The UFV Student Union Board of Directors comprises up to 14 elected student representatives, 4 of which are paid executive positions, an appointed Board Chair, and an optional Ex-Officio. The collective body acts as an oversight group for the Executives and Executive Director and oversees the high-level direction of the Society. They meet once a month to review reports and discuss and direct the long-term plans that impact students. 


BILAL Faisal FAheeM

President

+ READ Bilal's Bio

What is your favourite thing about your role and the work you do for SUS?

Engaging with the students on the campus, organizing events, dealing with the C&As and building connections with other departments and people on and off campus. These things sum up most part of my portfolio so in a nutshell I enjoy every part of my role as the VPS.

Is there anything that your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?

I talk a lot. A LOT!

Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?

My parents. The amount of effort they have put in to give me and my sisters the life we have is impossible to explain. They are my biggest supporters and they have influenced my life in so many ways that has shaped me to the person that I am today. I am the happiest when someone says that I remind them of my parents when they were my age.

What was your first job?

My first job was to assist my father in a book fair (I don't think he paid me for it tho, lol)

If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?

Be a professional footballer (American soccer)⚽︎ and become a pilot!

What is the most useful advice you would give to other students from your own experience?

Take your chance. You might regret it if you don't.

TaJ Sharma

Vice president Internal

+ Read Taj's Bio

 

Gurpreet Singh

Vice President External

+ Read Gurpreet's Bio!

What is your favourite thing about your role and your work for SUS?

My favourite thing about my role as the VP External is the opportunity to be a strong advocate for students beyond the campus. I love being able to connect with government officials, community partners and other student leaders across the country to represent student voices.

Is there anything that your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?

Some people know me as a tax preparer during the busy season. What they might not know is that I have recently picked up the guitar. I am still learning the basics, but it is a great reminder that it is never too late to try something new.

Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?

Moving to a new country as a teenager has been the biggest influence in my life so far. It challenged me to adapt quickly to unfamiliar systems and environments. That shift gave me a broader perspective and I began to see the value of understanding multiple cultures/ have multiple cultural lenses. This experience made me comfortable with uncertainty and gave me the confidence to step into leaderships roles. 

What was your first job?

My first official job was Food Sampling for a third-party at Costco. It was a great experience in customer engagement and standing on your feet for long hours while still having a smiling face and a good pitch, which later turned out to be the company I had my first management role as well. But before that, I had a few side gigs in high school - editing short videos, but the most interesting one was a little print hustle I ran, where I would print documents that professors asked students to bring. Since many forgot, I would bring extra copies printed for free through my sources and sell them for Rs15–20 (supply on demand). I would then use the profits to treat myself to some good food after school, so it felt like a win-win. Looking back, it was a funny but formative experience and sparked my interest in spotting simple business opportunities.

If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?

I would travel the world documenting my journey, while working as a Bug Bounty Hunter or Penetration Tester. It is a perfect balance of creativity and problem solving coupled with the freedom to move, learn and work from anywhere.  

What is the most useful advice you would give other students from your experience?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and put yourself out there. University is as much about what happens outside the classroom as inside. The more you get involved, the more you will grow and find your people.

EEman Kaur

Vice President Students

+ READ EEman's Bio

What is your favourite thing about your role and your work for SUS?

My favorite thing about my role is how connected I am to the student body and how I have the ability to bring joy their life on campus through events and programs. It brings me happiness knowing that I cater to such a diverse student body and I love that SUS gives me the power, support, and guidance to make campus life at UFV enjoyable.

Is there anything that your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?

I am crazily insanely funny! I will have you rolling on the ground with my humor.

Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?

My biggest influence in my life has always been my mom. She pushes me to do better and not worry about failing or winning, just trying to do better is a win on its own.

What was your first job?

My first ever job was working for the Canucks Autism Network as a support worker from swimming and Ice-skating. A little story behind me applying for the job is that I was on Indeed one day and I was scrolling through job postings and suddenly a job posting caught my eye, "Support swim and skate lessons ". I mindlessly applied for the job and next thing I know, I have a 2 hour long interview via Zoom and I am hired! I love working with toddlers and children under 12 and help them learn skills that could save their life (swimming) and bring joy (ice-skating).

If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?

I want to be Prime Minister of the entire world, no famine, no poverty, no lost lives of young children. I would bring the resources of the entire Earth to make a difference in everyone's lives. I rename Earth to Eeman's Empire.

What is the most useful advice you would give other students from your experience?

Do everything you see and get a chance to do. Don't back out even if you have to do it alone. No friends? no problem! You will make more on your journey of accomplishing what ever you have planned. 

 

Gurarmaan Dhillon

student-representative-at-large

Balkarn
Gill

student-representative-at-large

+ Read Balkarn's Bio

What area of study or research are you currently pursuing, and what inspired you to choose this field?

I am currently in the Bachelor of Sciences program and planning on majoring in Biology. I have always been interested in learning more about the human body. Along with this I am wishing to pursue a career in the medical field and this area of study aligns well with my career goals.

What motivated you to join our organization's board?

Being able to help students and raise my voice for various issues was what motivated me to run as a board member. I felt that students in the Science field did not raise their issues as much, so being a student that was a part of this field, I felt that I could raise issues related to this area, but also for others as well.

+ Read Gurarmaan's Bio

 

Tanvir Hundal

student-representative-at-large

+ Read Tanvir's Bio

What is your favourite thing about your role and the work you do for SUS?

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. What led to my pursuit of this field was an interest to learn more about politics, government,and effective advocacy. I hoped to learn about effective methods of advocacy that would benefit the political, economic, and social state of countries by appealing to its’ constituents.

What motivated you to join our organization's board?

I was motivated to join the UFV SUS board to address services and programs that I believed would benefit UFV and its students. I believe my desire to give back to the community has always been evident through the various work and volunteer commitments I have partaken, and this was another way to continue doing that work. I look forward to doing my part as a board member to support the improvements that are to come to UFV!

NICHAELA JACOB

student-representative-at-large

+ Read Nichaela's Bio

What is your favourite thing about your role and the work you do for SUS?

I am currently pursuing a major in psychology with a double minor in organizational studies and communications. I was inspired to choose this field due to the unique nature of analyzing workplace dynamics and how I can work to improve consensus within organizations.

What motivated you to join our organization's board?

When choosing to run for a position on the board, I wanted to be an advocate for students to have their voices heard in hopes of making changes across campus.

 

prabcharN Mahal

student-representative-at-large

+ Read Prabcharn's Bio

What area of study or research are you currently pursuing, and what inspired you to choose this field?

I am currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology, driven by a deep-rooted passion for helping others improve their physical well-being. My journey into this field is profoundly influenced by my background in sports, particularly hockey, and my volunteer work with the Special Olympics.

Engaging in hockey has given me firsthand insight into the physical demands and challenges athletes face, while volunteering with the Special Olympics has allowed me to witness the importance of physical activity on individuals with diverse abilities. These experiences have ignited my desire to contribute to the field of kinesiology, where I can use my knowledge to support and enhance others’ physical health and performance.

What motivated you to join our organization's board? My motivation to run for a board position stems from a commitment to understanding and addressing the issues and successes within our faculty. I believe that being well-informed is crucial for effective decision-making and advocacy. By serving on the board, I look forward to ensuring that the concerns of our faculty are heard and that our collective achievements are recognized and built upon.

Gagan Mann

student-representative-at-large

+ Read Gagan's Bio

 

HozefA Millwala

student-representative-at-large

+ Read Hozefa's Bio

Akshita Rahabadia

student-representative-at-large

+ Read Akshita's Bio

 

OLIVIA LAKE DE MEZA

Executive Director

 

+ Read Olivia's Bio

What is your favourite thing about your role and the work you do for SUS?

One of the best things about working at SUS (there are many) is our team. There is a wealth of knowledge, experience and a variety of backgrounds that make being part of SUS dynamic and meaningful.

Is there anything that your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?

I am a huge Formula 1 motor-racing fan. I grew up watching the sport with my father in England and now enjoy watching every race with my husband and my young son, who is actually named after a famous F1 driver.

Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?

I lived and volunteered in the North End of Winnipeg 2001/02. It was a particularly cold winter with many days hitting -45C after windchill. I had very little money, no phone, TV or vehicle and the work was very challenging at times. I met some life-long friends and found much beauty in unexpected places. While it was an intense character-building experience, Winnipeg will always hold a special place in my heart.

What was your first job?

My first full-time job was as a Travel Agent booking ski vacations in Europe. I continued working as a Specialist Travel Consultant for several years before attending University as a mature student.

If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?

I’m a fairly ambitious person so it is tough for me to narrow it down to one thing but I would really like to take my son to watch a live F1 race in Hanoi, Vietnam when he is a bit older.

What is the most useful advice you would give to other students from your own experience?

Tap into community. Whether it is through extra-curricular activities, joining a club, or through part-time work, a community can help you through the intensity of studying and keeps you connected to people and the world.

 

Board meeting dates are posted in our Events Calendar

To view the most recent agenda and minutes, visit our Minutes and Reports page

To learn more about how to become a SUS Board member take a look at our Election pages