Current Membership
Last updated - September 2026
Learn About Becoming a Senator
Term end dates indicated in parenthesis. Bios submitted by members.
Ex Officio (7)
- Chancellor - Mr. Nizar Somji - 4-Year Term (June 2028)
- An accomplished engineer and entrepreneur committed to innovation and serving the community.
- President & Vice-Chancellor - Mr. Bill Flanagan
- A transformational and entrepreneurial leader committed to the long-term academic and financial success of the U of A.
- Provost & Vice-President (Academic) - Dr. Verna Yiu
- An accomplished and servient leader in the academic and healthcare sectors, former President and CEO of Alberta Health Services, and practicing pediatric nephrologist.
- Vice-Provost and Dean of Students - Dr. Ravina Sanghera
- Committed to uplifting our students and serving our entire campus community.
- Associate Vice-President, Online and Continuing Education (Extension Senior Representative) - Ms. Jessica Butts Scott
- Passionate about enabling accessible, online learning and development for all who have a drive to earn an education.
- Alumni Association President - Mrs. Cathy Allen (May 2028)
- A proud U of A alumna BSc 1976, BEd 1977, MEd 1999 and former Public School Board Trustee.
- Alumni Association President Elect - Ms. Susan Craig Bieganek (May 2030)
- Inspiring environments where people succeed.
Appointed (25)
From the Public by the Minister of Advanced Education (9)
- Mrs. Kirn Jot Dhaliwal-Bassi - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- Passionate about literacy and educators as identity makers.
- Ms. Lina Maingi - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- Project management expert with a focus on financial management and passionate health advocate.
- Mr. Josh Stachniak - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- General Counsel and Corporate Director of Risk Management at Covenant Health.
- Mrs. Mary Jaya Stanislus - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- An outcome driven entrepreneur. Passionate about collaboration and helping others succeed.
- Mr. Jonathan Stringer - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2027)
- A U of A graduate whose passion is building connections between local communities and business.
- Vacancy (4)
From the Board of Governors (2)
- Mr. Sett Policicchio - 2nd 3-Year Term (September 2026)
- Involved on several non-profit agencies and boards, family business boards and public boards.
- Vacancy
From General Faculties Council (3)
- Professor Allen Ball - 1st 2-Year Term (June 2028)
- Professor of painting and a Canadian War Artist.
- Dr. Christopher Lupke - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Professor of Chinese cultural studies with an emphasis on literature and cinema.
- Dr. Nikolai Malykhin - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Full professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of Alberta.
From Deans' Council (2)
- Dr. Christine Hughes - 1st 2-Year Term (June 2027)
- Passionate about student learning, research and knowledge translation and engaging with community.
- Dr. Tracy Raivio - 1st 2-Year Term (June 2026)
- Passionate about graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, research, education and engagement.
By the Graduate Students' Association (1)
- Ms. Ria Francine Boodram - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2027)
- PhD student at the intersection of institutional & organizational theory and international relations.
By the Students' Union (4)
- Mr. Abhay Agnihotri - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2027)
- Current JD candidate at the University of Alberta and Mechanical (Biomedical) Engineering graduate.
- Mr. Brendan McFatridge - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2027)
- Mental health advocate and pre-medical neuroscience student.
- Ms. Angelina Raina - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2027)
- Ms. Logan West - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2027)
- VP Operations and Finance for the UASU, passionate about governance and student engagement.
From the non-academic staff by the Non-Academic Staff Association (2)
- Mr. Gavin Palmer - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Interculturalist, facilitator, and global education specialist.
- Mr. Chris Penny - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Husband, father of 2 (growing too fast!), and an endlessly curious, relaxed autodidact.
By the Alumni Association (2)
- Ms. Pegah Salari - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Senior sales leader in plumbing and heating, children's books author & publisher, and public speaker.
- Mr. Jeff Whissell - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- A passionate health system leader who graduated from the U of A’s Faculty of Pharmacy.
Elected by the Senate from Public Applications (30)
- Dr. Olawale Amuzat - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Strategic leader with expertise in procurement, governance, research, and mentorship.
- Mrs. Dana Antaya-Moore - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- A management consultant with an interest in system design and holds an M.Ed. from the U of A.
- Ms. Carmen Bellows - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Registered psychologist who maintains a small private practice and consults with insurance.
- Mr. Aziz Bootwala - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Architect, and community builder committed to voluntary service to leave the world a better place.
- Dr. Greg Bott - Eckville - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Farmer, finance author, university instructor, and governance expert.
- Mr. Ali Damani - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Pharmacist, healthcare advocate, and hotelier.
- Mrs. Emily Genereux - Red Deer - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Human resources consultant and professional coach who is passionate about making a difference.
- Ms. Michelle Gosselin - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Controller and consultant driving strategic growth, efficiency, and inclusive communities.
- Ms. Elizabeth Hammell - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Strategic partnerships and health innovation, arts advocate, and governance professional.
- Mr. Faizal Jiwani - Sherwood Park - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Inspiring people to realize their potential based on their unique background and life experiences.
- Dr. Ange Kadima - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Technology consultant, community leader, and advocate of ethnocultural and francophone groups issues.
- Dr. Masoud Khademi - Calgary - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Business technology manager at EY, energy research professional, and retired student leader.
- Mr. Vik Kohli - Calgary - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Devoted to family, energy business executive, professional engineer, dual MBAs, and transformative leader.
- Mr. Max Lindstrand - Camrose - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Married to Alice, lives in Camrose, two adult children, one grandson.
- Ms. Leigh Makarewicz - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Plays an active role bridging connections in her public service endeavors and local networks.
- Dr. Alvina Mardhani-Bayne - Edmonton -2nd 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- An educator who supports experiential learning at the University of Alberta.
- Mr. Scott Montgomery - Sherwood Park -2nd 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Native Albertan, businessman, and community volunteer.
- Mr. Gordon Naylor - Leduc - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Proud member of the Muskoday First Nation and avid supporter of Indigenous education.
- Mr. Denes Nemeth - St. Albert -2nd 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Purpose-driven corporate affairs executive inspired by the power of story-telling and community.
- Ms. Melinda Noyes - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Passionate advocate for people who don’t fit the usual boxes.
- Mr. Cole Nychka - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Métis utility professional passionate about serving customers and community.
- Dr. Odell Olson - Camrose -2nd 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Retired physician/healthcare administrator with 33 years experience in small towns in Alberta & B.C.
- Mr. Chris Peacocke - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Retired French Immersion Teacher and High School Principal still active in teacher education. Proud U of A Grad and varsity athlete.
- Dr. Aisha Rauf - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Recipient of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, PhD in English Linguistics, and public speaker.
- Mr Jerry Saddleback Jr. - Wetaskiwin - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Plains Cree from Samson Cree Nation (Nipisihkopahk), Treaty No. 6 Territory.
- Mr. James Song - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2029)
- Private practice for 30+ years/legal entrepreneur; proud to be part of some amazing communities.
- Mr. Bob Sprague - Calgary - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Albertan, multi-business builder, executive healthcare leader, pharmacist, and Edmonton Oilers fan.
- Mrs. Stacey Strilchuk - Leduc County - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- An accomplished leader with experience in healthcare, government and not for profits.
- Mr. Sameer Thawer - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2027)
- Professional engineer in the pest control industry with a passion for innovation and community impact.
- Mr. James Vy - Calgary - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2028)
- Mentor, student advocate, and firm believer that background should never determine potential.
What We Do
- Chancellor's Forum
- Committees
- Task Forces
- Honorary Degrees
- Book the Senate Chamber
- Emil Skarin Fund
- Representatives, Liaisons and Lay Observers
Contact Us
Office of the Chancellor & Senate
322 Arts & Convocation Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB T6G 2E6
Email: senate@ualberta.ca
Phone: 780-492-2268