Expressions of Interest
Niosha Attarifard - MSc Kinesiology (Biomechanics)
Vice President Academic and Student Life
Grad school is hard. It should not also be lonely.
My name is Niosha Attarifard, an MSc student in Kinesiology, and I am applying for Vice-President Academic and Student Life because I believe the best graduate experience happens when students feel connected, supported, and well, not just productive.
My research uses wearable sensors to study hockey, but some of my most meaningful work happens outside the lab. As a Graduate Peer Mentor, I support new grad students through their first months.
As a climbing coach, I see every week how much confidence people gain when someone believes in them, and I build programs where everyone can take part.
Student government is not new to me. Right here at the U of L, I served on the Students' Union as the Health Science Representative, where I built meaningful connections with students and sat on several university committees. Before that, at my previous university, I helped run New Student Orientation and monthly wellness workshops. Now I would love to bring that experience back to campus leadership, this time for graduate students.
As VP, I want to make wellbeing part of grad life, not an afterthought. That means events that get students moving and recharging, programming designed so every student can participate, and more chances to meet people outside your own department. I want Meeting of the Minds to feel like a celebration of the research happening on this campus, a place to share your work, make connections, and leave inspired. And I want to be a strong, steady voice for graduate students wherever decisions about them are being made.
Healthy, connected students do better research. Let's build that community together.
Shahram Khadem - MA Political Science
Vice President Academic and Student Life
I'm Shahram Khadem, an MA student in Political Science and a Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Political Science. I'd like to put my name forward for Vice-President Academic.
I came to Canada two years ago, and I know how long it can take to figure out the basics: who to ask about funding, what a supervisor expects, where to go when something isn't working. Many grad students, especially international students, work this out alone. I'd like to make that easier.
I spent about seven years on boards in Iran, with a civil construction company and an educational institute in a science and technology park. That taught me that a plan needs a budget and a date, and that the people you serve should hear back from you. Here, I sit on the board of the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association, and my wife and I started the Persian Club, running three events with 40 to 50 people each. I also bring more than fifteen years in journalism, and I design my own posters and social media posts.
If elected, I'd focus on:
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Well-timed workshops: scholarship writing before deadlines, thesis-writing sessions, and conference practice, with the schedule and budget ready early.
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A stronger graduate conference, with more departments, sponsors, and first-time presenters.
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Being available: taking committee and appeals work seriously, reporting to Council, and answering students quickly.
I know the role takes 15 to 20 hours a week, and I've planned my term with that in mind.
Expression of Interest Process for Vacant GSA Council Positions
When a GSA Council Representative position or Executive position becomes vacant outside of the regular election period, eligible graduate students may submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered for the role.
VP Academic By-Election
Please note: the contestation period for the Vice-President Academic (VP Academic) position closes on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Graduate students wishing to put their names forward for this position are encouraged to review the VP Academic Position Description (PDF) before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
How to Submit an Expression of Interest
Students interested in a vacant representative position should submit an Expression of Interest by email to gsa@uleth.ca
Your Expression of Interest should include:
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Your full name
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Your graduate program
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The position you are interested in
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A brief statement explaining why you are interested in the position
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Any relevant experience, skills, or involvement you would bring to the role
What Happens After an EOI is Submitted
After an Expression of Interest is received, the GSA will post the student’s name and the position of interest on the GSA website.
The Expression of Interest will be included in the next scheduled monthly communication to the graduate student body, typically distributed around the middle of each month. Graduate students will then have one week from the date of that communication to contest the appointment.
If the Appointment is Contested
If another eligible student contests the appointment within the one-week period, the position will proceed to a by-election.
If the Appointment is Not Contested
If no eligible student contests the appointment within the one-week period, the Expression of Interest will proceed to GSA Council for ratification by motion.
Once ratified, the student will be appointed to the vacant representative position.
Questions
Students with questions about vacant positions or the Expression of Interest process can contact the GSA at gsa@uleth.ca
Council Positions Filled
Executive Positions
Jade Oldfield:
Brannon Sumner:
President
VP Finance
Representative Positions
Clara Juliano Cunha:
Olympia Tomasta:
Kelly Grannon:
Razeen Mujarrab:
Tara Laverty:
Mary Siever:
Dan Pearson:
Amanda Ervin:
Harshal Kaur:
Chizaramoku Ikevude:
Bisi Amanwi:
Independent
Arts & Science
Social Sciences
International
Sexual Awareness
Student Parent
ULGA Labour Relations
Health Sciences
International
Dhillon School of Business
Disability & Accomodated Learning
Positions Not Yet Filled
1 VP Academic & Student Life
1 Faculty of Arts & Science (1 Humanities)
1 Calgary Campus Representative
1 Education
2 Independent Representatives (general graduate representatives)
1 Community Engagement
1 Natural Sciences
These roles will be filled through a subsequent Expression of Interest (EOI) process following the conclusion of the current election and throughout the year.
