Second-year MBA student Daniel Grabell is prepared to test the waters of the newly structured Graduate and Professional Student Assembly.
In an election Monday night, Grabell beat out two other contestants, Jamie Ford and Soren Harward, securing the position of GAPSA chairman for the 2007-2008 academic year.
In an interview last night, Grabell sat down with The Daily Pennsylvanian to discuss his ambitions for next year and why he loves student government so much.
The Daily Pennsylvanian: Congratulations on being elected. Why are you the best person for the job?
Daniel Grabell: I started out as an undergraduate here and those were some of the best years of my life - working with the administration, President and Provost's office.
I got involved in GAPSA this past year as a general assembly representative .. I can bring a lot of value from my background - I served on the Nominations and Elections Committee [and] was also the vice chair of public relations for them.
DP: What qualities will you bring to the job?
DG: A lot of diplomacy in listening and trying to get the separate parties and . issues brought together to a central policy.
DP: How do you feel about the restructuring of GAPSA?
DG: It's going be a great opportunity to help make sure we have a fair and equitable government and . a strong voice for the graduate student population.
With any new organization, there are always going to be challenges. . Our team is one of the best, . and we have a strong executive board team that is up for the challenge.
DP: How would you describe your board?
DG: I have the best board in the world. [It's] very active, very diverse. . All of the people are very committed to . helping improve student life.
DP: What are the main issues that you plan on addressing?
DG: Student life issues such as housing, student health . [and] quality of life, safety and security.
DP: Anything special we should know about you?
DG: I just have a lot of energy and passion for the University. . This is just another way to show my commitment.
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