Board of Governor Representative candidates

Candidate questionnaire

▼ WHAT RELEVANT EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR THIS POSITION?

I have extensive experience in university governance and student representation, evidenced by my current role as a Student Representative to the Dalhousie Board of Governors and member of the Capital Projects & Facilities Committee.

My involvement in university governance extends to serving as a Student Senator on both the Undergraduate Academic Programs Senate Committee and the Senate Learning & Teaching Committee, where I advocate for curriculum improvements and teaching excellence.

My leadership skills are further demonstrated through my positions as President & Founder of the Dalhousie Science Scholars & Leaders Society, Co-Founder & Director of the Dalhousie BforKai Society for Meningitis B Advocacy, and as an active member in various Dalhousie Student Union committees.

▼ WHAT RELEVANT EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR THIS POSITION?

My dedication to enhancing student life, academic excellence, and university governance at Dalhousie positions me as a strong candidate. My proactive approach in advocating for equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility principles, alongside my direct involvement in policy review and student welfare initiatives, showcases my commitment to representing the diverse needs of the student body.

My background in pragmatic leadership, combined with a track record of successfully leading and contributing to various committees and initiatives, demonstrates my capability to effectively advocate for and implement changes that benefit the student community

▼ WHY DO YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR YOUR DESIRED POSITION?

1. Enhance Educational Accessibility and Inclusivity: Continue to work towards creating a more accessible and inclusive educational environment, with a focus on integrating EDIA principles more deeply into the university's policies and curricula.

2. Strengthen Student Representation: Further improve the mechanisms for student feedback and representation within the university governance structure, ensuring student voices are heard and acted upon in all decision-making processes.

3. Support for Marginalized Students: Expand initiatives aimed at supporting marginalized/BBIPOC students in STEMM fields, leveraging my leadership role in the Dalhousie Science Scholars & Leaders Program to bolster academic belongingness and self-efficacy.

▼ LIST THE TOP 3 THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN OFFICE?

Accessibility and inclusivity within educational environments are paramount for me. My work with the Accessibility in Course Design Task Force highlights my dedication to this cause. Representing diverse (dis)ability groups, I am committed to guiding initiatives that ensure policies and course designs meet the needs of students with various challenges.

This work is crucial for creating an academic framework that is truly inclusive, acknowledging the intersectionality of (dis)ability rights with other equity-denied identity groups.

▼ DESCRIBE AND DISCUSS ONE STUDENT ISSUE THAT MATTERS TO YOU.

I am deeply passionate about dismantling barriers within STEM fields and ensuring that diverse talents are recognized and nurtured. This passion stems from my leadership in the Dalhousie Science Scholars & Leaders Program and my research evaluating its impact on marginalized students.

By fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among these students, we can address the 'leaky pipeline' in STEM, making it a more inclusive and equitable field. My commitment to this cause is driven by a belief in the transformative power of education and the potential for scientific inquiry to benefit from diverse perspectives.

▼ LIST A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF.

My last name (ARORA) is spelled the same way backwards!