GSG Executive Board 2026-2027

Sarah Faxon is a third-year student in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences' (SOLES) Education for Social Justice PhD program. Though born and raised in San Diego, Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Government & Politics from St. John's University in New York. Sarah has served in various administrative roles, including at Columbia University and at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Sarah is currently an educator working in the K-12 sector.

As GSG President, Sarah aims to strengthen collaboration across USD’s graduate and law programs while building a more unified, inclusive, and connected student community. Her vision is rooted in helping individuals build confidence, find their voice, and develop meaningful communication skills so they feel empowered to contribute both within the university and beyond.

In her spare time, Sarah is a fiction author and serves as a mentor within the fiction writing community.

Chris Presley spent nine years in Marine Corps Force Recon, serving as a Team Leader with I Marine Expeditionary Force Reconnaissance Company and later as a Chief Instructor at the Reconnaissance Training Company, before coming to the University of San Diego as a dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Finance candidate, Class of 2027. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis summa cum laude from Norwich University, where his capstone research focused on sovereign debt sustainability, global supply chain risk, and the geopolitical economics of the Indo-Pacific.

As Graduate Student Government Vice President, Chris chairs the Budget Committee and represents USD's graduate and law students on the Finance Committee alongside the Board of Trustees. He aims to make graduate student funding work harder for every school at the University of San Diego, from Knauss to Kroc to the School of Law. Chris is also a General Partner in a private investment partnership and a mentor in the Dons Business Institute program for high school students.

Chris is a member of the Goldman Sachs Americas Veterans Integration Program and is preparing for a career at the intersection of finance and defense technology. He lives in Cardiff with his wife Tori and surfs most mornings before class. When he is out of the water, he and Tori ski Mammoth, dive the La Jolla coast, and Chris is working on a better golf swing.

Tiesha Marlow is a graduate student in the M.S. in Learning Design and Technology program at the University of San Diego. She is a Navy veteran, veteran spouse, and Founder and President of Security Scholars, a learning, development, and consulting firm focused on helping small businesses and entrepreneurs strengthen their systems, strategy, and capacity for growth.

Tiesha brings experience in operations, organizational strategy, student support, and business consulting. As Director of Operations and Communication, she hopes to help make GSG more visible, accessible, and connected across the graduate student community. She is especially interested in strengthening engagement for online and flexible-learning students so they feel informed, represented, and connected to campus resources and opportunities.

Outside of school and work, Tiesha enjoys family time, reading, writing, developing new ideas, longboarding, and curating new travel experiences.

Mariann Sanchez is the Director for Graduate Student Life. She has been an employee at USD since 2004. Mariann serves as the Administrative Ex-officio (advisor) to the GSG. She completed her Masters in International Relations at USD. Mariann also helps oversee the operations of the Graduate and Law Student Commons in SLP 401. If you ever need any help at USD please do not hesitate to contact her or a GSG member for assistance.

Olivia Meda is a second-year student in the Knauss School of Business MBA program. She grew up in Mexico and earned her Bachelor's degree in International Trade in 2024. Claudia Olivia is the Graduate Assistant for Graduate Student Life and serves as an advisor for the GSG.