2025-2026 Graduate House Members

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Anastasia Gumatay

College of Applied Arts | Social Work MSW

Hi everyone! My name is Anastasia, and I am a Master of Social Work student living in Massachusetts. I have a BA in Psychology, and I’m interested in developing my clinical and advocacy skills as a future neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed care social worker. In my free time, I love spending time in nature, doing yoga, journaling, going out to eat with loved ones, and deepening my relationship with spirituality.
 
#1 Tip for Surviving Grad School: Get to know people! Make friends! Form genuine connections with your teachers! Whether you’re in-person, hybrid, or remote, any opportunity to build your community will make your grad school experience tremendously easier and more enjoyable. Everyone is in the same boat, and you do not need to go through this process alone. If you’re a fully online student like I am, I recommend having a cohort Groupme, taking advantage of optional Zoom meetings, and connecting with others in team assignments. It may be nerve-wracking, but it will 100% be worth it.
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Emily Gonzalez

College of Applied Arts | MS, Human Nutrition

 

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Lance Womack

College of Education | PhD, Curriculum & Instruction

 

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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!

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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. 

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Morgan Smith

College of Fine Arts and Communication | MA, Communication Studies

 

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Nicole Cross

College of Healthcare Professions | Communication Disorders MS

Hello everyone, I’m Nicole. I am originally from Bolivia but have spent my whole life in Texas. I received my Bachelor's degree in Allied Health at Texas A&M University and am currently pursuing my Master’s degree here at TXST in Communication Disorders with a concentration in Bilingualism. I have fallen in love with the field and am extremely passionate about becoming a Speech Pathologist and working with Spanish-speaking patients. 
 
Hobbies: I enjoy going on long walks with my dog, exercising, reading, cooking, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, watching TV shows and movies, and spending quality time with family and friends. 
 
#1 Tip for Surviving Grad School: Try your best to be proactive and do not procrastinate. Your future self will be extremely thankful! Manage your time wisely and stay organized by either using something like Google Calendar or a physical planner. Start by adding all important dates at the beginning of the semester from your syllabi. Be flexible, keep an open mind, do things to get you out of your comfort zone, and try out a ‘never say no’ mindset because you never know what opportunities may come your way! 
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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!

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Juan Vanegas

College of Liberal Arts | World Languages MA

¡Hola! I’m Juan Vanegas. I was born and raised in San Luis Potosí, México. I moved to Texas in 2009, and San Marcos has been my home since then. I work as a Graduate Instructional Assistant in the World Languages department. I find the idea of passing knowledge to others very satisfying and fulfilling. I have a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a teaching certification, and I’m now pursuing a master’s degree in Spanish to attain a higher level of teaching. I am a first-generation graduate student, and I am proud of it.
 
I’m currently an active member of Grupo Folklórico Ocotochtli (GFO), a student lead organization whose purpose is to show and spread Mexican culture as well as to preserve it for future generations through traditional dances from the regions of México.
 
Hobbies: In my free time, I like to do outside activities like hiking and swimming at the river, as well as go to the gym. I like to travel and spend time with family and friends.
 
#1 Tip for Surviving Grad School: Learn to manage your time, one step at a time and take care of yourself. Don’t let stress take the lead.
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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.

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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.

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Christian Mayen

McCoy College of Business | MS, Quantitative Finance and Economics

 

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Amandeep Kaur

College of Science and Engineering | PhD, Aquatic Resources & Integrative Biology

Hi, my name is Amandeep Kaur, which means "light of peace." I go by Aman. I am an international student from India, where I worked as a biotechnologist before moving to the U.S. in fall 2023 to pursue graduate studies. Inspired by the idea that "when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it," I've always harbored a strong desire to enhance educational practices in my country. This passion led me to a field of science education research in TXST, focusing on a teacher preparation program that integrates meaningful scientific research. In my research, I focus specifically on incorporating undergraduate research experiences into the curriculum for prospective elementary teachers. This initiative is designed to cultivate their confidence, competence and appreciation in teaching science, hoping they will pass that enthusiasm on to their students. 

Outside the Lab: I enjoy socializing, hearing people’s stories, and exploring what makes us culturally unique. I strive to be an effective advocate for international students, ensuring they feel included and respected in foreign lands. Presently, I assist my international mentees in adjusting smoothly to their new environment through my role as an I-Mentor. As VP of the International Student Organization (ISO) and as an International Student Liaison in my biology department, I strive to create a community where students can find a sense of belonging and voice their concerns. 

#1 Tip for Surviving Grad School: Before starting university, connect with your country's student organization. They can assist with accommodations, course registration, banking, and transportation. I've found that the first semester can be overwhelming due to cultural adjustments and learning the do's and don'ts of a new place. Having these practical matters sorted out beforehand allows you to focus more effectively on your studies.

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Olivia Brummett

College of Science and Engineering | MS, Integrated Agricultural Sciences

 

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