Students’ Council

Hello, MacEwan students! Thank you so much for electing me as one of your Student Councillors. Throughout my experience as a SAMU Ambassador and Vice President of MacEwan’s FEM-STEM Club, I have developed my leadership, communication, and student advocacy skills. As this is my final year at MacEwan, I see this role as an opportunity to give back to the University that has shaped me into the person I am today. I hope to make student opportunities more visible, accessible, and easier to navigate while creating more opportunities for students to connect with one another. My mission is to ensure every student feels heard, supported, and connected.

My name is Abdullah Benothman, but most people call me Abdul. I am a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student at MacEwan, and I look forward to working with fellow council members to help foster a student-oriented campus rather than a revenue-driven institution. I’ve been quite fortunate to make an impact while volunteering with various student clubs and off-campus organizations, both across the province & internationally. I hope to carry over these experiences to council and continue making even the slightest positive impact on people’s lives, in the words of Darwish, “we suffer from an incurable malady: hope”, so why not spread it together?
 

Hello! My name is Christian, and I am excited to be back serving my third term as a SAMU Students’ Councillor. I am in my final year of my Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology.

Throughout my years at MacEwan, I have held leadership positions in various clubs/organizations, including serving as an executive member, previously as President of the MacEwan UN Club, and previously as Vice President of the MacEwan Law Club.

These experiences have allowed me to develop a strong sense of responsibility in understanding student needs and the importance of advocacy. I look forward to advocating in your best interest.

Hi everyone! My name is Beryl, and I’m a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Accounting and double-minoring in Finance and Economics. I currently serve as Co-President of the MacEwan Women in Business and Finance Clubs. Through my involvement in student leadership, I’m passionate about fostering an inclusive and supportive campus community, advocating for student needs, and creating opportunities that enhance the university experience. I’m excited to be part of the SAMU Student Council and look forward to representing students and contributing to positive change at MacEwan. In my free time, I like to spend time with my friends and family, and reading!

I am a second-year Economics student at MacEwan University. I serve as VP Operations on the executive of the MacEwan Economics Club and am involved in several other clubs. I am also an active MacEwan volunteer, and I have experience in politics and volunteering alongside local MLAs and city councillors. I am energetic, and I adapt quickly to new situations and teams. I ran for Students’ Council because I want to be a strong voice for students. I will advocate for your interests as best I can and keep you updated on the work I do.

I am a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Accounting and currently serve as Vice-President of the MacEwan University Commerce Club. My involvement with clubs has strengthened my leadership, communication, and collaborative decision-making skills. I use these skills to listen to students’ concerns and contribute to decisions that reflect their needs. I ran for re-election to Students’ Council to continue advocating for transparency, affordability, and stronger student representation. Now in my second term, I hope to build on these priorities by keeping students informed and ensuring their perspectives guide Council decisions. I look forward to representing students on Council and contributing to a more connected and welcoming MacEwan community.

Hi! I’m Soshana, and I’m a first-year Social Work student. Before coming to MacEwan, I earned a degree in Criminology because I’ve always been interested in social justice. I enjoy volunteering, meeting new people, and playing recreational sports. I also love getting involved on campus and currently serve as a student representative on MacEwan’s Faculty of Health and Community Studies Council. I’m excited to take on my role as a Students’ Councillor and look forward to advocating for more opportunities for students to get involved, better access to campus resources, and greater support for student well-being. If you see me around, feel free to say hi!

Bio Coming Soon

My name is Emmanuel Ogbondeminu, and as an international student pursuing a Computer Science degree in System and Information Security with a minor in Cybersecurity, I bring a unique perspective to MacEwan. Alongside my studies, I serve as VP of Events for the Black Students Alliance, bringing hands-on experience in community organizing and student advocacy. I bring strong skills in strategic communication, event planning, and project coordination. I ran for Council to give students a bigger say in campus decisions, ensure total transparency, and make student fees work for us. My goal is to provide practical support and guidance to help students navigate university life and post-university success.

Hi, I am Fatima Omar, a second-year HR student planning to minor in Accounting at MacEwan University. I am passionate about building an inclusive and supportive campus community. As Marketing Director for MacEwan Women in Business, Vice President of Events for the MacEwan Finance Club, and Events Director for the Commerce Club, I have developed strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills. I also serve as a CPHR Alberta Campus Ambassador and an MGTS peer tutor. I ran for Student Council to help connect students with resources. In my free time I do enjoy thriller movies !

My name is Nathan N. Poon, and I am currently serving a second term as the 55th President of the Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU) for the 2026/27 Academic Year.

I am a fifth-year Computer Science student at MacEwan University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, with a double minor in Political Science and Finance. In my role as President, I lead an Executive Committee of four Vice Presidents and represent more than 20,000 MacEwan students through institutional, community, and government advocacy.

I also serve as a student representative on MacEwan University’s Board of Governors, where I work to ensure student perspectives remain central to key institutional decisions. Throughout my time at MacEwan, I have been deeply involved in campus leadership, including serving as a three-term SAMU Students’ Councillor, a two-term President of the award-winning MacEwan University United Nations Club, and President of the MacEwan University Law Club.

I bring a globally oriented perspective to SAMU through my previous involvement in a multitude of international initiatives. I have previously led award-winning academic delegations abroad for MacEwan students in Ecuador, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, and have chaired Model United Nations diplomatic simulations in Kyoto, Japan and Banff, Alberta.

As SAMU President, I am committed to advancing affordability, strengthening student supports, and building a strong, inclusive, and engaged campus community. I am deeply honoured to once again carry out a mandate on behalf of students for a more affordable, inclusive, and accessible MacEwan University.

I am a third-year Accounting major in the Bachelor of Commerce program at
MacEwan University. Alongside my academic pursuits, I run my own business, where I have developed strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. Through managing clients and overseeing day-to-day operations, I have built a strong sense of accountability, confidence, and the ability to effectively support and lead a team.

I am deeply committed to student engagement and passionate about representing student
voices and enhancing the overall academic experience. As Vice-President Governance and
Finance, I am focused on making fees more affordable, improving club support, and
strengthening food security for students on campus.

Outside of professional and academic work, I enjoy playing volleyball, where I
continue to strengthen my teamwork and collaboration skills. I am dedicated to supporting
students’ needs and bringing positive energy to help build a more connected and inclusive

My name is Izzy Reyes. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supporters for enabling me to return as a councillor for another term. I take great pride in my communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills; attributes which have allowed me to contribute novel questions and perspectives to council in my past tenures.

Moving into this next term, my sole aim is ensuring that MacEwan students get the absolute most out of the time and money they invest in their education. To achieve this, I will continue lobbying for impactful cost-reducing initiatives, increased student funding, and stronger safety measures across our campus. Moreover, advocacy relies on connection, so if you ever have an idea or a question about SAMU, please don’t be shy—stop me for a chat whenever you see me around. That is exactly what we are here for.

Serving the student body is a profound responsibility which I take very seriously. For that reason, I thank you all once more for entrusting me as one of your 2026-2027 Students’ Councillors. I look forward to working with the council to maximize our impact this coming year.

Hi, I’m Farhat Riaz, and I’m excited to serve on your SAMU Student Council for the 2026-2027 academic year! As a second-year Social Work Diploma student at MacEwan University, I’m passionate about advocacy, social justice, and community engagement. Through my experience in political work, leadership, and volunteering, I’ve developed strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. I ran for Student Council because every student deserves to feel heard, supported, and represented. I hope to bring a Social Work perspective to Council by advocating for affordability, fostering inclusion and belonging, and working toward meaningful change across campus. I’m ready to turn advocacy into action!

Hi! I’m Elizabeth Russell, your Vice President Student Life. I previously held leadership positions as VP of Relations for the MacEwan University Commerce Club, VP of Marketing for the MacEwan University Economics Club, a Students’ Councillor, and chair of the Students’ Council Audit Committee. Through these experiences, I developed an understanding of what SAMU offers students and the value it adds to their mental well-being, personal development, and academic performance.

Apart from school, I am an active member of the local Hellenic community, where I sit on the board of my dance group as the Director of Social Media and volunteer as a dance instructor at a Hellenic language school. Through these roles, I get to embrace, celebrate, and share my culture, which I believe enriches the broader community.

I ran for Vice President of Student Life because I have firsthand experience of what student involvement and leadership have done for me. It shaped my confidence, it gave me a sense of belonging, and greatly improved my mental health.

As the Vice President Student Life, I promise to advocate for students’ well-being, inclusive and diverse spaces, and meaningful opportunities. I am deeply honoured to represent SAMU and advocate for an enhanced student experience, and I remain committed to serving the students’ best interests.

My name is Alem, and I am excited to serve you as the Vice President External. I study in the Bachelor of Commerce program with a major in Management and double minors in Marketing and Political Science. I have been part of the students’ council for most of my degree, where I had the opportunity to advocate for the student voice in various capacities, and I also had the honour of being named Councillor of the Year by my peers.

Throughout my time at MacEwan, I have been an ambassador, a volunteer, and the co-founder of the MacEwan Chess Fellowship. You may have seen me working at the Makerspace, advocating for students as a Student Councillor and Vice President Student Life, or attending events hosted by our amazing student groups. I also worked at the Makerspace as a tech tutor, where  I  represented MacEwan staff as a board member of the MacEwan Staff Union and served two full terms as a member representative. In my previous role in the students’ council, I championed student engagement, accountability, affordability, mental health, and inclusivity.

As Vice President External, I will work hard to address barriers that limit students from having the best university experience possible, such as affordability and mental health challenges, and to ensure every student feels empowered to make the most of their university experience. In addition, I will advocate for the student voice to leaders across government and external stakeholders in good faith to ensure that students’ wants and needs are addressed appropriately. If you’d like to learn more about me, feel free to visit Alemtesfay.ca . Let’s build a stronger, more connected student community together!

I am a PSYC major and aspiring psychologist, applying to graduate school for a thesis-based Master’s in Counselling Psychology this fall. I am on the Dean’s List, a member of MacEwan’s Golden Key International Honours Society chapter, the Christian Students at MacEwan University (CSMU), MacEwan’s Sexual Violence Prevention & Education Advisory Committee, and a KidsHelpPhone crisis counsellor.

I ran for student council to reduce educational costs and increase mental health supports, these being the top two issues students highlighted in the SAMU 2025/26 Spring Survey. I am also committed to ensuring the university is a safe place for the free expression of ideas.

Hello! My name is Chioma Uzor, and I am pleased to be able to serve you as Vice President Academic at SAMU for the 2026/2027 academic year!

Upon developing an interest in inclusive undergraduate environments and mental health supports, I am passionate about the foundations of learning and ensuring you get the most out of your learning experience.

I believe that students deserve transparency in the systems and programs set up for their learning, an affordable approach to the academic supports offered to them, and an accessible avenue to student-first procedures that can be used across various areas of student representation. I love to spend a lot of time on campus– but in my free time I love to listen to music, jazz, and afro-house in particular. I also enjoy cooking and baking, exploring new art mediums, and doing my own hair! Right now, I’m learning to create resin jewelry, and I look forward to teaching myself the alto saxophone.

You deserve an accessible and clear student support system–I am determined to continue to advocate for this on behalf of MacEwan students. You deserve to take advantage of your university experience to the fullest potential to reach the utmost success in your degree!

savpacademic@macewan.ca

Hello MacEwan! I’m Abby, a second-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy. As both a United Nations Club Executive and Councillor, I’ve been granted the privilege and honour of representing and advocating for student interests and contributing to our campus community, something I’m incredibly passionate about and thankful for! My focus centres on affordability, accessibility, and accountability. Through hard work, proactivity, and collaboration, I hope to help make a safer, stronger, and more inclusive MacEwan. SAMU doesn’t work until it works for everyone, and I’m dedicated to helping make that happen!