Below are the candidates for the Graduate School and Law School Senate seats. For any questions about the Fall 2024 Special Election, please contact sgaelections@sa.ua.edu.
Graduate School Candidates
Shawn Abdullah
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas in a South Asian Ismaili Muslim family. As a double minority and second generation immigrant, I was the first person in my family to graduate college. I am, above all else, an educator; I believe it is my duty to educate others on the mechanisms of governance by which we attempt to enact meaningful changes in policy. I taught American government at the secondary level. I currently study international relations and comparative politics. In addition to my experience in political education, I have training in diversity and inclusion. While some construct barriers along identities and politics, I build bridges. I speak four languages and I’m studying a fifth, and can learn and teach across language barriers. As a political scientist and educator, I am convinced that building a better world requires us to serve our communities and inspire the next generation of leaders. I aim to serve the UA student community by improving conditions for graduate students who call this university home.
Goals:
- Improve student life for graduate students.
- Improve accessibility for international students, particularly campus bus wait times and routes.
- Universal parking passes at no additional cost instead of the current zone-based system
- Increase accessibility to the student health center and reduce fees
- Promote mental health/wellness and remove barriers to care
- Improve support services for victims of domestic violence and substance abuse
Davin Nabizadeh
My name is Davin Nabizadeh, and I am a PhD student in Educational Psychology at the University of Alabama. I earned my master’s degree from UA and currently work as a Graduate Research Assistant. My academic and professional experiences have given me a deep understanding of the challenges graduate students face. I am currently serving as Vice President of Academic Affairs for GSA and Graduate School Ambassador. I have served as an Administrative Assistant during the summer and a Summer Residential Advisor for Housing and Residential Communities, further developing my ability to manage responsibilities and support students.
I am running for the Senate seat because of my extensive experience in both academic and student leadership roles, including seven years of teaching and active involvement in student organizations. My platform focuses on enhancing resources available to graduate students, such as increasing stipends, particularly in fields like the humanities and social sciences. I also aim to advocate for more funding for conference attendance and to help graduate students navigate their programs more effectively.
One of my key goals is to establish a resource center for students facing challenges within their programs, ensuring they have access to the counseling and support needed to succeed at the University of Alabama. Roll Tide!
Amber Todd
I am Amber Todd, a second-year MBA student at the University of Alabama with a background in marketing and management. Currently, I serve as the Chapter President of the National Black MBA Association and the Vice President of Student Engagement for the Graduate Student Association. I am running for Graduate Student Senator because I believe in the power of representation and collaboration. My experiences have highlighted the importance of student voices in decision-making processes, and I want to ensure our graduate community’s concerns are heard and addressed. My platform centers on three key pillars: enhancing academic resources, promoting mental health support, and fostering inclusivity. I aim to advocate for increased access to educational tools and mentorship programs, bolster mental health resources through workshops and peer support networks, and create initiatives celebrating our vibrant graduate community. Together, we can cultivate an environment where every graduate student feels valued and empowered. By working collaboratively, we can tackle challenges and enhance the overall graduate student experience at the University of Alabama. Thank you for considering me as your representative; I look forward to the opportunity to serve and advocate for our community.
Anthony Willing
I am a second-year English Literature PhD student focusing on how to deconstruct language and time in post-modern/contemporary novels. My research has greatly influenced my philosophy towards leadership. It takes a combination of words and actions to make change so I want to be a good model. I am currently involved with six different organizations on campus, three of which I serve on as the secretary. I am also involved with several initiatives to increase engagement with volunteering and service in the surrounding communities such as being a Tide-Together Mentor and a member of the Carl Elliott Society.
I am running because I want to ensure that I can continue the advocacy work that I started within my department to create better opportunities, most especially for research. I know that by bringing attention to the challenges we face I can push conversations forward to create more impactful and lasting change.
My platform is simple: I want to increase the collaborations between the Graduate school and the other schools/colleges so resources are both more available and accessible to all students. I intend to create space so anyone could contact me and let me know their concerns so I can better represent them in this role. I am ready, WILLING, and able to do the work necessary to most effectively fulfill the duties of this office.
Law School Candidates
There are no certified candidates for the open Law School Senate seat. This poll is write-in only and nominees must meet the eligibility requirements detailed in ARTICLE III, Section 3 of the SGA Constitution to run for an elected office.