Together, let's build our harmonious Academic Community space!
The Departmental Students' Association represents all graduate students in the Department of Social Justice Education.
We collaborate with the office of the SJE Chair, the SJE department, the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ administration, and the UTGSU to ensure that students’ interest, academic goals, professional and career needs flourish and advance within a harmonious, healthy, and equitable learning environment. We recognize that our success and scholarship within the academia and the community will thrive the most in a socially just environment. Therefore, we depend on the active participation from students, faculty, and staff for the success of the SJE DSA. Part of our commitment is to increase students’ presence and awareness within the SJE Department in ways that are positive and beneficial to all.
Want to learn more? The SJE DSA can be reached at oisesjedsa@gmail.com or check our to be part of the SJE DSA Facebook community and ask us any questions. View the SJE Students' Association Constitution 2021.
Meet your 2024-2025 DSA Executive
President, Devonnia Miller
My name is Devonnia Miller (she/her), and I am a 3rd-year student in the MEd Social Justice Education Department. With over 15 years of experience in higher education administration, I have worked in various roles, including residence services, student life, academic and events coordination, and executive assistance. These positions have allowed me to foster a vibrant and inclusive campus environment, engaging closely with students, faculty, and staff.
My research focuses on the experiences of Black Women Leaders in Higher Education in Canada, particularly the reasons behind their underrepresentation in senior leadership positions. I am passionate about community building, education, and social justice, and I’ve dedicated myself to advocating for marginalized voices and promoting equity in higher education.
I am honoured to serve as the SJE DSA President for 2024-25. One of my primary goals as President is to establish a mentorship program to support incoming students, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported within our community. I look forward to serving in this capacity and working together to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Vice-President, Usha Sharma
I am Usha Sharma, a Doctoral student, SJE EdD, second year. I believe that education is a constructive tool to reshape the ideology and the behaviour pattern of people and society and helps to acknowledge the rapid changing world order. I have been in academic professionalism, for twelve years, as a teacher to undergraduate level, in Nepal and have obtained interdisciplinary knowledge from various universities; Master of Education in Social Justice, Lakehead University, Canada; Master in philosophy, Pokhara University, Nepal; and Master in English Literature, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. My proposed doctoral research critiques the mobility of knowledge and resources in international higher education as well as the distributional gap in the global economy. I have been exploring, analysing, rereading, and advocating for educational reformation for global development and poverty reduction.
I am determined for the social construction for better educational space and society. I will maintain my institutional leadership with dignity, equality, and equity to all members of ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ SJE DSA.
Financial Coordinator, Purity Chemutai Kimaiyo
My name is Purity Chemutai Kimaiyo, a third year Ph.D. student in the Social Justice Education department. My research interest focus on women in leadership as there is a need for equity and inclusion when it comes to leadership. I am a highly dedicated professional with an aspiring progressive career. I am self-driven, ambitious, innovative, analytical, and a fast learner, and pride myself as a true team player with good interpersonal skills. I possess a great desire and drive to prosper in all work that I venture into.
I am humbled to serve in the SJEDSA as a Financial coordinator and my goal is to ensure that I perform my duties as required, be accountable, transparent and ensure that there is equity when it comes to financial resources.
Communications Coordinator, Harny Carlos Chan Lim
I am Harny Carlos Chan Lim (they/he). I am a Ph.D. student in the Social Justice Education department and an early childhood educator. My research interests revolve around queering early childhood education and care through a feminist and decolonial lens to challenge white, eurocentric, settler colonial, heteronormative, and cisheteropatriarchal understandings of childhood, education and care.
I am excited to be part of the SJE DSA team as your communication coordinator to ensure transparency, accountability, and care. I am always open for a chat.
