Election Candidates

My name is Emily Grady, and I’m grateful to study, work, and live on the traditional and unceded territories of the sngaytskstx tum-xula7xw (Sinixt), Secwepemcúl'ecw (Secwépemc), Ktunaxa ?amak?is, and Syilx tmix? (Okanagan) Nations, also known as Revelstoke, British Columbia.

I am entering my final year(s) in Athabasca University’s Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education, I am eagerly preparing to begin my thesis on Open Educational Resources (OER) for environmental education this January. Balancing life as a solo parent of two school-aged children and working as an instructional designer, I have greatly appreciated AU’s commitment to accessibility, flexibility and community support – it's made pursuing this degree possible.

Now, I’m excited to give back to this community by representing the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences on the AUGSA Council. With a background in project management, stakeholder communication, survey creation/analysis, and advocacy, I bring both experience and passion to the role. I’m committed to actively listening to students and working collaboratively to address our shared needs and goals.

Thank you for considering my candidacy—I look forward to the opportunity!

My name is Hyeyung Park, and I am a 2nd year doctoral student in distance education at the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. I have chosen Athabasca University to allow me to learn distance education in a real-world environment. Since Athabasca University is a world-class open university, I am privileged to be part of authentic distance education. Armed with the rapid evolution of AI and edtech, distance education now plays an integral role in most education systems worldwide. My research areas are instructional designs integrated with AI and edtech, which significantly contribute to advancing instructional design. As a doctoral student, I want to be actively involved in the advancement of the Graduate Students' Association by providing my lifelong educational learning experiences, professional expertise, and up-to-date AI and edtech knowledge and skills. I have been an active community member as a volunteer at the Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association and an Edmonton Immigrant Services Association board member. Please give me a chance to work for our faculty. I am confident in advocating for our faculty and representing its excellence. I look forward to meeting all the graduate students as a council member of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences.

My name is Laura Marchese and I’m a MAIS (Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies) student. I am roughly halfway through the program, which, for me, means I still have a few years left. I would like to be your Representative on the Council because I have a strong interest in helping students succeed and reach their goals. I have previous experience on Student Council at a different institution and experience working in the post-secondary sector.

I was inspired to run for Council after feeling frustrated by successive tuition rate increases. Fortunately, there will be no increases for the next academic year, but that doesn’t rule them out in the future. As your representative, I would advocate for grandfather clauses to ensure that students can accurately plan the cost of their degree. I would also advocate for better practices to facilitate accommodations for graduate students with disabilities, as the current practices have some significant gaps. 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.

Passionate advocate and community leader, I am Laura Pena, currently pursuing an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Equity focus at Athabasca University. With a deep commitment to social justice, I have served as Co-chair of the Young Workers Committee and facilitated initiatives at the Center for Spanish Speaking People's, where I have dedicated myself to promoting equity and empowerment. Throughout my career, I have championed initiatives that foster positive change and amplify underrepresented voices.

My journey in community engagement and leadership reflects a steadfast dedication to inclusivity and advocacy. From organizing workshops on labor rights to spearheading grassroots campaigns, I have worked tirelessly to address systemic issues and create meaningful impact within diverse communities. As a candidate for the AUGSA Council, I am driven to continue this journey of service and advocacy. With a vision centered on inclusivity and empowerment, I am committed to amplifying the voices of all graduate students and advancing initiatives that reflect our collective values and aspirations.

With your support, I pledge to bring forth innovative ideas, cultivate collaboration, and ensure that the AUGSA remains a beacon of representation and advocacy. Together, let's build a stronger, more inclusive community where every voice is heard, and every student thrives. Thank you for considering me for this important role.

Hello AUGSA Members, I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the AUGSA Council. With a diverse background spanning journalism, education, public administration, and student advocacy, I bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to serving our graduate student community.

Having worked as an instructor and journalist for many years, I have honed my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. My two-year tenure as Vice President of Student Affairs and Academics with the GSA at the University of Saskatchewan gave me invaluable experience in advocating for student needs and organizing impactful events like the 3 Minute Thesis competition.

My journey in public administration has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of governance, economics, and policy analysis. I am passionate about addressing issues affecting graduate students, including financial support and tuition fee affordability. I believe in promoting diversity and implementing inclusive hiring practices to create equal opportunities for all.

If elected, I will tirelessly advocate for your needs, organize informative workshops, and work towards policies that benefit our diverse graduate student body. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive graduate community. Thank you for considering me for this important role.

Warm regards,

Ali Kiani

My name is Colby Orchard and I’m a 33-year-old from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, where I live with my wife and 10-month-old son. I work as the Director of Development for a private not-for-profit organization overseeing the assets of a former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) training base. In addition to the continuation of RCAF pilot training, I support the management of commercial, residential, and recreational properties. I also serve on the board of directors for my local chamber of commerce and am heavily involved within the community, including participation on the advisory committee for the redevelopment of a local outdoor rink.

I am a graduate of the University of Manitoba, where I previously served on the Residence Students’ Association Council. I have just recently completed Phase 1 of my Master of Business Administration program and am now looking to get more involved in this university that has provided so much for me already. I am passionate about contributing to the university community and confident that my leadership experience, strategic planning skills, and understanding of organizational management make me well-equipped to serve on the Graduate Students Council for the Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association.

Hello everyone, my name is Pawel Zygmunt, and I am excited about being in MBA program through the Athabasca University. I am located in Edmonton, Alberta, and enjoy watching and playing hockey, running a hockey podcast, traveling to the mountains, watching film and spending time with my family. I am currently working for the Government of Alberta as a PDD Disability Caseworker and am working toward becoming a supervisor in my role. I would like to be selected as a Council Members from Faculty of Business in hopes that I can make a positive impact for all students, to provide leadership and represent the student body with the best of my ability. I hope I am selected and look forward to this great possible opportunity.

Yi is a Professional Geoscientist with a background in a wide range of economic metal exploration and critical mineral mining in Canada. Yi started his Master of Business Administration degree through AU in the summer of 2022. Through his MBA studies, he hopes to gain more financial knowledge and learn various skills to be an effective and innovative leader in the mining sector.

He is a current volunteer member of the Mining Technical Advisory & Monitoring Committee with Canadian Securities Administrators, a volunteer career coach, an employee-voted representative within the pay equity committee, and an employee representative at the occupation health committee. His extensive community involvement has led him to want to play a more active role in AUGSA and make more great experiences for his fellow students. Yi respectfully advocates for positive changes, active allies, and a more inclusive and safer environment that will have a meaningful impact. He has a passion for education and would love the opportunity to represent AU graduate students in a more formal capacity.

linkedin.com/in/yiwanggeo

My name is David Albert Newman. I am in my final year of the Athabasca University (AU) Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program as a Doctoral Candidate. My research is about self-presentation challenges, stigmatization, and mental illness in the Canadian accounting profession. My goal is to ameliorate human suffering from self-presentation challenges if there is stigmatization and mental illness maltreatment in the profession.

I have previously served for the AUGSA council as one of your Faculty of Business Representatives. My council highlights include responding to graduate student inquires about academic programs, university partnerships, and work opportunities.

Outside of studies, I have most recently been employed as an AU Graduate Research Assistant for numerous Faculty of Business Professors. I plan on recreationally learning new languages including Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. My second intermediate level language is currently French which I am refreshing. I also want to incorporate these languages into my research potentially in other countries where spoken. I like to academically travel to disseminate my research. My best strength is relating to others by putting myself in their shoes. I received the AU Future Alumni Award 2024 for leadership, service, and potential of a current AU Student.

My website: http://davidalbertnewman.com/

AU Future Alumni Award Bio & Video: 

https://www.athabascau.ca/news/alumni/doctoral-students-research-focuses-on-improving-mental-health-at-work?fbclid=IwY2xjawGWYGhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfHRHzRw8z3L4SmMeqN7xK13qzm1C2ZK3XAQc4LLC_rWKbovOd1p6uc0cw_aem_xe3Jyco-PSQkiC3JseVVGA