Candidate Bios - UBC Senate, Graduate Seat

Hi, I’m Bryan! I’m a master’s student in Community Planning, and I hope to serve as your Graduate Student Senator. Graduate student labour is integral to the operations of our university; without us, UBC would grind to a halt. 

I currently serve as a graduate student representative to AMS Council and as Chair of the GSS’ AMS Caucus. I also have two years of experience serving on the McGill University Senate as a student senator. If elected, my biggest priority is stopping starvation stipends for graduate students and making sure we are fairly compensated for our research work and student labour. 

My Student Advocacy Experience: 

• 2026 – Present: Chair of the Graduate Student Society’s AMS Caucus 
• 2025 – Present: Graduate Student Representative to AMS Council 
• 2021 – 2022: Organizer, Divest McGill 
• 2019 – 2020: Student Governor, McGill University Board of Governors 
• 2019 – 2020: President, Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) 
• 2018 – 2020: Student Senator, McGill University Senate 
• 2018 – 2020: Chair, SSMU Fall Reading Break Committee 

For more information on who I am and how I would fight for you, please visit https://linktr.ee/bryanburaga 

Thank you for your consideration!

Hey! I’m Jalen, a Master of Public Policy student here at UBC! I’d be
honoured to represent graduate and postgraduate students on our campus as your representative to the UBC Senate!

Students deserve a strong voice at the table to ensure our best interests are reflected. During my first 4 years at UBC, I enjoyed being involved on campus and advocating for students, and this year, I’ve represented you at the President’s boardroom table. I hope you can
continue to count on me to continue advocating at the UBC Vancouver Senate!

Last semester, I was elected to be the Graduate Student Representative on the President’s Advisory Committee for the Selection of a Vice-President, Research & Innovation. The committee went very well and I made sure to speak up for student issues and perspectives in the selection process.

I graduated from UBC in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Commerce, and also served two terms as President of the Ubyssey, your student newspaper on campus. After graduating, I served in multiple roles within the BC government, most recently as Executive Assistant to the Minister of Mining.

Thank you for your consideration!

Heya, I’m a grad student in Science and Technology Studies. I’m a very experienced student leader, passionate about having student perspectives respected in university decision-making bodies. I’m an immigrant single mom and have grappled with invisible disability during my studies, so am keen on representing student interests on accommodations, parenting, diversity, and affordability.

More broadly, I want to feel proud to be a UBC student. I want to ensure that UBC enacts its commitments on Indigenous rights and institutional decolonization. I’m aghast that UBC is acting as though the livestreamed genocide and scholasticide of Palestinians is not happening; I believe UBC should cut ties with Apartheid and racial supremacy everywhere, especially the Israeli occupation.

We live in dark times, where alienation and distrust undermine our ability to remain connected. I’m running for Senate Grad Student Rep to advocate for inclusion and justice. As your rep, I will pursue policies that build a welcoming community where grad students can pursue learning, teaching, and research meaningfully; with integrity; in ways that nourish and satisfy; and in the safety of collective belonging.