Fatemeh Mohammad Zamani

Graduate Student

Question 1: I believe that I would be an excellent candidate to be considered as a Student Governor because:

I am interested to cooperate as a member of the Board of Governors and I think that I can be a beneficial there, because I bring together lived student experience, leadership in governance, and a strong sense of responsibility toward the wider student community. As a PhD student, I understand firsthand the academic, financial, and personal challenges that students, navigate throughout their studies.
In my role as Vice President Operations of the Graduate Students’ Association, I work closely with university administration, student leaders, and service providers to support students in practical and meaningful ways. This role has strengthened my ability to listen carefully, balance different perspectives, and contribute thoughtfully to discussions where decisions have long-term impacts on students.
What motivates me most is ensuring that students feel heard, respected, and supported. As a Student Governor, I would bring a constructive perspective, while working responsibly with the Board to support decisions that benefit both students and the university as a whole.

Question 2: I have the following skills and experiences which would be beneficial in my role as Student Governor:

Thanks to my academic and professional environment, I have strong analytical and problem-solving skills developed through my graduate-level engineering research, which allow me to assess complex issues, interpret data, and contribute thoughtfully to policy and strategic discussions. My academic training has also strengthened my ability to think critically, ask the right questions, and evaluate long-term impacts of decisions.
I bring practical governance and leadership experience through my active involvement with the Graduate Students’ Association, where I have worked closely with students, executives, and university administrators. This role has helped me develop a clear understanding of institutional processes, committee work, and the importance of balanced, evidence-based decision-making. One clear example of this is my current work on aligning the GSA’s structure and governance with the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA). This process has required careful attention to legislation, accountability, and long-term organizational sustainability, experience that directly relates to the responsibilities of a Board of Governors.

In addition, serving as Chair of the GSA hiring committees and supervising several staff members has taught me how to recognize people’s strengths, work effectively with diverse personalities, and build constructive professional relationships. These experiences have helped me improve organizational performance while maintaining a respectful, collaborative work environment. Furthermore, I have strong communication and collaboration skills. I am comfortable representing colleagues perspectives in formal settings, listening to diverse viewpoints, and working constructively to reach consensus.

Question 3: If elected to the Board, what would you like to gain from the experience and/or what skills would you like to further develop?

If elected to the Board, I would like to gain a deeper understanding of university-level governance, strategic planning, and decision-making at the institutional level. While I have experience in student governance and committee work, serving on the Board would allow me to better understand how academic priorities, financial constraints, and long-term strategic goals are balanced in practice.

I would also like to further develop my skills in high-level policy analysis, governance ethics, and consensus-building among stakeholders with diverse and sometimes competing interests. Learning how to contribute effectively in discussions that shape the long-term direction of the university is an important professional goal for me.
At the same time, I hope to strengthen my leadership and advocacy skills by representing student perspectives clearly, responsibly, and constructively. I view this role as an opportunity to grow my leadership experience and skills, while gaining experience that will be valuable in future academic, research, and leadership roles.