SOLES Graduate Student Association (SGSA) is a student-governed association supporting our graduate and doctoral students in their scholastic, co-curricular and social experiences.
The mission of SGSA is to support the development of a professional, scholastic, and social community in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES).
Scholarship and professional development will be promoted by the following:
- Increasing awareness of, and participation in, professional associations, conferences, certifications and workshops
- Providing a vehicle for student input into programs and policies
- Partnering with the administration to improve connections with alumni
- Providing grants (dedicating at least 20% of the cumulative budget) in awards to support student's professional development and research opportunities
SGSA hosts a number of events for students and faculty, including the SOLES holiday party, local volunteering trips and networking socials. SGSA also awards professional development and research-oriented grants to SOLES students.
Cooperative community building will be promoted by the following:
- Sponsoring social events
- Acting as a liaison between students, faculty, and administration
- Providing information to students
- Advocating for student representation in program planning, staff/faculty hiring, and in the USD graduate community
- Offering networking opportunities as a means to form connections among students and between students and faculty
- Taking up initiatives and a stance on topics that are salient and important to SOLES students’ education and experience
- Representing and advocating for the student voice in university administrative policy; H. Providing opportunities for community outreach, philanthropy and/or service-learning
Interested in joining the SGSA Board?
Applications are open for the 2026-2027 academic year! Students interested in applying for SGSA board positions should submit their applications on the link below.
Join SGSA
The President provides leadership to all SGSA Council members to ensure that their functions are carried out effectively. The President's immediate duties are to call meetings with Council members, to carry out appropriate legislation, and to be a representative of the SOLES graduate student population in the greater USD community as well as within the Graduate Student Council (GSC). The President is also able to conduct financial transactions in the absence of the Financial Director. The President's most important responsibility is to remain accessible to the SOLES community and to the Council in order to develop goals, priorities and policies that best serve SOLES graduate students.
The SGSA Special Events Director works to bring about social, academic, cultural and educational events for both the SOLES community, as well as the greater USD graduate student community. The Special Events Director organizes events such as the Fall Welcome Event, the Holiday Party, the Graduate Luncheon, coffee hours and any other events as decided on by the Council. The Special Events Director also coordinates and manages these events through committees, and works to serve the SOLES student population by helping to create new events that enhance opportunities for learning and networking.
The SGSA Financial Director, in collaboration with the dean's office, handles all of the financial belongings of the organization and keeps full and accurate accounts of all expenditures and generated revenue. The Financial Director is responsible for: preparing the annual SGSA budget; disbursement of SGSA funds; signing checks, drafts and orders for payment; and handling all SGSA merchandise. Most importantly, the Financial Director works to ensure that your annual SGSA fee is used in accordance with the mission, values and goals set forth by the council on behalf of you, our fellow students. Whether it is a social gathering, professional development opportunity, networking event or community outreach activity, your Financial Director will work to ensure that the SGSA spends its budget in a fair, fiscally sound manner. The Financial Director is also the chair of the SGSA Finance Committee which reviews SGSA grant applications each semester and identifies financial resources that can help all SOLES students find anything from grant opportunities to an inexpensive cup of coffee.
The Communications Director shall be responsible for facilitating communication with students, including:
- Coordinate the Communications Committee
- Publish a monthly newsletter, e-newsletter, and regular announcements
- Maintain SGSA bulletin boards
- Maintain and update SGSA Website
- Maintain and keep SGSA records
- Assist the President with Council meeting responsibilities
- Exercise the powers and be charged with the duties of President in the extended absence or inability of the latter, or when a vacancy in the President position exists
- Have such additional powers and duties as are provided herein, or as from time to time may be conferred upon or may be assigned by the Council.
The program representatives each shall report on the activities, proceedings, and policies of the SGSA to students in their respective programs. They will gather and represent constituent views and assist in the coordination of student participation at SGSA events. Program representatives serve on SGSA committees and are a resource to the Executive Committee. Other responsibilities may apply including but not limited to, serving on University committees and attending events representing SGSA.
The program representatives are as follows:
- Leadership Studies Representative
- Learning and Teaching Representative
- Counseling and Marital & Family Therapy Representative
- Graduate Student Council (GSC) Representative
- Doctoral Student Representative
- First Year Representative
SGSA Grant Application
SGSA is pleased to offer grants to enrolled graduate students of up to $500 per semester to promote the development of a thriving professional, academic, and social community within SOLES.
We encourage graduate students to explore innovative learning experiences that go beyond traditional classroom learning while still fulfilling academic and professional goals. Due to limited funding, these grants are distributed based on their alignment with the application criteria.
SOLES students are eligible to apply for up to but not exceeding $500 per semester based on receipts submitted and will be awarded as a reimbursement.
FALL 2025 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, Nov. 3 at noon
Review and decision by: Monday, Dec. 1
Grant reimbursement submission deadline: Monday, Jan. 5
Professional development opportunities must take place between September 3, 2025 and December 31, 2025.
SPRING 2026 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, March 13 at 5 p.m.
Review and decision by: Tuesday, March 31
Grant reimbursement submission deadline: Monday, May 18
Professional development opportunities must take place between January 1, 2026 and May 1, 2026.
All applications submitted on time will be reviewed and evaluated by the SGSA Finance Committee immediately following the deadline.
Applications are scored on criteria of:
- Alignment of the opportunity with the goals and objectives of the SOLES program/department;
- Completeness and clarity of the application with regard to the professional development opportunity;
- Impact of the opportunity on SOLES, academically or professionally.
Please be advised that if you are selected as a recipient of a SGSA Supplemental grant, the notification of awards takes place after the submission deadline, and recipients will receive their funds as a reimbursement after the professional development opportunity takes place as you will be required to submit original receipts.
The SGSA encourages students to take advantage of opportunities to further their professional and personal development while at the University of San Diego.
Please contact SGSA with any questions you may have regarding the SGSA Supplemental Grant Application, guidelines and/or process.
SGSA Bylaws
Let's connect
If you have any questions, contact the Office of Student Engagement director.