Cherin Chung is a second-year PhD student in the French department at Western University specializing in 19th century French literature. She has completed her Master of Arts in 2022 and her Honours Specialization in English Language and Literature in 2021. Cherin has been an active member of SOGS as the French Councillor, the Equity Committee chair, Racial Equity & Inclusivity Commissioner, and Vice-President Advocacy. In her student advocate role, Cherin is passionate about amplifying all graduate student voices to ensure an equitable education for all at Western University. Outside of campus life, Cherin enjoys reading, traveling and hiking. Get in touch: president@sogs.ca Get in touch: advocacy@sogs.ca Evan Sauve is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Economics. He previously completed a Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours) in Mathematical Economics at the University of Waterloo and a Master of Arts in Economics at Western University. His research focuses on student loan borrowing in Canada and the likely effects of policy changes within the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. Evan joined SOGS as a Councillor in October 2022. Before becoming VP Finance, he served as a member of the Finance Committee, the Grad Club Committee, and the Subsidies Committee—all three committees within the VP Finance portfolio. Outside of campus life, Evan spends his time drumming, playing trivia, and drinking far too much coffee, a habit which he picked up from his parents. Get in touch: finance@sogs.ca Kesavi was first exposed to SOGS through Equity Committee in 2020 where she learned about advocacy-related initiatives run by SOGS and has been drawn towards the organization since then. Outside of research, Kesavi enjoys drawings, attempting to cook, adding a never-ending list of books on GoodReads and go for runs as well spending time with friends and family (the key). Get in touch: services@sogs.ca For matters pertaining to SOGS Council, governance, unified documents, appeals, and elections, please see: Get in touch: speaker@sogs.ca Get in touch: deputy.speaker@sogs.ca For matters pertaining to issues surrounding academic, professional, and interpersonal conflict, please see: About our Ombudsperson: Maryam is a third-year Ph.D. student in Biochemical Engineering. She is passionate about working in collaborative activities with international students. She aims to bridge the gap between the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Graduate Studies (SOGS) to best address student’s issues and implement SOGS capabilities to improve the situation for engineers. Get in touch: ombudsperson@sogs.ca For matters, issues, and conflicts pertaining to academics, please see: Get in touch: advisor.academic@sogs.ca For matters pertaining to elections, please see: Get in touch: cro@sogs.ca For matters pertaining to SOGS advocacy and community outreach, please see our Commissioners. Learn more about the roles of each SOGS commissioner here. Throughout my years, I have actively participated in various public service activities, all with the aim of creating a better society for all. One of my earliest involvements during high school involved working closely with organizations dedicated to improving the future for autistic children. It was a truly rewarding experience that fueled my passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others. As a civil engineer, I always strive to incorporate accessibility measures in new construction projects. I firmly believe that every individual deserves equal access, and I am committed to making this a reality. My vision for society revolves around unity and inclusivity. I firmly believe that accessibility for all is a crucial step towards achieving this vision. I am here to offer a helping hand to anyone in need and to work towards ensuring accessibility in all aspects of life. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little better. I am excited to contribute towards creating a better, more inclusive world for everyone! Get in touch: accessibility@sogs.ca Get in touch: gender.equity@sogs.ca Get in touch: international@sogs.ca Get in touch: pride@sogs.ca Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, Rohan completed his undergraduate degree in Health Sciences in 2023 at Western University and is currently pursuing the Master of Management of Applied Science program here at Western. Throughout Rohan’s almost 5 years at Western, he has held a variety of student leadership positions such as being a Residence Don and an Off Campus Soph. Rohan is particularly passionate about advocating for racial issues both on campus and the world as a whole. His goal is to help end racial hate crimes and promote anti-racism through effective education to others on the dangers and harmful impacts of racism. Being of South Asian descent, Rohan has seen firsthand some of the disadvantages and discrimination people of colour experience, and hence is that much more passionate to help eliminate racism, raise public awareness on racial issues as well as embrace racial diversity and multiculturalism. Get in touch: racial.equity@sogs.ca About the SAGE Coordinator: Aanii, boozhoo! Amanda indizhinikaaz, Wikwemkoong indoonjibaa, migizi indoodem. Hi everyone, my name is Amanda Morin, I am Anishinaabekwe from Wikwemkoong Unceded Reserve on Manitoulin Island, though I grew up with my mother who is of European descent in a small town called New Hamburg. Eagle is my clan. I have been at Western and a part of the Indigenous community since 2013. I am now doing my Master’s at Schulich in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine researching the role of mitochondrial DNA in health and disease. I am this year’s Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) Coordinator working under the supervision of both the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) and VP Advocacy at SOGS. In previous years, OII supervised the SAGE Coordinator position, and SOGS oversaw the Indigenous Commissioner role. This year, these roles are combined to enhance the synergy between Indigenous graduate students and the larger graduate student population. I will be working hard to support Indigenous students throughout their graduate studies, and also to advocate for Indigenous students by planning engaging events that foster awareness and education. I’m looking forward to a great year! Get in touch: amorin26@uwo.ca Ehsan is extremely passionate about serving others in his community and beyond. He recently chaired the largest student research conference at the University of Windsor. He has also volunteered at various organizations in Canada and India. Ehsan has been advocating for not only students in his department but for international students as well, as he held various representative positions at his department, faculty and institution. Sustainability hits back home for Ehsan, as he comes from India. Having observed and lived through some of the negative impacts of climate change, he believes he has more energy and reasons to do something about sustainability. He is an avid reader and a connoisseur of Hindustani music, the classical music genre of India. Get in touch: sustainability.coordinator@sogs.ca Get in touch: board.chair@sogs.ca Vice Chair | MATHEUS SANITA LIMA Get in touch: board.vicechair@sogs.ca Director | DANICA FACCA Director | JANA BATAINEH Director | JOEL WELCH Director | KIRSTYN SEANOR Director | SOUVIK TA Get in touch with Heidi if you need: Get in touch with Caroline if you need: Get in touch with Raquel if you need: * Although SOGS determines some graduate student fees (e.g., those related to SOGS services and dues), the Office of the Registrar determines billings. SOGS does not have access to student accounts. For clarification on how to view your account, review the WesternU Student Centre , Access Guide HERE. Login to review your student account HERE. Get in touch with Chris or Kayla if you need: Get in touch with Nick if you need: Contact: Get in touch with Lola if you need: Get in touch with Marc if you need: Get in touch with Mark if you need:Meet the SOGS Executive!
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
President | CHERIN CHUNG
VP Academic | ELIZABETH MOHLER
In addition to her role as VP Academic, Elizabeth Mohler currently works part-time as a Research Consultant for the National Educational Association of Disabled Students. She previously worked at Ryerson Magnet as their Inclusive Hiring Project Coordinator. Elizabeth sits on the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Systemic Ableism, and is an experienced presenter, keynote speaker, lecturer, and published writer. Elizabeth is currently conducting Doctoral research at Western University, where she explores how discourses and practices within Direct Funding shape how disabled persons access care, and in what ways service users resist and negotiate these discourses. When Elizabeth is not working,
you can find her singing in one of her 2 choirs; running in High Park; or, doing triathlons with her guide, David.
VP Advocacy | JASMINE PROCTOR
About our VP Advocacy: Originally from Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Territory (Vancouver), Jasmine Proctor (she/they) is a first-year PhD student in the Media Studies department, focusing on online fan communities’ relationship to gender and sexuality through networked labour practices. As a member of the queer community, she is an active and passionate advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, with a desire to cultivate and foster queer spaces through community-building practices. Beyond this, Jasmine has a background in non-profit work and labour research, and currently sits as the Media Studies Councillor.
VP Finance | EVAN SAUVE
VP Student Services | KESAVI KANAGASABAI
About our VP Student Services: Kesavi Kanagasabai (she/her) is an 3rd year PhD in the department of Medical Biophysics. Her research focuses on pulse-programming in magnetic resonance spectroscopy with applications in mental illness and neurocognitive disorders such as schizophrenia.
Meet the SOGS Non-Executive Officers!
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Speaker | ANEMILY MACHINA
About our Speaker: Anemily Machina (she/her they/them) is a 4th year PhD Candidate in Computer Science. Her research focuses on improving the quality of explanations for the decisions for Artificial Intelligences (AIs) trained on text data, such as chatGPT. Her hope is that such improvements will help protect people from unfair and biased AI decisions. In her personal time, she enjoys baking vegan treats, bike riding, and binge watching tv-shows.
Deputy Speaker | LAUREN JARMAN
About our Deputy Speaker: Lauren (she/her) is currently pursuing her Master’s of Music Education, with a focus on policy, curriculum, and disability studies. She has been in student government for the 6 years she has been a student at Western University, including roles in events, advocacy, leadership, and university committees/senate. She has a passion for student government and believes in the power of student leaders. She is so excited to join the SOGS team.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Ombudsperson | MARYAM REZAEI
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Peer Advisor for Academic Matters | KEVIN MOORE
ELECTIONS
Chief Returning Officer | KEVIN MOORE
Meet the SOGS Commissioners & Coordinators!
ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Accessibility Commissioner | SAHIB SINGH CHANA
About our Accessibility Commissioner: Hello there! My name is Sahib Singh Chana, and I hail from the vibrant state of Punjab in India. It truly is a land of many colors! I recently completed my undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and am currently pursuing a M.Eng. at Western University, focusing on Civil & Environmental studies.
Gender Equity Commissioner | VACANT
International Commissioner | DEEPMALA RANA BHAT
Meet our International Commissioner: Deepmala Rana Bhat (She/Her) is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department. Before coming to Western, she has completed her graduate degree in Public Health from Central Michigan University. Her research interests are Oral Health, Reproductive Health, and Women’s health. She is from Nepal, the land of the mountains.
Pride Commissioner | TYSON DE MOURA UMBERGER
Racial Equity & Inclusivity Commissioner | ROHAN BORATE
About our Racial Equity & Inclusivity Commissioner:
SAGE Coordinator (Indigenous Initiatives) | AMANDA MORIN
Sustainability Coordinator | EHSAN UR RAHMAN MOHAMMED
About our Sustainability Coordinator: Ehsan is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Computer Science, at Western University. He is working on making artificial intelligence models more robust. He completed his MSc. in Computer Science from the University of Windsor, where he received the Governor General’s Gold medal for academic excellence. He has other academic interests apart from computer science which include social justice, teaching & learning and equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization.
Meet the SOGS Board of Directors
Chair | JILLIAN MAKLIN
About our Board Chair: Jillian Maklin (She/Her) is a second year MA student in Linguistics. Her research focuses primarily on Russian phonology and phonetics. When she’s not studying linguistics or practicing Russian, you can find her taking her pups Sasha and Maverick to the dog park.
About our Board Vice Chair: Matheus (he/him) is a 3rd-year PhD candidate in Biology. His experience abroad has equipped him with unique positionalities that now orient his journal through life. He is passionate about advocacy and allyship. He believes that true winning is a collective effort (i.e., not purely meritocratic), so he enjoys championing his peers’ talents and assets. He is enthusiastic about University & Student Association Governance, and he is confident that his expertise from the University Senate has prepared him for the action to be brought by the Board of Directors. He is humbled with the opportunity to be part of the inaugural SOGS Board of Directors, and he is willing to pave the way for the (continuing) successful SOGS trajectory.
Meet the SOGS and Grad Club staff!
STAFF
Communications & Promotions Manager | HEIDI KELLETT
Digital Media Assistant | CAROLINE DIEZYN
Finance Manager | RAQUEL RODRIGUES
Front Office Support Staff | CHRIS KOWALSKI & KAYLA DAVIES
Governance & Policy Manager | NICK DESUMMA
Membership Services Manager | JESSICA REILLY
Grad Club Manager | MARC LALONDE
Grad Club Operations Manager | MARK BRIGHAM
OUR TEAM
Get in touch: academic@sogs.ca
Outside of academia, Jasmine is an avid music fan, a book lover, member of the BTS ARMY, and coffee fanatic.
As an International student herself she strives to make the lives of other international students better and comfortable. She has previously held leadership positions where she was able to foster a supportive environment for those navigating the challenges of studying abroad and advocated on their behalf. She has organized wellness events, professional development initiatives, social gatherings, and International EXPO that underscores her proactive approach to enhancing student experience beyond academics.