Elections

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!