Graduate Council and Committees
Stay informed and engaged with the Graduate School's council and committees.
The Graduate Council at the University of Louisville comprises faculty representatives from each unit, along with the President of the Graduate Student Council, and an additional student member from the Graduate Student Council. This assembly meets every two months to review proposals concerning graduate curriculum, set university-wide academic standards for graduate programs, and develop protocols and guidelines for the effective administration of graduate degrees.
Graduate Council Membership
COUNCIL MEMBERS | Term Expiration (June 30th of Year Listed) |
|---|---|
Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs Beth Boehm | |
Associate Dean of the Graduate School Paul DeMarco | |
| Arts and Sciences | |
| Al Futrell | 2027 |
| Frank Kelderman | 2026 |
| Joe Steffen | 2027 (2nd Term) |
| Cristina Tone | 2028 |
| Business | |
| Daniel Bennett | 2027 (2nd Term) |
| Dentistry | |
| Gill Diamond | 2026 (Second Term) |
| Education and Human Development | |
| Evan Frederick | 2027 |
| Chris Greenwell | 2027 |
| Kelli Peck-Parrott | 2028 (2nd Term) |
| Graduate School | |
| Hermann Frieboes | 2028 |
| Medicine | |
| David Samuelson | 2027 |
| Venkatakrishna Jala | 2027 |
| Music | |
| Kirsten Carithers | 2028 |
| Nursing | |
| Lynn Roser | 2027 |
| Public Health and Information Sciences | |
| Natalie DuPre | 2027 (2nd Term) |
TBD | |
| Social Work | |
| Lesley Harris | 2027 |
| Speed School of Engineering | |
| Mike McIntyre | 2027 (3rd Term) |
| Gerold Willing | 2027 (3rd Term) |
COUNCIL MEMBERS | Term Expiration (June 30th of Year Listed) |
| Representing Directors of Graduate Studies | |
| Monica Gentili | 2028 (2nd Term) |
| Brian Guinn | 2027 |
| Sumei (May) Zhang | 2027 |
| Student Government Association | |
| Mifleh Al Araydeh | 2026 |
| Kyle Cook | 2026 |
COUNCIL MEMBERS | Term Expiration (June 30th of Year Listed) |
|---|---|
| Law | |
| Tony Arnold | 2027 |
| Libraries | |
| Courtney Shareef | 2028 |
Standing & External Committees
The Academic Affairs Committee holds the responsibility of evaluating academic policies and suggesting revisions or new policies. Committee members are as follows:
- Beth Boehm, Graduate School
- Brian Guinn, School of Public Health and Information Sciences
- Courtney Kerr, Graduate School
- Michael McIntyre, J.B. Speed School of Engineering
- David Samuelson, School of Medicine
- Joseph Steffen, College of Arts & Sciences
- Sumei (May) Zhang, College of Arts and Sciences
This committee serves as representatives of Graduate Council—focusing on policies and initiatives aimed at fostering the professional growth and well-being of graduate students. This encompasses various endeavors, including enhancing mentoring for graduate students and assessing opportunities for the professional advancement of master's and doctoral candidates. They also make recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School concerning nominations for Faculty Mentorship awards and the Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award. Members of the Professional Development and Welfare Committee include:
- Mifleh Al Araydeh, Graduate Student Council
- Beth Boehm, Graduate School
- Natalie DuPre, School of Public Health and Information Sciences
- Evan Frederick, College of Education and Human Development
- Al Futrell, College of Arts and Sciences
- Venkatakrishna Jala, School of Medicine
- Gerold Willing, J.B. Speed School of Engineering
- Michelle Rodems, Graduate School
Nominations, for those believed to be deserving of an honorary degree, can be made by any person in the academic community and should be sent to the Chair of the Honorary Degrees Committee. The honorary degree recipients may vary in reputation from local to international, could be close friends of the University, or globally recognized figures whose contributions align with the University's mission. Committee members include:
- Beth Boehm, Graduate School
- Lesley Harris, Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science
- Sarah Imhof, Graduate School
- Kelli Peck-Parrott, College of Education and Human Development
- Lynn Roser, School of Nursing
This committee meets to review various Scholarships and Awards that are housed inside the Graduate School, advise the Dean of the Graduate School on matters of financial aid programs for graduate students, and make recommendations concerning honors and awards for graduate students to the Dean of the Graduate School. Members of this committee include:
- Paul DeMarco, Graduate School
- Gill Diamond, School of Dentistry
- Monica Gentili, J.B. Speed School of Engineering
- Sarah Imhof, Graduate School
Academic Program Review
- Chris Greenwell, College of Education and Human Development
- Frank Kelderman, College of Arts & Sciences
Centers and Institutes Review
- Daniel Bennett, College of Business
Meeting Dates & Minutes
August 26, 2025
October 28, 2025
December 2, 2025
February 24, 2026
April 28, 2026
June 23, 2026
September 23, 2025
November 25, 2025
January 27, 2026
March 24, 202
May 26, 2026
- August 27, 2024 - Meeting Minutes
- October 22, 2024 - Meeting Minutes
- December 10, 2024 - Meeting Minutes
- February 25, 2025 - Meeting Minutes
- April 22, 2025 - Meeting Minutes