Expressions of Interest
Arts & Science (Humanities) Representative
Daniela McGonigal
My name is Daniela McGonigal and I am a third-year master’s student in the department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Lethbridge. I am submitting my Expression of Interest for the Humanities position in the Arts and Sciences position on the GSA council. I would bring my education in the Humanities in both my undergraduate degree and my current Master’s education to the role, and I would bring my love for the arts and humanities to the council. I have also become very passionate about student governance and other forms of governance within the past few years, and I want to use my voice to help others, especially when it seems like no one else wants to. My growing interest in student governance stems from my family involvement in social justice movements – my grandfather’s life as a Catholic lay missionary and my grandmother’s work as a journalist in Chile and her involvement in Salvador Allende’s government helping to create social programs for middle and low-income women, as well as my late Scottish grandmother’s life as a governess and teacher assisting children with disabilities. The 1973 military coup as well as growing up with a mixture of cultures in my family shaped my passion in fighting for social justice.
In my university career at the University of Lethbridge, I have acted as a Teaching and Research Assistant, and I currently work as the new Outreach Graduate Assistant for the Peer Mentor Program. My role is all about promotion and visibility, and I will be involved with helping the new students get acclimated to their new lives as graduate students in the upcoming school year.
In my research, I am examining the cultural elements in teaching Mapudungun (Chile) online, and how those reinforce the learning process of Indigenous languages. I use Thematic Analysis to find common patterns to answer this question. This research also connects me to my ancestral roots in Chile, and it has allowed me to grow in my own research abilities. These experiences have also allowed me to grow as a master’s student, including presenting at several student conferences which led to my second-place win in the Meeting of the Minds Conference in March of 2026 as well as being a finalist in the 3MT national competition.
I’ve always believed the Humanities is an integral part of the University environment. They keep our humanity alive and are the things that can contribute to society through art, music, and the essence of different cultures that connect us on a deeper level. I would bring my love of Indigenous cultures and languages to the role, but also my love of anything creative, and work to help students in the Humanities feel able to share what makes them most passionate. As a member of the Latinx community, I will also bring proud representation to that community. I would strive to help the Humanities department succeed in a world that has often overlooked the Humanities, even though it is at the very centre of us as humans and will continue to be at the centre of humanity. Thank you and I hope to fill the role as best I can!
Council Positions Filled
Executive Positions
Jade Oldfield:
Akeem Bamigbola:
Brannon Sumner:
President
VP Academic
VP Finance
Representative Positions
Clara Juliano Cunha:
Olympia Tomasta:
Kelly Grannon:
Razeen Mujarrab:
Tara Laverty:
Madison Gal:
Mary Siever:
Dan Pearson:
Amanda Ervin:
Bisi Amanwi:
Harshal Kaur:
Independent
Arts & Science
Social Sciences
International
Sexual Awareness
Natural Sciences
Student Parent
Calgary Campus
Health Sciences
Disability & Accommodated Learning
International
Positions Not Yet Filled
1 Faculty of Arts & Science (1 Humanities)
1 Dhillon School of Business
1 Education
1 Indigenous
2 Independent Representatives (general graduate representatives)
1 Community Engagement
These roles will be filled through a subsequent Expression of Interest (EOI) process following the conclusion of the current election and throughout the year.
Expression of Interest Process for Vacant GSA Council Positions
When a GSA Council Representative position becomes vacant outside of the regular election period, eligible graduate students may submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered for the role.
How to Submit an Expression of Interest
Students interested in a vacant representative position should submit an Expression of Interest by email to gsa@uleth.ca
Your Expression of Interest should include:
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Your full name
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Your graduate program
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The position you are interested in
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A brief statement explaining why you are interested in the position
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Any relevant experience, skills, or involvement you would bring to the role
What Happens After an EOI is Submitted
After an Expression of Interest is received, the GSA will post the student’s name and the position of interest on the GSA website.
The Expression of Interest will be included in the next scheduled monthly communication to the graduate student body, typically distributed around the middle of each month. Graduate students will then have one week from the date of that communication to contest the appointment.
If the Appointment is Contested
If another eligible student contests the appointment within the one-week period, the position will proceed to a by-election.
If the Appointment is Not Contested
If no eligible student contests the appointment within the one-week period, the Expression of Interest will proceed to GSA Council for ratification by motion.
Once ratified, the student will be appointed to the vacant representative position.
Questions
Students with questions about vacant positions or the Expression of Interest process can contact the GSA at gsa@uleth.ca
