Graduate School Senator Candidates

All financial documents can be found on the Candidates Page.


Shawn Abdullah Headshot

Shawn Abdullah

I am a first generation college student pursuing my MA in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations and Comparative Politics. I’m running because I want to serve the student community and leave this campus a better place than it was when I entered it. To do this, I have a few policy positions, some of them unique to my campaign and others in support of preexisting platforms.

  1. Making the bus system more accessible
  2. Improving accessibility to and experience for international students
  3. Pushing for a universal parking pass instead of the current zoning system
  4. Promoting student access to football games
  5. Expanding accessibility and funding for the student health center including reduced fees for students without insurance
  6. Providing resources to those suffering from substance abuse and victims of domestic violence.

Hope Sharp Headshot

Hope Sharp

My name is Hope Sharp, and I am a master’s student in Anthropology studying body image amongst Italian women. I am running for graduate senator because I believe we are in a pivotal moment as a graduate school, and I believe that I am the leader who can meet this moment with vision and passion. Our institution has seen many changes this year, some for good and some for ill, and it is important that the voices of graduate students are heard, whether they be from STEM, the humanities, or the social sciences. I am passionate about advocating for the betterment of graduate students in every regard: financial, mental and physical.

I am confident that I will succeed as a student senator because of my leadership roles with student organizations on campus. During my time at Alabama, I have been involved in several organizations, including as a leader of the Anthropology Graduate Student Association, VP of the Bama Bite Club, and as a member in the Italian club.

If I am elected to serve, I will be a fierce champion for the needs of graduate students such as higher stipend payments, more comprehensive health insurance, and better spaces for graduate student use (office hours, personal offices, etc.). I promise to listen to you and to take your issues directly to the people who can solve them. If I am elected, I will better the situation of both the graduate student who has just arrived and those who will soon graduate.


Saeed Shiri Headshot

Saeed Shiri

Saeed Shiri is currently a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at UA. He has worked as teaching assistant (TA) / research assistant (RA) on campus since joining UA in Summer 2021. Such experiences along with spending more than three years on campus and observance of other graduate students (GS) have helped him to get a realistic understanding of GS challenges and needs, in particular, international students who comprise a noticeable portion of GS. Saeed believes that clearer regulations are required to enhance the well being of these hard-working group of students and their mental and emotional health should be valued more through balancing the amount of time they actually work, and the time duration mentioned in their memorandum of appointments as TA/RA, or to increase the payments. Hence, this could be an important topic to follow and to make some legislative modifications. Another areas of concerns could be like providing a proper parking lot for GS, in particular for PhD students, the necessity of improving the food quality on campus, making it more diverse, and provision of some special food discounts for GS, consideration of GS for better dormitories on campus by lowering the prices compared to off-campus renting, etc. In brief, Saeed as the current president of the Iranian Students Association at UA (ISAUA) will do his best to make GS experience on campus better, at least a little bit!


Mohammad Mohi Uddin Headshot

Mohammad Mohi Uddin

I am Mohammad Mohi Uddin, a full-time second-year doctoral student specializing in Instructional Technology within the Instructional Leadership program at the University of Alabama. As a dedicated graduate ambassador and active delegate member of the GSA, I have contributed to various panel sessions, sharing insights to help create inclusive and engaging learning environments tailored to our diverse student population.

I am running for the Senate because I believe that strong representation and proactive advocacy can lead to significant improvements for local and international students. My work as an educator and mentor has deepened my commitment to ensuring that every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need, regardless of their background. I am determined to amplify the voices of those who often go unheard and to work collaboratively to tackle the challenges we face.

My platform centers on Equity and Student Well-being. I will advocate for policies that promote diversity and inclusion, and prioritize mental health and financial resources for students. By fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation, I aim to contribute to a more vibrant and supportive campus community. Together, we can ensure that the University of Alabama remains a place where all students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.