The U of M highlights student leadership through voices shaping campus life, including biosystems engineering student Simran Gill.

Gill is currently in her final year of studies and has taken on one of the most prominent student roles in the engineering faculty. She is the first woman of colour and tenth woman to be senior stick for the U of M Engineering Society (UMES), as well as the second person to hold the position for two years in a row.

She credits those who came before her as key to her achievements.

“I could not have done it without the women before me [who] walked so I could run,” Gill stated. “It is a great honour and a great privilege.”

The position is the head of the engineering student body, which involves overseeing a large student council and representing the interests of nearly 2,000 students.

Gill said, “Our council is made up of 110 students, and we do everything from social [and] professional events [to] student outreach.”

Gill was born and raised in Winnipeg, with her family originally coming from Punjab, India. Her academic path is guided by a broader goal of using engineering to support those who are often overlooked.

“I’m really passionate about using engineering for good. So, I’m planning to pursue a master’s in using engineering to help marginalized communities,” Gill said.

The focus is already reflected in her current academic work, which involves collaboration beyond the classroom.

“I’m in a capstone project, and we are building a land shelter in a participatory co-engagement project with an Indigenous community,” she said.

“I’ve been on UMES since my first year as a frosh intern and I really loved the environment,” she said. Gill’s involvement in student leadership began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many students were navigating isolation.

Despite the circumstances, she found connection through student involvement.

“I signed up because I didn’t have anything else to do, and I just fell in love since then,” Gill explained. “Even if I was meeting on Zoom with other students, there was still that sense of community.”

That early experience led her to continue taking on increasing responsibility within the student body.

“It was really just the community and the great support that came through UMES,” she explained.

Throughout her term, one of the most meaningful aspects of the role has been engaging directly with students.

“I really love having our events and overseeing all of our events and seeing the smile on people’s face when they come,” Gill said.

As her term concludes, Gill reflected on the experience with appreciation for the students she represented.

“I just want to say thank you,” she said. “These two years have been great.”