Graduate Student Association

Graduate Student Association

GSA Mission

The mission of Graduate Student Association is to create more networking opportunities between graduate students, alumni and local professionals, to promote an ambiance of integration between all graduate schools within Point Park University, and foster cross-cultural understanding.

GSA Goal

The goal of Point Park University's Graduate Student Association is to facilitate professional development, cross-industry knowledge-sharing, networking opportunities, educational opportunities and cross-cultural understanding among members from diverse academic, ethnic, and professional backgrounds.

Grow, network and unite with others in the University and beyond.

Executive Board Members for 2024:

Paul McDonald, president

Paul McDonald Jr. is the current Graduate Student Association (GSA) President. Paul is originally from Pittsburgh, but his life’s journey has taken him across the globe. He is currently working towards his master's degree in Athletic Coaching & Administration.

Paul was a college dropout in 2003 but turned his life around by joining the Army in December 2004. After serving, Paul received his associate's degree in Liberal Arts, a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a focus in marketing and grant writing and a certificate of professional writing. 

As president, Paul is committed to developing a community of graduate students, offering events on and off campus, enhancing networking opportunities, and creating a grant program.

He invites students to join in as many GSA events as possible and reach out to him with questions, comments or concerns.

My name is Rae Arrington-Epperson, and I have a degree in communication studies and minor in coaching. I have amassed oral and written communication skills and developed expertise in coaching, conditioning, and organizing sport programs. I graduated in December 2023 and leverage my skills at Point Park as I obtain a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Beyond this formal study, I am pursuing my entrepreneurial endeavors in photography, coaching, motivational speaking, cooking and clothing design.

My biggest accomplishment thus far is making it out of my urban community as an individual in foster care. My childhood experiences have shaped who I am today and inform where I intend to go in the future. I love to capture every moment because time is an essence, and the beauty of that is to capture it. So, I have developed a love for capturing photos and documenting life experiences. 

My heart is with the youth and community - everything I aspire to do and achieve is connected to my passion for the community and youth in similar situations as mine. I am dedicated to coaching youth on and off the court and helping them access resources and opportunities. Public speaking is one of my greatest strengths and one way I share my story and advocate for youth, especially system-involved youth. Despite my experiences within the foster care system, my family has always been my why - my why to keep going and my why to give back. Because of my own life experiences and the values my mom instilled in me, I always try to help those less fortunate, give to the homeless, and assist anyone in a difficult situation.

Katherine Greissinger is the current Treasurer of the Graduate Student Association and is in her first year of studying towards an M.A. in the Broadcasting, Sports Media, Documentary program at Point Park University. She is involved with UView Television, the Sports Communication Club, and Point Park Esports. She is also the President Pro Tempore of Point Park’s Student Government, a student assistant for the Point Park University Office for Violence Against Women, and a graduate assistant for the Sports Media department in the School of Communication.

She received her B.S. degree in Health Sciences from Gannon University. Since then, she has worked as a host, a producer, a dancer, and an editor.  She hopes to also obtain her MBA.

I am completing my MBA on an Academic and Athletic scholarship while competing on the University women's soccer team. I am interning with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as both their Operations and Marketing Intern.

I am an experienced musician, social media manager, photographer and marketing executive, with a B.A. in Music from the University of York and a year's experience working as the Marketing Officer & Social Media Manager at St. Peter’s School in York, the fourth oldest school in the world. In this role, I took full responsibility of running and creating content for all six social media channels on a daily basis.

I am both a natural leader and a team player, and I look forward to growing personally and professionally while studying in the US. I have an incredible work ethic, and will always be willing to go the extra mile to ensure tasks are completed to the fullest. I believe, in any environment, efficiency and transparency to be the keys to success. In all I have ever done, and will continue to do, I ensure both are always at the forefront.

Contact Us:

Email: gsa@pointpark.edu or Jesse DiMeglio at jrdimeg@pointpark.edu

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