GSA Elected Council of 2026-2027
President
Jacob Amengor
pres.gsa@ucalgary.ca
Jacob Kwasi Amengor is a PhD Student in Environmental Engineering at the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering. He is passionate about graduate student advocacy, academic support, and building an inclusive and engaging graduate student experience. Having previously served as Vice President Academic, Jacob is committed to strengthening student representation, improving access to academic and wellness supports, and fostering meaningful collaboration between graduate students and university leadership. In his role as GSA President, he hopes to focus on student-centered governance, advocacy, and initiatives that enhance graduate student life across the university.
Vice President
Wylie Pietsch
Pronouns: they/them, he/him
vicepres.gsa@ucalgary.ca
Wylie Pietsch is a thesis-based Master’s student in Civil Engineering at the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering. They are passionate about building a graduate student experience where all students feel represented, supported, and empowered, particularly students from marginalized and underrepresented communities. Having served as Chair of the GSA’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Wylie has worked on policy and advocacy initiatives while also building collaborations with the University and various student groups. In their role as Vice President, they hope to focus on proactive advocacy that centers students lived experiences to ensure graduate student voices are meaningfully included in decision-making.
Academic Officer
Lily Jiaqiu Cai
Pronouns: she/her/hers
academicofficer.gsa@ucalgary.ca
Lily Jiaqiu Cai is a Doctor of Education (EdD) candidate at the Werklund School of Education with research interests in narrative learning and sense of belonging for adult immigrant volunteers. She is passionate about fostering connections and meaningful academic experiences for graduate students. Her experience includes serving 3 years as elected representative for graduate students in education, where she enhanced governance structures, student life, and academic experiences. In the role of Executive Academic Officer, she plans to advance student interests through transparent communication, meaningful engagement, and student-centred advocacy.
Officer at Large
Saloumeh Talebloo
officer1.gsa@ucalgary.ca
Sally Talebloo is a PhD candidate in Human Geography at the University of Calgary. As an Officer at Large with the GSA, she is passionate about building transparent and accessible communication pathways that support meaningful graduate student engagement. Sally hopes to bring student concerns into decision-making spaces with honesty, clarity, and follow-through. Her focus is simple: to listen carefully, act practically, and help make graduate student life less isolating, more connected, and better supported.
Officer at Large
Senyo Okyere
officer2.gsa@ucalgary.ca
Senyo Okyere is a PhD Student in the Department of Anthropology. His research builds on current conversations about climate change by foregrounding its impact on the sociocultural dimensions of cultural heritage and its associated sustainable practices. Previously, Senyo served as Chair of the Graduate Student Association’s Mental Health and Wellness Subcommittee, where he led initiatives that promote student wellbeing and community engagement. In his current role as Officer at Large, Senyo is passionate about (ii) building stronger bottom-up support for the graduate student community through Department Graduate Associations (DGAs) and Student Groups, (ii) effectively enhancing the synergy and existing opportunities between satellite campuses and the main campus.
Officer at Large
Tasnia Ibnat
officer3.gsa@ucalgary.ca
Tasnia Ibnat is a graduate student in the Master of Engineering program in Environmental Engineering at the University of Calgary. Passionate about fostering an inclusive and vibrant graduate community, she joined the GSA as Officer at Large to ensure that every graduate student feels supported, heard, and empowered throughout their academic journey. Tasnia is committed to enhancing graduate student engagement and making the GSA more accessible and approachable for students across all faculties and programs. In her role, she hopes to create meaningful opportunities that make the graduate experience not only manageable, but truly enjoyable for every student at UCalgary.
