Karina Iskandarova

Contact Info: gsg@maine.edu

Degree Program(s): Global Policy-Foreign Diplomacy

Home Country: Greece

Role in Graduate Student Government: I am the Executive Secretary for the Graduate Student Government. Some of my roles include: Writing meeting minutes, organizing meetings’ agenda, forwarding/writing emails to the graduate body, faculty, and organizations, updating our website, trouble-shooting, helping with the planning of campus events, and more.

Reason behind joining the GSG as an officer: I am a Political Scientist pursuing my Masters in Global Policy. Since my undergraduate years, I have been always involved with student life and the undergrad student body government. For me, becoming an officer for the graduate student body, is an honorable duty. Because not only do you represent thousands of students, but you are also, their voice and ears. In other words, you are communicating everything that is happening to both ends; the university’s administration and the student body. Therefore, knowing that the graduate student government can make such an impact in overall decision-making, is incredible. That is why, for me becoming a GSG officer translates into a responsibility to serve in an effective and transparent way; always striving for solutions.

As an officer in the GSG how would you like to contribute in such a way that you improve the situation for graduate students?: As an international student myself, I want to help foreign students feel welcome and safe. Coming from another country  in Maine, is an extremely challenging experience itself. Therefore, I want to make sure that students can approach us with their concerns. Secondly, in order to make change and become an effective leader, you need to leave your comfort zone and lead by example. That is why, I would implement (always in accordance to my fellow officers) plans that would benefit the quality of student life while creating a safe space for students to express themselves freely. I truly believe we have a duty to all of our student body to represent them in our best way possible. With integrity, honesty, and justice. Last but not least, I will make sure that the university’s administration cooperates with us and provides solutions to students issues. 

Long Term Career Goals: To work in an international organization like NATO, UN, or an NGO. My goal is to pursue my career in human rights, gender rights,  migration, and justice. Hopefully, in seven years from now I will be leading my non-governmental organization(s) operating in Greece, the US, and other places in the world.

Involvement in clubs and other organizations: Not at the moment. Initially, I was involved in many clubs (i.e. fencing), I attended weekly political conferences and events organized by my department, but then I realized  that I needed to concentrate my time and energy on my work and studies. When I was working with UMaine’s Undergraduates Admission Office, I was highly involved with all clubs photographing events, and networking.
Hobbies: My favorite hobbies are reading a lot on psychology, exploring the human brain and behavior, watching documentaries on historical figures (especially during the medieval ages and the Victorian era), and singing.

Fun facts about you? I consider myself a global citizen, Why? Because I am coming from different parts of the world. Europe and Central Asia. I was raised in Greece, but I am half Uzbek, and half Russian. Another fact is that I have had the great opportunity to be interviewed by three national Greek channels (seven times) to talk about my work with Roma, refugee, and migrant population identity and rights, share my life-challenges as a migrant female myself, and my achievements! Feel free to google me and connect with me on my social media.