UMASA Executive and Committee Positions & Departmental Committee Student Positions

There are many ways to get involved in UMASA or in the department as a student representative. Below is a listing of the current executive members and those holding committee positions. Elections for executive positions take place at the end of the academic year, while committee positions are elected in the fall. See Getting Involved, for more details about upcoming opportunities.

2016-2017 UMASA Executive

​PRESIDENT: KRISTJAN MANN
​uofm.anthros@gmail.com

Since first enrolling at the U of M in 2003, Kristjan has completed a BA in Asian Studies with a minor in Film, as well as an Advanced BA in Anthropology with a minor in Political Studies. He is currently working on his MA in Anthropology.  For the past few years Kristjan has been working as a research assistant on study of inner city Winnipeg street gangs as they relate to Indigenous Canadian youth, as well as producing and editing ethnographic documentaries with his film company, Tsubaki Films. In between, Kristjan has travelled all over the world, including living for protracted periods in Australia where he worked in marketing,  and Japan, where he and sat on the board of directors for multinational environmental organization as an environmental advocate, while running a small cafe in Kyoto. Kristjan has worked for the past two years at the University of Manitoba Graduate students Association, first as Vice-President Academic, and then as association President and is excited about bringing these experiences to UMASA and putting them to work for the benefit of its members.  

VICE PRESIDENT GRADUATE: GERHARD JORDAAN
​vpgrad.umasa@gmail.com

I believe UMASA is an integral part to the development of an anthropology community and platform at U of M. My name is Gerhard Jordaan, and I’m in my first year of the PhD program, and I am the VP Graduate. I have discussed, and at times experienced, some of the issues which concern graduate students within the department. I will strive to make our concerns known to the relevant bodies, acting as a bridge between students and various councils, boards, and administrations. In addition, I’m excited to get involved and initiate opportunities and events to strengthen our sense of community within the department.

VICE PRESIDENT UNDERGRADUATE: RENEE LINT
​vpundergrad.umasa@gmail.com

My name is Renée Lint and I am currently a third year student in the faculty of anthropology and linguistics. I the VP Undergraduate because I feel that I can positively represent and benefit the undergraduate students in the anthropology faculty. Last year I was chosen to be the undergraduate representative, which was a great experience and I enjoyed doing very much. I hope to be able to continue representing the anthropology undergrads and their best interests in the 2016/2017 school year.

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TREASURER: LORELLE JUFFS

My name is Lorelle Juffs and I am the Treasurer of the UMASA council. I am an Anthropology Honours student entering the last year of my undergraduate degree, with a specialized in socio-cultural anthropology and a focus on immigration and settlement studies. During my time at the University of Manitoba I have been involved in many volunteer and leadership programs, including the International Student Mentor Program (ISMP), in which I helped new international students adjust to life at UofM through social, academic and cultural support, the Volunteer Language Exchange Program (VLEP), in which I helped improve another student's English and teach them about Canadian culture, and the Intercultural Development Leadership Program (IDLP), in which I improved my leadership skills and developed a deeper understanding of cultural awareness.

SAAM COORDINATOR: MEGAN GARLIE

I am in my third year of studies and have been a part of UMASA since my first year. I was the SAAM Coordinator for the 2015-2016 year. While not much was able to be done because the society has been inactive for a few years, I would like to bring it back!

SOCIAL DIRECTOR: HARSHVIR BALI
​social.umasa@gmail.com
​
My name is Harshvir Bali and I am the Social Director UMASA for the Department of Anthropology. I am currently an Honours student with another year left for the completion of my degree which focuses on a study of socio-political processes. My interest for this position stemmed from my belief that the Anthropology department has become marginal among other faculties on campus and requires  greater awareness to be brought in regards to what we offer as a faculty. I firmly believe that I am capable of addressing situations that should be resolved, and activities that can be further promoted. Having spent nearly 4 years in the department, I feel it a necessary obligation to give back to the faculty which has given so much to me and I am confident in my ability to provide for and facilitate this department, together with all of you, through the position of Social Director, 2016/2017.

CO-COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR:
AMANDA GILMORE (left) and WILL HARRISON (right).

​uofm.anthros@gmail.com and umasa@myumanitoba.ca

My name is Amanda Gilmore and I am a third year undergraduate student in the faculty of anthropology, with a focus in archaeology. I am the Co-Communications Chair because I believe I will bring a hands-on and expressive leadership approach to the community of anthropologists at the University of Manitoba. My background in UMASA as Fundraising Chair for the 2015/2016 year has supplied me with a strong base of organizational skills needed to carry out a successful position as Communications Chair for the 2016/2017 year. As a student participant in the international field of archaeology, I hope to bring new connections and opportunities to the wonderful community of anthropologists at the University of Manitoba. 

​My name is William Harrison, but my friends call me Will. I was born and raised in Winnipeg, entered U of M in 2013, and I am going into my fourth year of undergrad in the Department of Anthropology, with a focus on archaeology. As an archaeologist I am always looking for field school opportunities to participate in and available funding to make those trips possible. As Communications Director, I hope to be able to quickly communicate these opportunities to the anthropology student body, and also reach anthropology undergrads earlier in their university career and get them involved in the UMASA community.

Important Info

When contacting the Executives at uofm.anthros@gmail.com please indicate which executive member you are trying to contact if it is someone other than the Communications Director. This will help ensure that the right person reads your email. Also, please note that some executives do in fact have their own email address. Thank You