About Us
The Graduate Programs in Education Students' Association (GPESA) is a volunteer organization that represents graduate students in Graduate Programs in Education (GPE) at the University of Calgary.
What does GPESA do?
Our Goals
Our goal is to increase the quality of the programs offered through the GPE by representing students on the various committees within the University of Calgary, increase ties with communites and professionals outside the university, and facilitate the potential for students to network and build beneficial relationships that could enhance participation in their relevant field during and after their studies
Advocacy, Academics & Socialization
We actively advocate for our members within Werklund and the Graduate Programs in Education (GPE) and collaborate at a higher level with the Graduate Students' Association (GSA). Academically, we offer learning opportunities, connect students with academic supports, and provide chances for professional development. Additionally, we are committed to fostering community-building, networking, and socialization to enhance the overall experience for our members.
Relationship with the Graduate Students' Association (GSA)
GPESA is a Departmental Graduate Association (DGA) of the GSA. The GSA Departmental Graduate Association (DGA) program gives graduate students in every department, regardless of size, the chance to plan and manage their own graduate students’ association. The GSA provides us with an operationanl bursary and a forum for presenting grauate student thoughts and concerns at the Graduate Representative Council (GRC).
Contact Us
Feel free to e-mail us at gpesa@ucalgary.ca or contact our executive/your EDSA representative to voice your ideas, concerns, or provide comments regarding your experience as a GPE student at the University of Calgary. Also, please fill out the Graduate Student Interests and Concerns Survey to let us know how we can better support you!
2023-2024 Team
Emily Coombs, Co-President (EDPS)
Emily Coombs is an queer autistic researcher studying the intersection of autism and LGBTQ+ identity, the experiences of autistic women and lesbian mental health. As Dr. Maroney's graduate student they have worked on expanding these fields of study. Emily also is affiliated with the University of Alberta and the University of Victoria where they study autistic adults experiences with higher education and autonomy. As similar research is being spearheaded Emily aims to bridge the institutions they work with.
Alexandria Poppendorf, Co-President (EDER)
Alexandria Poppendorf is a third year PhD student in WSE. Her research explores conceptions of relationality, place, and situatedness with focus on her homeland of central Appalachia, a rural region of the United States characterized by complex culture and genealogies of oppression. Her work promotes self-reflection as a means for interrogating and challenging historic inequity and unwellness. In addition to her experiences as a current student, she is a historian, educator, qualitative researcher, and novelist who has traveled the world as a teacher of English. A historian and teacher, she is uniquely suited to analyze complicated socio-cultural factors which contribute to the topics she explores. Qualitative research is a passion which she combines with her skills as an author, bringing her literary voice and criticality to every piece she writes.
Nurgül Balaç Rodriguez, V.P. Academics
Nurgul Rodriguez is an artist with an interdisciplinary practice, and PhD student at Werklund School of Education. She has an active individual practice of disciplines and media including porcelain, installation, handmade paper, printmaking, three-dimensional pieces, and more recently socially engaged and collaborative projects. Her work is social, political, and personal with a focus on issues of immigration, diasporas, borders, and cultures. She explores becoming a diasporic individual during identity formation within a new culture. Nurgul settled in Calgary in 2009 after many nomadic years of living in Turkey, the United States and Spain with her family. She currently lives in Calgary making, writing, teaching, collaborating and always learning.
Kristal Turner, V.P. Finance and Operations
Bio coming soon
Fabielle Cruz, V.P. Student Life
Fabielle is a Brazilian research, who was dedicated time to study video games, multiliteracies and education. With a background in language teaching and experience in multicultural multilingual classroom, she hopes to contribute significantly to GPESA and its members.
Vacant, Secretary
Position vacant
Tatyana Kim, Online and Professional Programs Representative
Bio coming soon
Razieh Alba, Promotions & Media Relations Officer
As a visual and conceptual artist, Razieh Alba has gained considerable experience in curating thoughtful and engaging social media posts to raise awareness about not only her own work, but about the exciting achievements and events on campus and around Calgary. Alba is currently enrolled in the University of Calgary’s PhD program for Educational Research in Curriculum and Learning. She also works as a Sessional Instructor for the Department of Art and Art History. Having also completed her BFA in Visual Arts and her MFA in Research Creation in the Visual Arts at UofC, Alba is deeply tied to the campus community and is thrilled to be able to give back in her position as the GPESA Social Media Officer.
Danielle Shinbine, EDSA Rep - Counselling & Psychology
Danielle (She/They) is a second-year student in the Msc Counselling Psychology program. Their research interests are delineated towards examining factors that enable coping and resilience in LGBTQ+ individuals throughout the lifespan, as well as the LGBTQ+ community’s relationship with social media. When not working, Danielle enjoys their hobbies of retro video gaming and visiting animal sanctuaries. In their role as the Counselling Psychology rep, they aspire to be a source of support for fellow graduate students and are eager to contribute to the GPESA team.
Patricia Fontanilla, EDSA Rep - School & Applied Psychology
Patricia is in her second year of her MSc in School and Applied Child Psychology. Currently, her research focuses on resiliency in middle school aged children. For her undergraduate studies, she completed a Bachelor in Community Rehabilitation alongside her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and researched the role of gender in chronic illness. This is Patricia’s first year being part of the GPESA team and she is so excited to work collaboratively with other student representatives to enhance the graduate student experience. She aims to hear students and support them in fostering meaningful experiences and relationships within the Werklund community.
Emmanuel Amaechi, EDSA Rep - Learning Sciences
Emmanuel Amaechi will lead the improvement of student welfare and policy amendment strategies. Students are invited to connect with Emmanuel (Emmanuel.Amaechi@ucalgary.ca) to provide suggestions on how he can represent the student voice or any questions or concerns. About Emmanuel Emmanuel Amaechi Obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education Economics from the University of Nigeria. In March 2023, Emmanuel and his team received Map the System Ucalgary 3rd Place Prize for their work on Mental health. He volunteers to improve children's access to quality education at Street2School in Nigeria. Emmanuel Cares about fairness, and level playing field through quality education.
Fiona Couillard, EDSA Rep - Curriculum & Learning
Bio coming soon
Abigail Williams, Chief Returning Officer
Abigail is in the third year of her Educational Research PhD, specializing in Language and Literacy. She has a bachelor’s degree in Education and master’s degree in Applied Linguistics. Her research revolves around the exploration of principled education in intercultural environments. She focusses on second language teaching and learning and is now working towards enlivening an “inertia of habit” in L2 classrooms. Apart from teaching, her professional career has included intercultural program facilitation and implementation for teachers in Italy, Spain, and Peru. In her other life, outside academia, Abigail has been involved in elite swimming both as a swimmer and coach and often enjoys swimming laps at our UofC pool for the quiet thinking time.
Eve Moreau, EDSA Rep - Language & Literacy
Bio coming soon
Assad Ali Bik, EDSA Rep - Leadership
Bio coming soon
Lily Jiaqiu Cai, EDSA Rep - Adult Learning
Lily is currently in the second year of the Ed.D. program, specializing in Adult Learning. Her research interests are with immigrants, volunteerism, and anti-racism. With a M.A. in Intercultural Communication and over a decade of professional experience in the community, she brings to the GPESA team expertise in communicating with diverse stakeholders and a passion for enhancing education experiences beyond the traditional classroom. She understands the importance of representation and is thrilled to give back to the Werklund graduate community through working to enhance the graduate journey of Adult Learning students.
Reha Sandu, GPE Peer Mentorship Coordinator
Bio coming soon