board of directors
Independent, democratically run, student organizations can be found at almost every public university and college in the country. It goes without saying that student organizations serve as an integral part of a students experience at university or college, and through our organization students have successfully influenced the decisions made by our institution and the government.
Contact info for each rep is within their bio. To reach the whole board, or if you aren’t sure who to contact, email chair@viusu.ca.
The VIU Students’ Union Strategic Plan was approved and adopted at the February 8, 2022 meeting of the Board of Directors. This document was in draft stage for nearly 12 months, with all Board Members since 2020 contributing to the final plan.
The role of the Strategic Plan is to outline the VIU Students Union's goals for the future to our membership. We will strive to be proactive in response to the needs of members. This Strategic Operating Plan was started by Mackenzie Hutchison, our previous Chairperson, and the 2023/2024 Board of Directors and will be the responsibility of Cole Reinbold, the current Chairperson, the 2024/2025 Board of Directors, staff, and any future VIUSU Board Members.
Each spring, the Board of Directors and staff will work in collaboration to develop an annual operating plan aligning with the board’s approved strategic plan.
Indigenous Students' Rep: Leah Vaisanen
Arts + Humanities Rep: Vacant
Chairperson: Cole Reinbold
Director of Events: Paula Zerpa
Director of External Relations: Caitlin Kellendonk
Director of Internal Relations: Kurtis Johnstone
Director at Large: Ashima Chopra
Director at Large: Dorcas Nganga
Director at Large: Mahedi Hossain
Director at Large: Rinny Jose
Director at Large: Ekas Singh
Education Rep: Sonal Panwar
Graduate Students' Rep: Surekha Aparna
International Students' Representative: Shantanu Sharma
Management Rep: Pooja Pradeep
Science + Technology Rep: Tyler Patton
Social Sciences Rep: Salah Baker
Trades + Applied Technology Rep: Áine Caleb
Women Students' Rep: Sarah Mei Lyana
Academic + Career Prep Rep: Vacant
Cowichan Campus Rep: Vacant
Health + Human Services Rep: Vacant
Powell River Campus Rep: Vacant
Elections: The Students’ Union Board of Directors has 23 positions representing campuses, faculties, and general membership. Elections are held every spring for Aboriginal Students’ Representative, Chairperson, Director of Events, Director of External Relations, Director of Internal Relations, Women Students’ Representative, and Directors at Large (5). Elections are held every fall semester for Campus Representative positions (2), Faculty Representative Positions (8), International Students’ Representative, and Graduate Students’ Representative.