BUSU’s bi-annual student election will run from 12 a.m. on Feb. 10 until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 12. Students can log in to BUSU’s official page using their Brock email address to vote for candidates of their choice.
The election is being held to fill several positions, including five one-year Board of Director (BoD) seats, four two-year BoD seats and one one-year Brock University Senate seat.
The BUSU BoD oversees the student union’s financial, legal and HR matters. It consists of 13 voting student members and the BUSU General Manager, who is a non-voting member.
The Brock University Senate is made up of roughly 70 members — including administration, faculty and students — who oversee the University’s academic policy. BUSU elects six students to sit on Senate along with the Vice President, University Affairs.
As the nomination period has now closed, all possible candidates are posted on BUSU’s Election Posts and Candidates page where you can view their full biographies. This information can help each student make an informed decision on who they would like to have representing them on BUSU’s Board and Senate.
Here is a quick overview of the candidates for BUSU BoD positions.
Candidates Zahraa Alsumadi and Khalid Hassan Srijon highlight targeted issue areas alongside broader accountability goals in their campaigns. Alsumadi notes their prior experience in student clubs and campus initiatives, and seeks to advocate for food affordability, improved access to gym and recreation spaces as well as stronger mental health support at Brock. Likewise, Srijon aims to build a campus environment that supports accountability, purpose and personal growth, while also emphasizing the need for mental health support for men and ensuring student media remains representative, fair and impactful. Srijon notes an economics background that strengthened his analytical skills and understanding of how institutions affect individuals.
Several candidates are centering their goals for a more open, student-driven BUSU, focused on clearer communication, honest representation and stronger oversight. Syed Ahmed Abdullah and Ammar Hashlamoun emphasize representing student voices to ensure honesty, improve transparency, hold leaders and representatives accountable and support initiatives that strengthen long-term growth, drawing on their leadership, teamwork and student advocacy experience.
Similarly, Evan Buchanan and Hassan Raza argue for stronger systems that center student-first priorities, fairness and transparency of processes to prevent students from feeling disconnected from BUSU. Buchanan brings experience as Brock’s first year Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) representative as well as campus involvement through Goodman clubs, intramurals and entrepreneurial projects. Likewise, Raza brings experience from prior student leadership, sports leadership and community building opportunities.
Jaykumar Kamleshkumar Patel and Sunita Bhalla both prioritize transparency and access to information, specifically regarding financial accountability, stronger communication between BUSU and students and decision-making where every student feels heard. Patel cites leadership experience from their roles as Treasurer of the Sanatan Student Association and executive member of Brock Cricket.
Along with transparency, the BoD nominees highlight collaborative advocacy and a priority to ensure that every student — across all backgrounds and programs — feels represented and supported.
Hasan Rana and Zien Youssif frame their platform around advocacy, transparent leadership and community building, with a focus on improving student services and strengthening equity through collaborative work.
Benjamin Guet-Lusito and Omar Rasheed share similar goals of helping students feel seen, heard and supported, placing emphasis on building an inclusive and dynamic campus environment. Lusito brings experiences as VP of the Brock Esports Club, former BoD member for the Residence Action Council and current Don of Activities in Village Residence, as well as active membership in numerous other campus clubs, including Improv Club, quiz-bowl and Singer-Songwriter Club. Rasheed has experience with prior service on the BUSU BoD and as President of the Brock Muslim Students’ Association (MSA), along with various roles across multiple student initiatives.
Candidates Rafi Rahman Ronon and Muhammed Azhar describe their approach as grounded, people-focused and aimed at strengthening campus connection while keeping decision-makers accountable. Rahman notes that real impact comes from paying attention to students, their ideas, and small, often overlooked, but important details. Azhar emphasizes strategic growth with a focus on student needs, pointing to a professional background that built his ability to navigate complex challenges and work collaboratively.
Other candidates have derived their motivation to run as a way to give back to the Brock community. Mohammed Khatib and Jonah Stuckless foreground service, responsiveness and improving everyday student life. Aaron Mukendi brings leadership experience through outreach and human resources, as well as experience leading a pro-bono consulting project. Mukendi stated that their goal is to give back to the community that shaped them, with an intent to turn student concerns into actions by listening closely and speaking up when it matters.
There are two candidates for the one-year Senate seat, Loretta Afriyie and Nick Kester. Afriyie brings a “health-equity lens” to academic decision-making, emphasizing how systemic barriers can disproportionately impact racialized students’ academic success and wellbeing; her goal is to advocate for culturally responsive policies and equitable resource allocation. Kester focuses on being a reliable student voice in a shifting learning environment, aiming to faithfully represent student perspectives and clearly articulate student concerns to meaningfully shape the university’s decisions.
To be eligible to vote in the bi-annual election, you must be a student at Brock University. More information can be found on BUSU’s election page.