THIS IS YOUR POTENTIAL LEADERSHIP

Hello, my name is Emma Thomas and I am in my 4th year of a Conservation Biology degree with the faculty of ALES! I would love the opportunity to support, listen, and represent our faculty as your next ALES Student Councillor.

My time on campus has been defined by my experience as an ALES student. From taking classes with many of our amazing professors to volunteering in labs, I have gotten a deep understanding of what it means to be an ALES student here at the UofA. Over the last few years, I have strengthened my passion for conservation and our faculty, as well as learned my passion for amplifying the student voice. Student representatives are necessary and should first and foremost be there for the students.

I have been involved on campus in many ways throughout my degree, from being a student group executive, to volunteering and working with the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU). These experiences have taught me how to advocate for students in a variety of circumstances, a useful skill I would bring to my role as ALES councillor if elected.

ALES needs representation, and with my experience of working in and around the UASU I can bridge the gap for students and make changes that will impact current and future students.

My name is Amanda Dunbar and I'm a second year law, crime, justice major at Augustana. My deep love for Augustana drives everything I do. Our campus culture, history, and vibrant student body deserve strong, energetic representation that never lets Augustana be treated as an afterthought. I will proactively showcase the strengths of our campus and build stronger bridges between Augustana, the U of A Students' Union, and the city of Camrose. Vote Amanda Dunbar for Augustana representative!

I am Jasmine Virk, a first-year JD student at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. Before law school, I completed my BScN in Nursing, where I developed a strong interest in health law, policy, and the ways legal systems shape people’s everyday lives. I have also served in student leadership and on community boards, where I have learned that effective representation requires more than having a seat at the table. It requires listening, communicating, and following through!

As Faculty of Law Student Council Representative, I want to make student representation practical and accountable. Law school moves quickly, and it can be difficult for individual concerns to make their way through formal structures. I will work to make sure students know what is being discussed at Council, have accessible opportunities to share their concerns, and receive meaningful updates on issues that affect them. I also want to advocate for a law school environment where students from different backgrounds, experiences, and pathways feel that they have a genuine voice!

I am not running with the expectation that every issue can be solved immediately. I am running because I will take concerns seriously, ask difficult questions when necessary, communicate honestly about what is possible, and follow up rather than letting issues disappear! I would be honoured to represent our Faculty and earn your trust through the work I do!

Hi, I'm Abigail Yohannes, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student.

Nursing has taught me that the best parts of being a student come from the people we meet and from having someone who listens. Through clinical practice, research, mentorship, and community involvement, I've seen how much it matters to feel heard.

I'm running for Nursing Student Council and General Faculties Council to be a voice you can approach and trust with your concerns and ideas. I want to strengthen communication between students and faculty and help build a community where everyone feels they belong.

Representation is more than a seat at the table. It's listening, advocating with intention, and making sure your experiences aren't lost once the conversation begins.

I'd be honoured to serve you.

Hello, my name is Joel Davidson and I am a 3rd year student running to be your Nursing Councillor for the UASU. I am running for this position because I believe that our nursing students deserve to have someone to fight for their needs, someone who isn’t afraid to be direct, someone who is comfortable in their ability to express the opinions of the student body to the UASU and to the Nursing faculty as a whole. That person is me. In addition to making sure that nursing students are adequately being benefited by the UASU as an organization, there are a few specific things that I would like to begin discussions with the faculty about, notably: early communication and transparency when it comes to changes in the curriculum or clinical placements, consistency in the nursing curriculum between classes (same lab values, definitions, sequela for conditions for different course codes), access to learning materials from previous classes that are still being tested on in upper year courses (we already paid for it after all), better practice materials/question banks, and the ability to see the answers to exams so we can further our learning and clinical competency as nurses rather than having to guess what we got wrong. The U of A nursing program is one of the best in the world, but with my help, I think we can make it better. Vote for Joel Davidson!

Hi! I’m Merit Elmerry, a second-year Doctor of Pharmacy student running to represent the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the University of Alberta Students’ Union. I’m passionate about student representation and creating a university community where students feel heard, included, and supported. As someone who has experienced the U of A both as an undergraduate student and now as a pharmacy student, I hope to bring a broad perspective to student leadership.

I was born in Egypt, I’m fluent in Arabic, and I hold a Bachelor of Science in Immunology and Infection from the University of Alberta. My connection to pharmacy began through my work as a pharmacy assistant at an independent pharmacy, where I worked for several years before beginning pharmacy school. I now continue that journey as a pharmacy student, giving me perspectives from both the professional and student sides of pharmacy.

At the U of A, I have been involved with UABC (2021–22) and IMINSA (2023–24), and have collaborated with WISEST and Uschool through different opportunities. I’ve also volunteered as a Sunday school teacher for more than five years, an experience that has taught me the importance of listening, communication, and building welcoming spaces.

Outside of school, I love getting lost in a good historical fiction novel—so if you have a recommendation, please send it my way! My favorite book is Thousand Splendid Suns. Spoiler alert. It is very sad.

Early on in my life I learned an important lesson that you cannot wait around for others to do things that you want to be done. In addition, sometimes doing it yourself is the quickest way to ensure something gets done and in the way you want it to! I've never been one to make empty promises neither can I guarantee you that I can get you the outcomes you're looking for; what I can guarantee is that if I can get it done, I will, and if I cannot, I will find someone who can help you. Even if I cannot get the whole task done, I will do everything in my power to push the needle in your favor! I'm blunt and straight to the point, and I don't shy away from difficult conversations if it means that the needs of the student body are met and well-represented. If you ever find me, all I need to know is how I can help make your university experience better, and I probably know someone to direct your concerns to! The Students' Union is one of this university's strongest assets, and I'm running to make sure that you reap all its benefits.

Hey Everyone! My name is Shlok Shah, a 4th year Honors Neuroscience student running to be your next Faculty of Science Representative.

With executive leadership experience and as former Founding Co-President of M4Y Alberta, I want to hold the University accountable and put students first. My platform is simple: no empty promises. I could promise you the moon, but if what you really need is a marble, I would rather secure the best marble possible.

Here is my stance:

Closing Council Disconnect: Through bi-weekly Instagram debriefs to break down council meetings and town hall style monthly meetings with program clubs, I will ensure you have a direct say in decisions made on your behalf.

Modernized Study Environment: If, like me, you hate the current state of lecture halls, I will advocate for retrofitting classrooms with better outlet placement and more functional working space over distant administrative projects.

Cutting Hidden Costs: I will partner with our GFCs to push for faculty wide open education resources. I will push for better CMA management and expanded digital resource access through rational solutions such as access through UWS wifi or library portals instead.

Student-First: I am just one member in the faculty, my job is to represent you. My DMs are always open, I am a regular participant in different club events, always feel free to approach me so that I can better represent each perspective.

You deserve accountable and accessible representation in Council. On election day, vote Shlok Shah, vote student-first!