I'm Liz Cote and I grew up in the small town of Pelham New Hampshire. Before pursuing my Ph.D. in Chemistry here at UMass, I completed both my Undergraduate and Masters degree at the University of New Haven in West Haven Connecticut studying forensic science and chemistry. I am excited to serve as an associate justice to help our ever-growing GSG community and I look forward to working with our graduate student leaders to foster a well balanced and active government. Outside of the GSG I serve as the co-president of the Association for Professional Development in Chemistry. Outside of academics I enjoy crochet, riding a motorcycle, as well as spending time in nature.
Kendrick Backmon is a Ph.D. in Political Science student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research and writing focus on civil rights, education policy, and constitutional law. He is the Founding President of the American Civil Liberties Union college chapter at the University of South Carolina, where he also served as a distinguished college senator. He became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court for the Graduate Student Government at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on October 18th, 2024. Before joining the Amherst community, Kendrick interned on Capitol Hill in the United States Senate. He then began graduate study at Cornell University in 2019 where he wrote a graduate thesis about education law and civil rights. After graduating from Cornell, Kendrick studied at Harvard University where he was an Equity and Inclusion Fellow and an M.ED. student. After teaching his third cohort for a leadership capstone in 2024, he was inspired to serve as an Associate Justice. On November 1, 2024, Kendrick was elected Inaugural Chief Justice by his fellow Justices on the GSG Supreme Court. Kendrick is a seasoned Student Government official with service spanning from 2008 to 2018 in various roles. He is honored and delighted to serve the graduate student population as a member of the GSG Supreme Court.
I’m Nina Fernandes, a 5th-year PhD candidate in Epidemiology in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, where I research health inequities impacting neurodivergent queer populations. I grew up in Massachusetts and have lived in New York and Hartford, CT. I studied Economics at New York University before I was forced out of higher education by the Financial Collapse of 2008. I worked in service industry jobs for a decade before completing my B.S. in Public Health and Nutrition Sciences at CUNY Brooklyn College in December of 2019. My experience as a “non-traditional” transfer student and working-class laborer has informed how I think about the University and how it meets students’ needs. In addition to the GSG, I am a shop steward for GEO for the Epidemiology department.
My name is Bukola Babayeju, and I was born and raised in Nigeria. Holds a Bachelor of Science and a master’s degree in industrial relations and Personnel Management from the University of Lagos, as well as a Master’s in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in International Education at the University of Massachusetts. My professional interests lie in promoting equitable access to quality education and addressing systemic issues through comprehensive policy reforms, rigorous research, and advocacy efforts. In my role as an associate judge, I look forward to upholding transparency, integrity, and a commitment to justice in every decision rendered. I am a member of the Flexible Educational Steering Committee, where I participate in discussions and strategies to enhance the accessibility and adaptability of educational offerings at UMass. This involvement has broadened my perspective on creating flexible learning environments that align with student needs.
Hello, I'm Fayaaz Khan, and I'm excited to serve as one of the Justices with the Graduate Student Government at UMass Amherst. Originally from India, I'm a Master’s candidate in Business Analytics at the Isenberg School of Management. My interests lie in promoting initiatives that empower our graduate community, particularly through stronger engagement and resources for international students. I’ve also been actively involved in the GSG’s re branding efforts and am always eager to find ways to help our community thrive. Outside of data and analytics, you can probably find me at a local coffee spot, doing some “research” on the best brews in town. If you’re ever up for chatting about grad life or just need a coffee suggestion, feel free to reach out!
