The Presidency & Delegates
We are the presidency and Delegates of BYU Graduate Student Society! We look forward to meeting you and helping make your experience at BYU a fulfilling one.
Carlos Moreno, President
MMBIO, PhD
Gatesville, Texas
cmoren22@byu.edu
512-966-0186
Gatesville, Texas
cmoren22@byu.edu
512-966-0186
Taylor Gent, VP of Operations
MACC, MA
Pahrump, Nevada
genttw@byu.edu
775-419-4434
Pahrump, Nevada
genttw@byu.edu
775-419-4434
Ashley T. Pun, VP of Events
Communications MA
Denver, Colorado
ashleytz@byu.edu
971-717-4368
Denver, Colorado
ashleytz@byu.edu
971-717-4368
Lacey Hamilton, VP of Engagement
Humanities, English
Rexburg, Idaho
laceyh52@byu.edu
208-303-7513
Rexburg, Idaho
laceyh52@byu.edu
208-303-7513
BYU Graduate Student Society Delegates
Graduate Studies is committed to establishing a strong network connecting graduate students across campus. Graduate Student Society Delegates serve as student advocates, providing a stable and consistent connection from the students in their respective colleges directly to the BYUGSS presidency. Likewise, they will serve the reverse role as conduits of information from the BYUGSS Presidency to students in their college.
We encourage you to reach out to your designated delegate with any concerns, questions, or issues you may have regarding graduate students in your respective colleges. Please use them as a resource to better understand the needs of your graduate students!
The delegates selected for each college/position are as follows:
Graduate Student Society Delegates
Nicole Francis
Degree: Masters in Comparative Studies
My name is Nicole Francis, I’m from Kuna, Idaho. I love Classical literature, racquetball, the Apostle Paul, and tootsie rolls.
Humanities
gss-humanities-delegate@byu.edu
My name is Nicole Francis, I’m from Kuna, Idaho. I love Classical literature, racquetball, the Apostle Paul, and tootsie rolls.
Humanities
gss-humanities-delegate@byu.edu
Camila Lenker
Degree: Juris Doctor
Hi! My name is Camila Lenker, and I’m the student delegate for BYU Law. As an advocate for our diverse graduate community, my main goal is to ensure that the unique needs of our students are not just heard, but prioritized. I believe in creating a safe, fun, and uplifting environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their needs and seeking support. When I’m not reading and doing school work, you can find me cooking, enjoying a run, or spending quality time with my loved ones. While that’s a small snippet of who I am, my main focus is to foster connections and being a helping hand for all students! I hope this year I can help keep BYU not just a place of excellence, but also a place that is enjoyable and that helps others grow. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns, and let’s have a fantastic academic year!
Law
gss-law-delegate@byu.edu
Hi! My name is Camila Lenker, and I’m the student delegate for BYU Law. As an advocate for our diverse graduate community, my main goal is to ensure that the unique needs of our students are not just heard, but prioritized. I believe in creating a safe, fun, and uplifting environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their needs and seeking support. When I’m not reading and doing school work, you can find me cooking, enjoying a run, or spending quality time with my loved ones. While that’s a small snippet of who I am, my main focus is to foster connections and being a helping hand for all students! I hope this year I can help keep BYU not just a place of excellence, but also a place that is enjoyable and that helps others grow. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns, and let’s have a fantastic academic year!
Law
gss-law-delegate@byu.edu
Sydney Sithole
Degree: PhD Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Hi! My name is Sidney Sithole and I am the GSS delegate for the College of Life Sciences. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe and moved to BYU with my wife and two children (now three) in Fall 2022. I am a Molecular Virologist studying for a PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Biology. I love it here and the least I can do is help others have an awesome graduate experience.
Life Science
gss-life-sciences-delegate@byu.edu
Hi! My name is Sidney Sithole and I am the GSS delegate for the College of Life Sciences. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe and moved to BYU with my wife and two children (now three) in Fall 2022. I am a Molecular Virologist studying for a PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Biology. I love it here and the least I can do is help others have an awesome graduate experience.
Life Science
gss-life-sciences-delegate@byu.edu
Brenden Smith
Degree: Masters in Computer Science
Hi! My name is Brenden Smith. I am researching the development of language model AI, a field affecting graduate students of all disciplines.
Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences
gss-cpms-delegate@byu.edu
Hi! My name is Brenden Smith. I am researching the development of language model AI, a field affecting graduate students of all disciplines.
Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences
gss-cpms-delegate@byu.edu
Dwayne Clement
Degree: MA Chaplaincy
I am a Navy Veteran and love serving our great country. I am originally from Flagstaff Arizona and met my wife while attending Northern Arizona University. We have been married for 23 wonderful years and have five amazing children. Our eldest daughter is currently serving as a missionary in the Anchorage Alaska Mission. While serving in the Navy we have been stationed all over the United States including Virginia, Tennessee, and Washington. I served as a missile technician on an Aircraft Carrier and a Destroyer. I enjoy playing all kinds of sports and being outdoors. I am excited to continue my service as a chaplain and am grateful for the awesome learning provided through the Chaplaincy program here at BYU.
Religion
gss-religious-delegate@byu.edu
I am a Navy Veteran and love serving our great country. I am originally from Flagstaff Arizona and met my wife while attending Northern Arizona University. We have been married for 23 wonderful years and have five amazing children. Our eldest daughter is currently serving as a missionary in the Anchorage Alaska Mission. While serving in the Navy we have been stationed all over the United States including Virginia, Tennessee, and Washington. I served as a missile technician on an Aircraft Carrier and a Destroyer. I enjoy playing all kinds of sports and being outdoors. I am excited to continue my service as a chaplain and am grateful for the awesome learning provided through the Chaplaincy program here at BYU.
Religion
gss-religious-delegate@byu.edu
Bobo Choi
Degree: Masters in Information Systems
Hi, my name is Bobo and I'm currently pursuing my Master's in Information Systems. When I'm not diving into my studies, you'll probably find me experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, belting out my favorite tunes, or finding my zen at Pilates class. I absolutely love learning and problem-solving – whether it's absorbing knowledge from my professors or picking up life lessons from the amazing people around me. Nothing makes me happier than forming genuine connections with others, and I'm really looking forward to both contributing to and growing alongside our incredible graduate student community.
Business
gss-marriott-delegate@byu.edu
Hi, my name is Bobo and I'm currently pursuing my Master's in Information Systems. When I'm not diving into my studies, you'll probably find me experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, belting out my favorite tunes, or finding my zen at Pilates class. I absolutely love learning and problem-solving – whether it's absorbing knowledge from my professors or picking up life lessons from the amazing people around me. Nothing makes me happier than forming genuine connections with others, and I'm really looking forward to both contributing to and growing alongside our incredible graduate student community.
Business
gss-marriott-delegate@byu.edu
Veronica Merritt
Degree: Masters in Religious Education
My name is Veronica Merritt. My priorities and contribution to the BYU Graduate Student Society are intellectual, spiritual, and social wellness!
Belonging
GSS-Belonging-Delegate@byu.edu
My name is Veronica Merritt. My priorities and contribution to the BYU Graduate Student Society are intellectual, spiritual, and social wellness!
Belonging
GSS-Belonging-Delegate@byu.edu
Dainne Clave
Degree: Master of Social Work
Dainne Clave is from Bicol, Philippines, and serves as the delegate for the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. Currently in her second year of the Social Work Master’s program, she is gaining practical experience as a therapist intern at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family Services. In her free time, Dainne enjoys taking naps, watching TV shows, working out, running, hiking, and exploring the outdoors with her husband.
Family Studies
gss-fhss-delegate@byu.edu
Dainne Clave is from Bicol, Philippines, and serves as the delegate for the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. Currently in her second year of the Social Work Master’s program, she is gaining practical experience as a therapist intern at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family Services. In her free time, Dainne enjoys taking naps, watching TV shows, working out, running, hiking, and exploring the outdoors with her husband.
Family Studies
gss-fhss-delegate@byu.edu
Kailey Thompson
Degree: Mass Communications
My name is Kailey Thompson and I am currently studying mass communications at BYU. I am currently applying to Ph. D programs in communications. I love to run, read, and shop at TJ Maxx.
Fine Arts/Communications
gss-finearts-delegate@byu.edu
My name is Kailey Thompson and I am currently studying mass communications at BYU. I am currently applying to Ph. D programs in communications. I love to run, read, and shop at TJ Maxx.
Fine Arts/Communications
gss-finearts-delegate@byu.edu
Muhammed Taha
Degree: PhD Mechanical Engineering
Hi, my name is Taha, and I’m thrilled to serve as the Graduate Student Society (GSS) delegate for Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering. I'm here to connect you with resources, share info on events and opportunities, and listen to your ideas or concerns so I can better represent you. As an international student, I’m also happy to chat about any questions unique to your experience. And, if you need a workout buddy, you can catch me in the BYU fitness center every evening. Looking forward to a great year together!
Engineering
gss-engineering-delegate@byu.edu
Hi, my name is Taha, and I’m thrilled to serve as the Graduate Student Society (GSS) delegate for Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering. I'm here to connect you with resources, share info on events and opportunities, and listen to your ideas or concerns so I can better represent you. As an international student, I’m also happy to chat about any questions unique to your experience. And, if you need a workout buddy, you can catch me in the BYU fitness center every evening. Looking forward to a great year together!
Engineering
gss-engineering-delegate@byu.edu
Dorian Huang
Degree: Masters in Comparative Studies
I am from Taiwan/Canada and I enjoy finding adventures! I love traveling and trying new things. A few current things on my bucket list is to go canyoneering, write a song, and learn a few more languages. I love to organize events and make meaningful connections; hopefully I get to meet you at one of the GSS events :)
Events
byugss@byu.edu
I am from Taiwan/Canada and I enjoy finding adventures! I love traveling and trying new things. A few current things on my bucket list is to go canyoneering, write a song, and learn a few more languages. I love to organize events and make meaningful connections; hopefully I get to meet you at one of the GSS events :)
Events
byugss@byu.edu
Sebastian Valencia Amores
Degree: Cell Biology & Physiology
Hi! My name is Sebastian Valencia Amores. I was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. I lived in Panama city, Panama as a teenager and later served an ecclesiastical mission for the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints in Honduras. I am currently researching the fields of cardiac tissue engineering and gene regulatory networks. I love my research, nature, watching a good movie, and learning languages. I learned English in Panama, and Portuguese in Salt Lake City. Happy to help fellow international BYU graduate students navigate the BYU graduate experience, so please reach out.
International
gss-intlstudents-delegate@byu.edu
Hi! My name is Sebastian Valencia Amores. I was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. I lived in Panama city, Panama as a teenager and later served an ecclesiastical mission for the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints in Honduras. I am currently researching the fields of cardiac tissue engineering and gene regulatory networks. I love my research, nature, watching a good movie, and learning languages. I learned English in Panama, and Portuguese in Salt Lake City. Happy to help fellow international BYU graduate students navigate the BYU graduate experience, so please reach out.
International
gss-intlstudents-delegate@byu.edu
Amanda Ball
Degree: Family Nurse Practitioner
Love my big family! Worked as a Pediatric Registered Nurse for the last 4 years and absolutely love being a nurse. Love the outdoors, sports, music, and life! Excited to be back at BYU to learn and serve!
Nursing
gss-nursing-delegate@byu.edu
Love my big family! Worked as a Pediatric Registered Nurse for the last 4 years and absolutely love being a nurse. Love the outdoors, sports, music, and life! Excited to be back at BYU to learn and serve!
Nursing
gss-nursing-delegate@byu.edu
Annie Brown
Degree: MS Instructional Psychology
Annie Kiele Brown is a second-year graduate student in Instructional Psychology & Technology at BYU, where she also earned her Bachelor’s degree in Product Design. With a diverse background spanning tech and academia, Annie brings experience from multiple roles in both industries. She is passionate about bridging the gap between scholarly rigor and industry-grade design, striving to research and create products that exemplify both. Annie aims to build her career as a UX Researcher, with a long-term goal of pursuing a doctorate and ultimately joining the faculty of a top-ranked university to inspire and contribute to future innovations and innovators in her field.
Education
gss-education-delegate@byu.edu