Here are the candidate statements for the Fall 2025 ASSU Executive By-Elections. Candidates will be elected at the first ASSU Council meeting of the year taking place on September 26th at 4pm. There are three (3) positions available on this years’ Executive. For any questions related to the elections, please contact cro@assu.ca
Layla El-Dakhakhni
Hello friends, foes, and everyone in between!
In a university that bell-curves our assignments, protects sexual predators, and refuses to divest from genocide, we need strong advocates in the ASSU to bring passion and energy to our dreams, demands, and visions. If elected, I will continue the campaigns for retroactive (post-final exam) Credit/No Credit designations, removing fees for deferred exams (Don’t Invoice Our Illness!), and discounted TTC passes, all of which the ASSU has been tenaciously fighting for. I am a 4th-year Environmental Chemistry major with HPS and WGS minors – my finger is on the pulse of both Science and Arts programs needs and desires. My deep love for science and the arts are inextricable from each other, and this passion is what moves me to demand the best for students in the FAS. I was awarded the ASSU’s Gavin Nowlan Campus Leadership Award in my second year because my leadership is heart-driven, meticulous, and makes no compromises on integrity.
Outside of class, I love writing, biking, mangoes, and Palestine.
I would be honoured to represent you as an ASSU executive this coming year. Please feel welcome to contact me on Instagram @laylaeldak or via email at layla.eldakhakhni@mail.utoronto.ca.
In love and solidarity,
Layla El-Dakhakhni
Jonathan Holubko
Hello everyone! My name is Jonathan Holubko and I am a second-year student majoring in Criminology, Sociolegal studies, and Political Science, with a minor in European affairs. As an ASSU executive I will ensure that student voices are heard and answered, I have experience in student council and understand how to act as a liaison between students and faculty.
I will also advocate for the Arts and Science Student Union to expand free meal programs for students who can’t afford food regularly or for students who need a quick snack before class. Furthermore, I will see to it that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences upholds their commitment for student accommodation especially in a time where many professors are requiring students to use notebooks and pencils.
Lastly, as a UofT student I understand that it can be difficult to go out and plan events with friends due to things being expensive or far which is why I would advocate for more socials and events so students can interact and have a break from their busy schedules, these events would also be opportunities for course unions to showcase their culture, food, art, and course specific items/information. This especially can be done as I have experience in event planning during my time as a new college orientation executive.
Thank you very much for reading my candidate statement! I will work hard and diligently to ensure all student concerns are heard and addressed.
Sandini Kokikara
Hey, students of the many Arts & Science programs – I’m Ahi. I’m hoping you know me.
Maybe you’ve written and edited for the University College Gargoyle, like I have. Or, you’ve come to events hosted by EmpowerART UofT. We could have volunteered at Kensington Gardens or done peer tutoring together.
Or maybe I directed you to the Myhal Engineering Building. I could have scoured the pavement for your fallen beads outside of the UC Building. Maybe you came up to the front desk at Robarts, and I signed out your books, advised you on how to pay your fines.
All that is to say: I’ve done a lot, and I’m ready to do more in my capacity as an ASSU Executive.
Here’s some ideas I’ll try to implement during my term this year:
- Developing a Petitions & Appeals Clinic with the Office of the Faculty Registrar. Equipping students for success also means providing them with support during challenging times in their studies.
- Providing limited technology loans for course unions. Some examples include cables, adaptors, a Bluetooth speaker, and a projector. Unions should be able to run bangin’ events with our help.
- Connecting students to program coordinators and undergraduate advisors – the people of your programs that can tell you so much about course and syllabi content. There are so many cool programs I wish I’d minored in!
Thank you for your time and consideration, and remember to vote for Sandini, because that’s my name on the ballot.
Quintina Liu
Hi everyone! My name is Quintina Liu and I’m a third-year undergrad studying Political Science, Peace, Conflict, Justice, and Human Geography. I’m running to be an ASSU executive this year to truly ensure student concerns are heard and ASSU is held accountable. Being a part of course unions such as APSS and TUGS, I’m experienced in working in a team where the main goal is to enhance the student experience. Being a student at UofT is not easy, not cheap, and often confusing, so that’s why I want guarantee students have initiatives and programs that support them in their actual needs and most importantly, have transparency of where their tuition is going. I am always open to suggestions, ideas and your concerns because it’s the students who truly make up the university experience. Social justice and inclusivity is deeply important to me and my goals for what I want to achieve as an exec. It would mean the world if you considered me for your vote! 😊
Marriah Ramadan
I, Marriah Ramadan, am running for an ASSU Executive position on the 2025–2026 ASSU Council because I believe every student deserves to feel supported, informed, and connected throughout their time at U of T. ASSU is an incredible organization, yet many students remain unaware of the resources it offers or of the opportunities it could provide with stronger outreach. At the same time, some students feel gaps in academic support. I believe we can address both by making ASSU more visible, collaborative, and impactful by building stronger partnerships with course unions and faculty to expand our past test bank, and increasing awareness of our other resources such as awards/grants, undergraduate research opportunities, and other extracurricular initiatives. As Fundraising Director of the U of T Mental Health Association, my team and I launched multi-impactful initiatives such as the “I Hope You’re Okay” fund and “How to Find a Therapist” workshops, expanding access to mental health resources across campus. As an upper-year mentor across multiple clubs, I connected first-year students to financial, academic, and career opportunities they may not otherwise have known existed. These roles taught me how to turn student concerns into meaningful, accessible solutions. I am committed to ensuring that every student who walks into the ASSU office or visits our website leaves with answers, resources, or direction. I want ASSU to be proactive, inclusive, and student-centered, and I would be honored to serve as your Executive.
Best,
Marriah Ramadan
Biew Biew Sakulwannadee
Hello hello, my name is Biew Biew, a fourth-year History Specialist, running to be an ASSU executive!
My candidacy starts with a simple question: What does it mean to be an Arts and Science student? The ASSU’s primary commitment is to represent every student studying under the A&S umbrella, providing them with the necessary information and opportunities to maximize their UofT experience. In other words, students advocating for students. What is integral to said success, and what I want to achieve, is ensuring student voices and priorities are heard, and for ASSU to effectively communicate its opportunities to students.
My past 4 years of experience encapsulate both academic and creative endeavors, from working at the Asian Institute to presenting at the Undergraduate Research Conference, to designing for the History Students Association, Collective Undergraduate Research Experience, The Spectatorial literary magazine, among so many others. What I’ve learned from such experiences is that arts and science students are fully aware of the academic or creative extracurricular activities that can help their research journey and display their passions.
In essence, I’ll focus on both the academic/research and creative opportunities that ASSU students seek by increasing visibility on our annual conference/journal, encouraging community interaction via merch and alumni events, promoting clubs and student union events on social media, and most importantly, focusing ASSU’s funding on our essential needs, from commuting to exam deferrals to graduate applications.
A vote for me is a vote for yourself, a vote for your fellow students.
Yvonne Yeh
Hello everyone! My name is Yvonne. I am a second-year student studying Political Science and Law, Ethics, and Society. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Arts and Sciences community as an Executive for the Arts and Sciences Student Union. During my first year, the ASSU has provided a vibrant community that has supported me in my studies. I aim to give back to the community by advocating for students, improving student experiences, and fostering a welcoming environment. As an Executive, one of my top priorities will be to advocate for a collective syllabus repository. Unlike UTM, UTSG does not have a collective syllabus repository for UTSG courses that could help students plan their degree pathways, support incoming students, and increase transparency across departments. I want to advocate for the creation of a central online archive of searchable course syllabi for UTSG courses. I bring leadership and problem-solving experience from organizing and running a food booth, where I led a team, coordinated logistics, and managed finances under a tight deadline. I will bring the same dedication to serving the ASSU community through this position, and I would be honoured to serve in this role. Thank you for considering me as your ASSU Executive. Vote for Yvonne!
