SMUSA Board of Directors Candidates 2024: Part 1

Interviewed & Written by Samarth Behl

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by SMUSA

In the spirit of informed decision-making, we present exclusive election coverage featuring in-depth interviews with the 2024-2025 candidates conducted by Samarth Behl, the SMUSA contributor for The SMU Journal. Your vote matters and these articles aim to empower you with the knowledge needed to make an informed choice during the upcoming SMUSA elections. Be sure to check SMUSA’s ELECTIONS 2024-2025 page for more details.

Pavak Khurana: A Contender for SMUSA Board of Directors

Pavak Khurana

Meet Pavak Khurana, a second-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in finance and accounting who is running for a position on the SMUSA Board of Directors. Beyond his academic pursuits, Pavak is a skilled debater, a proficient basketball player, and a stock market enthusiast.

Pavak is actively involved in campus life, contributing to initiatives such as Sea Cycle,  an Enactus project, and also serving as the Vice President of the Debate Society.

Why Pavak?

Pavak believes his consistent involvement in societies equips him with a unique understanding of societies and their members' difficulties. He advocates for a more student-centric approach when it comes to SMUSA’s society policies. Additionally, he believes that the skills he brings to the table as a finance major can be crucial for SMUSA as he aims to contribute to the finance committee of SMUSA as well. Pavak emphasises his reliability and dedication towards helping students by saying, “I also feel I am pretty trustworthy and honest, and whenever it comes to work, I am always reliable and hardworking, I always give my best, and I try to take initiatives and make changes wherever it’s possible.”

Passions and Causes:

Transparency in Societies: Pavak stresses the need for increased transparency between societies and students, fostering a better understanding of the inner workings of campus organisations.

Educational Awareness: He is passionate about addressing the lack of awareness among students regarding SMUSA's functions. Pavak adds, "When I ran in the elections last year, lots of students didn’t know what SMUSA is and what all is available, like the food room and health services."

Amplifying Student Voices: Pavak aims to bridge the gap between students and the SMUSA Board, ensuring that the diverse voices on campus are heard by clear communication.

Action Steps:

To address these concerns, Pavak proposes enhancing communication between Board members and students, advocating teamwork as the key solution: "As they say, there is no I in a team; everybody with combined teamwork can make these changes happen", he added.

Pavak encourages students to engage actively with SMUSA by exploring its services like the food room, health services, and international centre. He advises staying informed by regularly checking SMUSA's websites and connecting with SMUSA members.

Diana Iwuji: A Contender for SMUSA Board of Directors

Diana Iwuji

Meet Diana Iwuji, a second-year computer science student running for a position on the SMUSA Board. Beyond her academic pursuits, she has a passion for poetry, as it helps her relax.

Diana is actively involved in the Enactus and is a proud member of the Student Black Society. These involvements highlight her commitment to community service and inclusivity.

Why Diana?

She wants the voices of students to be heard by SMUSA, and she claims she understands the challenges that SMUSA faces and can bring a fresh perspective to the table.

Causes and Actions:

Support During Exam Season: Diana is passionate about easing students' challenges during stressful exams. Her goal is to implement initiatives that provide support and resources to the students during exam season.

Empowering Black and International Students: Diana recognises the needs of black and international students. She aims to create an environment where they feel comfortable.

Diana’s advice to her fellow students is simple yet powerful: “Be yourself.” She emphasises the importance of authenticity and embracing one’s individual identity.

Azka Imran: A Contender for SMUSA Board of Directors 

Azka Imran

Meet Azka Imran, a second-year Astrophysics major with a minor in Computer Science, running for a position on the SMUSA Board of Directors. Beyond her academic pursuits, Azka takes pride in her acting skills.

Azka is actively involved in campus life by being a part of various societies, including the drama society, astrophysics society, and previous involvement with the debate society. She also volunteered for the astronomy and physics conference last year.

Why Azka?

She believes her approachable and friendly personality sets her apart. “I think that I am a very social person, and I am easily approachable, so as a board member, I know student engagement is a main thing that you need to do, so students need to come up to talk to you; they should be able to talk to you about their concerns or problems they might be facing,” she further added. Moreover, she believes she truly understands the importance of teamwork in a position of student governance.

Causes and Passion:

Azka is deeply passionate about promoting inclusivity and firmly believes in the important role of societies when it comes to campus life. She aims to spread awareness about the things SMUSA offers and the roles of the Board of Directors and Presidents. She hopes for more transparency when it comes to the roles of the student leaders.

Action Steps:

Azka’s approach to tackling the problems that students face on campus centres around teamwork and close collaboration with other board members and the president. Additionally, she aims to spread awareness about SMUSA’s policies and resources to enhance students’ understanding of SMUSA. She insists that student voices must be heard, and student resources should be utilised, “making sure that there is something being done or if there is something already present, then making it available to the students,” she adds.

Azka further extends an open invitation to students by encouraging them to approach her with any questions or concerns. She aims to network with students and make sure their voices are heard by SMUSA.

As the SMUSA elections approach, students have the opportunity to weigh the competency and visions of candidates like Pavak, Diana and Azka, who bring unique perspectives and aspirations to enhance the campus experience. Check out the follow-up article, “SMUSA Board of Directors Candidates 2024: Part 2” for the complete list of BOD Candidates. Stay informed and participate in the upcoming elections to ensure your voice is heard. Vote on the 14th of February, Valentine's Day. Check your SMU email on the election day for more information regarding voting.

Watch the full interviews here: https://youtu.be/-OLu351OnG0