YUGSA 2024-2025 Executive Team
Alireza Gorgani, President
Email: president@yugsa.ca
Alireza Gorgani Dorcheh (they/them) is a migrant worker, artivist, and researcher living in Tkaronto, Treaty Thirteen. Primarily through theatre, performance, film, and clowning, they often explore underlying structures of marginalization and oppression. They currently pursue their studies as a Ph.D. candidate in Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies at York University, where they investigate the issues of migrant workers’ future vis-à-vis precarious status.
They are also interested in community-engaged work, which has allowed them to get inspired by the artistic and leadership insights of different communities. They enjoy being around people who refuse to stay idle in the face of injustice and inequality and are committed to combating oppression.
Alireza is honored to serve the York University Graduate Students’ Association as President for the second consecutive year and truly believes in our union’s power to bring about fundamental change.
Shantanu Mehra, Vice President of Internal
Email: internal@yugsa.ca
Shantanu (he/him) is a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology. He is passionate about student representation and matters related to academic freedom on university campus. He also enjoys music and tea.
Fatima Qaraan, Vice President of Finance
Email: finance@yugsa.ca
Fatima Qaraan is a 4th year PhD candidate in Political Science at York University. Her research examines the intersections of gender-role ideology, sociopolitical factors, and parental consent policies to understand pathways leading to child marriage in Canada, challenging misconceptions about this issue in developed countries.
Since starting her program, Fatima has served in various roles supporting graduate students, including as a funding adjudicator for CUPE's Ways and Means Fund and the Childcare Committee. Currently, she serves as YUGSA's VP of Finance, where she works closely with the Finance and Health Plan Coordinator to manage the organization's budget and financial matters. In this role, she also administers bursaries and funding applications to support members experiencing financial precarity.
Fatima has contributed to structural improvements within YUGSA, participating in the Bylaw Review Committee Working Group. She is committed to amplifying graduate student voices, improving resource accessibility, and addressing financial challenges faced by students in one of Canada's most expensive cities. Her comprehensive financial oversight, in collaboration with the Finance and Health Plan Coordinator, ensures responsible stewardship of YUGSA's resources in service of its members.
Sarah Hasbini, Vice President of Equity
Email: equity@yugsa.ca
Sarah Hasbini is the Vice President of Equity at the York University Graduate Students' Association (YUGSA). In this role, Sarah is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across the university's graduate community. Her focus on advocating for underrepresented groups, ensuring fair representation, and fostering an environment where all students feel welcomed and valued. In her current role as VP of Equity, Sarah is committed to ensuring that every graduate student has access to a supportive team that helps facilitate effective communication with faculty and departments, enabling them to continue their studies successfully.
With a strong background in communication and civic engagement Sarah brings a wealth of experience in addressing issues of social justice, equity, and inclusion. Sarah has a bachelor’s in communication studies and political science, a master’s in political science and is pursuing her Ph.D. in political science at York, where she developed a deep understanding of the systemic challenges faced by marginalized groups in educational settings.
Mostafa Hetteh, Vice President of Campaigns
Email: campaigns@yugsa.ca
As the Vice President of Campaigns for the York University Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA), my role is pivotal in advocating for the diverse interests and needs of our graduate student community. Central to my responsibilities is campaign development and execution; I design, plan, and implement initiatives that address pressing issues, promote student interests, and ultimately enhance the graduate student experience at York University.
Equally important is my collaborative work with other organizations. I actively engage with fellow student associations and relevant campus entities to foster unity and cooperation on shared concerns. Additionally, I build relationships with external organizations to bolster our campaigns and expand resources available for graduate students.
Another key aspect of my role involves event planning and coordination. I organize workshops, seminars, and events that aim to inform and engage graduate students on significant topics and issues affecting their academic and professional journeys. Furthermore, I mentor and support volunteers and committee members who are involved in campaigns, empowering them to build capacity and cultivate student leadership within our community.
Aidin Torkameh, Vice President of Community
Email: community@yugsa.ca
Aidin Torkameh is a PhD candidate in Environmental Studies at York University. In 2023, he served as Secretary-Treasurer for CUPE 3903, where he excelled in financial management and member advocacy demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing community needs effectively. Over the past decade, Aidin has translated seminal works into Persian, including Henri Lefebvre’s Dialectical Materialism, Rhythmanalysis, and The Survival of Capitalism. Aidin’s dissertation examines the production of Iran as a national state space since the 19th century. In 2016, he founded Space & Dialectics (www.dialecticalspace.com), the first Persian-language online journal dedicated to critical urban theory and human geography.
Aidin’s work is characterized by a steadfast commitment to combating national and cultural oppression, advancing anti-racism, and promoting anti-colonial theories and practices. Aidin’s dedication to upholding academic freedom and advocating for student rights, including free speech, underscores his belief in the transformative power of progressive education.