SGPS Campaign

Hello SGPS members, I'm excited to announce my candidacy for SGPS president!
I have a long history of involvement in university governance throughout my entire graduate student journey. I started by representing students at the departmental level, at the Centre for Neuroscience Studies, and later became the chair of our student leadership committee in the subsequent year. I then took on the role of graduate student senator, where I chaired the student senate caucus and a senate committee in my second year. I ran successfully for re-election for both the senate and student senate caucus chair positions. I briefly considering running for graduate student trustee to take on new challenges, but I enjoyed the role of academic oversight at senate. Ultimately, I decided to run for SGPS president. This role offers me an opportunity to broaden my responsibilities, as it involves serving on the senate, the board of trustees, and the university council, all while maintaining a strong position for student advocacy.

As chair of the Queen's University Board-Senate Advisory Committee, I led the Joint Board-Senate Retreat last March, steering discussions to enhance support for graduate student research. This event concluded with senators, trustees, and members of the administration acknowledging the need for increased funding for graduate students. I am proud that I could fulfill my objective of highlighting graduate student needs to key decision-makers, and it is exciting to see several departments raising their minimum funding packages. I have already established strong working relationships with many of the key stakeholders the president collaborates with, positioning me for a smooth transition into the role. I have learned much from working with the SGPS and AMS presidents, the Rector, and Principal. Internally, my primary focus for the upcoming year will be to reinforce our ongoing SGPS initiatives in mental health and community engagement. Externally, it is imperative to ensure that the university remains attuned to the pressing issues faced by students, including funding, housing, and food security, especially during periods of budgetary constraints. Upholding the well-being of graduate and professional students during these challenging times is a shared priority.

If elected as SGPS president, I will work to address the following issues:

• Decentralization:
  • The university's decentralized, vertical, structure hinders information sharing.
  • Working to streamline communication channels.
  • Strengthening administration and student leader communication.
  • Improving transparency and accountability.
  • Supporting and expanding SGPS community initiatives.
• Cost of Living Crisis:
  • Rising living costs in Kingston while we have stagnant stipends and scholarships.
  • Advocating for increased funding packages.
  • Exploring partnerships with the city.
  • Seeking solutions within budget constraints, including lobbying for greater provincial government support.
• Mental Health:
  • Financial and academic stress impact mental health.
  • Prioritizing mental health resources and support systems.
  • Evaluating and improving existing mental health support strategies.

Education

Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
Ph.D. in Neuroscience, 2022-present
M.Sc. in Neuroscience (promoted to Ph.D.), 2020-2022
B.A. in Psychology, 2020

Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Hon. B.Sc. (Computer Science)
Hon. B.B.A. (Minor in Economics)
Double degree program with co-op, 2018

Committee Appointments

2023-present - Senate Cyclical Program Review Committee, Senate, Queen's University
2022-present - Chair, Student Senate Caucus, Senate, Queen's University
2021-present - Graduate Student Senator, Senate, Queen's University
2021-present - Graduate Studies Executive Council, Queen's University
2022-2023 - Chair, Queen's Board-Senate Advisory Committee, Senate, Queen's University
2021-2022 - Lead, Student Leadership Committee (CNS), Queen's University
2021-2022 - Non-Academic Misconduct Sub-Committee, Senate, Queen's University
2021-2022 - Queen’s University Board-Senate Advisory Committee, Senate, Queen's University
2021-2022 - Councillor to the SGPS, Centre for Neuroscience Studies (CNS), Queen's University
2021-2022 - Member, Executive Education Committee (CNS), Queen's University
2021-2022 - Member, EDII Committee (CNS), Queen's University
2020-2021 - Member, Student Leadership Committee (CNS), Queen's University
2020-2021 - Student Representative, Graduate Committee (CNS), Queen's University