The Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA) held their first general assembly meeting yesterday where representatives elected first year Master of Science and Public Policy student Kristina Hefty as their new Vice President for Public Affairs.

Hefty, who served on the Department of Recreational Sports Advisory Board and the On-Campus Student Stadium Committee in her undergraduate years, will now serve as the GAPSA "representative for public policy, legislative affairs, and grassroots organizing." 

Hefty stated at the meeting that her familiarity with Minnesota politics and internship with the Minnesota House of Representatives will help her with this position.

"I’m very excited about the opportunity," Hefty said. "I’m looking forward to meeting other graduate and professional students and advocating for improvements." 

Hefty will play a large role in GAPSA’s lobbying at the capitol in the spring for graduate and professional student rights and funding.

"I think the biggest issue I want to address is a solution to student indebtedness and tuition increases," Hefty said.