Mary Daniels is the Associate Dean for Bridge and Partnership programs at the University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies. She develops institutional collaborations in local, national and global markets. In addition to the Graduate Student-at-Large and Summer Session programs, she directs the development of bridging programs for traditional and non-traditional students across multiple disciplines. Previously, she served as the Director of the Graduate Student-at-Large Program, where she implemented a comprehensive academic advising-based approach. She joined the Graham School from the College at the University of Chicago, where she had served as Senior Advisor for Scholarships. Prior to the University of Chicago, She taught political theory on the faculties at the University of Notre Dame and Drake University. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a BA in political science from Reed College. She loves her work but misses the mountains, the Pacific Ocean and the rain forests of her native Pacific Northwest, and returns as needed.
Mitchell Catalano
Mitchell Catalano is the Program Coordinator of the Graduate Student-at-Large Program. Originally from the Chicagoland area, he has also spent time working abroad in Rome, Italy and most recently spent two year obtaining his Masters of Education in Student Development Administration at Seattle University. He has worked closely with students both in study abroad and student government advising positions previously and is excited to bridge that experience into advising for the GSAL program. He hopes to provide prospective and current GSAL students with meaningful discernment in their professional lives, and help them build an academic background that fits both their interests and personal experience.
Esther Pandian-Riske is the Associate Director of the Graduate Student-at-Large Program. Originally from Singapore, Esther came to Chicago as a student, and has two master’s degrees from the University of Chicago: an MA from MAPSS and an MPP from the Harris School of Public Policy Studies. Esther was previously the Assistant Dean of Students at the Honors College at UIC, Dean of Multicultural Affairs at the Latin School of Chicago, and the Assistant Dean of Students for the Graduate Division of the Social Sciences at the University of Chicago. She has years of experience in student advising and her main objective at the GSAL program is to ensure an exemplary student experience, working towards successful graduate school and career placement. Esther oversees the special Bridge Scholarship Initiatives, the College Bridge Advising Program and supports international students attempting to bridge their academic efforts from GSAL to further Masters or PhD programs.
Andy Leahy is an Admissions Coordinator for the Graduate Student-at-Large Program and is available to answer queries about application deadlines, components needed for the application, and FRS questions for international students.
GSAL/RS Programs
Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies
University of Chicago
1427 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Email: gsalinfo@uchicago.edu
