Graduate Students’ Biographical Statements
Md Abdullah Asad, Graduate Program in Civil Engineering
I am deeply interested to serve as a graduate student representative to the 2022 FGS Decanal Search Committee as I believe I can help make recommendations to search the new FGS Dean. I served in some committees as graduate student representative which has improved my leadership abilities. I was secretary of the Geoenvironmental Division of the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS). I was also counselor, secretary, and treasurer for the civil engineering graduate student association (CEGSA) where I attended meetings, managed funds, and helped organizing events for fellow graduate students. I worked to contribute to graduate students’ interest. Currently, I am a graduate student representative in the Program Assessment Group on Evaluations & Systems Committee (PAGES) of Lassonde School of Engineering. I believe I can apply my experiences to help the FGS Decanal Search Committee.
Javier Groshaus, Graduate Program in Law (Canadian Common Law)
I am an LSO Licensed Paralegal, I have an LLB degree from the UK, and a PhD in a scientific field.
When I was a postdoctoral scientist at Columbia University, New York, I was elected by my postdoctoral peers to the University Senate to represent all postdoctoral staff.
In Canada I served in several boards of directors of non-for profit organizations.
I currently manage several WhatsApp groups for my fellow students.
If appointed, I intend to consult through the Whatsapp groups with my fellow students about what is important for them in a Dean, so that I can better represent the students in the search committee.
Thanks in advance.
Vedanth Govi, Graduate Program in Social Anthropology
I am a doctoral student at the Department of Anthropology, York University. In my doctoral project, I am interested in tracing how international Asians students exist within the larger infrastructures of internationalisation, labour and immigration regimes, and Canadian Higher education. I would like to be the graduate student representative on this search committee because as a fourth year doctoral student I am positioned to understand that a welcoming and student-interfacing dean of FGS is pivotal to graduate student careers and their success. Secondly, as an international graduate, the search committee will benefit from having me on, especially when selecting between candidates who show that international graduate members have to be a part of their vision.
Shaina Jaff, Graduate Program in Biology
I am a molecular and cell biology Masters of Science candidate. I am the chair of AGSBS (Association for Graduate Students in the Biological Sciences). I am a wife and young mother and teach Biology Grade 11 at a local high school. As a South African who immigrated at a young age and became a Canadian citizen at the age of 7, I believe I can bring a diverse and fresh mindset to the committee’s search for a new dean.
Sanjida Sharmin Mohona, Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
I am a PhD student in EECS and interested to pursue my carrier in academic and/or research field. Getting selected to serve in the FGS Decanal Search Committee would be an excellent opportunity to learn the strategy and working process of the committee which will help me to improve leadership skill. I completed MASc. in Computer Engineering from York University. Before coming to York, I served as a lecturer at Stamford University Bangladesh. I can manage my time effectively, lead a group as a team leader and work in a group as a group member. For a future scientist or academician, improving administrative and management skill is equally important as gaining in-depth knowledge in their subject matter. I was an FGS student representative from department of EECS. I served the FGS Awards Committee in 2019-2021 where my responsibilities included adjudicating scholarship & award applications, selecting the recipient of the annual FGS thesis and dissertation prizes, reviewing nominations for the FGS teaching award established by the council, reporting regularly to council. Recently I have joined as a Graduate Student Representative in the Lassonde Tenure & Promotions Senate Review Committee. In this committee, my responsibilities include reviewing Tenure & Promotions files to ensure the files were fairly and properly adjudicated and that procedures were followed. I strongly believe that I can contribute to the York University if I get the opportunity of serving FGS Decanal Search Committee and I can fulfill my desire to work for the university community.
Kajal Sangha, Graduate Program in Law (Canadian Common Law)
Before taking the leap to pursue a legal career, I joined litigation firms Saund Law Firm and Mehar Lawyers LLP. Here, I was given a glimpse of my future and first-hand exposure to the responsibilities held by attorneys alike. I frequently accompanied attorneys to court becoming familiarized with legal proceedings and protocols. I worked closely with passionate attorneys whose provocations were the well-being, public service, and justice for community members.
Ensuring the well-being of individuals has always driven my passion. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kuljeet Cheema, professor and founder of SadhnaWay Meditation-Yoga Centre, I initiated my own foundation: the SadhnaWay Project, with the goal of providing aid in healthcare and education to orphaned girls in third-world countries. We were able to help over eighty young women attend school. The success of the program led me to become a vocal member of WomenOne - a NPO devoted to the same objectives as SadhnaWay. Joining such organizations further substantiated my view that a legal career would be the most fulfilling in my fight against injustice.
My dedication to human well-being has molded me into a self-aware woman who thrives for change. I believe the faculty committee will serve as a strong foundation for my future career and will provide me the knowledge I need to make the greatest impact in people’s lives. With the experience I have gained through my ventures, I am confident that I will make a positive contribution to your program.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Shams Seif, Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist & Women's Studies
I am Shams, a PhD student in the Gender, Feminist, and Women's Studies program. I have a rich cross-disciplinary background, with experience in performance and visual arts, childcare, and community work. My research focuses on using collaborative creative writing workshops to support new parents in their journey of processing and healing intergenerational trauma. I care deeply about advancing equitable practices in the university. If elected, I will work passionately to ensure that student voices are represented and respected within the selection process.
Davis Vallesi, Graduate Program in Communication & Culture
Hello graduate representatives of the FGS council,
My name is Davis Vallesi and I am a fifth year PhD candidate in the Communication & Culture program at York. It is with great enthusiasm that I put forth my interest in the FGS Decanal Search Committee; I have an extensive background of academic service that would enhance my contributions in this capacity.
Most notably, I served as a graduate student representative on the FGS Awards Committee from 2020-2022. This role allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the purpose, values, and expectations that guide FGS Committee membership; it offered an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact across the York University community alongside fellow graduate representatives, faculty members, and administrative staff.
I have also held executive positions within my graduate program student association, which include acting as President from 2019-2020 and YUGSA representative from 2020-2022. These opportunities fostered a broad sense of knowledge regarding the needs, interests, and priorities that are most central to graduate students.
As a result, I believe my varied service contributions would allow me to represent with integrity the perspectives of my fellow graduate students in the search for the incoming Dean & Associate Vice-President Graduate. Furthermore, I possess a strong institutional knowledge of FGS Council, developed during my time spent on the awards committee. I will conclude by affirming my commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as foundational values of my academic service. Thank you so much for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Davis Vallesi
Xiaoshan Zhu, Graduate Program in Marketing
After working in Canada for five years, I decided to back to school to develop my education skills in Marketing. I am from China, but I have been living in Toronto for over ten years. With my multicultural background, I have better understood the diverse environment at Schulich Business School and I have learned a lot from my classmates and professor. CDC and other school resources also give me a hand in looking for job/internship/part-time job. I want to share all my experience from MMKG to more students.