Graduate Students’ Biographical Statements
Academic Planning & Policy Committee
Marwah Azizi, Disaster & Emergency Management
My intercultural experiences as an immigrant have shaped me into the critical thinker and devoted advocate for health equity that I am today. From firsthand experiences with health disparities in Afghanistan and Canada to working in various world-renowned hospitals and serving vulnerable populations through local nonprofit organizations, one goal has become abundantly clear to me; to make an impact in the lives of marginalized communities in Canada and beyond. It is both my story and my calling. I pursued my undergraduate studies in Public Health at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to acquire the necessary practical and theoretical knowledge and skills to transform my lived experiences and challenges as an immigrant and ethnic minority, into policymaking and a catalyst for addressing health equity issues at both local and global levels. Through my involvement in the Academic Planning & Policy Committee, I aim to advocate for inclusive policies that prioritize the needs of diverse communities. Moreover, by leveraging my intercultural background and educational foundation in Public Health, I aspire to influence decision-making processes that promote equitable resource allocation, culturally competent care, and community engagement initiatives.
Daniel James Escott, Law
Daniel Escott, currently pursuing his LLM at Osgoode Hall Law School, is an exceptional candidate for York University’s Standing Committee on Academic Planning & Policy due to his extensive legal background and deep commitment to improving access to justice. With a foundational education from the University of New Brunswick, where he earned his JD, Daniel has consistently demonstrated an aptitude for tackling complex legal issues, evidenced by his active participation in significant moot court competitions like the Davies’ Annual Corporate/Securities Law Moot and the Donald G.H. Bowman National Tax Moot.
Daniel’s experience extends beyond academia into practical law application, having clerked at the Federal Court where he gained firsthand insight into judicial processes and legal frameworks. This experience enriches his understanding of the judiciary’s role in access to justice, an invaluable perspective for any policy-making body.
Moreover, Daniel’s involvement in community service, such as his years of service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and his leadership role as National Student Committee Chair with the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, highlights his commitment to legal equity and reform. His achievements in community engagement have also been recognized with the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
Given his legal expertise, proven leadership, and dedication to service, Daniel Escott is uniquely qualified to contribute to York University’s policy committee, bringing a balanced view on academic integrity, innovative policy solutions, and a focus on inclusive educational practices.
David Harding, Social Work
David is an MSW student entering his second year at York University. He has an extensive background in mental health care and community organizing, with a recent focus on political advocacy at the municipal and provincial levels. David’s roles span from crisis response and in-patient care, with Toronto Distress Centres and Bellwood Health Services, respectively, to community engagement and development within Toronto Community Housing. Most recently, David joined The Change Lab where he continues to advocate for police reform and improved access to health and recreation services in Toronto.
As a student and helping professional, David is committed to challenging structural inequalities within our society and its institutions. He is excited to foreground student experiences, struggles, and successes with the Academic Planning & Policy Committee!
Students continue to face the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising cost of living, and a recent strike within the university. It is vital that York University accommodate and account for how these events and others are affecting student well-being and success. David is committed to fighting for more accessible course delivery methods and academic accommodations for all students.
Shahzab Hussain, Mathematics & Statistics
I’m Shahzab Hussain and pursuing a degree in the Master of Arts in Mathematics & Statistics in the Data Science stream. I’m currently a student representative of the Academic Policy & Planning Committee and like to continue for the next school year. I participated in almost every meeting which provided insights in how the process works for handling academic policy and planning.
Joe Tran, Mathematics & Statistics
Hi everyone, I’m running to be part of the Standing Committee for Academic Planning & Policy Committee. Throughout my undergraduate years at York, I’ve constantly supported undergraduate students in their program and have strongly developed leadership and communication skills. I’ve also been academically successful in most of my undergraduate courses, and I firmly believe that with my firm knowledge of courses and programs in math, I can help make one’s York experience a better one.
Awards Committee
Kathleen Cherrington, Gender, Feminist & Women’s Studies
As a dedicated member of the academic community, I am deeply invested in contributing to the advancement and recognition of excellence. My interest in serving on the Standing Committee’s Awards Committee stems from a passion for fostering a culture of appreciation and acknowledgment for the outstanding achievements of our colleagues.
With a background in Sexuality and Women’s Studies, I’ll bring a diverse perspective to the committee, ensuring fair and equitable consideration of nominees from various disciplines and career stages. Through my experiences as a teacher’s assistant, research assistant, and member of the Sexuality Studies Council where I have participated on the awards committee, I have developed a keen eye for identifying exemplary contributions to teaching, research, and service.
I am committed to upholding the integrity of the awards process by adhering to established criteria and procedures while also advocating for inclusivity and diversity in recognition initiatives. Moreover, my strong organizational skills and attention to detail make me well-suited for the meticulous review and evaluation of nominations.
If elected to the Awards Committee, I pledge to approach my responsibilities with diligence, impartiality, and enthusiasm, striving to support the faculty in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our peers. I am honoured by the opportunity to serve in this capacity and look forward to the prospect of contributing to the enhancement of our academic community.
Yue Qu, Biology
As an incoming graduate student, I fully recognize the responsibilities and objectives of the Awards committee: to help prospective or current graduate students gain a comprehensive understanding of the various scholarship options available to them, to facilitate their smooth academic progress, and thereby to open up more opportunities and possibilities for their future. This fills me with passion and job satisfaction.
Also, I have three years of experience handling student affairs, the specific duties entail assisting classmates in operating the confocal microscope. During this period, I consistently exhibited a profound sense of responsibility and demonstrated notable patience when collaborating with my peers. Tasked with managing two microscopes on the cell imaging platform, I ensure their uninterrupted operation during peak usage times. Aiming to boost efficiency, I take the initiative to acquaint myself with the principles of instrument usage, software procedures, and data processing methods in advance. In cases of unforeseen instrument malfunctions, I diligently work to rectify them under your supervision until they are fully functional once again. You have recognized my display of both responsibility and compassion in my duties. My assistance has been particularly valuable to students, some of whom have conveyed to me their appreciation for my pleasant and encouraging demeanor. That experience endows me with sufficient responsibility and a sense of mission to assist the Awards committee in fulfilling its duties.
Maverick Shelagh Marie Smith, Critical Disability Studies
I am a queer, trans, non-binary settler-Canadian with multiple disabilities who is currently completing my Ph.D. in Critical Disability Studies at York University. Doing this particular degree at York University has been an educational goal of mine for many years. I have received various awards, scholarships and prizes as part of my educational journey. This means I understand how awards can be valuable in terms of recognition and validation as well as monetary support. I am interested in serving on the Awards Committee so that I can contribute to the mandate of this committee. Specifically, I am interested in helping to selects the recipients of relevant scholarships, awards, and prizes, both ones which are internal as well as ones which are related to recruitment. I am also interested in recommending nominations for external student awards. As someone who plans to teach when I complete my Ph.D., I am also interested in understanding best practices for teaching by reviewing nominations for the FGS Teaching Award as well as nominations for external faculty teaching awards. More broadly, I am interested in reviewing FGS policies relating to teaching awards. Finally, as someone who belongs to multiple equity-seeking groups, I am passionate about recommending terms and conditions of new scholarships for Faculty of Graduate Studies in consultation with relevant units.