Policy Advocacy Committee

The Policy Advocacy Committee shall consist of the USGA Advocacy Director, who shall serve as its Chair, and as many other members of the USGA Senate necessary to accomplish the goals of the USGA, but at least two members.

The Advocacy Director will work with USMSC representatives and respective Advocacy Director to determine what legislation, both state and federal, may have an impact on higher education.

The committee shall remain informed about relevant legislation, and will report to the USGA Senate at every meeting of the Senate.

Responsibilities include researching legislation and determining the policy proposals that the Senate views as priorities, and organizing student action on the determined priorities.

Committee Leader

Headshot of the advocacy director of USGA Rochelle Matheson

Rochelle Matheson
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
umb.usga.advocacydirector@umaryland.edu
Dept. of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitative Science
School of Medicine

Rochelle Lauzon-Matheson is a 2nd-year Physical Therapy student in the School of Medicine. She earned a BS in Biology from Towson University in Towson, MD. Currently, she also volunteers with the Vestibular Disorders Association as one of their Ambassadors. When Rochelle is not busy studying, she enjoys spending time with her 2 children, and getting outdoors whenever possible!

Committee Members

Adedola Adebamowo
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
PhD Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Graduate School
aadebamowo@som.umaryland.edu 

 

Courtney Cohen
Pronouns:
Undergraduate School of Nursing
ccohen@umaryland.edu

Elemia Crankfield

Elemia Crankfield
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
School of Law
elemia.crankfield@umaryland.edu

Elemia Crankfield is a 2nd-year JD student at the School of Law. She earned a BA in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration from Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina. Currently, Elemia also volunteers at Back on my Feet. When Elemia is not busy studying, she enjoys running and exploring different coffee shops in Baltimore.

 

Class of 2026 Senator

Nour Elsheemy
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Doctor of Pharmacy program
School of Pharmacy
nour.elsheemy@umaryland.edu 

 

Kelly Grover
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
DNP- Psychiatric Mental Health
School of Nursing
Kgrover@umaryland.edu 

Kelly Grover (she/her) is a third-year DNP student at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, specializing in psychiatric-mental health. She has Bachelor of Science degrees in resource economics, focusing on business management and nursing from the University of Maryland College Park and Global Campus. She has been an emergency room nurse in Silver Spring for over five years and is a graduate research assistant with UMSON. When not studying, she enjoys playing with her two-year-old Cocker Spaniel, hiking, participating in and watching sports, and volunteering.

Aya Hemsas
Pronouns: 
Undergraduate School of Nursing
ahemsas@umaryland.edu

Ifeatu Ugonna Menakaya

Ifeatu Ugonna Menakaya
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Doctor of Pharmacy program
School of Pharmacy
imenakaya@umaryland.edu

Ifeatu Ugonna Menakaya is a 2nd-year PharmD student at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. He earned a BA in Chemistry from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Currently, he also works as a pharmacy technician at MedStar Harbor Hospital. When he is not busy studying, he enjoys watching football.

Genevieve Paliga

Genevieve Paliga
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Masters of Social Work
School of Social Work
gapaliga@umaryland.edu 

Genevieve Paliga is a first year MSW student at University of Maryland Baltimore. Her preferred pronouns are she, her, and hers. She earned a BS in sociology and environmental studies from Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Currently, Genevieve Paliga is a full-time Masters degree student that interns at Heart to Hand a nonprofit organization, supporting those who have been infected and affected by sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV and STDs. Some hobbies and activities that she enjoy when she is not studying is reading books for fun and going for runs.

Jess Regam
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
MSN Nursing Informatics
School of Nursing
jregam@umaryland.edu 

Jess Regam is a 2nd-year MSN student at the Graduate School of Nursing. She earned a BSN from Drexel University in Philadelphia. When she is not busy studying, she enjoys to travel, practice yoga, and play chess.