Membership

Current Membership

2024-25 U of A Senators

Last updated - October 2024

Learn About Becoming a Senator

Term end dates indicated in parenthesis.

Ex Officio (7)

Chancellor - Mr. Nizar Somji - 4-Year Term (June 2028)
- An accomplished engineer and entrepreneur committed to innovation and serving the community.
President & Vice-Chancellor - Mr. Bill Flanagan
- A transformational and entrepreneurial leader committed to the long-term academic and financial success of the U of A.
Provost & Vice-President (Academic) - Dr. Verna Yiu
- An accomplished and servient leader in the academic and healthcare sectors, former President and CEO of Alberta Health Services, and practicing pediatric nephrologist.
Vice-Provost and Dean of Students - Dr. Ravina Sanghera
- Dean of Students, commiteed to uplifting our students and serving our entire campus community.
Associate Vice-President, Online and Continuing Education (Extension Senior Representative) - Ms. Jessica Butts Scott
- Passionate about enabling accessible, online learning and development for all who have a drive to earn an education.
Alumni Association President - Mrs. Ashton Rudanec (May 2026)
- A sustainable investing professional and proud U of A BCom and MBA alumna.
Alumni Association President Elect - Mrs. Cathy Allen (May 2028)
- A proud U of A alumna BSc 1976, BEd 1977, MEd 1999 and now serving as a Public School Board trustee.

Appointed (25)

From the Public by the Minister of Advanced Education (9)

Mrs. Kirn Jot Dhaliwal-Bassi - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- Passionate about literacy and educators as identity makers.
Ms. Lina Maingi - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- Project management expert with a focus on financial management and passionate health advocate.
Dr. Svetlana Pavlenko - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- Holding an MBA, a PhD, and a MA in leadership, she builds connections and inspires others.
Mr. Josh Stachniak - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- General Counsel and Corporate Director of Risk Management at Covenant Health.
Mrs. Mary Jaya Stanislus - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- An outcome driven entrepreneur. Passionate about collaboration and helping others succeed.
Mr. Jonathan Stringer - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- A U of A graduate whose passion is building connections between local communities and business.
Vacancy (3)

From the Board of Governors (2)

Mr. Chris Ashdown - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2025)
- Retired, Catholic Deacon, President of Edmonton Streetcars, and worked in healthcare and U of A.
Mr. Sett Policicchio - 2st 3-Year Term (September 2026)
- Involved on several non-profit agencies and boards, family business boards and public boards.

From General Faculties Council (3)

Dr. Kenneth Gariephy - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Director of SLIS and proud to represent General Faculties Council on the Senate.
Dr. Christopher Lupke - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Professor of Chinese Cultural Studies with specializations in modern and contemporary literature and cinema studies.
Dr. Nikolai Malykhin - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Full professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of Alberta.

From Deans' Council (2)

Dr. Tracy Raivio - 1st 2-Year Term (June 2026)
- Passionate about graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, research, education and engagement.
Dr. Marvin Washington - 1st 2-Year Term (June 2026)
- College Dean/Vice Provost of Social Sciences and Humanities at U of A.

By the Graduate Students' Association (1)

Mrs. Ola Mabrouk - 2nd 1-Year Term (June 2025)
- PhD candidate in Chemistry at U of A, a pharmacist with a MSc in Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry.

By the Students' Union (4)

Mr. Abdul Abbasi - 1st 1-Year Term (April 2025)
- Student/Vice-President External, University of Alberta Students’ Union.
Mr. Pedro Almeida - 2nd 1-Year Term (June 2025)
- Fifth year student in a BSc in Immunology and Infection.
Ms. Rebeca Avila Garcia - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2025)
- BA Honors in philosophy and political science student.
Mr. Mason Pich - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2025)
- Enjoys learning and politics.

From the non-academic staff by the Non-Academic Staff Association (2)

Mr. Gavin Palmer - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Interculturalist, facilitator, and global education specialist.
Mr. Patrick von Hauff - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Designer and design educator working in health professions education.

By the Alumni Association (2)

Mr. Ali Damani -1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Pharmacist, healthcare advocate, and hotelier.
Mrs. Christine Westerlund - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Graduate from the University of Alberta with a BScN and a MSc in Health Promotion.

Elected by the Senate from Public Applications (30)

Ms. Carole Anctil-Michalyshyn - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- BA, LLB, (UofA), ICD-GEP, practicing part-time lawyer specializing in legal research, and avid volunteer.
Ms. Carmen Bellows - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Registered psychologist who maintains a small private practice and consults with insurance.
Mr. Aziz Bootwala - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Architect, community builder, committed to leaving the world a better place.
Dr. Greg Bott - Eckville - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Entrepreneur, university instructor, and governance expert.
Ms. Christy Ciezki - Sherwood Park - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- A management consultant with WMC and holds a B.Sc. and M.Ed., both from the U of A.
Ms. Linda Cook - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Retired CEO of Edmonton Public Libraries.
Ms. Joan Cowling - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Looking forward to working on the goals for the University of Tomorrow.
Mr. Gord Gilroy - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Recognizes the importance of Albertans' understanding of the impact and value of the U of A in tangible terms.
Ms. Elizabeth Hammell - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Passionate purpose-driven innovator, entrepreneur, advocate, and governance professional.
Dr. Ange Kadima - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Technology consultant, community leader, and advocate of ethnocultural and francophone groups issues.
Dr. Masoud Khademi - Calgary - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Business technology manager at EY, energy research professional, and retired student leader.
Mr. Max Lindstrand - Camrose - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Married to Alice, live in Camrose, two adult children, one grandson.
Ms. Leigh Makarewicz - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Plays an active role bridging connections in her public service endeavors and local networks.
Ms. Nancy Manchak - Calgary - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Professional engineer, women in STEM advocate, and community builder.
Dr. Alvina Mardhani-Bayne - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- An educator who supports students in finding a path to post-secondary through Shad Canada.
Mr. Scott Montgomery - Sherwood Park - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Native Albertan, businessman, and community volunteer.
Mr. Gordon Naylor - Leduc - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Proud member of the Muskoday First Nation and avid supporter of Indigenous education.
Mr. Denes Nemeth - St. Albert - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Purpose-driven corporate affairs executive inspired by the power of story-telling and community.
Ms. Michelle Okere - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Certified fund raising executive and inclusion practitioner.
Dr. Odell Olson - Camrose - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Retired physician/healthcare administrator with 33 years experience in small towns in Alberta & B.C.
Mr. Chris Peacocke - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Retired French Immersion Teacher and High School Principal still active in teacher education. Proud U of A Grad and varsity athlete.
Mrs. Aisha Rauf - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Recipient of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, PhD in English Linguistics, and public speaker.
Mr. Dave Rumbold - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Actively involved in community, civic, cultural, technical and political boards over the years.
Ms. Daphne Sander - Lethbridge - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- Lives in Lethbridge, AB where she works in public education.
Mr. Jim Saunderson - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2026)
- A retired federal public servant and rotarian who enjoys contributing to the U of A's success.
Mr. Bob Sprague - Calgary - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Albertan, multi-business builder, executive healthcare leader, pharmacist, and Edmonton Oilers fan.
Mr. Sameer Thawer - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Professional engineer in the pest control industry with a passion for innovation and community impact.
Ms. Michele Vincent - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Lawyer in social services and an active volunteer in the Edmonton and Francophone community.
Mr. Murray Whitby - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- Founder and president of POLICY PROTEC.
Ms. Sharlene Yanitski - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
- University of Alberta, BA 1984, LL.B. 1987.