Attention BSW students! Participating in extracurricular activities can often be an overlooked aspect of post-secondary education, yet something that can enrich your overall journey. Whether you’re passionate about student rights and their voices, you wish to network with other Social Work students or faculty, or simply build your resume, the Social Work Students Association (otherwise known as SWSA) is here to help you make the most of your time at York University!
What is SWSA?
SWSA is a student-run volunteer-based organization that is for students, by students. We are the student representatives for the Social Work student body, to the School of Social Work. As an Executive Member of SWSA, students can have an opportunity to participate in and experience Committees in the School of Social Work, which provides another valuable avenue to represent the student voice.
SWSA is an invaluable resource for BSW students. As the name suggests, SWSA is a Social Work centric student organization that works to embody a lot of the core values that are taught in-class, with particular emphasis on critical social work, critical self-reflexivity, anti-oppressive practice, and (self) empowerment.
SWSA is here to work alongside and support the Social Work student body in the following ways:
- Support students with their transition to university, as well as help them navigate York University by providing mentorship, support and guidance
- Serve as a bridge of communication between the Social Work students and the School of Social Work, as well as the York Administration
- Advocate on behalf of Social Work students on matters that are important to them
- Build community and foster engagement within the Social Work student body
- Promote the School of Social Work and SWSA to the broader York Community
- Organize, promote, and plan events and initiatives that support and benefit students
- Put theory into practice
Quick Links
Keep in Touch
Our Programs & Initiatives
Mental Health & Wellness Initiative
Our work to address gaps in student mental health support. Three specially designed themes help students feel welcome and supported.
Drop-In Group Support (DIGS)
Fostering community and belonging in our program. DIGS provides a safe and welcoming space for students to relax, share and connect with each other.
Community Navigator Program
Experienced upper-year students helping new students. Connect with a mentor or volunteer to help others.
Meet the Team
Kiana Namdarpour (she/her)
President
Jessica Luong (she/her)
Senior Vice President
Mahyar Saeedabadi (he/him)
Vice President
Nneamaka Iheanacho (she/her)
Vice President
Rubaljeet Kaur (she/her)
Vice President of Drop-In Groups
Julissa Alvarez Vargas (she/her)
Senior Advisor
Bella Labiba Tasnim (she/her)
Drop-In Groups Coordinator
Juno Tan (he/him)
Drop-In Groups Coordinator
Alexia Carayannopoulos (she/her)
Co-Events Coordinator
Fizza Kaleem (she/her)
Co-Events Coordinator
Kimli Nguyen (she/her)
Co-Events Coordinator
Mariyah Bandaisha (she/her)
Co-Events Coordinator
Joshua Hans (he/him)
Finance Coordinator
Arnav Verma (he/him)
Public Relations Coordinator
Holy Anne Pena (she/her)
Public Relations Coordinator
Maha Sohail (she/her)
Public Relations Coordinator
Gunoor Manocha (she/her)
Public Relations Coordinator
Ariana Noce (she/her)
First-Year Student Body Representative
Chantelle Belonio (she/her)
First-Year Student Body Representative
Maida Hassan (she/her)
First-Year Student Body Representative
Tanya Bajwa (she/her)
Second-Year Student Body Representative
Zoya Mallick (she/her)
Fourth-Year Student Body Representative
Chelsea Lewis (she/her)
Community Navigator
Natalie Joly (she/her)
Community Navigator
Jhanavi Mandikal Nagaraja (she/her)
Co-Social Media Representative
Adrian Cabose (he/him)
Admin Assistant
Nadine Awume (she/her)
Admin Assistant
Lavan Ethirnayagam (he/him)
General Affairs Officer