Members
All graduate students registered at UNBC, including Master’s and PhD graduate students, are members of the Northern BC Graduate Students’ Society (NBCGSS). The NBCGSS is run by a board of directors that is elected by members each year. Members of the NBCGSS are also members of the BC Federation of Students (BCFS).
Board of Directors
Zhaleh Nazarpour Boroujeni – Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
E-mail: gssdiversity@unbc.ca
- Liaison with the Women’s Centre, Pride Centre, Access Resource Centre, and International Centre
- Work on equality campaigns of the Society
- Be a signing officer of the Society;
- Work primarily out of Prince George; and
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors
Rahim Jafari – Chairperson
E-mail: gsspres@unbc.ca
Since I am interested in being involved in the academic setting and student groups, I became a graduate student representative on Provost’s Advisory Committee and CSAM College Council. Then I joined the NBCGSS board of directors in 2020. We did our best to deal with students’ needs and resolve their problems as much as possible. In 2021 I rejoined the GSS as director of internal relations and an international student representative. In the current year, I elected a Chairperson, and my goals are as follows.
I campaigned for the $125 ancillary fee (for all international students, grads, and undergrads) for the past two years and convinced the President’s Executive Council to postpone the fee for almost two years now. One of my goals as chairperson is to continue advocating this fee. Hopefully, we can stop it for the third time in the coming fall. My other goal is to keep running the Food Bank pilot project and make it a permanent assignment for grad society. Moreover, all the grads deserve to have a place like a recreational room, where they can come together and have a little fun after an overwhelming day. In addition, I would like to keep campaigning for it, so hopefully, the grad society can have a recreational room soon.
- In collaboration with the Director of External Affairs, officially represent the Society at the external level, including other bodies or universities and all levels of government;
- Along with other members of Board, be responsible for matters pertaining to relations with University administration, faculty, and staff, and the Northern Undergraduate Student Society.
- Be ex-officio on all committees of the Society;
- Assist other members of Board in the execution of their duties;
- Be a signing officer of the Society;
- Call and chair regular meetings of Board;
- Work primarily out of Prince George; and
- Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Board of Directors
Mostafa Dorosti– Director-at-Large
E-mail: dorosti@unbc.ca
In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, hiking and nature photography, playing ping-pong, and hanging out with friends. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at dorosti@unbc.ca for any comments and/or concerns with respect to our graduate society at the UNBC.
- Assist with the implementation and organization of campaigns and events of the Society;
- Work primarily out of Prince George; and
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors
Mahboobeh Jafari– Director-at-Large
E-mail: TBA
My name is Mahboobeh Jafari and almost everyone knows me by my nickname, Mahi. I have started my graduate studies in September 2019, and am doing my master’s in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES). I see myself as a person with a multi-dimension personality that likes to explore different things in life… even my hobbies are as diverse as drawing to rock climbing. Going through the responsibilities of the NBCGSS available positions, I found myself quite interested in some responsibilities of different directors such as organizing equity campaigns, collaborating with women’s center, Keeping grad society’s website updated, coordinating social events and so on. That’ why I am one of the director-at-larges to help out with a wide range of responsibilities.
During the past 2 years, all of us have gone through Covid shenanigans (haha) to different extents and maybe some of us have felt it a lot harder. For me, as an international student, I found NBCGSS helpful in different terms including easing the communication between students and staff and administrations or even the events being held at uni ever since the restrictions have been eased off. I have seen many efforts from NBCGSS to advocate for grad students and offer many services to support students going through their journeys of studying at UNBC. This has given me the motivation to be a part of NBCGSS board of directors to advocate for grad students or help them enjoy some fun events at the university after a heavy week of studying ;).
- Assist with the implementation and organization of campaigns and events of the Society;
- Work primarily out of Prince George; and
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors
Steven Von Cuevas– Director-at-Large
E-mail: TBA
I am pursuing my M.A in International Studies at UNBC. I have done research in tourism and hospitality with focus on Halal policy in the Philippines. I am keen to study and investigate various development impact assessment especially on minority and vulnerable groups.
On the side, I am your director at large for the Northern BC’s Graduate Society as well as a Graduate Representative for the Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Other than that, you will find me wondering around Prince George exploring the outdoors, playing sports, and just vibin with some music.
Say hi, and let’s talk it out!
- Assist with the implementation and organization of campaigns and events of the Society;
- Work primarily out of Prince George; and
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors
Saad Ahmed – Director of External Relations
E-mail: gssexternal@unbc.ca
As a part of NBCGSS, my goal is to create a strong network among the students, faculties, and professional corporates to leverage the benefits of connectivity for career development and empower society at large.”
So, let’s bring a positive change with a cultural transformation!
- In Collaboration with the Chair, officially represent the Society at the external level, including other bodies or universities and all levels of government;
- Coordinate the maintenance of the Society’s website, mobile app, and social media;
- Coordinate the Society’s campaigns;
- Coordinate the campaigns of the Federation in collaboration with the Federation Representative;
- Be a signing officer of the Society;
- Work primarily out of Prince George; and
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors
Sorour Nasimi – Director of Community Development
E-mail: gssevents@unbc.ca
As a board member at NBCGSS, I believe I can make an effective contribution to increase the community engagement at UNBC and make life on campus more exciting by organizing entertaining or educational events such as movie and game nights, workshops, hikes, picnics, and much more! I can successfully meet our community goals with the help of other board members and every one of you. Together, we build the future.
- Coordinate all Society social events, including but not limited to, the annual winter and spring social events, as well as at least one other event per semester (Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer);
- Coordinate all Society educational events;
- Coordinate and promote all Society events and functions (social and/or educational) to its Members;
- Be a signing officer of the Society;
- Work primarily out of Prince George; and
- Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Board of Directors.
Stephen Owusu-Serbeh – Director of Internal Relations
E-mail: TBA
My passion to study International Studies is related to my aspiration to be an influencer in Climate Action policies in our world today.
Being in the NBCGSS has been a privilege for me to serve graduate students as well as contribute towards enhancing the welfare of graduate students in the current graduate health program so students have access to better services as well as in other areas.
When you see me, say hello ,I’m always ready for a chat and open to any questions.
- Keep all financial records of the Society in compliance with the Society Act;
- Work with the Executive Director to provide an annual budget for approval by the Board;
- Provide quarterly financial statements to the Board of Directors;
- Work with the Executive Director to provide a year-end financial report at each Annual General Meeting;
- Be responsible for reconciliation and third-party audits of the Society accounts in accordance with the Society Act;
- Oversee the maintenance of the Society’s Health and Dental Plan;
- Be a signing officer of the Society;
- Work primarily out of Prince George; and
- Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Board of Directors
Mehdi Aghajohnpour Pasha – Regional Students’ Representative E-mail: TBA
- Preferably attend classes not held at the Prince George campus;
- Represent the concerns of regional graduate students to the Board of Directors
and serve as a liaison between the Director of Regional Operations, regional
students and the Society; - Collaborate with the Director of Community Development on communications
between NBCGSS in Prince George and regional students; - Either by Election, or by working with the Chairperson for an Order, identify and
collaborate with Regional Representatives who are graduate students enrolled in
the regional campuses; and - Maintain regular and consistent communication with Regional Representatives and
regional graduate students.
Executive Director
Alden Chow – Executive Director
E-mail: gssoffice@unbc.ca
Alden is the staff person, who is a first point of contact for members at the NBCGSS. His responsibilities include office work, as well as hearing members’ issues and directing them to the appropriate resources. He has also provided support and coordination with organizing society events and campaign advocacy initiatives for members.
- First point of contact for the Society
- Responsible for the paperwork and office procedures
- Handles general day to day operations of the society