Board of Governors Elections

I am running for re-election to the TMU Board of Governors to make sure students are not an afterthought when decisions are made, and that the services you rely on are protected.

I currently serve as a student governor, President and Team Captain of the TMU Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team, President of the Canadian Universities Jiu-Jitsu Association, and Co-President of TMU Model United Nations. Through these roles, I work closely with students across academics, athletics, clubs, and competitive teams, giving me a real understanding of what student life at TMU actually looks like, not just on paper.

The Board of Governors makes decisions that directly affect tuition, student services, campus spaces, and long-term funding priorities. During my term, I have consistently pushed for student impact to be taken seriously in these discussions. Student representation should be active, informed, and willing to push back when necessary, not symbolic.

If re-elected, I will continue to oppose cuts to student services and advocate for stable funding for academic supports, mental health resources, athletics, recreation, and student spaces. When budgets are discussed, students must not be the easiest line item to reduce.

I believe strong governance and strong student life are not opposites, they depend on each other. TMU’s future should be built with students, not at their expense.

I am running for re-election to continue defending student interests, asking hard questions, and making sure your voice is heard where it matters most.

Hi everyone,

I’m running for Board of Governors because the people making major financial and university decisions should understand what students are actually experiencing right now.

Tuition keeps rising, campus is evolving, and students deserve transparency, accountability, and real value in return. Being on the Board shouldn’t mean just holding a title, it means asking questions, speaking up, and making sure student voices are actually heard at the table.

I also believe TMU can think bigger. Other universities build strong campus identity and partnerships with major brands like Roots, OVO, Adidas, Nike, etc. There’s no reason TMU shouldn’t be in those conversations too.

If elected, I won’t just be present, I’ll be proactive.

Vote Muhammad Dayan.

Hey everyone! I’m Jack Vanek, a fourth-year Business Management student majoring in Human Resources. I’m not a new voice in student leadership; I’m an experienced representative who has already fought for students. Over the past year as a Student Senator, I’ve advocated for fairness, transparency, and stronger student representation in academic decision-making. Now, by running for TMU’s Board of Governors, I’m ready to bring that same advocacy to the decisions that shape our university’s finances.

The Board determines TMU’s budget, tuition, and long-term investments. To me, this is not just numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s whether you can afford your next semester; whether mental health services & other vital supports are available; and whether your program has the resources necessary to help you succeed. These financial decisions shape our everyday experience as students, and I’ll work to ensure they reflect our priorities.

Through five internships, I’ve developed strong financial literacy, leadership, and stakeholder engagement to navigate complex budget discussions. I’ve worked alongside faculty and senior leadership on high-level committees, ensuring student voices were meaningfully represented.

I’ve stood up for students in the Senate. Now I’m ready to do it at the Board table.

Proven leadership. Vote Jack Vanek.

I am honoured to stand for election to the Toronto Metropolitan University Board of Governors as a staff representative. Over my tenure at TMU, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable dedication of our staff, whose commitment, expertise, and innovation drive student success and institutional excellence every day. If elected, I will bring a collaborative, solutions-oriented voice that champions fairness, transparency, and the well-being of all staff.

My philosophy is rooted in three core priorities:

1. Amplifying staff perspectives in decision making: Staff are essential contributors to the operational strength of TMU. I will ensure our insights inform key decisions about governance, budgets, workplace policies, and strategic planning. Staff voices must be present where policies affecting working conditions, professional development, and campus life are shaped.

2. Advancing equity, inclusion, and support: TMU’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. I will advocate for equitable hiring practices, inclusive professional growth opportunities, and supports that reflect the varied needs of our staff community. Respectful, psychologically safe workplaces contribute directly to TMU's success.

3. Responsible stewardship and accountability: The Board’s role in overseeing revenues, expenditures, and business affairs demands rigorous stewardship. I will bring practical, evidence based perspectives to ensure responsible financial decisions that safeguard TMU’s mission, support operational needs, and invest strategically in our people.

I am committed to serving with integrity, listening with openness, and acting with purpose. I respectfully ask for your support to ensure staff perspectives help guide TMU’s thoughtful and effective governance.

I am interested in the staff position with the TMU Board of Governors to contribute intentional, sustainable, and community-centered leadership during a pivotal time for our institution.

I have been part of the TMU community since 2012, when I began as an undergraduate nursing student. Through my education, I cultivated the knowledge and skills to serve as a healthcare professional and nurse leader. In these roles, I collaborated across healthcare networks to advance and facilitate initiatives that promote excellence in nursing care. Through this work, I recognized that meaningful change begins with students. This realization inspired me to return to TMU for graduate studies, where I supported faculty as a Teaching Assistant.

Today, I work with the DCSN as a Simulation and Lab Coordinator, and as a part-time fitness instructor with the RAC. This breadth of experience provides me with a multi-dimensional understanding of the university from academic and operational perspectives, as well as insights from community partners and stakeholders.

I work in environments that demand critical thinking, interprofessional collaboration, and responsible stewardship of resources. I understand the importance of governance that balances financial sustainability with a strong commitment to academic excellence and student well-being.

My priorities include:

• Supporting student success and well-being

• Strengthening experiential and innovative learning opportunities

• Promoting transparent, evidence-informed decision-making

Having experienced TMU in multiple roles for over a decade, I am deeply invested in its continued growth and success. I am committed to serving the university with integrity, accountability, and a collaborative mindset.

I am committed to improving access to education and helping students succeed—especially during the critical transition from high school to post-secondary life. As the founder of a leading tutoring organization in East York, I’ve spent the past five years teaching, mentoring, and supporting hundreds of students across different academic levels and backgrounds. I’ve seen firsthand how guidance, structure, and encouragement can change a student’s confidence and outcomes.

My goal is to help build stronger bridges between secondary school and university by supporting academic preparedness, mentorship, and accessible learning resources. I am passionate about student success beyond the classroom ensuring students feel supported, informed, and empowered to navigate academic and personal challenges.

I am seeking election to the Board of Governors at Toronto Metropolitan University to contribute my experience in leadership, project delivery, and industry collaboration in support of the university’s continued growth and impact.

Since 1999, I have built my career at EllisDon, leading diverse teams and delivering major construction projects across transportation, healthcare, institutional, cultural, and academic sectors. Early in my career, I managed projects for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and Trillium Health Centre, and later helped deliver projects for leading academic institutions. I also contributed to landmark projects including the Stratford Festival’s Tom Patterson Theatre and the Massey Hall Revitalize project.

My work is guided by the core values of openness, accountability, respect, trust, integrity, and entrepreneurial enthusiasm. I am committed to delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget, and I am proud to be a two-time recipient of EllisDon’s Annual Safety Award. I prioritize collaboration, building strong partnerships among clients, consultants, and project teams to achieve shared success.

I am passionate about giving back to the industry and supporting the next generation of professionals. I serve as an instructor at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, sit on Toronto Metropolitan University’s Civil Engineering Departmental Advisory Council, and serve on the Board of Directors of the Ontario General Contractors Association.

If elected, I will bring practical insight, strong governance values, and a collaborative approach to help advance TMU’s mission and future success.

I am a proud Toronto Metropolitan University alumnus and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with deep experience in financial leadership, organizational governance, and strategic planning. TMU shaped the foundation of my career, and I am running to bring strong financial stewardship, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to student and alumni success to the Board of Governors.

As a finance professional, I have worked extensively in audit, financial reporting, and risk management, helping organizations make informed, sustainable decisions in complex environments. I believe these skills directly support the Board’s responsibility to guide TMU’s long term financial health and strategic direction.

My platform is focused on five commitments:

Strong Financial Oversight: Promote transparent budgeting, prudent investment, and responsible long term planning.

Stronger Alumni Engagement: Expand mentorship networks, career pathways, and opportunities for alumni to shape university priorities.

Student Success & Equity: Support initiatives that reduce barriers, enhance experiential learning, and foster inclusion across all faculties.

Innovation & Urban Impact: Champion programs that strengthen TMU’s leadership in entrepreneurship, applied research, and community partnerships.

Transparent, Community Driven Governance: Engage openly with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to ensure decisions reflect TMU’s diverse voices.

TMU gave me the tools to succeed. Now I hope to contribute my expertise to help TMU continue to thrive.

Good governance requires the willingness to ask difficult questions, to listen carefully to the answers, and to use that judgment to steward the university’s long-term mission and public trust. I would bring to the Board a strong commitment to integrity, thoughtful oversight, and principled decision-making, grounded in a clear sense of public accountability. I do so with the benefit of multiple lenses: educator, public-sector leader, lifelong learner, and – above all – a proud TMU alum.

My work has consistently centred inclusion and the complex challenges involved in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, including the responsibility to confront and dismantle oppressive and colonial structures at an institutional level. I approach this work with the understanding that accountability, transparency, and trust are essential to the legitimacy of public institutions.

Ontario’s post-secondary system faces unprecedented challenges, financially, structurally, and academically. TMU is uniquely positioned to meet these challenges through strong governance that supports effective leadership, responsible stewardship of public resources, and long-term sustainability. Its focus on balancing theory with practical application not only prepares students for life after university; it also positions TMU as a key contributor to our province, our country, and our world.

I am one of the graduates TMU helped prepare. I credit both my career and my commitment to post-secondary education directly to my experience as a TMU student. I would be honoured to give back by serving in a governance role that reflects the trust placed in alumni representatives and supports TMU’s academic mission as a public institution.