Student Life January 9th 2013 - Over the Edge MEET YOUR NBCGSS GRAD REPS While UNBC undergraduates student have the NUGSS, the UNBC graduate students have the NBCGSS (Northern British Columbia Graduate Student Society). The NBCGSS puts on formals, provides office space and much more to the graduate students through their interaction with the Office of Graduate Programs. They advo- cate on behalf of the grads all the while fostering a sense of community between students. Last semester the NBCGSS had their annual elections so let’s get to know some of your Graduate Student Representatives and Council Members. President: Director of Information and Technology: Fakhar Ul Islam is in his second year at UNBC pursuing a MSc degree in Com- puter Science. Originally from Pakistan and this will be his second master’s degree in computer science. With his prior know- ledge of computers he joined NBCGSS where he could be the most effective. “I have great ideas for betterment of gradu- ate student society, which I will implement in this winter semester.” Fakhar can be reached at his email: gssdit@unbc.ca. First Nations Representative: Spencer Greening is a member of the Tsimshian Nation and his tradition- al territory and village is that of the Gitga’ata (Hartley Bay) in the Great Bear Rainforest on B.C.’s Northwest Coast. Spencer grew up in Burns Lake, and loves the north, which is why he chooses to study at UNBC. He is cur- rently doing his MA in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on Tsimshian pol- itical identity and self-determination. While working with the NBCGSS he will bring a First Nations perspective, while representing other First Nations grad students, and promoting events in- volving First Nations Studies, The First Nations Centre, and different aspects of Indigenous Knowledge. Hadiksm Gaax di waayu - My name is Jessie King (Swimming Raven) and I grew up in Prince Rupert, B.C. while my family comes from the Tsimshian com- munity of Gitxaala. My student career at UNBC began in the Fall of 2005 in the Department of Psych- ology where I completed my Bachelor of Science with a minor in Philosophy in 2008. Shortly thereafter, I began a Master of Arts in First Nations Stud- ies and graduated again in the spring of 2011. Currently I am a graduate student in the first Health Sciences PhD cohort at UNBC. In my time at UNBC I have held pos- itions including: Teaching Assistant for College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences : Erin Browne (Not pictured) is in her second term as an NBCGSS council representa- tive for CASHS. She is a second year Masters student in Psychology, researching in the area of affect science. Erin looks forward to representing students in her college this year, with an aim toward improving communication between students and the support services available to them. She is excited about fostering community and communica- tion amongst graduate students, and looks forward to meeting all of you in 2013. Not Pictured. First Nations Studies, Research Assistant for the First Nations Centre and Health Sciences, and Lead Coordinator for two successful conferences - the Graduate Student Conference of 2011 through the Office of Graduate Programs and the Women Warriors: Indigenous Voices conference hosted by the First Nations department this past March 2012. More recently, I was a Sessional Instructor in FNST 100 in the fall of 2012. As a Graduate Student I have experi- enced highs and lows of the work that we do. In participating with the UNBC SAGE group I see the value in creating a stronger Graduate Student environment where we can gather to talk and share College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences Student Representative Barbara Willmer was born in Vancouver and grew up in Gibsons, and is very fond of the ocean. An avid fiddler she can be heard in the Grotto across from the UNBC Bookstore and tries to play as often as possible. Barbara | is studying for her MA in Interdisciplinary | Studies. She specializes in forensic osteol- ogy, comparing skeletal trauma data and testimonio evidence to gain a clearer pic- } ture of perimortem events in her focus area | — of Putis, Peru. Her goals this semester are to | ~ explore different ways to make student con- cerns hear, and see them addressed. What issues currently concern CASHS students, why and what can be done? our work. As Graduate Students, we are all emerging leaders in the community and we have extensive knowledge in our respective fields. However, to be strong leaders we need support systems in place to keep us motivated to achieve our goals. My experience at UNBC has been one where I received support from many sources - it is the main reason I chose to stay at UNBC as long as I have. My goal as NBCGSS President is to share avenues of support I have discov- ered during my experience and improve the lives of Graduate students at UNBC. I can be reached at gsspres@unbc.ca. College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences Student Representative: Rhonda Lee MclIsaac (Weweshkiin- zhiigook) has a leadership banner: “Leadership with a smile!” This model has served her well since her initial elec- tion as a CASHS Representative in 2010. Working for increased representation, better services, and community building, she is in the Education, Multi-disciplinary Leadership program. Her Master’s thesis is entitled "The leadership perspectives of Yukon First Nation women chiefs". Rhonda enjoys the cultural diversity of the Graduate Student Society and likes working with and meeting all grad stu- dents whether they are on campus or in our regional campuses. She can be reached at mcisaac@unbc.ca to discuss any graduate student concerns or issues.