[GSA PRESIDENT] [GSA VICE PRESIDENT] [GSA SECRETARY] [GSA TREASURER]

GSA PRESIDENT
CONNIE PUCCI

Ciao! I am Concetta "Connie" Pucci—your new GSA President of 2009! I was born in a small fisherman's town, Prince Rupert on an island off British Columbia in Canada. Naturally, my hearing parents thought that there was no good education for me on the island so we moved to London, Ontario where I attended Robarts School for the Deaf. I got my B.S.W. from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2001 and I continued to get my M.S.W. at New York University in 2002. I worked as a school social worker for six years in three different deaf schools. Currently, I am a 3rd year doctoral candidate in Special Education Administration here at Gallaudet.

I love to eat—cooking is like a therapy to me. I love experimenting new recipes and sampling! I eat a lot especially dark chocolates! Eating dark chocolate is my dangerously vice! But, that's okay because I run as my other favorite thing to do! I certainly try to get back into training if I decide to participate in DC's Marine Corps Marathon this year! Wish me good luck!

My message for you, the GSA community, is to remember three important 'S' words—spirit, share, and success! These three 'S' words can lead you to "be the change" for the graduate school community at Gallaudet! My newest inspirational quote is “ Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."—Obama. So, be the change! Last not at the least, enjoy being a graduate student and the life of beautiful nation's capital city!

Espirt de corps!

GSA VICE PRESIDENT
RACHEL BERMAN

My name is Rachel Berman, hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada. I am your new GSA 2009 Vice President and excited to serve you! I am a currently 2^nd year Deaf audiology (Au.D) student and did my undergraduate studies (B.S.) in Communication Sciences at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ (go Wildcats!).

When I have the time, I love to do different things, especially trying new things like taking up rowing class and cooking new vegan recipes! But on a regular basis, I love to read, make earrings and take dance and yoga classes. One of my vices is cookies-I am a fatal cookie monster.  One inspirational quote that I love is: “Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.” --Theodore Isaac Rubin.

My message to the GSA community is two words: interdepartmental relations.  In other words, get involved and meet other people outside your department-think about the extra professional knowledge and networking you would gain from them! I always benefit from meeting new people and learning new perspectives. Besides ensuring that we get consistent visibility on campus, my hope is that GSA can become the place where you can get the most of your social and professional relations.

GSA SECRETARY
NICOLE HUTCHINSON

Hi! I'm Nicole Hutchinson and I am the new GSA Secretary for 2009.

I grew up in Northern California in a small wine town called Sonoma. It is about 1 hour from San Francisco.  I am currently in my first year as a M.A. student in the Education Department with a specialization in Family Centered Early Education.  I did my undergraduate work at the University of California, San Diego and graduated with a B.A. in Linguistics-Language Studies (American Sign Language).

In my spare time I love to read a good novel, and my favorite genre is Mystery.  I also love to do arts and crafts. I like to scrapbook, make greeting cards, and crochet. My one major vice is I LOVE desserts, I have a huge sweet tooth and love to eat sweets, and bake sweets! An inspirational quote that I love is "Be the change you wish to see in the world" –Ghandi.

My message for you, the GSA community, is meet people! This is the time to make friends and learn about new people. I hope that the GSA community can be a place for you to do just that. Let's not be a bunch of graduate students who only know people in our same programs, let's be a community of graduate students who are united by our experiences here at Gallaudet and can depend on each other. 

GSA TREASURER
JESSICA FLETCHER

My name is Jessica Fletcher I am the new treasurer for GSA!

I became hard of hearing at the age of two. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. I grew up in a mainstream private/Christian school.

When I started high school I went to a public school by choice, that is where I met other Deaf and hard of hearing students like myself for the first time. I also learned ASL in high school.

I am a second year school social work student. My career goal is to work as a school social worker with Deaf and hard of hearing children in a mainstream school.I received my BA degree from Gallaudet University in May of 2007. My BA degree is in Family and Child Studies (FCS) with a specialization in child development and minor in Psychology.

During my free time I love to read, write, helping others, baking, shopping, watching movies, traveling and spending time with my family and close friends. My vices are that I try to get things done at one time instead of pacing myself and chocolate! 

My message to the graduate school community is to become involved in different activities or organizations on campus.  Inspired by Obama’s “Yes we can!”,it takes the whole graduate school community to work together in order for GSA to be successful!