Alex Hernandez & Diyaa Yadav

Co-VP Community Candidates

Meet The Candidates:

Hola! I’m Alex, a 2nd year chemical engineering co-op student. In the middle of my first year, I along with other UofA students helped start the Engineers Without Borders UAlberta chapter and am currently leading the chapter as a co-president. My work has brought opportunities for students from all faculties working towards sustainability through advocacy and unique engineering solutions. I’ve volunteered in positions with the faculty such as in the Open House and First Year orientation. In my spare time, I enjoy golfing, playing chess, and am part of the powerlifting club. Unfortunately, I am not a bench specialist.

Salut! I'm Diyaa, a third-year software engineering co-op student juggling life as a Resident Assistant and the Third Year Rep at the CompE Club. In the dorms, I'm all about creating a tight-knit community, hosting events that aren't just educational but actually fun, and making sure everyone feels at home. When I'm not geeking out over software or rallying club members for our next big event, you can find me knitting sweaters, strumming my guitar, or baking cookies—because, why not?

Check out our full intro and platform here!

Our Platform

EDID (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization)

• Work with ESS event coordinators for events to be accessible and inclusive for everyone.
  We're committed to providing an exceptional experience for every student at  our events. To enhance accessibility, we currently share accommodations  details via Engglink. Building on this, we plan to introduce an event map  highlighting the closest pedways, restrooms, and elevators. This will ensure ease  of navigation around the ENGG Quad buildings, especially for those new to the  area or in need of specific accommodations.
  

• Collaborating with engineering student groups that perform EDID and  sustainability work by hosting workshops. 

  Our initiative includes partnering with student groups dedicated to EDID and  sustainability to organize workshops that educate, inspire, and mobilize our  community. These workshops will cover a range of topics, from unconscious bias  and inclusive leadership to sustainable engineering practices. By providing these  learning opportunities, we aim to empower students to become advocates for  change within and beyond our engineering community.
  

• Expand EDID training to all ESS directors, and volunteers. 

  We will team up with the EDID team to ensure that all ESS senior executives,  directors, and volunteers complete EDID training promptly. Our aim is to create  a welcoming and safe atmosphere for every member in the community.
  

•  Aim to consult with stakeholders on ESS efforts to build a community that is  a safe and inclusive space for all. 

  To foster a safe and inclusive ESS community, we aim to consult widely with  stakeholders, including students, faculty, and community organizations. Through  surveys, focus groups, and forums, we'll gather insights to improve accessibility,  mental health support, cultural competency, and anti-discrimination efforts. This collaborative approach will guide immediate actions and shape long-term  strategies for a welcoming environment, with regular assessments to track our  progress and adjust as needed.

Engagement and Philanthropy Initiatives

• Implement a podcast on various topics that bring faculty, student groups,  and engineering students together. 

  To bridge the gap between faculty, student groups, and engineering students,  we plan to launch a podcast series. Each episode will focus on a different  theme, ranging from groundbreaking research and projects within our faculty,  to student life, diversity in engineering, and sustainability efforts. By inviting  faculty members, student leaders, and passionate students as guests, we aim to  foster a sense of community, spark inspiration, and encourage collaboration  across all levels of our engineering community.
  

• Enhance the annual headshave program by working with discipline clubs  to promote the event and to meet fundraising goals. 

  In order to ensure the continued success of the program, we’d like to work with  the discipline clubs in the fall semester to set up fundraising goals and improve  the marketing of the headshave by having volunteers, directors, and senior  executives to share the initiative across their networks. The marketing plan will  also encourage faculty members ranging from reaching out to the dean to  professors who can help bring awareness for the program. These efforts will not  only hope to meet the fundraising goal, but exceed it.
  

• Increase advocacy of EDID through philanthropic events that are  community building. 

  To meet EDID objectives, we’d like to continue creating events that involve  everyone and in which people can sympathize with. When elected, we will  continue to host the philanthropic events held this year. These new philanthropic  events will reach out to all stakeholders throughout the year which may involve  engineering student groups, discipline clubs, student associations, faculty and  engineering students to ensure smooth and successful events.
  

• Promote volunteer opportunities for engineering students to be involved in  non-profit organizations and student groups. 

  We want to ensure that students are able to give back to the community  through being involved in both short-term and long-term commitments. We'd  like to promote these opportunities to engineering students to find what they  love, and yet create an impact. We will ensure this is done by building these  relationships with these organizations and helping connect students with existing  opportunities at ESS and in student groups.

Engineering Art Show and Sustainability Initiatives

• Build a sense of community through interactive art workshops.
  To foster a vibrant and inclusive community, we will organize interactive art workshops as part of the Engineering Art Show. These workshops will be designed to not only showcase the creativity within our engineering community but also to explore the intersection of art, technology, and sustainability. Some potential ideas include Tie-Dye Workshop, collaborate with Elko Engg. Garage for fun activities.
  

• Develop a system for all ESS portfolios to report sustainability and EDID efforts.
  We are committed to making our sustainability and EDID efforts transparent and accountable. To achieve this, we will introduce a comprehensive reporting system where all ESS portfolios can document their initiatives, challenges, and progress. This system will facilitate a periodic review process, enabling us to identify areas for improvement and celebrate achievements. Through regular reporting and analysis, we aim to ensure that our commitment to sustainability and EDID is reflected in every aspect of our activities and event