ARTS & HUMANITIES STUDENTS' COUNCIL
WESTERN UNIVERSITY - LONDON, ONTARIO
GEt To KNOw US!
Department
Representatives
Jordan Ramnarine (he/him)
Program // Honours Specialization in Medical Sciences, Major in Gender and Women's Studies
Describe somethings you are working on to improve the student experience for your Department and some of your initiatives for the 2021-2022 year
After conducting my preliminary survey, there are a couple of initiatives that I hope to focus on during my term. First is advocating for the hiring of professors to teach courses on identities/demographics they belong to (e.g., an Indigenous professor teaching the MMIWG course). Second, I hope to advocate for an introduction of a Practicum or Independent Study course, allowing for more experiential opportunities for GSWS students to explore their own interests beyond the 4th year thesis only offered to students in the Honours GSWS module.
Elaborate on something you wish you knew in first year
I wish I knew to keep my options open. In first year, I was so ‘narrow-minded’ so to speak, as I was just focused on following this premade ‘plan of success’ that everyone around me was also following. I took courses I was not interested in and struggled to find my place at Western. It was only once I deviated from this plan and made my own path, that I was able to feel confident in my future goals. I encourage you all, no matter what year or program you’re in, to take a course that you are truly interested in - you never know where it might lead!
Gender, Sexuality, Women's Studies DR
Rachael Jensen (she/her)
Program // Double Major with SASAH and Environment and Health, and a minor in French
Describe something's you are working on to improve the student experience for your Department and some of your initiatives for the 2021-2022 year
I am working on creating a sense of community among French students at Western through more events online and offline, reaching out to listen to what the French Student body wants and needs, and by making the department accessible and comfortable for all students regardless of degree and skill. I am also excited to collaborate with the many clubs at Western, as well as other Arts & Humanities DRs.
Elaborate on something you wish you knew in first year
In first year I wish I knew how supportive the community at Western was going to be, and that I shouldn't be afraid to reach out to people or use the resources that were available to me. If I could go back then and tell myself one thing it would be that I should get more involved and that grades matter, but so does personal wellbeing!
French Studies DR
Gray Brogden (she/her)
Bachelor of Arts, Honours Specialization in Creative Writing and English Language and Literature and a Major in Arts and Humanities (SASAH)
Describe somethings you are working on to improve the student experience for your Department and some of your initiatives for the 2021-2022 year
As incoming English and Writing Studies DR, my main goal is to increase communication within the department. I'm hoping to start a monthly newsletter in the 2021/22 school year that talks about events, publications, accomplishments and even feature some student work. I'm also looking forward to working with the rest of the Academic portfolio to create engaging programming and events so that everyone has a chance to feel more connected to the Arts community at Western.
Elaborate on something you wish you knew in first year
I think the biggest thing I wish I'd known heading into my first year was just how many amazing communities there are to be connected with at Western. Coming into your first year of university, especially during the chaos that is the Covid-19 pandemic, is scary, but there are so many people at Western that are there to help make it less so. Joining clubs and getting involved on campus is one of the quickest ways to create lasting friendships and build circles of support who will be there with you throughout your university experience.
English & Writing DR
Sydney Turner (she/her)
Program // Honours Specialization in Philosophy
Describe something's you are working on to improve the student experience for your Department and some of your initiatives for the 2021-2022 year
As Philosophy DR, I intend to foster two-way communication with my fellow philosophy students, as well as increasing diversity and engagement across the department. In terms of initiatives, I intend to implement an affirmative action program for the philosophy department and for all of Arts and Humanities, as well as host student-led events and socials to increase engagement and awareness.
Elaborate on something you wish you knew in first year
In first year, I wish I had known about all of the resources that are offered to help Arts and Humanities students, including essay help, panel discussions, peer tutoring and more. On a personal note, I wish I had known to live in the moment and focus my attention on both school and my social life (I prioritized the former).
Philosophy DR
Anthony Tran (He/him)
Program // Honours Specialization in Linguistics and Major in SASAH
Describe somethings you are working on to improve the student experience for your Department and some of your initiatives for the 2021-2022 year
As Department Representative for Modern Languages and Linguistics, I am excited to bring together the many facets of Western's languages community. I'm particularly interested in furthering First year engagement with the languages community, something I felt lacking myself as a first year student! Through socials, peer mentoring, or student outreach, I hope to connect individuals to empower their education, and nurture their shared passions of learning languages and embracing world cultures.
Elaborate on something you wish you knew in first year
In first year, I was often caught up in trying to figure out who I was. I thought of it as a chance to "rebrand"–to present a version of myself that was new and fresh. It was exhausting. I realized I was working too hard at figuring how I wanted others to see me, instead of just trying to be me. While I’m still growing as an individual, I’ve definitely learned that being true to one’s self is the best way to find your footing in unfamiliar settings.
Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures DR
Shelby Sammut (she/her)
Program // Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Honors Specialization in Studio Art and a Minor in Sociology
Describe something's you are working on to improve the student experience for your Department and some of your initiatives for the 2021-2022 year
One of the things I am working on is increasing social media presence and ensuring that information reaches the students, in order to bring more awareness of events and opportunities to the students in Visual Arts. My goal is to bring back the strong sense of community so special to the arts community that was lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by reconnecting students to each other and organizations like the AHSC.
Elaborate on something you wish you knew in first year
Something I wish I knew more about in first year is just how much the Arts and Humanities Student Council does and offers students. So much of what my University experience has been can be attributed to the AHSC and the programs and services offered. However, there is so much more I could have been involved in and taken advantage of in first year, had I taken the time to look at all the opportunities available to me! Council has so much to offer students, and I’m so excited to be a part of it this year!
Visual Arts DR
Anjali Singh (She/Her)
Program // Major in SASAH (The School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities), Honours Specialization in International Relations, a part of the Scholars Electives program
Describe somethings you are working on to improve the student experience for your Department and some of your initiatives for the 2021-2022 year
As the SASAH D.R. I am hoping to advocate for student voice by using everyone’s input to enhance the program and course content. I also want to continue to strengthen support systems for students who are struggling academically, socially, and mentally by keeping the discussion of mental health open and accessible. Lastly, I want to strengthen the special connection that SASAH students share with their peers and the faculty through workshops and events.
Elaborate on something you wish you knew in first year
Some of the best advice I received about first year and would love to pass on would be to take every opportunity to make memories with your friends and new people you might run into as you can (covid safe of course). Spending all of your time on only schoolwork is just as bad as spending all of your time only socializing, and creating a strong network of supportive friends will help you in all areas of your experience.
SASAH DR
Lily Azzopardi (She/Her)
Program // Honours Specialization in Classical Studies, Minor in Ancient Greek and Latin Language, and a Certificate in Museum & Curatorial Studies
Describe something's you are working on to improve the student experience for your Department and some of your initiatives for the 2021-2022 year
I will always be reaching out to listen to students concerns to better advocate on their behalf and improve the department as a whole. I will be working to build up the Classics community by providing academic programming that offers opportunities for learning and networking, like academic collaborations with other departments, a fundraiser for the Classics Library, tutoring, and a speaker series. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns, I look forward to meeting you all and helping you have an amazing year!
Elaborate on something you wish you knew in first year
In first year I unknowingly confined myself to campus. There are so many great amenities here, and the campus really has everything you need, like it’s own little town, so much so that you don’t really need to ever leave. But the city of London offers so much more that what you simply need on a day to day business. Downtown London has some amazing restaurants, Victoria Park is beautiful, the drive-in movie theatres are such a blast from the past, and London holds its own festivals to attend during the school year. Make sure you get out and explore London and its opportunities while you can!
