- check your email for our “GSL Notes”, which are sent to all GSAS students each week.
- view our events on Yale Connect
- check out our GSL Facebook groups
McDougal Graduate Student Life Staff & Fellows
McDougal Graduate Student Life Staff
The Graduate Student Life staff oversees the McDougal Center facilities, plans New Student Orientation, and advises graduate student organizations and other student groups.

Matthew Tanico
Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Life
Matthew Tanico
Assistant Dean for Graduate Student LifeMatthew Tanico, GRD ’17, came to GSAS after serving as the Associate Director of the Yale Center for the Study of Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration (RITM). At RITM, Matthew worked to advance innovative teaching and research on key topics of historical and contemporary importance. He began his career as an Academic Administration Fellow in the Graduate School Dean’s office in 2017 while completing his doctoral degree. After graduating, he taught in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese at New York University and worked in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean’s office as a Project Specialist to build the inaugural “Scholars as Leaders; Scholars as Learners” suite of faculty development opportunities. Matthew earned a B.A. in Spanish and Italian from New York University and holds a Ph.D. in Spanish and Renaissance Studies from GSAS, where his academic research focused on Golden Age Spanish literature and its relation to material culture and technology.

Jennifer Mendelsohn
Director of the McDougal Graduate Student Center
Jennifer Mendelsohn
Director of the McDougal Graduate Student CenterPrimary Responsibilities: McDougal Student Center, New Students & Orientations, Student Life & Wellness

Elizabeth Ludyjan
Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth Ludyjan
Administrative AssistantPrimary Responsibilities: Administrative Support, Facilities, McDougal Center Events
McDougal Graduate Student Life Fellows
Graduate School students who are appointed as McDougal Graduate Student Life (GSL) Fellows assist with organizing and leading many events for graduate students, including:
- First Fridays at Five, a popular monthly grad student social event with free food and drink for adults 21 and older, with government photo ID. Bring your own mug (BYOM). We don’t supply cups or glasses!
- the annual McDougal Winter Ball for graduate and professional students, post-docs and their partners and guests.
- New Student Orientation for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).
- Grad Arts Nights, wellness events, family events, sports events, and much more.