Expressions of Interest
International Representative
Harshal Kaur
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My name is Harshal Kaur, and I wish to express my interest in the International Representative position with the Graduate Students Association at the University of Lethbridge.
I am an incoming Master of Education student in Counselling Psychology. I arrived in Canada as an international student nearly a decade ago, navigating an unfamiliar system far from home, moving between provinces, shifting careers, and adapting to new cultural expectations along the way. That lived experience gives me a genuine, first-hand understanding of what international students face, and it is the foundation of why this role matters to me.
Beyond personal experience, I bring relevant professional background to this position. Through my work with the Mi Gente Canada Foundation, I developed culturally responsive programming for newcomers, adapting complex content for diverse audiences. As a Peer Health Educator at MacEwan University, I translated research into accessible materials and fostered spaces where peers felt heard and supported. These roles deepened my understanding of how institutional decisions and communication practices shape students' experiences.
My personal and prospective academic focus on the mental health of immigrant and international student populations further informs my perspective. I understand the intersecting pressures of acculturative stress, academic demands, and cultural adjustment that many international graduate students carry, and I would bring that lens to my work as a representative.
If selected, I would focus on ensuring international students have clear pathways to engage with the GSA, that their voices are consistently brought forward, and that graduate life at Lethbridge is genuinely inclusive.
Disability & Accommodated Learning Representative
Bisi Amanwi
My name is Bisi Amanwi, and I wish to express my interest in the Disability & Accommodated Learning Representative position with the Graduate Students' Association at the University of Lethbridge.
I am a second-year master's student in the Department of Biological Sciences, having previously completed my undergraduate degree here as well. Navigating accommodations as an undergraduate student was new to me, but with the guidance of caring and supportive people, I found my footing and became more comfortable with the knowledge that I needed a bit more support. That experience helped me appreciate how important accessible support systems are in helping students reach their full potential.
Graduate students are further along in their educational journeys and, in many cases, are new to the university, so accessing support can be even more challenging. Graduate students are students, but they are also lecturers, TAs, and tutors. It is essential that resources exist to support our diverse population as they navigate their research, classes, and responsibilities to their own students. I would like to be someone who looks out for their interests and helps ensure that their needs are recognized and taken into consideration during decision-making processes.
More simply, and even more importantly, I would be happy to help guide students toward the resources they need to succeed at the university because, as we know, the University has provided many tools to support student success. Whether it is responding to questions or bringing concerns to the attention of the appropriate people, I would like to be that point of contact. It would be my privilege to serve not only fellow graduate students with disabilities, but all graduate students who may need support throughout their journeys.
What qualifies me for this position is my experience working with fellow students. Since 2023, I have volunteered at the University's Writing Centre, working with students on their writing assignments. These interactions have taught me a great deal about supporting students and helping them navigate difficult situations. I have also served as a Student Mentor for incoming undergraduate students and as Vice President of the University of Lethbridge Biology Club. Through these roles, I have learned the importance of listening, advocating, and connecting people with the support they need.
I have one goal: to represent graduate students' needs with respect to accommodations and support services. It would be a great privilege for me to spend the next year doing so.
Thank you for your consideration.
Council Positions Filled
Executive Positions
Jade Oldfield:
Akeem Bamigbola:
Brannon Sumner:
President
VP Academic
VP Finance
Representative Positions
Clara Juliano Cunha:
Olympia Tomasta:
Kelly Grannon:
Razeen Mujarrab:
Tara Laverty:
Madison Gal:
Mary Siever:
Dan Pearson:
Independent
Arts & Science
Social Sciences
International
Sexual Awareness
Natural Sciences
Student Parent
Calgary Campus
Positions Not Yet Filled
1 Faculty of Arts & Science (1 Humanities)
1 Dhillon School of Business
1 Education
1 Health Sciences
1 Indigenous
1 International
2 Independent Representatives (general graduate representatives)
1 Disability & Accommodated Learning
1 Community Engagement
These roles will be filled through a subsequent Expression of Interest (EOI) process following the conclusion of the current election and throughout the year.
Expression of Interest Process for Vacant GSA Council Positions
When a GSA Council Representative 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.
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
