The Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the UMGSA. All of the Executive Members are elected during the UMGSA general elections held each March.  If you would like to suggest ideas, raise your concerns, or meet with any of our Executives for any reason, call us at 204-474-9181 or e-mail us to make an appointment.

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The Executive is headed by the President & Senator, who is responsible for ensuring that the UMGSA runs effectively and sits on the U of M Board of Governors, the Senate, and chairs the Executive Committee. The Vice-President Finance & Administration looks after Policies and Bylaws, the UMGSA budget, conference grant funding, and other services. The Vice-President Services & Support is responsible for liaising with outside organizations and planning events to help improve graduate student life at the University. The Vice-President Academic & Senator is responsible for coordinating academic events, providing services for students in financial need and providing advocacy on academic issues on behalf of graduate students. The Vice-President External & Senator is responsible for the more externally focused advocacy aspects of the UMGSA, typically positioned towards other external groups and governments. The HSGSA President represents the interests of Health Sciences students at the Bannatyne and St. Boniface campuses.

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C Yendt, UMGSA President & Senator

I am passionate about student government and have been involved at various levels throughout both my undergraduate and graduate studies over a decade! At my alma mater, as an undergraduate student I served as a VP, Finance and Administration and Board Chair. As a graduate student I served two terms as VP, Finance and three as GSA President. While a student I also served three years on Board of Trustees and five on the Senate. At UM, prior to becoming UMGSA President I served as a Program Representative on UMGSA Council, Co-Chair of the Executive Review Committee, and as VP, Finance of EdGSA.

I am also a certified teacher and registered mental health consultant.

I am thrilled to serve as UMGSA President this year, and to work on your behalf to improve the graduate student experience here at the University of Manitoba.  Advocacy and service define our purpose, and together these tools can elevate the voices of graduate students and lead to change where and when it is needed most. This year our team is united in our approach to challenging systems with a passion to create change all around us and benefit all members of the UMGSA. I most excited to engage with as many of you as possible, as we look to create a Strategic Plan for the UMGSA, a first in our organization’s history. It is your visions, collectively, for what graduate students need which will serve as a roadmap for how we get there as a community. It is collaboration, ongoing, throughout the year that holds the potential to meaningfully address the challenges we face as graduate students. This outreach and engagement are central to my commitment to serving our communities, both at the university and beyond.

It is together that we can create change and improve the student experience for all graduate students at the university, and it is this vision I am committed to enacting as your President. I encourage you to connect and share your experiences with all of us, so please reach out if you have any questions, comments, or just want to say ‘Hello!’

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Armin Aghajani, Vice-President Finance & Administration

Working with other members of the UMGSA, I strive to develop and implement programs and initiatives that benefit graduate students. Regular communication with graduate students is also a priority to keep them informed about the activities and decisions of the UMGSA.

In addition to my role as a senator, I have been appointed to serve on various committees of the graduate student association, including the Senate Committee on Admissions, Senate Committee on Appeals, Senate Committee on Curriculum and Course Changes, and Senate Committee on Instruction and Evaluation.

As an advocate for graduate student issues and concerns, I collaborate with university administration, faculty, and other stakeholders to ensure that graduate students are well-represented and that their voices are heard. Overall, my goal is to ensure that graduate students have a positive and productive experience during their time at the University of Manitoba.

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Anh Pham, Vice-President External & Senator

Anh Pham – VPE: vpe@umgsa.org (She/ Her)

Office Hours: Thursdays – 1pm- 3pm – Please book appointment ahead of time.

Hello graduate students,

I am delighted to serve as your Vice President External & Senator. My name is Anh Pham, and I am currently pursuing my M.B.A at the Asper School of Business. With a deep-seated commitment to student engagement and advocacy, I am thrilled to embark on this journey of driving positive change within our community.

Throughout my academic pursuit, I have actively engaged in fostering student involvement and advocating for our collective interests both within the university and beyond its walls. My experiences as a leader in student association has endowed me with valuable insights into representing student interests effectively in various forums, including engagements with government officials.

My passion lies in creating diverse employment opportunities for students and advocating for policies that enhance our career potentials. Moreover, I am deeply invested in addressing key issues facing graduate students, such as affordable housing, tuition fees, mental health support, and access to funding and resources. I believe in taking a proactive approach through initiatives like appeals, petitions, and organizing events that foster meaningful connections and opportunities for academic and professional growth.

Together, let us forge meaningful connections, drive positive change, and create a future where every graduate student not only survives but thrives. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I am wholeheartedly committed to serving you and our UMGSA community.

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Oyomikon Jakpa, Vice-President Academic & Senator

I hold this role in the UMGSA highly because it offers me an opportunity to serve you by being your voice in a journey we share.

My compass for leadership is founded on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion which I am passionate about and has also been pivotal in my success story. In this role, I will leverage my experience of successfully leading diverse teams with student communities to serve you in the most rewarding way.

Please reach out to me if you would love to get involved in the implementation of my campaign goals which I now refer to as PILLARS or if you just want to share your ideas on how we can make significant progress as an association.

I am YOUR ADVOCATE, YOUR VOICE, and YOUR PARTNER in shaping the future of our academic journey.

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Timilehin Oluwajuyitan, Vice-President Services & Support

I have gained wide experience in student leadership and volunteering roles. This includes 2022/ 2023 University of Manitoba Graduate Student Award Assessment Committee; Evaluation committee in sharing of holiday hamper, University of Manitoba; Graduate Student Representative of Food Science and Technology Department, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Nigeria; Secretary student social and welfare committee, FUTA Student Union, during my first- and second-degree program from home country (Nigeria). This and many more have made me interact with students on different platforms seeing the challenges encountered daily. 

My vision as your Vice president service and support is to create an enabling environment by organizing different workshop and social activities to make our daily academic pursuit easier. As a team-player, good listener, and communicator, be rest assured of effective service and support to all graduate students.

Thank you,

Timilehin Oluwajuyitan (He/ Him)

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Sadhana R.N. Sudhakar, Vice-President Health Sciences

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Amanda G. A. Sa, Associate Vice-President Postdoctoral Affairs

Amanda G. A. Sa – Associate Vice-President Postdoctoral Affairs: avppa@umgsa.org

Hello!

I have a Ph.D. degree in Food Engineering (2022) and a M.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering (2018) from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil). Currently, I am a Post-doctoral Fellow Researcher at the University of Manitoba, under the supervision of Dr. James House. My project involves the determination of factors impacting the nutritional quality of plant-based protein sources.

I am also the Vice-president of the Post-docs and Research Associates Organization (PDRAO) of the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences (FHNS) at the University of Manitoba. My vision is creating an inclusive community, in which Post-docs are empowered, appreciated, acknowledged, and supported in their present and future pursuits.

Knowing the current challenges faced by post-docs, my role as AVPPA will help develop and implement programs and initiatives that benefit this community. I am thrilled to embark on this journey of driving positive change. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

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