Inspirational, dedicated and driven are a few words that Myra Joy Veluz, Social Chair of Graduate and Professional Student Council, uses to describe current president Sarah Netherton.

Netherton, a College of Nursing graduate student, was first asked by her respective college to serve as a Nursing Representative for GPSC in mid August.

She started her Doctor of Nursing Practice this week and earned her masters while she was getting a Master of Science for Entry to the Profession of Nursing.

“I walked in not knowing much about GPSC, but wanting to get involved on campus,” Netherton said.

Netherton is in charge of representing over 9,000 graduate and professional students at the UA as president of GPSC. Netherton said her primary goal is collaboration.

“I think she will be great in the position,” said Juhyung Sun, the vice president of GPSC.

“I know she is passionate and committed to improving the well-being of graduate and professional students. She is great at building relationships on all levels and I have been impressed with the rapport she has been able to build with everyone … in such a short time.”

Sun praised Netherton on her ability to be passionate about the issues while still maintaining professional partnerships with her peers.

Netherton said her main life goal as a professional is to practice as a nurse practitioner and eventually work in health care policy.

“Once I got involved as a representative, I was able to see the challenges that grad students face and I wanted to work on their behalf especially because many students do not have time or energy while in grad school to address these issues themselves,” Netherton said.

Netherton said her biggest struggle in her educational career has been finances, not unlike many other students across the country.

“Grad school is expensive, especially when you can’t work at the same time,” she added. “I managed to make it out of undergrad with no student loans, but now I’ve got about $60K in loans.”

Netherton said she plans to use her position to ensure that there is a working partnership with administration, students and other organizations and clubs to provide the best assistance to students at the UA.

“Having heard her speak during GPSC meetings, it was clear that [Netherton] had a lot of leadership experience,” Veluz said. “I noticed her immediately because of the way she addressed the concerns of her constituency and I was both impressed and inspired.”

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