Committee Chairs 2025 – 2026
Xixellonje Nebihu, Equity of Funds (EoF) Chair
Program: Ph.D. Language, Literacy and Culture
Hometown: Kosova
Previous Degree(s): Master of Education (James Madison University)
Favorite Quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world”
Official Email: gsaeof@umbc.edu
Arya Honraopatil, Graduate Experiences, Achievements, and Research Successes (GEARS) Chair
Program: Ph.D. Computer Science
Hometown: Pune, India
Previous Degree(s): B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Computer Science
Favorite Quote: To live is to experience things, not sit around pondering the meaning of life.
Official Email: gsagears@umbc.edu
Milind Rampure, Graduate Assistant Advisory Committee (GAAC) Chair
Program: MS Information Systems
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Previous Degree (s): Bachelor Of Technology Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (Mumbai, India)
Favorite Quote: “Believe in yourself and everything is possible”—Abel Tesfaye
Official Email: gsagaac@umbc.edu
Linda Appeynarh, Strategic Planning Committee Chair
Program: Ph.D. Public Policy
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Previous Degree(s): MPhil. Economics, BA Economics
Favorite Quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better”— Maya Angelou
Official Email: gsasecretary@umbc.edu
Hima Mansi Nagabhirava, Grant Review Panel (GRP) Chair
Program: Human Centered Computing
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Previous Degree(s): Bachelors of Design
Favorite Quote: “Learning never exhausts the mind” — Leonardo da Vinci
Official Email: gsagrants@umbc.edu
Saad Khan, Chief of Staff
Program: Ph.D. Information Systems
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Previous Degree(s): MS Data Science, BS Computer Science
Favorite Quote: “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock” —Thomas Jefferson
Official Email: gsachiefstaff@umbc.edu