Bala Sankar Kilaru

Website: https://tgs.unt.edu/gsc/

Bio Information

Bala Sankar Kilaru is a passionate advocate for graduate students and a dedicated leader at the University of North Texas (UNT). Serving as the 10th President of the Graduate Student Council (GSC) since its establishment as the official graduate student government in 2015, Bala’s term (June 1, 2024 – May 30, 2025) has been marked by initiatives to amplify the voices of graduate students across all corners of the university. His leadership has been instrumental in enhancing inclusivity and fostering active participation within the UNT graduate student community.

The Graduate Student Council represents the interests of over 13,000+ graduate students at UNT. Since its founding in 1968 and its formal recognition in 2015 via a student referendum, the GSC has worked tirelessly to advocate, connect, and empower graduate students. The council comprises an Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, and a 55-member Senate, ensuring comprehensive representation and robust advocacy for graduate students’ needs.

During Bala’s presidency, GSC achieved notable milestones, including an increase in Senate membership, greater engagement with university administration and strengthened ties with national organizations like the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS). These efforts reflect Bala’s vision to create a supportive, resourceful, and inclusive environment for all graduate students. His vision ensures that GSC continues to serve as a strong and effective voice for graduate students now and in the future.

Bala is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science at UNT, with an expected graduation in Spring 2025. His technical expertise is supported by multiple certifications in cloud infrastructure, database technologies, and machine learning platforms, including Oracle, Microsoft Azure, Mulesoft, and AWS. His research focuses on artificial intelligence and accessibility, exemplified by his IEEE publication, Stacked Ensemble Model for Driver Drowsiness Detection.

Before his role at UNT, Bala served as Vice President of the Student Council at KL University (2022–2023), where he led large-scale national events and fostered strategic partnerships. He also contributed to global initiatives as Core Committee Vice President for Sponsorships & Partnerships at AIESEC in Amaravati, organizing events aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Bala’s leadership journey is driven by his passion for empowering students, promoting inclusivity, and fostering professional growth. His efforts inspire the UNT graduate community to embrace academic excellence, meaningful collaboration.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Process Automation, from KL University