The provisional results for the 2026-27 U of M Graduate and Postdoctoral Society (UMGPS) election have been officially announced by the chief returning officer in a widely circulated email on March 17 to graduate and postdoctoral students.

This year’s election saw two slates go head-to-head for leadership positions. Team THRIVE and Candidates United for Student Voice each presented candidates for the five contested positions. As polls closed on March 17, the results were officially released, with candidates from the United for Student Voice slate winning three of the contested positions, while Team THRIVE secured two positions.

The election results are in, and the candidates-elect have shared their victory statements.

 

Emma Heath

President and senator

The presidential race was keenly contested between two candidates. At the end of the polls, Emma Heath, a member of the United for Student Voice slate, emerged victorious with 253 votes, representing 57 per cent, as against Uche Nwankwo, who secured 188 votes, representing 43 per cent.

Heath expressed her joy at winning alongside her team and extended appreciation to students who supported them. “I am very thankful for your trust in me, and in our slate.” She added, “I would also like to acknowledge the THRIVE slate and all other candidates who ran in this election.”

As she prepares to take on the leadership role of president and senator, Heath said she is “focused on transparency, accountability and student support.” She added, “I look forward to representing graduate students at the [U of M] and working with the new executive team and UMGPS staff to build a stable foundation for the future of UMGPS.”

Heath said she is “committed to listening to any and all concerns graduate students face, and [she invites] any graduate student to please email UMGPS to make their voice heard.”

 

Laleema Senanayake
Vice-president, academic and senator

 

In one of the most contested races, Laleema Senanayake, a member of the United for Student Voice slate, secured her spot as the next vice president academic and senator with a total of 193 votes, representing 43 per cent.

Senanayake said she was thankful to “the graduate students who supported [United for Student Voice] and placed their trust in [her].”

“My vision for the coming year as vice-president, academic is grounded in accessibility and support,” she said. “I will work closely with student support services to develop awareness and outreach initiatives that ensure graduate students can fully benefit from these resources.”

She also emphasized collaboration as one of her key strategies, saying she would work closely with the leadership team to strengthen the grants system for graduate students.

Senanayake further assured students that she is “committed to listening to and advocating for graduate students employed by the university, ensuring their concerns are represented at the senate level.”

Janie Dupuis, who was with Team THRIVE, earned 164 votes (36 per cent), Manish Dhakal secured 56 votes (12 per cent) and Muhammed Aldhshan secured 37 votes (8 per cent).

 

Abiodun Adejumo

Vice-president, events and clubs

Abiodun Adejumo ran uncontested as a member of Team THRIVE. He secured 87 per cent of the votes, earning 378 yes votes.

Adejumo described the victory “as a reminder of what is possible when we choose community.”

As he steps into the role, he said, “I want to build on the strong foundation that already exists, while creating more opportunities for people to come together.”

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, support, encourage and believe in this vision,” he added, expressing gratitude to all who made the win possible.

 

Kyra Swenson
Vice-president, equity and inclusion

Kyra Swenson, a member of the United for Student Voice  slate, ran unopposed and secured the highest percentage of votes, with 378 votes representing 92 per cent.

Swenson said this is a role she does not take “lightly, and [hopes] that any graduate struggling with issues with equity and inclusion will reach out.”

She stated that she is ready to work closely with the executive team to ensure a “solid footing from both budget and policy [documents].”

As part of her objectives in this position, Swenson said, “I will work to ensure that the strength of our diverse graduate students is reflected in the programs and policies of the U of M, both in values and action.”

Swenson also expressed gratitude to everyone who took part in the election.

 

Lamia Mahzabin

Vice-president, external and senator

Lamia Mahzabin, a member of Team THRIVE, ran unopposed and secured 334 votes, representing 81 per cent of the total.

Mahzabin, who has previously served as vice-president academic and senator, stated, “I’ll be advocating for fair and transparent immigration policies […] and strengthening partnerships with organizations that can expand opportunities for graduate students.”

She described the role as one focused on “ensuring the community is heard and supported,” and pledged to represent graduate students with clarity, integrity and determination.