Three candidates are vying for the position of SGPS Vice-President (Community) in the upcoming SGPS election.
The Vice-President (Community) is responsible for fostering a strong and inclusive community among graduate students and advocating for their needs. In the running are Tanya Joseph, a PhD student in the Faculty of Education, Ava Fiorino, MPL ’26, and Claire Dobbie, MSc ’24. Joseph sat down with The Journal to discuss her platform goals.
Fiorino and Dobbie didn’t respond to The Journal’s request for an interview.
Joseph says she’s in the running for Vice-President (Community) to build a campus where every student, including those from equity-deserving groups, is empowered and heard. She hopes to improve the SGPS to include all student voices, as opposed to representing only those who are more extroverted.
Joseph reflected on her time at Queen’s, noting the sense of belonging she found which motivated her to give back to the community. Her experiences, including facing discrimination, have driven her to advocate for equity-deserving groups, especially the Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) community, ensuring they have a platform to engage in student life.
One of Joseph’s primary goals is to foster a truly inclusive community where every student feels a sense of belonging.
“We need to extend the resources we have to benefit more students without losing sight of their individuality. […] Inclusivity and respect for I-EDIAA (Indigenization – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility) values are integral to the community I hope to cultivate,” Joseph said in an interview with The Journal.
In addition to creating safe spaces, Joseph believes it’s crucial to strengthen connections within the SGPS community. Specifically, she aims at better engaging with Queen’s anti-hate committees to ensure all voices are heard.
There’s currently a Queen’s University Anti-Hate Advisory Group (QUAHAG), which provides the University with guidance to effective approaches to hate prevention and response. The creation of QUAHAG was formed by 2024 Vice-President (Community), Tony Hu, MD ’26.
“I want every student to feel that their graduate experience doesn’t come at the cost of their well-being,” Joseph said.
Joseph identifies securing more funding for graduate and professional students as one of the most critical improvements for the SGPS. She recalls being deeply affected by the recent threat to cut the Queen’s Graduate Award (QGA), which provides an average of $4,100 per student to support research Masters programs.
While the decision to cut the QGA was reversed by the University on Oct. 9, Joseph vows to advocate for more equitable funding opportunities, especially when these funds are essential for graduate students who are balancing their academic work with the stress of financial pressures, including housing and food insecurity.
READ MORE: Graduate students score victory as the University halts cuts
Joseph hopes to advocate for students across various faculties who have expressed concerns about insufficient funding, including the rising rent costs for the John Orr Tower and An Clachan buildings—a 16-story Queen’s community housing residence occupied by graduate students and their families.
Joseph identified a lack of student voices, particularly within the Faculty of Education, as an issue. She recalled her time as a PhD education representative for the SGPS last year where she noticed how disconnected some education students felt.
“I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for international students, including my best friend, to access resources and find support when they are struggling, and I wish someone had advocated for her when she had trouble finding a practicum or when she didn’t know where to turn for help,” Joseph said.
Fiorino, according to her candidate information profile, promises to amplify the diverse voices within the Queen’s community, ensuring every perspective is heard and valued. Her focus will be on creating an inclusive, collaborative environment by strengthening connections both within the university and with external partners.
Dobbie, on the other hand, aims to prioritize outreach within the Kingston community, with a focus on the diverse Queen’s graduate student body. Reflecting on her experience as part of the Fine Arts student body, which faced suspension in 2023, she believes these challenges have equipped her with the skills needed to excel in the Vice-President (Community) position.
Tags
Elections 2025, SGPS, SGPS elections
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