Student Leadership Executive Board

2026-27 Board Members

De-Graft Agyei

^{President - Graduate Student Association
Doctoral Student, College of Humanities and Sciences
Program : Clinical Psychology}

^{Contact Info : gsa@vcu.edu}

I aspire to balance active clinical practice with rigorous research to advance the field of mental health. I am a third-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at VCU. My academic and clinical work focuses on implementing evidence-based practices in mental health with a specific research interest in culture, emotions and emotion regulation and mental health. Outside of research and clinical training, I stay active by working out and participating in sports. I am excited to serve the campus community as a member of the Student Leadership Executive Board.

Kwabena Asare

^{President - Residence Hall Association (RHA)
Sophomore - Class of 2029, College of Humanities and Sciences
Major : Psychology
Contact: rha@vcu.edu}

My name is Kwabena Asare, and I am a sophomore at VCU, majoring in psychology and pursuing Mental Health. I serve as the president of the Residence Hall Association (RHA). My goal is to help the students and the administration make VCU an unforgettable place full of uncommonness and uniqueness. Besides that, I am also a part of other clubs like Student Alumni Council, Transform, Judo Club, and You First. I enjoy different Hobbies like drawing, exercising, exploring painting, and doing yo-yo tricks. My goals and aspirations after VCU are to continue pursuing Psychology by becoming a psychologist and entering the mental health field. I'm planning to attend graduate school to earn my PhD in Psychology.

Nowoola Awopetu

^{Graduate & Professional Student Senate - SGA - President}

^{Graduate & Professional Student Representative - State Council on Higher Education (SCHEV)
Doctoral Student, School of Education
Program : Counselor Education & Supervision}

^{Contact : gpss@vcu.edu}

Nowoola Awopetu is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision here at VCU. His work focuses on understanding the experiences of students and marginalized communities, particularly in the areas of trauma, identity development, and career readiness. Through research, mentorship, and service, he is committed to helping create environments where students can thrive academically, personally, and professionally. He is honored to serve the VCU community by listening to and advocating for students while helping strengthen an inclusive and supportive campus environment.

Upon completion at VCU my goal is to assume a dual role as an educator and researcher. In doing so, I aim to leverage scholarship, counseling, and innovation to create equitable systems that promote healing, development, and opportunity for marginalized communities. I am committed to investigating how systemic inequities impact mental health outcomes for people from these backgrounds and developing interventions that not only acknowledge but actively address the unique challenges faced.

Natalie Bowen

^{Undergraduate Student Senate - Student Government Association (SGA) - President
Senior - class of 2027, College of Humanities and Sciences
Majors : History and Mass Communications (conc. Media Production)
Contact : sga@vcu.edu}Natalie Bowen is a senior at VCU earning a Dual Degree in History (B.A.) and Mass Communications (B.S.) with a concentration in Media Production. She stays actively involved on campus through various advocacy groups, such as SGA and the National Organization for Women, as well as the Honors College where she serves as President of their Student Executive Board. Natalie is passionate about advocacy and community and is dedicated to improving quality of life for all members of the VCU campus.

After VCU, I aim to be working somewhere in the film industry. Whether that be writing and producing my own short films, working as a production assistant, or researching for documentaries, I want to have a place in and an impact on the film and television industries. The ultimate goal is to be a renowned and respected filmmaker and historian who uses creative mediums to teach history and advocate for causes I believe in.

Jamal Henry

^{Undergraduate Representative - State Council on Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV)
Senior - Class of 2027, School of Business
Major : Information Systems}

^{Contact :}I enjoy building connections across campus and creating opportunities that help students succeed. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career that combines technology, leadership, and service to others.

After graduating from VCU with a degree in Information Systems, I plan to begin my career in technology while continuing to pursue a career in public service. My long-term goal is to become an Air Force officer and obtain my CISO certification while leveraging technology to improve organizational efficiency and security. Ultimately, I aspire to lead at the executive level and make a meaningful impact in both my profession and my community.

Rachel Koeneke

^{Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) - President
Senior - Class of 2027, College of Humanities and Sciences
Major : Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science (HPEX) with a Minor in Psychology}

^{Contact :}Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Koeneke, and I am a senior on the VCU Women's Lacrosse Team. I serve as President of the Student Athletics Advisory Committee (SAAC), and I am the campus A10 Conference athletics representative. I am an HPEX major with a Minor in Psychology. I hope to further my education after graduation to earn a Master's of Nursing degree to work as a RN either traveling or in an Emergency Room Hospital Department. I am so excited to collaborate with my peers and play a big role in our VCU community!

After VCU, I hope to attend an Accelerated Master's of Nursing (MSN) program to officially earn my Registered Nurse License. After earning this degree, my potential job options include becoming a Travel Nurse or working in a hospital as an Emergency Room Nurse. I would hopefully like to end my career as a Nurse Practitioner.

Marie Michenkova

^{Graduate / Professional Student Representative - Board of Visitors (BOV)
Graduate and Professional Student, VCU Life Sciences and School of Medicine
Major : MD/PhD}

^{Contact : bovstudentrep@vcu.edu}

^{Hi everyone, I’m Marie Michenkova, a fourth year MD-PhD student, currently working on my PhD in the neurosurgery department at VCU. I'm originally from the Czech Republic, and I moved here for college and all subsequent endless education. :) I’m passionate about neuroscience, biomedical informatics, and building connections through research and leadership. I'm excited to keep learning, sharing, and collaborating with this community and I'm excited and honored to serve as the Graduate and Professional Student Representative to VCU's Board of Visitors (BOV)!}

Ria Mohan

^{Undergraduate Representative - Board of Visitors (BOV)
Senior - Class of 2027, College of Humanities and Sciences
Major : Forensic Biology major in the Guaranteed Admission Program for Medicine}

^{Contact : bovstudentrep@vcu.edu

Ria embodies servant leadership through her roles as the International President of HOSA-Future Health Professionals, research positions at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and advocacy centered on healthcare equity. Above all, though, Ria prioritizes connection. She looks forward to meeting new people and hearing their stories on the Student Leaders Executive Board. As an aspiring physician, she aims to impart positive change that extends far beyond hospital walls and clinics. She intends to achieve this by continuing to lead honest conversations that build trust and genuine connection.}

^{After graduating from VCU, Ria intends to attend medical school to become a physician dedicated to championing change in healthcare equity by destigmatizing illnesses and encouraging open conversation that builds trust, transparency, and accountability.}