2025 Executive Board Elections
Voting Open Now!
All voting will be conducted online at https://uvicusec.simplyvoting.com/.
Wednesday, March 5th, 9:00am – Friday, March 7th, 4:30pm PST.
Campaigning during the voting period is not permitted.
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Questions? Email the GSS Electoral Officer, Jono Qualter, at votegss@uvic.ca for details
2025-26 Executive Board Candidates
Candidate for Chair (uncontested)
Rosemary Webb
I’m Rosemary (they/them), a 3rd year PhD student in Linguistics, and I’m hoping to be your next elected Chair! I have volunteered with the Graduate Students’ Society since I started at UVic in 2022, increasing my level of involvement each year. Having spent the past year as the Director of Internal/University Relations, I’ve gained valuable knowledge of the inner workings of the GSS, our relationships with University and community partners, and the day-to-day lives of graduate students here.
My experience in my current role has prepared me well to step into a new role as Chair. As the Vice-Chair of the Advocacy & Campaigns and Appeals Committees, I’ve learned about both the challenges and rewards that come from chairing committees, as well as the responsibilities of each Committee. As a co-organizer of Graduate Student Appreciation Week and a regular volunteer at various GSS events (hopefully you’ve met me at Wednesday Coffee!), I have a deep appreciation and understanding of the work that the Events Committee and staff do to keep our community vibrant. I sit on many committees across the university, raising graduate student concerns to UVic administration, which has required me to become familiar with UVic and GSS policies in addition to gathering feedback from fellow students. The relationships I have established with advocacy groups and University decision-makers will serve as a great foundation as I transition into a more prominent leadership position.
As Chair, I will continue to foster connections between the GSS and university groups, student advocacy groups, and community groups. We have worked hard to build strong partnerships and gain GSS representative seats on more university committees and regional associations, meaning more graduate student voices are heard where they’re needed, but I’m sure there are still gaps to fill! The Board this past year has worked to increase training and engagement opportunities for our members, which I’d like to again emphasize with the upcoming Board. I believe the GSS is a place for graduate students to enrich their university experience in whichever ways feel important to them: socially, professionally, and personally. I hope that we can offer something for everyone here, and highlight our members’ contributions to the Society.
The GSS has grown a lot over the time that I’ve been here, and I want to ensure stability with that growth; above all, my goal is to provide leadership through support. One of the most delightful parts of being involved in the GSS has been meeting so many people, both offering and accepting guidance, or just sharing in the wild ride that it is to be a graduate student. I hope you’ll have me as your Chair for 2025-26 so that I can keep listening and learning from you, while uplifting you as best I can!
Candidate for Director of Student Life
Bryn Lonsborough
Hello! My name is Bryn Lonsbrough (She/They), a 3rd year graduate student in the Physics and Astronomy Department, and I am running for the GSS Director of Student Life position. I have been participating in GSS events as a volunteer for nearly 2 years, and I would be thrilled to continue to contribute in a more official capacity. I think the UVic graduate student community is unique. What I have observed in the past 2 years is a strong multidisciplinary and multicultural spirit which I have found missing from other institutions. From my perspective this community is rare amongst graduate student bodies, and has been carefully cultivated and supported by passionate students. I see that passion every Wednesday over coffee, and in the energy of our end of term events. The GSS community has greatly improved and enriched my time at UVic, and I want to return that kindness and generosity by serving you on the GSS board.
In terms of experience, I have been involved in student organizations since my time as an undergraduate at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC). I have academic and social event experience from volunteering and holding positions at UCSC and UVic as an Astronomy Unit Representative, Academic Representative, and volunteer. In these roles I have planned events ranging from research presentation nights to casual weekly socials. I have represented student interests in colloquia committees, department meetings, supervisory policy committees, and accreditation boards. I also have outreach experience with the UVic Observatory and Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, where I have volunteered at Research Rendezvous, Family Day, summer Astronomy Open Houses, and a Star Party public talk. From these many hats I have worn I bring to this position skills in communicating between students and university staff, how to host and run events, and an enthusiasm and joy in the matters of student life.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every opportunity to engage with the GSS. Where I have volunteered at Wednesday coffees, end of term events, the clothing swap, and the pride market. I firmly believe that the GSS offers, In our present time of worldwide uncertainty, and through more personal academic stressors and trials, a strong, inclusive, and supportive community. A community which I hope to help cultivate and steward as Director of Student Life.
Candidate for Director of Student Life
Asma Noureen (endorsed by the Students of Colour Collective)
My name is Asma Noureen, and I am an MA student in the Leadership Studies program. I am honored to run for the Director of Student Life. Since I arrived at UVic last fall, I have found meaningful connections with other graduate students, participated in the Excellence in Graduate Research Symposium, and attended several events at GSS. If elected as the Director of Student Life, I am eager to give back and contribute meaningfully to our GSS by organizing events that are inclusive, engaging, and representative of our diverse graduate student community.
As an international graduate student with experience studying and working in four different international universities in four different countries, I understand the challenges of navigating new academic, cultural, and social spaces. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have been part of many student clubs and committees, and I have worked in several student-centered roles. For example, as the Resource and Programming Coordinator at UVic’s Pride Collective, I design and implement programs, such as community circles and storytelling events, to create community and belonging, particularly for queer and trans students of color. During my work with NYU Abu Dhabi’s writing program, I founded and edited four volumes of an academic student journal to showcase the excellent academic work our students were doing. I also led the editorial team of the AUW Yearbook as an undergraduate, capturing events and activities on campus and creating lasting memories for all my peers.
As the Director of Student Life, I will work to enhance student engagement by fostering a sense of belonging and community for all graduate students. My approach to leadership is collaborative – the best events are shaped by the community itself. That is why I will prioritize listening to student interests and organizing events that reflect their needs.
Some of the key initiatives I would like to introduce include:
- Providing networking and professional development events and opportunities tailored to graduate students’ career aspirations.
- Expanding culturally inclusive programming to ensure that international students feel represented in GSS events.
- Strengthening partnerships with student organizations and campus groups to create collaborative events that cater to various interests.
I am committed to making the GSS community more connected, engaged, and inclusive. If elected, I will bring my experience, passion, and leadership to ensure that every graduate student feels welcomed and valued. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you and would love to hear your ideas on how we can improve student life together.
Thank you for your support!
Candidate for Director of Finance (uncontested)
Maggie Lawton
Hi all! I am a fourth-year PhD student in the Department of Biology, studying how microorganisms survive and thrive in environments without oxygen. I love my research, but outside of the lab I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting involved with Grad House and the GSS. After joining the Graduate Representative Council in 2023, I was nominated and elected as the GSS Director of Student Life for the 2024-2025 term. During this time, I had the opportunity to organize a host of new and regular events with the goal of helping graduate students develop make new connections, learn new skills, and have fun! Being a board member isn’t just event planning, though – I worked with the Executive Board to direct the society’s path through campus crises, budget cuts, and health and dental referenda. I have become deeply familiar with the GSS’s budget and financial structure, and hope to continue to put that knowledge and experience to work.
As Director of Finance, I’ll worry about money so you don’t have to: I plan to ensure the society’s continued stability through predicted budget cuts and low enrollment. I also hope to help simplify the GSS’s financial structure, which will reduce bookkeeping and audit costs, as well as make our budget more understandable to all graduate students. Lastly, I want to review our membership fees, to makes sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck!
As a candidate with experience with the society’s finances, standing connections with the Board and GSS, and deep commitment to making sure our members’ money is used effectively and responsibly, I hope you consider voting for me as the Director of Finance for the 2025-2026 term.
Candidate for Director of External Relations (uncontested)
Jitendra Palaparty
Hello! I’m Jitendra (she/her). I am an international student from India and am incredibly grateful to have been living on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. As the current Director of External Relations for the UVic Graduate Students’ Society, coupled with my diverse academic, work, and volunteer experiences in advocating for students, I am excited to re-run for my position.
In my current position, I organize advocacy campaigns targeting all levels of government, and UVic administration. For instance, I’m currently leading an advocacy campaign to get UVic to provide better immigration support for international students with a disability. Additionally, I have directly supported diverse groups of UVic Students through volunteering and working with many on-campus organizations that help students who face multiple barriers. A key achievement from my current term was spearheading the referendum health and dental campaign in summer 2024 to introduce gender-affirming care coverage to the GSS health plan.
Prior to my position on the board, I was the Grad Council Representative for the ECE department and have also been in various paid and volunteer positions at different organizations within the university. Most of my work over the past two years has been focused on supporting students from underrepresented groups. For example, I produced and hosted a radio show at CFUV, the UVic campus radio station, called “They Say It’s Better” to highlight the intersectional experiences of queer international students at UVic. This show was awarded as the best student radio show in Canada by the National Campus and Community Radio Association.
Moreover, my experience navigating the complexities of grad school as a neurodivergent trans woman of colour drives my passion for student advocacy. I am committed to leveraging my firsthand experiences to drive inclusive practices and enhance the grad student experience at UVic and advocate for students from marginalized communities.
Candidate for Director of Internal/University Relations
Hannah Brown (endorsed by Dykes Nation)
I am excited to be running for the position of Director of Internal/University Relations with the Graduate Student Society (GSS). As a dedicated advocate for accessibility, disability justice, and queer/trans+ rights, I am committed to ensuring that graduate students at UVic are heard, supported, and empowered.
Over the past four years, I have been actively involved in advocacy and governance at UVic, working closely with students, faculty, and administration to push for meaningful change. I have served on Senate, engaged with student advocacy groups, and participated in various UVic committees. Currently, I am the co-chair of the Society for Students with a Disability, a student representative on the UVic Accessibility Committee, and an employee at CanAssist. My dedication to student advocacy was recognized in 2023 when I received the Provost’s Advocacy and Activism Award in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as part of the UVic REACH Awards.
As a multiply disabled, neurodiverse, non-binary, and queer individual, I bring lived experience and a deep understanding of the systemic barriers many students face. I also recognize my privileges as a white European settler on these unceded lands, and I remain committed to ongoing learning and action toward anti-racist and decolonial ways of being.
If elected, I will:
- Strengthen open communication and links between graduate students and university administration to ensure student concerns are prioritized and addressed.
- Advocate for accessible and inclusive policies at all levels of governance, ensuring that the needs of marginalised students are recognized and met.
- Collaborate with student organizations, advocacy groups, and university committees to foster a supportive and equitable campus environment.
- Push for greater transparency and accountability in decision-making processes that impact graduate students.
I believe that strong relationships and student-led advocacy are key to fostering a university culture that values equity, inclusion, and justice. With my experience, passion, and commitment to this work, I am ready to serve as your Director of Internal/University Relations and advocate for a more accessible, inclusive, and student-cantered UVic.
I would be privileged to have your support in this election. I look forward to working together with the graduate student community to create meaningful change!
Candidate for Director of Internal/University Relations
Sarah Roberts
Dear Graduate Students,
My name is Sarah Roberts. I’m running for Director of Internal Relations.
I am a first-year PhD student in Art History and Visual Studies at UVic, where I also studied my MA. I’m an international student, originally from London (UK).
Since 2022, I have served on the Graduate Representative Council, witnessing our community rebuild post-pandemic. I am so grateful to have seen my incredible colleagues develop a vibrant social calendar, advocate for graduate needs, and restructure our board to serve graduates better. In 2025, we cannot afford to slow down as higher education across Canada faces mounting pressures. I want to ensure graduate voices do not get lost in the noise.
I have served on numerous GSS committees, including Communications, Events, and, currently, Checks and Balances, where we hear student appeals and consult on finances. This experience has offered deep insights into the GSS’s operations, serving graduates at every level, from policymaking to parties.
Around campus, I actively participate in UVic’s Global Community Council and have participated in its Volunteer Leaders program. I was honoured to chair my departmental Graduate Association for a year during my MA, and I still co-chair our graduate conference and am managing editor for our journal. I served on the Senate Committee for Awards and Scholarships and previously on the Senate Committee for Teaching and Learning. In 2022/3, I was a nominated representative on the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council. Being on these committees is more than just occupying a seat; it’s a platform to remind university leadership of graduate student perspectives.
Additionally, I’m a department TA and Graduate Tutor at the Centre for Academic Communication.
The graduates I meet continually amaze me with their empathy, knowledge, and incredible abilities. We often juggle demanding jobs, teaching, research, and mentoring- not to mention being parents, caregivers, spouses, partners, and friends to those in our lives. Graduates’ lives are complex, as are their needs. If elected, I pledge to listen to what this means for you.
Here are key issues I hope to address through advocacy and working with university partners:
✔ Housing – Advocate for UVic to commit to graduate-exclusive housing within proposed new developments, including quiet, accessible, and private units.
✔ Recreation & Wellbeing—Advocate for accessible recreational options that have significantly diminished since the closure of the McKinnon Weight Room and Pool. We need options accommodating diverse bodies, abilities, and financial situations.
✔ Summer Operations–Consult with facilities and operations to promote reasonable food service hours during the summer. Many graduate students actively research and work on campus during this time.
✔ Study Spaces—Encourage all departments to provide graduates with their own practical, safe, and quiet space to work and conduct research.
I can’t promise to achieve all this, but I can promise always to be dedicated, flexible, and open to hearing from you and learning what you need from the GSS.
Thank you so much for reading this statement. I hope you’ll consider voting for me this March.
Candidate for Director of Internal/University Relations
Iram Zahra
Dear Fellow Graduate Students,
My name is Iram Zahra, and I am excited to run for the position of Director of Internal Relations at the Graduate Students’ Society (GSS), University of Victoria. As a PhD student in Educational Studies, an educational leader, and a Uvic Alumni, I bring a deep commitment to ensuring that graduate students have a strong, unified voice in university decision-making. With over two decades of leadership experience in education, policy engagement, and student advocacy, I am eager to serve as a bridge between graduate students and the university administration, ensuring that our needs and concerns are effectively addressed.
Why I am running for Director of Internal Relations
The role of Director of Internal Relations is vital in advocating for graduate students’ interests at various university levels, including the Senate, Board of Governors, and Faculty of Graduate Studies. It requires strong leadership, collaboration, and strategic advocacy, all of which I have cultivated throughout my career. Before starting my PhD, I spent over 20 years as an educational leader, founding and managing an Islamic faith-based school in Pakistan. This experience has strengthened my ability to navigate institutional structures, advocate for policy reforms, and ensure that diverse voices are heard.
At UVic, I have actively engaged in research on educational leadership, decolonization, equity and social justice in academia. My background in governance, combined with my passion for fostering inclusive and accessible education, makes me well-suited for this role.
My Vision and Commitments
If elected, I will:
✔️Act as a Strong Liaison: I will represent graduate students in key discussions with the Senate, Board of Governors, and Faculty of Graduate Studies, ensuring that student perspectives are central to decision-making.
✔️Strengthen Student Advocacy: I will coordinate campaigns and initiatives that address critical student concerns, such as funding opportunities, mental health resources, and academic policies.
✔️Support Graduate Research Initiatives: I will work closely with university partners to enhance Graduate Student Research Day, providing a platform to showcase our work, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and highlight student contributions.
✔️Increase Engagement and Communication: I will meet regularly with students at GSS events, making sure that our leadership remains transparent, approachable, and responsive to student needs.
✔️Foster Collaboration: I will work alongside the Director of External Relations and other board members to ensure that our advocacy efforts extend beyond campus and resonate at provincial and national levels.
✔️Enhance University-Student Relations: I will work to build stronger relationships between graduate students and university administration, ensuring that student concerns are acknowledged and addressed proactively.
Why Your Vote Matters
Graduate students deserve a strong, effective advocate who understands the challenges of academia, champions equity and inclusion, and works tirelessly to create a more supportive and empowering environment for all. With your support, I will ensure that our voices shape the future of graduate education at UVic.
I look forward to the opportunity to serve you. Thank you for your trust and vote!
Best regards, Iram Zahra Candidate for Director of Internal Relations Graduate Students’ Society | University of Victoria
GSS Executive Board Positions
Chair
The Chair acts as the official spokesperson of the Society. The Chair is the primary liaison between the Society and the University administration and external political bodies. Internally, the Chair heads up the Executive Council and the Graduate Representative Council.
Director of Student Life
The Director of Student Life is responsible for planning GSS-sponsored activities and coordinates social, recreational, academic, and professional events with on-campus partners. The Director of Student Life chairs the Events Committee and sits on Club’s Council and the University’s Orientation Committee.
Director of Finance
The Director of Finance works with the Executive Director and the Finance Committee to prepare the annual budget for the Society and to ensure the financial health of the GSS. They assist in day-to-day operations, review all Society contracts, and sign the cheques.
Director of External Relations
The Director of External Relations is responsible for coordinating advocacy campaigns targeting all levels of government and off-campus partners, supporting the Chair in communications with media outlets, preparing public statements to members on matters related to advocacy campaigns, and provide support, guidance, and direction to volunteers, GRC reps, and members on advocacy campaigns. They chair the Advocacy and Campaigns Committee.
Director of Internal/University Relations
The Director of Internal/University Relations acts as the primary liaison with members of UVic administration, and between the members of the Executive Board and the University’s Senate and Board of Governors, Faculty of Graduate Studies, and Graduate Executive Committee. They are responsible for coordinating campaigns as directed by the Board which target UVic, and supporting our University partners in providing an annual grad student research day. They serve as Vice-Chair of the Appeals Committee and the Advocacy and Campaigns Committee.