About the Chair - Katie Friesen
Katie Friesen is a recent graduate of Kansas State University, receiving her degree in Secondary Education and Leadership Studies. Upon graduation, Katie moved to Milwaukee to pursue a Masters degree in Leadership Studies at Marquette University. Through her active involvement with Kansas State University and the School of Leadership Studies, Katie’s passion for higher education and opportunities for leadership development through academia and involvement was established. In her first year in the Leadership Studies program, Katie is focusing her attention on developing research centered on undergraduate academic leadership studies programs and becoming more acclimated to life at Marquette and in Milwaukee.
Katie is excited to continue using and developing her skills and knowledge at Marquette as the Chair of the GSO. She sees the GSO as another support system for graduate students on campus both by being a voice on campus and offering social and professional programming. Her goal is to provide graduate students with leadership and professional growth opportunities, as well as social networking opportunities.
You can contact Katie Friesen at katie.friesen@marquette.edu.
About the Vice-Chair - Stephanie Sun
Stephanie Sun completed her undergraduate study in 2008 in China. After graduation, she worked as an international trade commissioner and HR director in one of the top 5 private environmental protection engineering companies in China. In 2011, Stephanie came to Marquette as an international student to pursue a master's degree in the College of Communications. She is currently a second year graduate student and a teaching assistant for the Visual Communications course from Fall 2011 to Spring 2013.
Stephanie’s experience of leading organizations in both college and the workplace generates the passion for her to be a part of the GSO in Marquette. She is looking forward to serving the graduate student community of Marquette, and make a difference for their time here. Plus, as an international student herself, she is also concerned for international graduate students, and will try to facilitate them in getting more involved in the Marquette community.
You can contact Stephanie Sun at xiaojing.sun@marquette.edu.
About the Coordinator - Jessica Eckdahl
Jessica Eckdahl graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a History major and a Business minor in 2010. A year later, she moved from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee to begin Marquette University’s Educational Policy and Leadership graduate program, with a focus on College Student Personnel Administration. Taking advantage of her lifelong enthusiasm for the postsecondary environment, Jessica has worked to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to effectively promote the personal and professional development of college students. Functional areas that she is interested in include academic advising, study abroad, and career services.
Jessica is passionate about maintaining the GSO’s strong advocacy of Marquette’s graduate and professional students. As its Coordinator, she views the GSO as both a forum and an informational resource for issues important to students. Marquette’s diverse array of programs means its students often have little interaction with each other, so Jessica would also like to continue offering networking opportunities that encourage socialization and professional development.
You can contact Jessica Eckdahl at jessica.eckdahl@marquette.edu.
Graduate School Adviser - Dr. Kevin W. Gibson
Email: kevin.gibson@marquette.edu
Associate Dean of the Graduate School
(414) 288-5321
