Who we are
Diqi Zeng
Diqi Zeng - President
Bio: Diqi is a fourth-year grad student at the Institute of Child Development. As president of GradSEHD, I am dedicated to fostering meaningful connections among graduate and professional students in the College of Education and Human Development by creating spaces where students can support each other through both academic and personal endeavors. Through my leadership, I am also committed to strengthening ties between the university's academic community and local communities.
Contact: zeng0233@umn.edu
Rawan AlGahtani
Rawan AlGahtani - Vice President
Bio: Rawan is a first-year Human Resources Development (HRD) student at the Organization, Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) Department. Rawan is highly motivated and skilled Global Citizen, with a strong passion for solving problems through entrepreneurship to elevate human capital. Throughout her life journey, Rawan has gained valuable experiences in education, startups, and businesses, where she has excelled in creating positive impact. She believes in the power of collaboration and is always eager to connect with like-minded individuals
Contact: algah004@umn.edu
Naji Alfateh
Naji Alfateh - Communications Chair
Bio: I’m a fourth year PhD student in Human Resource Development in the Organizational, Leadership, Policy, and Development department. I am interested in the development of employees' socialization in organizations, particularly employees with marginalized identities. My research interests aim to highlight how our individual identities impact our integration and assimilation in organizations. My focus is from an intersectional lens as an international, first-generation student coming from a war-torn country in the Middle East.
Contact: fateh008@umn.edu
Peace Chukwuede
Peace Chukwuede - Treasurer
Bio: Peace is a graduate student in the School Psychology Program at the University of Minnesota. She is currently the Treasure of GradSEHD. She has had experience working as a teacher, school psychologist and mental health counselor. Her research focuses on the academic and social-emotional wellbeing of immigrants, black students, students of color and marginalized groups. Through her scholarship and leadership, Peace wants to bridge the gap between research and practice to create an inclusive, accommodating and culturally inclusive school system where every student thrives.
Contact: chukw042@umn.edu
Gabrielle Bell
Gabrielle Bell - Programming Chair
Bio: Gabby is a first year Early Childhood M.Ed. student from Saint Paul, Minnesota. She received a B.A in Developmental psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2024, and is currently working on obtaining her teaching license. Gabby spent the year after her undergraduate time at UMN working as a full time preschool teacher in the Como neighborhood. During her free time, you can find her reading a book or taking yoga classes!
Contact: bell0634@umn.edu
Tina Zillhart
Tina Zillhart – Employer Relations Coordinator
Bio: I have been a part of the University of Minnesota since I began as an undergraduate in the College of Liberal Arts in 2009. In 2015, I came back to the University as a staff member in the Office for Student Affairs (and not too much later, as a graduate student in CEHD!) My current professional role at the University is in CEHD Career Services as their Employer Relations Coordinator. As a graduate student in CEHD, I wanted to find ways to become more connected with my fellow graduate students. It wasn’t until I graduated from OLPD (with an MA in Higher Education!) that I found a way through my professional role. I became the advisor for GradSEHD in September 2024. I provide support for our GradSEHD board members with a focus on career development. Through this role, I am able to support my former graduate community through the support of our amazing GradSEHD members.
Contact: zill0041@umn.edu
If you are interested in becoming a part of the GradSEHD Executive Board, keep an eye out for a GradSEHD email that details the elections process later this semester. GradSEHD elections will take place late in the Spring semester. If you are interested in learning more about any of these positions, please email us at gradsehd@umn.edu.