Meet the Executive Council
President: Solomon Ajasa
ssajasa@crimson.ua.edu
Solomon Sesesie Ajasa is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering Department. He earned a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering from Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree from The University of Alabama.
Solomon currently serves as the President of the Graduate Student Association. He is the inaugural University of Alabama Graduate School GAIN Influencer member. He also holds a leadership position in the International Peer Advisory Council (IPAC). Solomon has previously served as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Graduate Student Association, where he represented graduate students on several university committees, including the International Education, Campus Safety and Security Committee, and Dining Service Development. Additionally, he is an active member of the African Student Association. Solomon’s dedication to service is evident, as he strongly commits to community involvement, particularly among underrepresented ethnic groups.
Solomon doubles as a graduate teaching and research assistant in his department. He aspires to become a professor after completing his Ph.D. and has a keen interest in using advanced technologies to improve occupational safety and health within the construction industry. He has completed the OSHA 30-Hour Outreach Training for the Construction Industry as part of his profession. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). He shares information and opportunities related to graduate school and scholarships on his Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, providing valuable resources for prospective students.
Executive Vice President: Vamsi Krishna Undavalli
vundavalli@crimson.ua.edu
Vamsi, a dedicated aerospace engineer, is currently pursuing his PhD at the UA Department of Mechanical Engineering. His unwavering commitment is evident in his research at the Engines and Combustion Laboratory (ECL) under the guidance of Dr. Khandelwal. His research is centered around fuel-flexible, low-emission technology for jet engines and gas turbines, and sustainable fuels.
Vamsi’s leadership roles in various engineering societies are a testament to his drive and dedication to the engineering community. As a member of prestigious societies such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NPSE), and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RaeS), he is making a significant impact. Currently, he serves as the Chair of the Student Review Initiative of TurboExpo 2024— the International Gas Turbine Institute of ASME, a role that showcases his leadership and influence.
Vamsi’s dedication to addressing the needs of graduate students on campus is commendable. In his current roles as a graduate ambassador of mechanical engineering, a senator of the Student Government Association (SGA). In addition to Vice President of the Graduate Student Association, he continues to advocate for the betterment of the student community.
Vamsi aspires to be a propulsion engineer, contributing significantly to designing sustainable and efficient energy systems that will help meet the world’s energy requirements with less environmental impact.
Vice President of Operations: Oluwafunmilayo Akinpelu
omakinpelu@crimson.ua.edu
Oluwafunmilayo Akinpelu (Funmi OmO Moji) is a doctoral candidate in Contemporary English Literature at the University of Alabama. She earned her master’s degree in Comparative (Literary) History at Central European University (CEU), Vienna, and obtained a BA in Literature-in-English from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.
Funmi OmO Moji has a longstanding history of taking on secretarial roles in the educational institutions she attends. Starting from her secondary school days where she served as the general secretary of the student council filled with chattering teenagers to her role as communications officer of the student union at CEU. In this capacity, she collaborated with many stakeholders to combat the racially-motivated immigration crisis faced by international students in Vienna.
At UA, Funmi has been the two-time general secretary of the prestigious African Students Association and has worked as a communications associate at the College Relations department of the College of Arts and Sciences for three years now. She recently assumed the position of Graduate Student Administrator of the first-year writing program at the Department of English, which will enable her to combine her administrative talents with her passion for education.
Vice President of Academic Affairs: Davin Nabizadeh
gnabizadehchianeh@crimson.ua.edu
Davin, originally Kurdish, is a third-year PhD student in the Educational Psychology program. He earned a Master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Alabama. Over the years, he has accumulated extensive experience, working for three years as a graduate research assistant and as an administrative assistant at the Center for the Study of Ethical Development. He has also contributed to the Division of Student Life, Housing, and Residential Communities (HRC). Davin’s diverse background includes supporting vulnerable populations and seven years of teaching at a community college. Additionally, he was a technical director, and registered psychologist, and has served as a mental health professional.
Vice President of Financial Affairs: Caroline Quinn
ccquinn@crimson.ua.edu
Caroline Quinn is a second-year MBA/MFA Candidate from Huntsville, Alabama. She graduated from the University of Alabama in May 2023, majoring in Accounting, Finance, and Theatre. During her time at the Capstone, she served as the Vice President of Finance for Alpha Chi Omega and is currently a GRA for UA Theatre and Dance as the Box Office Manager.
Vice President of Student Engagement: Amber Todd
atodd3@crimson.ua.edu
Amber Todd is a second-year MBA candidate from Bessemer, AL, concentrating in finance. She completed her undergraduate studies at The University of Alabama, majoring in Marketing and Management.
During her undergraduate years, Amber served as the President of the Black Student Union, President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association Ambassadors, a Lucy Legacy Mentor, and a member of the Student Government Association DEI cabinet.
As a graduate student, she is President of the National Black MBA Association and a member of the Manderson MBA Case Team. Amber also works as a student assistant at Manderson Career Services and owns a business specializing in brand strategy, social media management, and graphic design.
Amber will graduate in May 2025 and plans to work full-time in the corporate banking sector of a financial corporation. Her main interests are finance, social media, and brand marketing.
Vice President of Community Engagement: Diweng Dafong
mdafong@crimson.ua.edu
Diweng Mercy Dafong is a second-year Ph.D. Student in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics at the University of Alabama. She currently works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, and her master’s in French Studies from the University of Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria. Her research focuses on migration writings with emphasis in African female migration writers from Burkina Faso. Her research interest in Francophone African Literature stems from her experiences growing up in Nigeria, an anglophone West African country surrounded by francophone countries. She plans to specialize in Burkina Faso women writers and filmmakers.
Diweng was awarded the Best New Graduate Student in French 2023. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Prix d’Excellence in Research and Teaching by the Department of Modern Languages and Classics.
Diweng has served as the Treasurer of The University of Alabama International Students Association (ISA) and the President of the Living International Fellowship (LIFe) in the 2023/2024 academic session. She also served as a representative of Nigeria at Rock Quarry Elementary School’s International Day Celebration 2023 and 2024, where she taught and entertained children on Nigerian culture, history, foods, songs, and dance. Diweng is currently a campus ambassador for Gift of Life, a non-profit organization that recruit stem cells donors for blood cancer patients. She is also the president of the University of Alabama Language, Literature, and Linguistics Organization.
Vice President of Public Relations: Gabi Gonzalez
sggonzalez@crimson.ua.edu
Gabi Gonzalez is a second-year Masters candidate from Greenville, SC. Gabi is pursuing her MFA and MBA in Arts Management. Previously, Gabi received her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Design and Production with an emphasis in Stage Management from Harding University in Searcy, AR.
She is involved in many aspects across campus including working with the Department of Theatre and Dance as Project Manager, GAIN Influencer in the Graduate School, Officer of Financial Affairs for Manderson Women in Business, Graduate Student Ambassador, and VP of Public Relations for the Graduate Student Association. Gabi also works at True40 at the front desk and teaches fitness classes.
Elections Commissioner: Heaven Cauble
hecauble@crimson.ua.edu
Heaven Cauble is a fourth-year doctoral student in the psychology department studying cognition. Previously, she received her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in biology from the University of Alabama in 2021 before obtaining her M.A. in 2024. Her primary research interests focus on decision-making and health and cognition in older adults.
Outside of research, Heaven is an avid instructor and academic advisor in the psychology department. Additionally, she is involved with the UA Graduate School as a Graduate Ambassador and previously served as the Vice President of Operations for the Graduate Student Association from 2023-2024.