Election Candidates

My Fellow Graduate Students,

 As the 2024/2025 Chair/President, I was thrilled to advocate for the Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association (AUGSA) priorities at both the Government and University levels. At the Government level, through the hard work of AUGSA Council and Staff, AUGSA proudly joined the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). At the University level, I was invited to join the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) Strategic Planning Committee. On behalf of the Committee, AUGSA Staff and I worked together to send out a “first-of-its-kind” special newsletter to the FHSS Graduate Students, inviting them to have their voices heard through an appreciative inquiry.

Currently, I am in my second year of the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education program at Athabasca University. I will begin the Instructional Design Thesis Route next term, and I plan to further my studies in the Doctor of Education in Distance Education program at Athabasca University. My research will focus on human memory, serious games, and distance education.

I would be honoured to continue to find innovative ways to serve you as the newly elected AUGSA President. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Dave Roy
AUGSA Chair/President
www.augsa.com

A second-year Master of Counselling student, Justin is familiar with the challenges that students face. As your AUGSA President, he will supply student council with a perspective integrating over a decade of business and entrepreneurship experience rooted in student advocacy. Currently researching ADHD, Justin is passionate about supporting the needs of neurodiverse students and ensuring all voices are heard. He was previously involved as co-facilitator of Tomorrow's Leaders at UBC and the University of Alberta. He values bringing people together and recognizing their diverse voices. As a leadership coach, Justin integrates his business experience to support large organizations to create change. He believes that free speech is a cornerstone of a successful society and that the graduate education programs that Athabasca offers must reflect the changing needs of today's competitive employment landscape. A graduate of UBC, Justin received a liberal arts education and values the lessons that history and great literature can teach us.

Hello fellow graduate students and AUGSA members!

I write to you today from the unceded and un-surrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin People (Ottawa area). My name is Kia Buchanan, and I am a Master of Nursing: Nurse Practitioner student approaching the midpoint of my studies. I have been a registered nurse in Ontario for almost 10 years with a primary focus on mental health care. My leadership experience includes Student Liaison for the NP program, Treasurer for the Toronto-based chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, charge nurse and clinical lead roles, preceptor to RN students, and in a past life a first aid/CPR supervising instructor. I hold a deep passion for learning, training, and information exchange and hope to bring my breath of skills to the table as your next VP Academic!

My name is Laura and I’m a MAIS student, just over the halfway point in my program. I would like to be your VP Academic because I have a strong interest in helping students succeed and reach their goals. I have previous experience in student government at a different institution and experience working in the post-secondary sector as an administrator.

I was inspired to run for the VP Academic role because it involves extensive work advocating for students and helping them to navigate complex bureaucratic processes within AU. Having worked in post-secondary before as an advisor for students, I have a vast amount of experience in both areas, and I love advocating for students when they need help up against big institutions. As your representative, I will consider what is important to you and will make myself available to support you. I will also advocate for better institutional practices to accommodate graduate students with disabilities, as I have identified some gaps in the current practices. I hope that you will vote for me so that I can represent you with passion and dedication. If you wish to contact me with any questions or concerns, my email address is lmarchese1@learn.athabascau.ca.

Pam lives in Ontario Canada with her dog where she works as a part-time professor, Pilates instructor and dog walker. She enjoys the outdoors, practicing yoga, and spending time with friends. As a lifelong learner, graduate from multiple post-secondary institutions, and current faculty member who has been teaching at the post-secondary level for over a decade, Pam is uniquely positioned to make a meaningful impact within the role of Vice-President Academic at Athabasca University. Pam’s varied work history and passion for education and helping students will allow her to serve as strong advocate to assist with academic issues, while working closely with various stakeholders, to ensure excellent education at Athabasca for her fellow graduate students. A natural leader, with experience running her own small business, and serving on academic committees at the post-secondary level, Pam also brings over 20 years of experience in teaching yoga and fitness and in working at various levels of business in a variety of industries to the role. Pam looks forward to the opportunity of making a meaningful contribution as Vice-President Academic at Athabasca University.