This group supports and advocates for graduate students and postdocs in their holistic wellbeing. Connect with us if you have challenges transitioning to MSU from a different background (coming from a different country, being a first-generation graduate student or postdoc, have challenges navigating wellbeing resources on campus, or trying to make friends).
Meet the Ambassadors
Mudita Jagota
Mudita Jagota is a Ph.D. student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Michigan State University, with a specialization in disability and rehabilitation. Her research explores the lived experiences of family caregiving and care-receiving among young adults with mobility disabilities. She is particularly interested in understanding the Disability Identity Development, interdependence, and the emotional landscapes of caregiving relationships for disabled people.
Originally from India, Mudita holds a B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. in Psychology, as well as an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from MSU. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a dedicated advocate for disability rights especially through her social media. Her advocacy is informed by her own lived experience as an individual with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and a wheelchair user, which fuels her commitment to inclusive education, access, and holistic well-being. As a result, she has been invited to speak at panels and conferences on topics including disability identity and holistic wellness.
At MSU, Mudita has completed two internships with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD), where she supported students in securing academic accommodations and founded Mobility Mingle, a peer support group for students with mobility disabilities. As a teaching assistant/instructor, she has taught four semesters of Disability in a Diverse Society, a course that explores disability through sociocultural, political, and intersectional lenses.
Her teaching philosophy emphasizes inclusion, critical dialogue, and student empowerment. Beyond her academic and advocacy work, she enjoys solo strolls, Hindi music, movies and shows, coloring, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She believes in the power of storytelling and community to dismantle stigma and cultivate spaces where inclusion can thrive.
Joseph Ifeanyi Ulasi
Joseph Ulasi is a Ph.D. student in the Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Program within the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University. His research employs marker-assisted selection to introgress and pyramid late blight resistance genes from wild potato species into cultivated diploid potato lines, aiming to develop durable, resistant potato varieties for global food systems.
Originally from Nigeria, Joseph brings an international perspective shaped by his early career in horticulture and agronomy. After completing his master’s degree in plant breeding and genetics, he joined academia as a lecturer, where he taught courses in crop science and plant breeding and mentored undergraduate students in Nigeria. These experiences strengthened his commitment to applying crop breeding and genetic techniques to address disease challenges and improve food security.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, Joseph serves as Secretary of the Graduate Association of Crop and Soil Sciences and as the International Students Association Representative for the African Graduate Students Association. In these roles, he amplifies international student voices and champions wellness through initiatives like peer support networks, organized de-stress events, and hosting outdoor group activities like picnics. Outside his academic work, Joseph enjoys playing soccer and pickleball, reading widely, and staying connected with friends and family across borders.
Farnaz Tajik
Farnaz is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Plant Biology. Her research is in biology education and focuses on noticing and recalling plants in the context of plant blindness. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology education and her master’s degree in plant systematics and ecology. Her research has primarily focused on biology education throughout her education. She also worked as a K-12 teacher and vice principal for six years in Iran, where she calls home, before starting her role as a PhD student.
At MSU, Farnaz has participated in different funded or voluntary programs, including NRT-IMPACT, STEAM Power, FAST, and the department peer mentorship program. She also collaborates with Beal Botanical Garden for part of her research project. She attempts to have a work-life balance and to meet that, she spends some time on doing her favorite activities such as arts and crafts, Iranian birds and flower illustration (gol-o-morgh), cooking and baking, meeting friends, and shopping!
Asmau Ayub
Asmau Ayub is a PhD candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision, specializing in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. Her research explores the intersections of cultural identities, disability, and disability acceptance. Originally from Ghana, Asmau previously worked as a licensed counseling psychologist before enrolling at MSU.
She has actively participated in various student organizations, including the African Graduate Students Association and the International Students Association, where she has advocated for the enhancement of well-being and support services for international students. As a mental health professional, she is committed to prioritizing not only her well-being but also that of her peers, demonstrating a supportive and nurturing disposition. Asmau enjoys spending time with family and friends, has a deep connection with nature, and has recently explored a new hobby in gardening.
Joey Wijffels
Joey is originally from the Netherlands and now based in the U.S., where he teaches yoga and studies human movement. He is a kinesiologist with a background in motor control and neuroscience, exploring how the body, breath, and perception shape learning and wellbeing.
Grace Tukurah
Grace is a doctoral candidate in the College of Education and is a dual major in Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Education, and Education Policy. Her research draws on Black feminist thought, intersectionality, multi-science, and decolonial theories to examine the historically underrecognized scientific knowledge and engagement of Black girls and women through their participation in the global natural hair community.
Grace is proud to call Nigeria home where she was born and raised and where she had a career as a high school science and math teacher before beginning her Ph.D. studies at Michigan State. When she is not working on research or teaching, Grace is likely spending time with her husband and two daughters, tending to her plants, experimenting with new recipes, enjoying the outdoors, or being entertained by a good book/movie. Her wellness practices include intentionally disconnecting from school and work to rest, and getting exercise.
Saviour Kitcher
Kitchers@msu.edu
Saviour Kitcher is a doctoral student in Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education (CITE) and a Teaching Assistant in the Teacher Education Department. He graduated from the University of Ghana with a bachelor's degree and from the University of Education, Ghana for his PGDE and MPhil in Curriculum and Pedagogic studies. His research interests focus on Project-Based Learning in social studies, Curriculum Development and Evaluation, and Soccer as a means of civic engagement, active participation, and citizenship.
As a teacher educator, he is committed to engaging in professional development opportunities to improve his skills and knowledge outside the classroom. He was a Global Curriculum Fellow. He is a recipient of the Residential College for Arts & Humanities (RCAH) Fellowship and Teacher Education Endowed Award. He is serving his second term as the secretary of the Council of Graduate Students (COGS) and a member of the GREAT advisory group. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, watching movies, reading, and doing community service. His favorite quote is, "Even though we face the difficulties out of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream." - MLK
Deepak James
jamesdee@msu.edu
Deepak James is a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry at Michigan State University, now in his fourth year focusing on the interaction of environmental pollutant with proteins. He holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in chemistry from India. Deepak is deeply committed to inclusive teaching practices as an educator and continually seeks to understand and implement the best methods to accommodate diverse student needs.
He has been recognized as a Future Academic Scholars in Teaching (FAST) Fellow for the academic year 2024-2025 and is currently a recipient of the College Online Learners Academy Fellowship. Previously, he served as the treasurer for the Chemistry Graduate Student Organization (CGSO) and board member of the All-University Students Appeals Board (AUSB). This upcoming year, he will continue his involvement as a Student Faculty Staff Board (SFSB) member. Deepak enjoys baking, hanging out with close friends, traveling, and watching movies in his leisure time.
Yetunde S. Alabede
alabedey@msu.edu
Yetunde S. Alabede is a daughter, wife, mother, friend, liberal Muslim, cultural enthusiast, and food lover. She is currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education (CITE) at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. She received the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Program fellowship (2018-2019) and the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship for two consecutive years (2022-2024).
At MSU, she was a Residential College in Arts and Humanities (RCAH) CLAC fellow and will be a Center for Teaching and Learning (CTLI) fellow in the 2024/2025 academic year. She was also a Global Curriculum (2022/2022) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2023/2024) fellow at MSU College of Education. She holds a bachelor's degree in English Education from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and a master's in Cross-Cultural and International Education from Bowling Green State University, Ohio.
Her research includes a decolonial and Global South epistemologies approach to language policies and practices of African and African (im)migrant families; the nexus between parenting, languaging, and gifting; multilingualism, Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs) pedagogy, and home-school-community educational collaboration to enhance African and African (im)migrant children's holistic development and sense of belonging. At leisure, Yetunde loves cooking and spending quality time with her family trans-ationally. She also enjoys outdoor activities with her energetic and joyful four-year-old daughter.
Estela Goncalves de Souza
deestela@msu.edu
Estela Gonçalves is an incoming 3rd year doctoral student in the History Department. She got her certification in Chicano/Latino Studies at Michigan State University. Born and raised in Brazil, I moved to the United States in August 2022. I love to be outside, explore new things, read (a lot), and try out new vegetarian and vegan recipes. One aspect of me is you will always find me in different communities and groups of people! My favorite thing to do when I'm home is to play with my cat, Snow Francisco, who I brought from Brazil.
Amie Musselman
mussell8@msu.edu
Amie is a second-year Ph.D. student in Education Policy. She earned B.S. in Middle Childhood Education- Language Arts and Social Studies and M.Ed in Critical Studies of Educational Foundations from Ohio University. When she isn’t advocating for K-12 public education, this can be found caring for her fur babies and plants, adding to her candle or vinyl collection, attempting to cook, or giggling with her many nieces and nephews. Amie genuinely looks forward to supporting international graduate students and their growth, seeking to improve MSU’s graduate student experience.
Shikha Bhutani
bhutani4@msu.edu
Shikha is a 4th year Ph.D. student at the Department of Mathematics at Michigan State University. She has earned her master's and bachelor's degree in Mathematics from India where she was born and raised. She is a curious person who enjoys new adventures and opportunities in life. She loves reading Math books, solving puzzles, dancing, cooking, singing bhajans, playing badminton, and meeting new people.
At MSU (Michigan State University), she was fortunate to get to perform various roles as Teaching assistant: Recitation leader, Instructor of record, Observer for young TAs, and was also a part of an Outreach program for College Algebra students.
She strongly advocates for and supports holistic development of everyone she works with (students, colleagues) through one-on-one support meetings, mindful listening, providing, and connecting them to relevant resources, and constantly learning and updating herself of policies and evidence-based practices. She is looking forward to sharing her learning that she gained from her experiences she had at MSU, and thereby supporting Graduate teaching assistant community at MSU.
Iris Margetis
margetis@msu.edu
Iris is a 5th year graduate student in the Department of Economics, pursuing a PhD in Environmental Economics. She earned her B.A. in International Relations, and her B.S in Applied Mathematics, with a concentration in Probability and Statistics, from Kent State University.
Her current research focuses on climate change and the effects of mandatory flood risk disclosure laws for rental properties on rent prices and environmental justice. Iris was born in the USA but grew up in Greece. She is an avid reader/traveler, loves meeting new people and connecting with different cultures, and is the biggest foodie you will ever meet!
Stefanie Baier
stbaier@msu.edu
Dr. Stefanie Baier is the Director of the GREAT Office and leads Instructional Development for Graduate Students and Postdocs at the Graduate School at Michigan State University. She is in charge of Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) preparation, builds curriculum for teach professional development of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, manages cohort fellowships, and initiates supporting holistic educator wellbeing.
Her research interests include student success and retention and the impact of diversity, academic, and (bio)psychosocial factors on college outcomes. In her evaluation work, she has focused on assessment of professional training and support programs (learning communities, student success and mentoring initiatives), and international student success. Stefanie has teaching experience at the K-9, undergraduate, and graduate levels.
Former Ambassadors
Hima Rawal
rawalhim@msu.edu
Hima Rawal, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Graduate Educator Advancement and Teaching (GREAT) office at MSU Graduate School. Her research interests include teacher professional development, trauma-informed teaching, learner and teacher emotions, and humanizing research and pedagogy in linguistically diverse classroom settings.
She completed her trauma-informed care certificate from the School of Social Work Continuing Education at MSU with a generous fellowship from the GREAT office. She is a crisis advocate volunteer at the Center for Survivors at MSU. With Dr. Stefanie Baier, she also co-chairs the Mindfulness and Contemplative Pedagogy Special Interest Group at the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network.
As part of her leadership fellowship at the Graduate School, she co-created the wellness ambassadors' program with Qi Huang. The program is now continuing with the sponsorship from the GREAT Office and the Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant (CIEG) fund at MSU.
Qi Huang
huangq14@msu.edu
Qi is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at Michigan State University, with a concentration in Diversity, Youth, and Family Development (DYAD). She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from MSU.
Before starting her doctoral studies, she worked at the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) and provided support to international students in crisis situations, sparked her interest in exploring the experiences of international students and scholars more deeply.
Her current research focuses on the academic, cultural, and psychological adjustments faced by international students, with a particular emphasis on Chinese students encountering academic probation or dismissal. Outside of academia, Qi enjoys outdoor activities, especially during the Michigan summers!