Elections

Jake Barton

I’m running to be your UTSU President so I can deliver a ‘New Deal’ for students. That means investing in services that benefit you every day; improving campus life by increasing supports to clubs and students; pressuring the university for fairer academic practices and to truly become a climate leader; and engaging with various levels of government to deliver affordable student housing, a pedestrianized St.George, and cheaper transit. I want everybody to thrive during their time at UofT, these are just some of my ideas to make that happen. In addition, I want to hear from you! Please elect me so I can lead a UTSU that improves your day-to-day and delivers the changes you want to see. Vote Jake Barton for a New Deal for students.

https://linktr.ee/jake4utsu

Shehab Mansour

I want you to be able to respond to “Where do you go to school?” confidently. As the future president of the UTSU, I am serious about building a dynamic where every student feels represented, safe, and at home.

I’m Shehab, and here is what I have planned for next year.

At the forefront is student representation and assistance, an essential pillar in our diverse student body. With that, I will be focusing on improving accessibility and affordability for food choices, housing options and transportation across our campus.My mission is to build a sense of community at UofT. I will take initiative in the planning and execution of community building, ensuring that you have the opportunity to get involved, meet new people, and be heard.

Aidan Thompson

Hi folks! My name is Aidan, and I am running to be your UTSU President. This year, I’ve had the privilege of serving as your UTSU Vice-President, where together we have taken steps to make student life easier and less expensive. From establishing a free therapy program, to securing $1,600/year in savings for commuter students, and providing free dinners across campus, we’ve built a lot this year—but we need to keep this momentum going.

I want to spend next year fighting for you again: delivering a week-long campus-wide orientation, bringing back the orientation concert, supporting clubs on campus, building new student housing, and lowering the cost of commuting even further.

With your support, we can build a Better, Brighter UofT.

https://linktr.ee/aidanforutsu

Dhir Shah

Change is inevitable – we should not fear it; we should adapt to it. My platform embodies this principle. Within one year, I envision an UTSU that is not only more transparent, innovative, efficient, inclusive, and accessible but one where we are the change. From accountability to green, innovative investments such as digitalization to enhanced, cost-effective services such as insurance and aid, to freedom of speech across the union, change for us and by us is my direction. As a student, I have witnessed it through our leaders, and at VUSAC, my colleagues and I became the change that Victoria College sought. Now, with your support, it should be at UTSU.

To learn more, visit https://www.instagram.com/dhir4vpopsutsu or simply reach out.

Elizabeth Shechtman

Hello! I’m Elizabeth, and I’m thrilled to run for VP Finance and Operations. Drawing on my experience as the current President and past VP Student Life, I’m dedicated to streamlining operations and strengthening financial stability at the UTSU. With a proven track record in student leadership, I am committed to making a positive impact. My platform is structured around five key categories: Services and Programs, the Student Commons, Investment and Revenue, Governance, and Student Life, ensuring we meet members’ needs. I firmly believe that a strong student union is essential in creating a vibrant and inclusive community on campus. With my expertise, I am confident that I have what it takes to be effective and successful in the role. 

https://www.instagram.com/elizabethforvpfo/

Avreet Jagdev

As VP Public and University Affairs, I’m committed to advocating for the needs and interests of students from an equity-based standpoint. I am dedicated to working with university administration to further support for students by fighting unaffordability and tuition hikes, and increasing access to health & wellness, accessibility, and housing services.

I am also committed to pushing UTSU’s advocacy onto a path that is progressive and principled — this means standing in solidarity with Palestine, divesting from companies complicit in our climate emergency, fighting against gender-based violence, and pushing our university administration to do the same. It’s time for UTSU to firmly stand and fight for what is right.

https://www.instagram.com/avreetforvp/

Eli Miller-Buza

My name is Eli, and I am running to be your next VP PUA. I have led Enactus UTSG and organized events for the Munk School, dealing with university and government officials, thereby understanding how to make them work for us. I will fight for housing supports, and compassionate, approachable accessibility services, so everyone has what they need to succeed. To cut living costs, I will push for frequency-based student discounts on the TTC and GO. I will work to make campus streets safer and tackle sexual assault and voyeurism. Above all, I will always defend students and their interests.

https://www.instagram.com/eli.mb4utsu/

Paul Gweon

Hello, fellow students at UofT! My name is Paul Gweon, and I am excited to be running for the VP Student Life position at UTSU! Student life is a topic that I have been passionate about since day 1 of starting my undergrad, and I have constantly looked for ways that I can be involved to make student life better for all. As the potential VP Student Life, I plan to create a $40-per-month Groceries Rebate Program and an Affordable Transportation Program to aid students in coping with the high cost of living these days! And with your vote, we can make it a reality. You vote for me, and I’ll get to work. If that sounds like a good deal, vote Paul Gweon for VP Student Life!

Tala Mehdi

Hi! I’m Tala, and fostering a sense of community and inclusivity on campus has been one of my top priorities over the past three years. As vice president of Student Organizations at SMC and as president of the Arab Students Association, I am passionate about increasing student outreach and advocating for more exposure and accessibility. I have been listening to concerns brought forward by students and clubs at UofT, especially regarding funding, resource accessibility, and transparency throughout the UTSU club recognition process. I am here to ensure these concerns are addressed. As VP Student Life, I would go above and beyond to act as a voice for all students on campus, all the while organizing amazing events, and the best orientation 😉

Hunar Miglani

As a candidate for VP Student Life at UTSU, I’m committed to fostering a vibrant campus experience for every student. Your investment in the UTSU deserves transparency and tangible results. Drawing on my pledge to uphold equity and inclusion, I’ll prioritize organizing a wide range of events and initiatives that cater to the diverse needs of our student body, including but not limited to our international community. By ensuring that your fees are put to meaningful use, I’ll provide regular updates and transparent reporting on how every dollar is allocated. Together, we’ll build a UTSU where every member sees real progress, feels valued, and benefits from their investment in our shared student experience.

Lellow Sedio

Our UTSU could do more to relieve some of our student life stresses. As such, I plan to advocate for more financial aid programs, for individual students and clubs. Moreover, I believe our UTSU should create spaces for our invisible groups, such as mature students and be more representative of the diverse student population in our University. A big part of what makes university a great experience is the sense of community and belonging fostered through a strengthened and well-rounded student life. I plan to strengthen the already existing resources to ensure our unique student needs are met. A more effective UTSU means we can focus on being our best selves, however that may look for you.

Serenity Tuyet Mai Bui

University is more than just academics. It’s a place that allows you to explore your passions and hobbies. As the Vice-President of Student Life, I want to ensure that students are supported in all aspects of their university experience. I will advocate for transparency and accessibility for the student clubs that make up the UofT community. I will ensure that clubs are properly supported where needed and leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the UTSU and the clubs it supports are inclusive and welcoming. With your support, I will be dedicated to making my vision a reality.

Anna Xiao

Dear students, my name is Anna! I love animals， reading, playing instruments, performing and travelling(went to Tibet and the first campsite of the Mount Everest on my own). In sum, a person absorbed in exploring and learning . I am helpful, creative ,humorous and always want to bring new experiences to people around me. In my high school, I was always the department minister in school student union.In events like cultural day or closing ceremony, I played the role of leading host or director. This year in university, I am the frist year representative of FCU and was selected in Putnam advanced group. I am looking forward to holding singing contest, the Reader and intriguing annual carnivals on campus. Vote for me!

https://forpeoplefortruth.mypisell.com（PC required for viewing）

Aviral Dhamija
(he/they)

Can “equity” at this university break out of simple symbolism and grand gestures, onto an actual path of progress? Equity policies often serve as great PR, focusing on issues today that don’t challenge the structures we inhabit. Our administration sidelines simple policies like addressing the anti-Palestinian racism on campus while those that pad press releases face little blowback. If elected, I promise to disrupt traditions of complacent student governance by supporting radical grassroots campaigns, labour and allied faculty to address critical issues like food insecurity and precarious housing. Equally crucial for equity is memory, so I hope to create a new framework that gives control of what gets remembered to us, not the bureaucracy.

https://www.instagram.com/aviral_for_vpequity/

Sakeena Mohammad (she/her)

As VP Equity, I aim to prioritise an environment where all identities are valued, heard and represented. Here’s how:

 -Celebrating intersectional identities, stories and needs.

 – Fostering an environment where every student feels valued, heard, and represented. Here are some of the key initiatives I aim to champion.

– Prioritize discussions and development of policies with the University to ensure students feel safe at our gyms, classrooms libraries, community spaces and beyond. 

– Creating spaces which advocate for practices where students of diverse needs and experiences feel welcomed onto our campus. I will propose initiatives that promote equity of opportunity to all.

Visit my Instagram for more!
https://www.instagram.com/sakeena4vpequity/

Erica Nguyen

Hi my name is Erica Nguyen, I am part of the Visual Studies program, and I am running for Vice President of Professional faculties. I am passionate about accessibility and providing students with financial supports and fighting against tuition hikes. I believe that the UTSU should focus on connecting and advocating for the overlooked professional faculties on our campus, promoting our student aid and various supports to unaware students. I hope to push the UTSU and the university to take a progressive stand when it comes to issues pertaining to students, and advocate for equity focused initiatives.