University of Chicago Bookstore Building
970 East 58th Street, Room 401
Chicago, Illinois 60637 GradLounge@uchicago.edu
(773) 834-2093
The Graduate Student Lounge is home base for UChicago’s graduate student population. Located on the fourth floor of the UChicago Bookstore, The Lounge is a space where graduate students from across programs can drop in for individual study, small-group collaboration, and socializing.
In addition to two reservable meeting spaces, we feature a quiet space, kitchenette with daily refrigeration service, free daily locker rentals, coffee, tea, and light snacks. We also house the offices of the Diversity Advisory Board and the Graduate Student Council.
The Graduate Student Lounge is managed by Kevin Bryant and supported by a team of Graduate Service Specialists, who serve as resources for campus information and services.
Reservations may be made at the Graduate Student Lounge Information Desk or via e-mail at GradLounge@uchicago.edu.
Reservations requested via e-mail are not valid until the requestor receives a confirmation e-mail.
To ensure student access to the spaces, we limit reservations to 1 hour.
If the room is free at the conclusion of the reservation, the individual may reserve the room again.
Please note that one may reserve a room for no more than 3 consecutive hours. Please note that spaces may only be reserved by current University of Chicago graduate students.
Lounge Room 405 is a “smart” conference room, perfect for virtual meetings, small study sessions, meetings, and presentations. Room occupancy must be limited to six individuals.
Lounge Room 411 is a space best suited for small study sessions and meetings. Room occupancy must be limited to six individuals.
Reservations must be made at the Graduate Student Lounge Information Desk.
Reservations run throughout the day until the close of the Graduate Student Lounge each day.
Unclaimed items will be removed at 5 PM each day. Please note that spaces may only be reserved by current University of Chicago graduate students.
Grad Lounge Room 405
Grad Lounge Room 411
Saloni Bhardwaj
Graduate Program: MPP at the Harris School of Public Policy
Hometown: Vadodara, India
Education: Vellore Institute of Technology
I’m currently pursuing my Masters in Public Policy with a focus in data science and hope to work toward ensuring equity within education and healthcare systems. I’m passionate about feminist theory and social justice–especially gender justice. In my spare time, you can find me reading, listening to a podcast, mindlessly scrolling on my phone (Guilty!) or spending time outdoors. I also love cooking for myself and others and having meaningful conversations with my friends.
Tanya Estrada Gomez
Graduate Program: Dual Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Social Work
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Education: California State University, Northridge; B.A. Criminology & Justice Studies
In addition to pursuing a dual master’s degree in Public Policy and Social Work, I am seeking certificates in Latin American & Caribbean Studies and International Policy & Development. My policy and research interests lie at the intersections of immigration, gender-based violence, and social inequality. I am currently interning for the International Organization for Adolescents (IOFA) and Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI). As an intern for these organizations, I support administration and programming teams to address both sex and labor trafficking in the U.S and to strengthen the power and voice of low-income and working families. Along with working as a GSS, I am also a Building Manager at the Center for Identity and Inclusion where students can receive resources from the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Student Support Services, and LGBTQ Student Life.
Lilly Gullickson
Graduate Program: Master of Public Policy
Hometown: Eagan, MN
Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison; B.B.A. Entrepreneurship and Risk Management
I am a first year MPP student and my policy focus is on education and social inequality. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May 2022, and studied entrepreneurship and risk management with an educational services certificate. Outside of school I am a second year Don Lavoie fellow at George Mason University, and a member of the UChicagoGRAD Diversity Advisory Board. My life goal is to become a social entrepreneur and create businesses with social impact. Until I reach that goal, I am interested in gaining experience in consulting and policy analysis. In my free time I enjoy playing with my cat Lola, facetiming my family, hanging out with friends, and finding new shows on Netflix. A fun fact about me is I bartend at The Cove Lounge on the weekends.
Menna Hassan
Graduate Program: Master of Science in Molecular Engineering
Hometown: West Lafayette, Indiana
Education: Purdue University; B.S. Computer Engineering
I am a second year Master’s student in PME studying the computation materials modeling track. My main interests are in simulation design and application for classical and quantum materials. Outside of classes I have been enjoying exploring Chicago and all the delicious food here!
Christelle Inema
Graduate Program: Master of Public Policy, Harris School of Public Policy
Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda
Education: Soka University of America, Social Behavioral Sciences, B.A.
I am interested in how to use data and statistical methods to create equitable policy. My goal is to eventually take the skills I learned from Harris and UChicago in general back to Rwanda.
Fun fact about me is I love hiking. Five years ago, I hiked 400 miles in Spain for the Camino de Santiago.
Marissa Jones
Graduate Program: MPP at the Harris School of Public Policy
Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky
Education: Case Western Reserve University, B.A.
Currently, my focus is health policy, specifically the intersection between race and healthcare. Since receiving my bachelor’s in Sociology, I have loved learning about ways to address social determinants of health and to ensure health equity for all. In my spare time, I can be found with my nose in a book, crocheting, or playing with my cat!
Yi (Lisa) Li
Graduate Program: Master of Public Policy
Hometown: Beijing, China
Education: UIUC, Champaign, Illinois; B.S., Mathematics, Sociology, and Economics
I am pursuing my master’s in public policy to start my career in data or research analysis. In my spare time, I love to watch YouTube or cook, as well as try different restaurants. My favorite legendary singer is Michael Jackson! I admire his talents and generous contribution to charity.
Vijay Krishna
Graduate Program: Master’s program in Analytics
Hometown: India
Education: Bachelor’s in Engineering
I am a graduate student in the analytics program within PSD. After graduation I intend to work in a tech role focusing on latest cloud technologies. In my free time, I love going out for movies, exploring new places and meeting new people.
Fun fact: I am fluent in three languages.
Margot Rice
Graduate Program: Master’s Program (AM/MSW) in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration
Hometown: Barnstable, Massachusetts
Education: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; B.A., Political Science
I am a second-year full time student in the Crown Family School of Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration. During my undergraduate career I studied political science and gender & health, focusing on the intersection of gender with the law and health policy. As a clinical social work student, I am now studying to become a therapist with the intention of serving adult LGBTQ+ populations. Outside of school, I love dancing with friends, spending time by the lake, and exploring the different neighborhoods of Chicago.
Priscilla Ramos Rico
Graduate Program: Master of Arts Program in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Education: The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio; B.A., Sociology
I am a second year student at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. I am pursuing my Master’s in Clinical Social Work and currently doing my field placement at Advocate Illinois Masonic in their Pediatric Developmental Center; I’m a social work intern working with children with different developmental disabilities. After graduation, I hope to work with children and youth, from minority communities, focusing on community behavioral mental health. When I’m not working or in classes, I love spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy spending time with my partner and our dog Sunny, watching Netflix, and trying out new foods and restaurants. A fun fact about me is that I love traveling and exploring places I haven’t been to before.
Carolyn Schafer-Geurin
Graduate Program: Masters in Social Work, Social Administration
Hometown: White Lake, MI
Education: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI; B.A. Hospitality Business
Social worker with interests in international human rights and specifically incarceration. Hyde Park transplant. Enjoy reading, live music, and college sports!
Fun fact: This year alone, I’ve been to 20 concerts and a 3-day music festival!
Aishwarya Sivaramakrishnan
Graduate Program: Master of Public Policy (MPP), Harris School of Public Policy
Hometown: Trivandrum, India
Education: BA (Hons.) in Economics, Krea University
I am a first year MPP student at the Harris School of Public Policy, interested in education policy and child rights. In addition to working with advocacy groups to lobby for grassroots-level changes in educational institutions in India, I have also taught English as a Second Language to both adults and school students. I enjoy reading contemporary romance/YA novels (I love giving recommendations!), binge-watching shows with my roommate, baking, and (window) shopping. A fun fact about me—I know five languages and would love to learn more!
Jeongmin Shin
Graduate Program: Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Hometown: Incheon, South Korea
Education: Korea University, Seoul; B.A., Philosophy
After earning a bachelor’s degree, I worked for an airline company for four years as a flight attendant. I joined Harris to learn and polish quantitative skills and now specialize in energy & environmental and financial policies.
In my free time, I enjoy singing, watching movies, and exploring the city. And I love to try out something new and fun—I was on a TV quiz show in 2020 and won the competition!
