Gitanjali Shanbhag

Term of office: 2023–2026

Pronouns: she/her

About Gitanjali: I am a proud UW alumnus, holding both an MASc and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. I am honoured to continue my journey here as a staff member with the Centre for Extended Learning where I collaborate with faculty members to create enriching online course experiences for our students. I'm actively engaged in teaching students as a sessional instructor in the Faculty of Health. I have also had the opportunity of working part-time with various academic support units such as AccessAbility Services, Campus Housing, Centre for Teaching Excellence, Student Success Office and Engineering Outreach!

Reason for running: The voices of the BIPOC community need to be amplified and I am here to advocate for and be the voice of my community. Being a member of UWSA and talking to other staff on campus made me aware of the unfair barriers faced by BIPOC individuals when it comes to workplace recruitment, compensation, and advancement opportunities. This in turn impacts our employees' motivation, mental health and performance. I want to ensure that these issues are brought to the forefront and that the employer takes concrete and timely action to address them.

Vision for the UWSA: I am dedicated to instigating positive change for our staff contending with unfair workplace challenges. This commitment entails ongoing learning, promoting awareness, and championing the cause of our staff, aligning with UWSA's strategic priorities.

See Gitanjali's LinkedIn profile.