kirstyn (they/them) is a PhD candidate in Library & Information Studies (FIMS). They were the SOGS VP External in 2017-18 and the SOGS Pride Commissioner in 2015-16. Get in touch: president[at]sogs[dot]ca As your VP Advocacy, he hopes to ensure that marginalized voices are heard in particular and through teamwork we achieve a thriving environment at SOGS and beyond. Yousuf wants to hear from you! Contact him with any personal concerns, advocacy ideas to improve graduate student experience, or if you need his support raising awareness on related issues. Get in touch: advocacy[at]sogs[dot]ca Get in touch: finance[at]sogs[dot]ca About our VP Student Services: Effie Sapuridis (she/her) is a 2nd year Media Studies PhD student in FIMS. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English literature with a focus on young adult literature. Her work centers on digital humanities, online fan communities and fan works, young adult media, and feminist media studies. Effie previously served as SOGS Speaker and is involved in Senate, as well as several faculty-level committees and initiatives. To learn more about Effie, please check out her FIMS profile here. Get in touch: services[at]sogs[dot]ca For matters pertaining to SOGS Council, governance, unified documents, appeals, and elections, please see: About our Speaker: Liam Clifford (he/him) is a first-year PhD student in the Department of History. His research revolves around analyzing Russia’s historical trajectory to assess how modern notions of Russian nationalism takes root in the country’s imperial past. At Western, he is a host and producer on GradCast and currently chairs the #GlobalGrads podcast subcommittee that focuses on the international student experience. Beyond academia, he is an avid soccer (football!) fan and trivia enthusiast. As Speaker, he hopes to foster an environment that is equal parts vibrant and accessible for the betterment of SOGS’ members. About our Deputy Speaker: Mitchell Glover (he/him) is a PhD student in musicology whose research focuses on the orchestral transcriptions of Modest Mussorgsky’s piano work Pictures at an Exhibition. Drawing on research from translation studies, the cultural theory of cover songs, and music ontology, he shows why orchestral transcriptions of Mussorgsky’s work proliferated in the twentieth century and how the various orchestrators of the work approached their task. Mitch holds a Master of Arts in Musicology from Western (2017) and a Bachelor of Music (hon.) with a minor in German-language studies from the University of Windsor (2015). Mitch is active in the Western graduate student community, currently serving as the secretary for the Society of Graduate Students in Music. He also pursues his interests in policy by sitting on the Policy Committee and the Bylaws and Constitution Committee for the Society of Graduate Students at Western and by acting as the Graduate Student Representative for the Appeals Committee for Western’s Parking and Visitor Services. For matters pertaining to issues surrounding academic, professional, and interpersonal conflict, please see: Get in touch: ombudsperson[at]sogs[dot]ca For matters, issues, and conflicts pertaining to academics, please see: Kevin Moore is a current Western student completing his MSc in the department of Medical Biophysics. His current research involves the characterization of blood flow in atherosclerotic patients. Kevin completed his undergrad at the University of Ottawa, obtaining his BHSc in Health Science. When not in the lab, Kevin enjoys making and playing music, as well as spending as much time as possible with family and friends Get in touch: advisor.academic[at]sogs[dot]ca For matters pertaining to elections, please see: For matters pertaining to SOGS advocacy and community outreach, please see our Commissioners. Learn more about the roles of each SOGS commissioner here. During her time at Western, she was the SOGS Commissioner for Students with Disabilities from 2010-2012. In this role as Commissioner, Elizabeth successfully for advocated for audible pedestrian signals on campus and built partnerships with USC Accessibility Committee to create a guide for hosting inclusive and accessible social events on campus. After graduating from her master’s program, she worked for the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) as a research consultant, developing resources for students with disabilities transitioning from post-secondary to employment. In 2016 she became a Community Engagement Lead at Balance for Blind Adults, and in 2019 became the inclusive hiring project coordinator at Ryerson Magnet. In addition to her full-time work, Elizabeth sits on the Education Standards Committee for the Ontario Government, where she advises and deliberates on educational policies pertaining to students with disabilities, providing recommendations around how to make Ontario’s post-secondary sector more inclusive. Get in touch: accessibility[at]sogs[dot]ca Get in touch: gender.concerns[at]sogs[dot]ca Get in touch: indigenous[at]sogs[dot]ca Get in touch: pride@sogs.ca LGBTQ Resources here. Get in touch: racial.equity@sogs.ca About our Racial Equity & Inclusivity Commissioner: Denise Kamyuka is a PhD student in the school of Kinesiology, pursuing a PhD in Sport Management and Global Health. She holds a Master’s in Sport Management and a Bachelors in Pharmacy. Denise is currently the founding fellow and Vice-President of Marketing at University Consulting Group (UCG -Western). UCG is dedicated to exposing students from all faculties to the world of management consulting. Her role and commitment to UCG is a testament to her desire to enhance the student experience and facilitate in students development. She is also a research assistant for Project Echo, a study that captures to the voices of people with disability and their experiences with accessing sport and physical activity opportunities in Toronto and Glasgow. Her own research explores the use of a post-colonial feminist lens in the study of female social entrepreneurship in sport and health promotion. Her expertise in post-colonial methodologies is currently being used in her role on the Faculty of Health Science Anti-Racist Task Force where she is reviewing the FHS Curriculum to identify discriminatory policies and exclusionary content. By taking on a post-colonial feminist and critical disability lens, she believe that she can help advocate for the most marginalized populations on our campus. She fervently believe that advocating against the oppression of the most marginalized sets a foundation for the liberation of all. Contact: Get in touch with Jessica 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 Heidi 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 | KIRSTYN SEANOR
VP Academic | DANICA FACCA
VP Advocacy | YOUSUF HASAN
Yousuf Hasan (he/him) is doing a PhD in Philosophy of Science & Mathematics. At SOGS, he’s been involved as a host and producer at GradCast, the official SOGS radio show and podcast.
VP Finance | BECKY HORST
Becky (she/hers) is a 3rd year PhD student in Neuroscience. Her research focuses on older adult’s perceptions and efficacy surrounding memory abilities. Becky has previously served on various SOGS committees such as Sustainability, Grad Club, Finance, as well as Subsidies and Bursaries since 2018.
VP Student Services | EFFIE SAPURIDIS
Meet the SOGS Non-Executive Officers!
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Speaker | LIAM CLIFFORD
Get in touch: speaker[at]sogs[dot]ca
Deputy Speaker | MITCHELL GLOVER
Get in touch: deputy.speaker[at]sogs[dot]ca
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Ombudsperson | SETH KADISH
About our Ombudsperson: Seth (he/him) is an MSc student in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. He also completed his undergraduate degree at Western in the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences program. In the past, Seth has worked as a research trainee in a fertility clinic, looking to propel forward the field of ovarian biology and the molecular mechanics of female fertility. Outside of academics, he is an avid reader, a certified caffeine addict, and a regular volunteer at local food banks. He is looking forward to the role of Ombudsperson, building a productive and understanding community and finding equitable, people-centred solutions to issues when they arise.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Peer Advisor for Academic Matters | KEVIN MOORE
About our Peer Advisor:
ELECTIONS
Chief Returning Officer | LAILA ZAITOUN | cro[at]sogs[dot]ca
Deputy Chief Returning Officer | MITCHELL GLOVER | dcro[at]sogs[dot]ca
Meet the SOGS Commissioners!
ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Accessibility Commissioner | ELIZABETH MOHLER
About our Accessibility Commissioner: Elizabeth Mohler graduated from the master’s program in Health and Rehab Sciences, Occupational Sciences from Western University in 2012 . In 2020, she started her doctoral work in the school of Occupational Science, cross appointing in Disability Studies. Elizabeth’s doctoral research will explore the impact that access to direct funding has on the occupational performance and engagement of people with disabilities (PWDs) who receive funding from the Ontario Direct Funding (ODF) program to ‘self-manage’ their attendant services.
Gender Concerns Commissioner | ANA MOYER
About our Gender Concerns Commissioner: Ana Moyer is a queer non-binary student in the MA Art History and Curatorial Studies program, and will be returning this fall for the PhD at Western in Art and Visual Culture. They have a Honours BA in Art History from the University of Guelph and are also a certified Personal Support Worker.
Indigenous Commissioner | VICTORIA BOMBERRY
Pride Commissioner | SHANNON-THOMAS CARNAHAN
About our Pride Commissioner: Shannon-Thomas Carnahan (he/him, they/them) is a trans-masculine person currently enrolled in the MLIS program. Originally from Saskatchewan, Shannon-Thomas has a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies from the .University of Saskatchewan. .They post as @lollipopdragon on Discord and Twitter.
Racial Equity & Inclusivity Commissioner | DENISE KAMYUKA
Meet the SOGS and Grad Club staff!
STAFF
Membership Services Manager | JESSICA ELAINE REILLY
Finance Manager | RAQUEL RODRIGUES
Communications & Promotions Manager | HEIDI KELLETT
Grad Club Manager | MARC LALONDE
Grad Club Operations Manager | MARK BRIGHAM
OUR TEAM
Danica Facca (she/hers) is a second year PhD student in the Department of Health Information Science. To learn more about Danica, please check out her FIMS profile here.
Get in touch: academic[at]sogs[dot]ca
Primarily researching the representation of tattooing in Indigenous art, their work attempts to decolonize perspectives on traditional tattooing practices and examine cultural resiliency through art. Currently, they are the Editor-In-Chief for the Visual Arts Supporter’s Association (VASA) and a driving force behind the creation of the first-ever edition of Aeterna. They have been an avid volunteer for nonprofits and charities over the last ten years, including Programming Board Chair for Out on the Shelf (a LGBTQ+ library) and tba: Journal of Art, Media, and Visual Culture.
As the Gender Concerns commissioner, Ana aims to promote an intersectional community-centered approach, ensuring that marginalized voices are prioritized.
About our Indigenous Commissioner:
Shekóli! Victoria niiónkia’ts. Wakhskaré:wake niwaki’tarò:ten, Kanien’kehá:ka niwakhontsyò:ten, táhnon Six Nations nitewaké:nonh. My name is Victoria Bomberry and I am a Mohawk Bear from Six Nations. I am a mom and second year Masters student in the Department of Geography and Environment at Western.
My research focus on Indigenous experiences of housing and homelessness stems from both personal and professional experiences. My Master’s thesis examines the relationship between housing availability and the decisions of Indigenous Peoples to pursue and complete post-secondary studies.
In the role of Indigenous Commissioner, I will be hosting regular virtual (and when safe, in-person) events to help Indigenous students connect with each other, such as the Indigenous Scholars Group. I will also be raising awareness across campus to our unique graduate experiences and needs.
Experience:
Shannon-Thomas has a background as a volunteer and event organizer for the Student’s Union Pride and Women’s Centres at the University of Saskatchewan and the LGBTQIA organization OutSaskatoon. I also have experience doing volunteer work at the Peer Assisted Learning program at the University of Saskatchewan.
Goals:
During this pandemic keeping in touch with other students is important, so Shannon-Thomas plans on organizing: