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 2021/2022 Board of Directors and will be the responsibility of Sarah Mei Lyana, 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.
Chairperson: Sarah Mei Lyana
Director of Events: Swanson
Director of External Relations: Caitlin Kellendonk
Director of Internal Relations: Kurtis Johnstone
Indigenous Students' Rep: Leah Vaisanen
Women Students' Rep: Maggie Velisek
Director at Large: Larisa D'souza
Director at Large: Jomy Thomas
Director at Large: Hafsat Jatto
Director at Large: Jayabala Jayaram
Director at Large: Shivam Sharma
Education Rep: Sonal Panwar
Graduate Students' Rep: Surekha Aparna
International Students' Representative: Shantanu Sharma
Management Rep: Pooja Pradeep
Science + Technology Rep: Tyler Patton
Trades + Applied Technology Rep: Vacant
Social Sciences Rep: Vacant
Academic + Career Prep Rep: Vacant
Arts + Humanities 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 Indigenous Students’ Representative, Chairperson, Director of Events, Director of External Relations, Director of Internal Relations, Women Students’ Representative, Directors at Large (5), Campus Representative positions (2), Faculty Representative Positions (8), International Students’ Representative, and Graduate Students’ Representative.