GAPSA Leadership
Meruyert Bizhanova
President
Meruyert (Meru) is honored to serve as the President of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is committed to advancing student advocacy and leadership. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership at the Graduate School of Education, Meruyert brings a deep passion for educational equity and leadership to her role.
Originally from Kazakhstan, Meruyert completed her Bachelor’s degree at Nazarbayev University, where she built a strong foundation in educational leadership. During her undergraduate studies, she actively contributed to key decision-making bodies, including the Academic Council, Learning and Teaching Committee, and Academic Quality Enhancement Committee, playing a vital role in shaping institutional policies and initiatives.
Guided by her motto, "Love what you do, do what you love," Meruyert is deeply committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive student community at Penn. As a minority within the minority, she is particularly dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for graduate and professional students, where they feel heard, valued, and empowered. Prior to her current role, she served as Director of International Student Affairs at GAPSA, where she worked to amplify the voices of international students and ensure their perspectives were integral to university policies and programming. Through her leadership, Meruyert strives to cultivate a profound sense of belonging for all students at UPenn.