APIRG: Alberta Public Interest Research Group

Board Members

Members: Brooke Leifso, Debrah Bergin, Jacqueline Cannam, Josh Fanaeian, Julie Alton, Katherine Mazurok, Omayra Issa, Sahro Osman, Dave Cournoyer (appointed SU representative)

Board Members (Voting)

Brooke Liefso

My name is Brooke Leifso.  I worked at Grant MacEwan as their SWAT coordinator (like APIRG and ECOS combined) and sat on the summer session of their student council.  I love the idea of APIRG and see it as essential, not only to the U of A, but to the province.  I aim to use my previous skills for the benefit of APIRG, to keep it as an objective, open and creative resource for students.

Debrah Bergin

You’ve walked by the office, but you probably don’t know what APIRG can do for you.  I want to change that.  My organizational ability, experience in promotional design, and training in communications will give you the opportunity to hear APIRG’s message and to use its resources.

Did you know APIRG’s $150 000 budget is funded almost entirely by undergraduate fees?  Because you fund it, APIRG needs to be accountable to you.  I’ll make sure UofA undergrads are getting value for the support APIRG gives to groups and are aware of how that funding is spent. 

As a member of the Board of Directors, I will ensure APIRG’s long term planning reflects its responsibilities to you.  If you have any ideas or questions, email me.

Jacqueline Cannam

From a young age, Jacqueline has demonstrated an artistic, yet practical ability.  Early-on in life, she started exploring these tendencies through dance, the visual arts, music, and school, all of which she has excelled at.  In high school and university, Jacqueline received honours, while pursuing her passion of dance through the eyes of a young teacher.  She has contributed both, passion and creativity to community art projects around the city and hopes to bring such attributes to her future endeavours.

Jacqueline has had the opportunity of travelling to both France and Quebec, for French language programs and is planning to spend the up-coming summer in Portugal learning about farming practices and the development of sustainability. 

Today, Jacqueline is completing her BA degree in political science, with a focus on political theory and psychological sciences, and has continued with her passion for dance, both as a student and a teacher.  In the future, Jacqueline plans to continue her studies with an after-degree in human geography, and is looking forward to becoming more involved on campus through groups, such as APIRG. 

Josh Fanaeian

Hi everyone! My name is Josh Fanaeian, and I’m gonig into my 4th year in Immunology and Infection. I’ve been involved with APIRG over the past couple of months where I have been part of the Campus Community for Public Health Care, and also have been volunteering with other non-profit groups on and off campus throughout my university career. Because APIRG’s main purpose is to provide funding and resources for students with a drive for social change, I want to work to maximize the student body’s awareness about APIRG so that its potential can be fully realized. Also, pushing to increase the exposure of APIRG’s current working groups will be a priority because their activism needs to be heard.

Julie Alton

Hi! My name is Julie Alton, I am in my 2nd year of Political Science at the UofA. I was appointed to the APIRG board last semester, and would like to continue to work with the campus community through APIRG next year. My connections and experiences from involvement with several student groups will be useful in engaging students with the activities and resources APIRG provides and make me an ideal candidate.

As an APIRG board member, I have been involved with the several committees. If elected, I will continue to work with these committees, as well as different areas of APIRG.

I would also like to further promote APIRG to the undergraduate population. APIRG helps to create a more diverse and educated student population through enabling activism, education, and research. I wish to continue to support and sustain the relationship APIRG has developed with UofA students, and with civil society in general.

Katherine Mazurok

My name is Katherine Mazurok and I am going into my final year as a Political Science/ Women’s Studies student. Being a student in two politically active departments has taught me the importance of activism and involvement within the community. To this effect, I believe that APIRG plays an important role in providing undergraduate students with the resources needed to engage in community and activist projects. If elected, my goal is to further increase student awareness and activity through APIRG, thereby encouraging student working groups to transform social concern into effective action.

Omayra Issa

My name is Omayra Issa and I am a third year student in Economics. I am running for a second term on the APIRG Board. My previous involvements in APIRG have allowed me to better assess our PIRG’s mandate, in order to explore new and effective ways to make APIRG accessible to the student population.

If elected, I intend to further fulfill that role. I also plan on working on the Library Committee to develop resources for all undergraduates to benefit during their studies. I believe this is an effective way to enhance students’ experience on campus.

I have several years of experience as a community volunteer. I am currently involved in many student groups at the University of Alberta. I edit Le Miroir which serves as a francophone news media which promotes the development and exposition of the numerous public discourses on our campus and beyond.

Thank you for your support.

Sahro Osman

Hi all,

My name is Sahro. I am in my second year in the Faculty of Arts. I am interested in public issues and community oriented services. I look forward to learning more about public interest issues as a member of the APIRG team.

Dave Cournoyer

 

 

APIRG Board Section