Important: Interest forms will not open until February 16, 2026.

Graduate & Professional Student Government (GPSG) invites all interested graduate and professional students to participate in the 2026–2027 Executive Core and Director Elections. Elections are held during GPSG Legislative Meetings and help shape the future of graduate and professional student advocacy at the University of Iowa. 

Below you will find application timelines, eligibility information, and important dates for both Executive Core and Director positions.

Please contact GPSG (gpsg@uiowa.edu) with any questions about the elections.

Elections Process

  • Step 1: Candidates will submit an Election Interest Form via Engage. 
    • The election interest form includes their information, what position(s) they are seeking, their Resume/CV, and a brief statement of interest for the position.
    • (Please note there are separate forms for Executive Core Positions and Director Positions)
  • Step 2: Candidates will be invited to the GPSG election (during the March or April GPSG meeting) to give a brief speech about their goals and interests and to answer questions from the GPSG delegates.
  • Step 3: The delegates will vote, and candidates will know the results the night of their election.

Election Interest Form Platform 

All submissions for Executive Core and Director Elections will be collected through Engage, beginning February 16. Students will be able to submit required materials directly through the official Engage form. No submissions will be accepted via email.

Election Eligibility

Eligibility for the GPSG Election is outlined below. Candidate eligibility will be verified by the Office of the Dean of Students.

  • Students must be registered solely in a post-baccalaureate degree-granting program (master's degree, PhD, or other professional degree) in order to run.
  • Students must be able to fill the position for the full academic year. Students who will graduate in the fall semester are not eligible.
  • Students who have not completed their undergraduate degree are not eligible for GPSG elections, even if they have been admitted to a graduate or professional program at the University of Iowa. This includes seniors who will graduate this spring.
  • Students who will complete their undergraduate degree at another institution are not eligible for GPSG elections, even if they have been admitted to a graduate or professional program at the University of Iowa. This includes seniors who will graduate this spring. 

Special Eligibility for the President and Vice President Positions

  • Eligibility for GPSG Presidency and Vice-Presidency shall alternate between graduate and professional students each year, and the student classification eligible for the GPSG President position shall not also be eligible for the Vice President position.
  • For the 2026-2027 academic year:
    • President: Graduate Student
    • Vice President: Professional Student
  • All other positions are equally open to graduate and professional students.  

Special Eligibility for U2G Students
  • Students in their blended year of the U2G program (in their final year of their undergraduate program/their first year of their graduate program) who will be full-time graduate students in the following academic year are eligible for GPSG elections.
  • If a U2G student is elected and does not have their bachelor’s degree conferred in May following the election and/or does not continue their U2G graduate program at the University of Iowa in the subsequent term, the student will forfeit their elected position.
  • Students who have been admitted to a U2G program but will not begin graduate coursework until next fall are not eligible for the GPSG election.

Special Eligibility for Current University of Iowa Students Admitted to 1-Year Master's Programs
  • Current University of Iowa students, not in a U2G program, who will have their bachelor’s degree conferred upon them in May following the election, and who have been admitted to a one-year master’s program at the University of Iowa, are eligible for GPSG elections.
  • If an admitted student is elected and does not have their bachelor’s degree conferred in May following the election and/or does not begin their graduate/professional program at the University of Iowa in the subsequent term, they will forfeit their elected position. 

Executive Core Elections

GPSG’s Senior Executive Team provides high-level leadership, strategic direction, and campus-wide representation for graduate and professional students. The positions include:

  • President* (Must be filled by a graduate student for the 2026-2027 academic year)
  • Vice President* (Must be filled by a professional student for the 2026-2027 academic year)
  • Cabinet Director
  • Finance Director

Election Date 

March 24, 2026 

During the GPSG Legislative Meeting (7:00–9:00 PM) 

Election Interest Form 

Opens: February 16, 2026 

Deadline: March 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST 

Executive Core Interest Form

Director Elections

GPSG Directors lead committees and oversee key functional areas such as communications, diversity, sustainability, health, outreach, and more. The positions include:

  • Communications Director
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Director
  • Government Relations Director
  • GPAC Director
  • Grants Director
  • International Affairs Director
  • Interprofessional Development Director
  • Mental Health Director
  • Physical Health and Safety Director
  • Sustainability Director

Election Date

April 21, 2026 

During the GPSG Legislative Meeting (7:00–9:00 PM)

Election Interest Form 

Opens: February 16, 2026 

Deadline: April 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST 

Director Interest Form

GPSG Elections FAQs

Will you accept late applications?

No. We encourage students to complete their application early in order to prevent any technical issues from arising. No exceptions will be made.

I am a U2G student. Am I eligible to run?
  • Students in their blended year of the U2G program (in their final year of their undergraduate program/their first year of their graduate program) who will be full-time graduate students in the following academic year are eligible for GPSG elections.
  • If a U2G student is elected and does not have their bachelor’s degree conferred in May following the election and/or does not continue their U2G graduate program at the University of Iowa in the subsequent term, the student will forfeit their elected position.
  • Students who have been admitted to a U2G program but will not begin graduate coursework until next fall are not eligible for the GPSG election.

I am unable to attend the election date. Can I still run?

Please contact GPSG (gpsg@uiowa.edu) about your situation.

How many positions can I run for?

Candidates may run for as many positions as they would like as long as they are eligible.

I am an online or distance student. Can I run for a position?

While online or distance students are not prohibited from holding positions in GPSG, most work and meetings are done in person. It would be extremely difficult to fulfill the duties of these roles online or from a distance.

I will be away from campus for part of the year. Am I still eligible to run?

While being temporarily away from campus does not prohibit a student from holding positions in GPSG, most work and meetings are done in person. It would be extremely difficult to fulfill the duties of these roles online or from a distance. We encourage students to consider how long they will be away from campus (ex. A few weeks or a whole semester) before running.

I ran for an Executive Core position but was not elected. Can I run for a director position?

Yes! As long as candidates submit the interest form by the deadline, they are able to run in the director elections.

How else can I be involved in GPSG?

Please see our Get Involved page.