GSGA 2025-2026 

President – Jessica George

Jessica is a second-year MPH student concentrating in Health Policy and Management. Prior to attending CUNY SPH, she earned her B.S. in Biology with a focus on neuroscience at Stony Brook University. Her academic and professional interests center on the intersections of global health, human rights, and climate change, with particular attention to how law and policy advance protection, justice, and equity for vulnerable populations. 
Through her role in the GSGA, Jessica is committed to representing and amplifying student voices, ensuring they are integrated into the decision-making process. She aims to create an environment where students are set up for success and able to achieve their dreams unfettered.

Vice President – Rhema Mills

Rhema Mills is an MPH student concentrating in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. She’s a Brooklyn College alumna (Go CUNY!) and also serves as the delegate for CUNY SPH in the University Student Senate. Rhema is extremely passionate about public health, eliminating racial disparities in healthcare, and understanding the complex experiences of women of color with chronic diseases. This school year, she hopes to be an advocate for all SPH students as they navigate their graduate education, ensuring no student is left behind.
In her free time, Rhema enjoys watching movies and television, doing yoga and Pilates, and cooking. As someone who has been plant based for almost 10 years, she loves finding new ways to make her favorite foods healthier. If you ever see her on campus, please say hi!

Treasurer (Fall)– Courtney Cheung

Courtney is a second-year Health Policy and Management student at CUNY SPH. She was born and raised in New York City and studied Biology and Public Health at Boston College. During undergrad, she was part of the Campus Activities Board and the Chinese Student Association, where she enjoyed planning events and bringing students together. While pursuing her master’s now, she also works as a patient treatment coordinator in the city. She enjoys public health because it combines understanding people with practical action, finding ways to make systems work better for different communities. This year, as GSGA Treasurer and Master’s Program Representative, she is excited to focus on making information easier to access and understand so that everyone can stay engaged.

Outside of work and school, Courtney enjoys exploring New York City restaurants, listening to music, and spending time with her turtle!

Treasurer (Spring)– Chinasa Mbanugo

Chinasa Mbanugo is an MPH student concentrating in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. They are an alumna of Columbia University, where they graduated with a BA in Psychology and served as an Orientation Leader and Resident Adviser. Currently, she also serves on the Governance Council as the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Representative.

Chinasa’s research focuses on disease modeling, and she is deeply interested in the intersection of infectious disease epidemiology and environmental epidemiology. Chinasa is most looking forward to creating and supporting diverse programming for students as well as enabling students to feel more connected with their school community. In her free time, she enjoys filmmaking, writing poetry, sculpting, figure skating, and creating plant-based recipes.

Communications Officer – La’quanna Lynah

La’quanna is a first-year MPH candidate, concentrating in Community Health. During undergrad, she was apart of a student presentation group where she enjoyed bringing students together. As the Communications Officer, La’quanna aims to enhance students’ experiences at CUNY SPH by fostering new opportunities and cultivating a stronger sense of community.

Doctoral Senator – Amena El Harakeh

Amena El Harakeh is a doctoral student in the Community Health and Health Policy program at CUNY SPH. She earned her Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from the American University of Beirut (AUB), where she received the Penrose Award for leadership and scholarship and was inducted into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. 

Her research focuses on health disparities among immigrant and Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) populations, particularly in mental health access and outcomes. With a strong background in public health education and research, Amena integrates quantitative, qualitative, and policy approaches to address health inequities. She also teaches as an adjunct instructor and is passionate about mentoring students and fostering inclusive, evidence-based approaches to public health leadership. Amena has also been an active member of the CUNY SPH Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA) for several years, where she has helped organize events for doctoral students, including faculty- and student-led panels on preparing for the doctoral exams. She also contributed to the development of GSGA newsletters and the student website. 

Before joining CUNY SPH, Amena contributed to several World Health Organization–commissioned systematic reviews and COVID-19 evidence syntheses, with studies published in leading journals such as The Lancet and Annals of Internal Medicine. Her broader research interests include global health, migrant and refugee health, health equity, and health policy and systems research. 

Masters Senator – Rubaiya Anika

Rubaiya Anika (Ruby), is the GSA 25-26 Masters senator in the Epi/Bio track. She enjoys how diverse the student body is, from international students to out-of-state students. She joined the GSA to strengthen the student body and instill the CUNY spirit as we strive towards our respective careers. Besides school, she works in a hospital lab and enjoys community service, teaching, painting & everything Fall. She looks forward to seeing and working with you all as a masters senator this year.

Masters Senator – Rayon Chan

Rayon (Ryan) Chan is a Master of Public Health student at CUNY School of Public Health, focusing on Healthcare Policy, Management, and Community Health. He earned his undergraduate degree from York College and has held leadership roles including Student Government President, Peer Mentor in the Impact Mentoring Program, and member of the Student Government Association (SGA).

Ryan is passionate about student advocacy and community engagement, with experience navigating administrative systems and amplifying diverse student voices. As a Master’s Senator, he aims to strengthen student representation, foster collaboration, and create opportunities that support academic success, professional development, and well-being.

Masters Senator – Michelle Liu

Michelle Liu is a 2^nd year online MPH student who is concentrating in epidemiology and biostatistics. She is originally from Dallas, Texas, and enjoys walking her dog and going to the gym in her free time.  

As an online student, Michelle hopes to support GSGA in the 2025-2026 school year by continuing to facilitate open and collaborative communication among the student body, school administration, and its leaders, as well as promoting the interests of the students and the graduate school as a whole.  

Masters Senator (Fall) – Zheidyleen Masso Rodriguez

Zheidyleen Masso-Rodriguez originally from Puerto Rico came to CUNY SPH to pursue her goal of acquiring the knowledge to create a program for more accessible Mental Health services in her country. Zheidyleen received a Counseling Psychology Master’s degree in Puerto Rico in 2024. She is currently in her second-year in the Master’s program specializing in Community Health. She likes to work a lot but always have time to help others. Her passion is helping the low-income communities and Mental Health. Right now she is working in a specialized school for autism and intellectually disabled children in Connecticut putting to practice the Mental Health and advocacy experiences. In her free time, she loves to play videogames online with her friends, travel and go to Mets games. 

Governance Council

Ex Officio – Jessica George
CHSS Rep. – TBD
EOGHS Rep. – Lynn Francis
EPI/BIO Rep. – Chinasa Mbanugo
HPAM Rep. – Rayon Chen
Master’s Program Rep. – Courtney Chung
Doctoral Program Rep. – TBD
Alternates – Jhevanae Langley

Committee for Equity and Inclusion Student Members

Jada George
Milo Ward

Faculty and Student Disciplinary Council (FSDC) Student Members

Michelle Liu
Isabella Villa Real Seabra