Candidate Statements
Faculty
David Clausi, Professor, Systems Design Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Passionate about fostering student success, driving research growth, enhancing teaching, and strengthening À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s global reputation, I look forward to being a Board member to collaboratively guide UW’s future as a leader in education and innovation. As a long-standing faculty member, dedicated administrator, award-winning educator, and accomplished researcher, I am deeply committed to advancing UW’s mission and strategic direction. My extensive experience includes roles as Associate Chair, Associate Dean, and Presidential Search Committee member. With expertise in academic leadership, strategic planning, new initiatives, interdisciplinary collaboration and successful entrepreneurship, I am well-prepared to contribute effectively to governance decisions.
Laura Deakin, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Chemistry, Faculty of Science
As an instructor of both Science and Engineering courses, and taking on the role of Associate Director of Nanotechnology Engineering and now Associate Dean of Science for Teaching and Learning (UG), I am committed to helping UW navigate its way through the next few years. We will have to find solutions that require us to examine problems in new ways. Our solutions need to be thoughful so they build on our strengths and not create gaps in support, programming or capacities to work towards our core mission.
Hans De Sterck, Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics
As a faculty member with cross-university experience as graduate chair, centre director and department chair, with your support I will represent the voice of our À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ academic community on the Board of Governors. I care deeply about defending and upholding key institutional values such as academic freedom, autonomy, excellence in research and teaching, collegial governance, and human rights. The University faces many challenges and we need strong representation from Senate on the Board to keep the institution focused on our core missions of excellent research and excellent teaching, which I believe remain crucial for the continued success of the University.
Rob Gorbet, Associate Professor, Knowledge Integration, Faculty of Environment
An alumnus and faculty member, I’ve been at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ 35+ years. I’ve taught in three faculties and have spent the last 25 years developing networks and, I believe, goodwill, trust, and understanding across campus. I have 9 years of service as Chair, two terms as Governor, and currently serve on Senate and as a Director of FAUW. I have developed a holistic view of the University and how it works (and sometimes doesn’t work) that I believe is important in guiding us through current significant financial challenges. I hope to bring this perspective and experience to service of the Board.
Nadine Ibrahim, Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Nadine Ibrahim is the Turkstra Chair in Urban Engineering and Associate Professor, Teaching Stream in Civil & Environmental Engineering. She works on sustainability in municipal and industry-academic collaborations, re-imagining the future of education, and the Canadian Engineering Grand Challenges which motivate what we teach, learn and research. Her work on sustainable cities crosses multiple faculty boundaries, and her work on the Engineer of 2050 intersects several generations and equity groups. Her current role as President of the Canadian Engineering Education Association has enriched her skills in governance, finance, and board processes. She places people at the centre of her decision-making.
Marc Jerry, President and Vice-Chancellor (Renison University College), Renison University College - University Administration, Tenured in Social Development Studies; cross-appointed in Culture and Language Studies
Dr. Marc Jerry is a professor and President and Vice-Chancellor of Renison University College, an affiliated college of the UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. Dr. Jerry has almost 30 years of experience as a faculty member, scholar, and academic administrator. He is an expert in not-for-profit board governance and university leadership. Prior to coming to UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ in 2024, he served a full term as professor and President of Luther College at the University of Regina. As a sitting President, he holds a unique leadership and governance perspective that would bring great value to the Board as we move through a leadership transition at UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ.
James Nugent, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability, Faculty of Environment
Large institutions have tremendous inertia; transformation is difficult. As we confront unprecedented financial challenges, critical voices and unconventional thinking on the Board have never been more important. I will continue to advocate for greater sharing of financial information between the Board and Senate. The joint budget information sessions we have been having is a good start. I am concerned with the disproportionate growth of senior administration and use of consultants at a time of supposed budgetary constraint. Finally, I will advocate for more transparent governance and have already been working to make Board committee meeting minutes (open session) publicly available.
David Porreca, Associate Professor, Classical Studies, Faculty of Arts
I have just been re-elected for a 2-year term as Faculty Association President, ending in June 2027, and I am seeking renewal for one of the Faculty positions on the Board of Governors. I have served multiple terms on UW Senate and Board of Governors over my career, so I have the experience needed to be effective as a Governor. I can best serve the institution as a whole by remaining involved in these several roles, thereby maintaining an awareness and a capacity to speak and to act as our University navigates increasingly difficult financial conditions.
Su-Yin Tan, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, School of Planning and Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment
I understand the importance of university governance, which is critical to fulfilling our mission of education and research for advancing knowledge. We are facing a challenging period with leadership changes. I have been a faculty member for 16 years and served in diverse roles, including Teaching Fellow (Associate Dean, Teaching), FAUW Board Director, and member of the Academic and Freedom Committee, FAUW Executive Committee, and Faculty Relations Committee. I have significant experience in policy and rules of governance. I am deeply committed to working collaboratively on UW’s mission and to strengthen collegial relations among diverse parts of the University community.
Stan Woo, Dr, School of Optometry & Vision Science, Faculty of Science
Having served two terms prior, I will lend my experience, insight, and collaborative spirit to support the university during a period of transition. I have actively participated in the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ at 100 and Global Futures initiatives, and firmly believe in the potential of our students, staff, and faculty. My specific area of interest is with Health Futures, and the opportunity to connect UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ with our hospital partners, KW4 Ontario Health Team, and our broader community. Despite the current headwinds, I am optimistic about our future and ready to work hard to realize our collective ambition at this great institution.
Undergraduate Students
Jordan Bauman, BSc Psychology, Faculty of Science
I love being in university governance. I hope that’s evident. It’s an honour to be part of the Senate, and because of that, I bring my A-game. I am prepared for meetings, I ask questions, and I’m not afraid to volunteer my thoughts. Throughout my term, I’ve enjoyed forging relationships with Senate colleagues: those whom I agree and disagree with. As a Governor, you can expect me to continue collaborating and bringing my enthusiasm to meetings. In the difficult times ahead, we leaders have a profound responsibility to guard UW’s interests. As a Governor, I will take this responsibility seriously.
Damian Mikhail, Statistics and Actuarial Science, Faculty of Mathematics
As WUSA President-Elect, I’ve earned the trust of students on campus to represent them. I hope to represent the interests of all members and stakeholders of our university, whether that be students, faculty, or administration, or community members. It is crucially important that we work collaboratively to ease the pain and adapt to a drastically changing financial and political environment for UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ and universities across Ontario more broadly.
Alex Pawelko, Pure Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics
My experience includes many student representation roles within the Math Faculty and Conrad Grebel, including previously serving on Senate Undergraduate Committee (F24) and WUSA’s Academic Affairs Advisory Committee (S24-present). I am interested in serving on the Board of Governors, particularly on a committee like Finance & Investment, to bring a balanced viewpoint that acknowledges the difficult state that UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ currently is in, whilst always aiming to protect what makes this University great: excellent teaching, research, and community. In particular, I believe such a perspective is necessary as we plan for the future, including the possible renewal of the tuition freeze.
Arya Razmjoo, Legal Studies, Faculty of Arts
As a dedicated student leader, I bring extensive governance experience to the Board of Governors. I have served as Vice-President of WUSA and OUSA, where I also held Vice-Chair roles on their Boards, ensuring effective long-term planning and financial oversight. My communications and legal studies background equips me to navigate complex policy decisions while prioritizing transparency and student interests. I am committed to fostering accountability and strategic decision-making to ensure À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ continues to thrive for all stakeholders. I look forward to the opportunity to bring my experience and perspective to the Board.
Rida Sayed, Nanotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
I am soon beginning my second 2-year term as a Senator, having also served on the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Executive Committee.
I bring extensive knowledge of the University’s governance systems and policies, as well as drawing on experience from my work across many parts of the university community.
- Member of the Undergraduate Student Relations Committee
- Incoming Director of the WUSA Board of Directors
- Director on the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Engineering Endowment Fund Board