About Us

Fabielle Cruz, President

Fabielle Rocha Cruz has worked as an English language teacher in bilingual and international schools in Curitiba, Brazil, with experience in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and multilingual education. In recent years, she worked as a Pre-service English Teaching undergraduate professor at a private university. Her research interests include bilingual and plurilingual education, educational guidelines for bilingual education and Brazilian curriculum, multiliteracies, digital literacy, and video games in education.

Email: fabielle.rochacruz@ucalgary.ca 

Fabi's Linkedin

Lily Jaiqiu Cai, Vice President, Academics

Lily Cai is currently in the third 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.

Email: lily.cai@ucalgary.ca 

Lily's Linkedin

Shuvo Chowdhury Rahul, Vice President, Finance and Operations

I have hands-on experience working multiple voluntary and leadership roles throughout my academic career. I have developed good communication skills, teamwork, and collaborative skills by working with individuals and professionals from diverse disciplines. I aspire to utilize my skills and expertise for the betterment of graduate students in Werklund School of Education. If I am elected for this role, I will work diligently and honestly to bring a positive impact on Graduate Programs in Education.

Email: shuvo.rahul@ucalgary.ca 

Shuvo's Linkedin

Samara Karishma, Secretary

I was the vice president for the Education Student's Association 2018-2019 and would love to be involved in the Werklund community again. As an engagement coordinator for the Canadian Rare Disease Network, I would succeed in the secretary role as I have experience keeping meeting minutes, communicating with steering committee members across Canada, replying to emails and helping curate grant documents as well as maintaining the social media platforms, newsletter and website. I also update events happening across Canada for the network and have great experience collecting the events, organizing them and adding them to the CRDN website.

Vice president, Student Life

Shahneela Tasmin Sharmi is a dynamic leader and advocate for student well-being, currently serving as Vice President for Student Life at GPESA. She is passionate about fostering inclusive communities and enhancing student engagement through diverse initiatives. With extensive teaching experience spanning over a decade in K-12 settings and at the university level in Bangladesh, Shahneela is dedicated to supporting learners in reaching their academic potential. Her academic background includes research on equity and AI in education, where she explores innovative ways to improve learning outcomes. Combining her teaching expertise with leadership skills, she works to create enriching experiences that empower students and build a vibrant, supportive community at GPESA.

Email: shahneelatasmin.shar@ucalgary.ca

Shahneela's Linkedin

Online and Professional Programs Representative, Warren Ferguson,

I have worked as an educator for many years, and I come to the University of Calgary with a passion for professional learning. I believe that serving others is instrumental in helping fellow students feel supported and encouraged in their studies. Online learning has its unique challenges, and it can be somewhat isolating at times. I am committed to serving and advocating for students in online and professional programs. This can be best accomplished by working within a team to build our graduate learning community, and through positive social engagement and professional development.

Promotions and Media Relations Officer, Razieh Alba

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.

Brian Gilbert, Peer mentor Coordinator

Brian received his B.Sc. in Natural Sciences (concentrating in chemistry and biology) and his M.A. in Educational Research (specialized in curriculum and learning) from the University of Calgary. He is completing his PhD in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary in Educational Research, where his research focuses on exploring how online communities empower learners to develop scientific literacy skills outside of formal learning environments. Brian is passionate about teaching and learning at both the k-12 and post-secondary levels as well as research in both SoTL and Curriculum. Brian has held multiple teaching roles across the University of Calgary as a Teaching Assistant and Sessional Instructor as well as many research assistant positions focused on improving science education and curriculum development. His interests as an educator and researcher include improving accessibility of science, challenging norms of science education, and adding creativity into science instruction at all levels.

Adult Learning, Chima Nwachukwu

With dual degrees in Adult Education and Economics, complemented with another degree specialization in Community Development, I possess a comprehensive understanding of adult learning and community engagement. My previous experience as a teaching assistant has equipped me with the skills to support students effectively. I am a self-motivated individual with a strong drive to excel. My collaborative approach makes me a valuable team player, and my contributions to the current practices of adult learning will serve as a source of motivation for the graduate program in education.

Counsellling Psychology, Danielle Shinbine

Danielle (She/They) is a third-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.

Curriculum and Learning, Fiona Couillard

Fiona is a third-year PhD Student in Educational Research under the curriculum and learning specialization. Fiona holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with distinction from the Alberta University of the Arts. Fiona currently sits on the Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee (TLAC) as well as the Curriculum and Learning Committee (EDCL).

Language and Literacy

Coming soon

Leadership

Coming soon

Learning Sciences

Coming soon

School and Applied Child Psychology, Alexa Rood

I am eager to connect more with the graduate community at Werklund by taking on a leadership role. I have experience in public speaking and am passionate about advocating for myself and other students so we can have the best educational experience we can. Although I am not from Calgary and studied at a different university during my undergraduate work, I want to contribute to the community I am now a part of at the University of Calgary.

Collette Quinn-Hall, Chief Returning Officer

Bio coming soon

Kristal Turner, Volunteer and Advisor

Kristal is a PhD student in Education Research-Learning Sciences with a history of advising in higher education. She is skilled in Nonprofit Work, Event Planning, Office Administration, and Community Engagement. Strong research professional with an MA degree in education research and a Bachelor's degree in archaeology from The University of Calgary.

Alexandria Poppendorf, Volunteer

I am an educational leadership doctoral candidate at the University of Calgary who is deeply passionate about place-based pedagogies and posthuman futures. With over 15 years of experience in educational leadership, I am a critical scholar who strives to shed light on inequities in our higher education places. My concerns include the systemic exploitation of international students and graduate workers, the commodification of knowledge by our institutions (e.g, for-profit publication, colonial themes inherent in funding practices, bullying and gift-giving within faculties, etc.), and oppression caused by monolithic understandings of knowledge. I'm a past GPESA president and currently serve as Vice President Academic for the Graduate Students' Association. I'm happy to continue to support our GPESA and the richness of learning within WSE!