by bringing handcrafted traditional hair ties to the U.S. market. I’m driven by innovation, storytelling, and community.
Hobbies: Doom scrolling IG, digital presentation design, river walking, and occasionally zoning out with a good playlist or deep conversation.
#1 Tip for Surviving Grad School: Master your email calendar and to-do checklists. They’re your lifelines. Use your email calendar to block out time for classes, assignments, meetings, and even downtime. Break big daily or weekly to-do tasks into smaller wins. Crossing things off feels good and keeps the chaos in check.

Christian Mayen
McCoy College of Business | MS, Quantitative Finance and Economics
Hola, everyone! My name is Christian and I am pursing a master's in quantitative finance and economics (MSQFE). I was proudly raised in Austin, Texas in a traditional Mexican household. I earned my bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in mathematics from Texas State University. I am passionate about the intersection of economic theory and application in the pursuit of understanding the complexity and nuance of the world around us. I believe in continual improvement, embracing opportunities, and supporting the growth of others, while grounding myself in faith, hope, and above all, charity.
Research Interests: My research interests span multiple disciplines, reflecting a curiosity that has led me to engage with topics ranging from climate economics and child psychology to crime and socioeconomics, as well as international economics.
Hobbies: My hobbies include spending time with friends, camping and exploring nature, photography, reading, and engaging in polemics.
Tip for Surviving Grad School: Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day. Plan ahead, block off time, and be intentional with your efforts. Never lose sight of why you are here and the goals you have set for yourself.

Amandeep Kaur
College of Science and Engineering | MS, Biology

Olivia Brummett
College of Science and Engineering | MS, Integrated Agricultural Sciences
Hello! My name is Olivia Brummett and I am pursuing my master’s degree in Integrated Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Animal Science. Although originally from Kansas, I have spent most of my life in Texas which I consider home.
I am passionate about the beef cattle production and meat science industries and channel my passion for these fields through involvement in research, conferences, and educational experiences. I currently serve as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Agricultural Sciences where I teach Basic Animal Science labs.
Research interests: Factors affecting beef carcass traits, beef cattle production, meat quality improvement, pre-mortem effects on post-mortem meat quality
Hobbies: In my spare time I enjoy spending time outdoors, going on walks, and volunteering at my church.
Tip for surviving graduate school: Take one day at a time, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and be intentional about managing your time and energy wisely!