Who we Are
The Mohawk Students’ Association (MSA) is a Non-Profit Organization built for and led by Mohawk College students through an elected Student Board of Directors (BOD). Though we are a separate entity of the college, we work collaboratively to support Mohawk Students.
We empower Mohawk Students to create a community they can lean on for positive experiences, relevant supports, a listening ear, and a strong voice so they can achieve personal success in their college experience and beyond.
Meet the 2023/2024 MSA Board of Directors
The Mohawk Students' Association Board of Directors
Elizabeth-Joy Phillips
President
Elizabeth-Joy Phillips graduated from the Social Service Work program in 2023 from Mohawk’s Six Nations Polytechnic College. And she came into her role as President of the MSA Board of Directors on November 29., 2022.
Using her passion for helping others, she started creating content on Instagram under the username the Queen_of_Resources, providing information to students to help them navigate college life. She brings a keen sense of fashion to her presidency, so you will see her in the halls, where she’s likely to greet you with a smile and helpful advice.
Michael Falletta
Treasurer
Michael Falletta (he/him), who was in the workforce for ten years decided to return to Mohawk College to study Business with a focus on marketing to support a career change. An avid cyclist and hiker, he can be seen walking home after winter classes at the Fennell campus on the icy escarpment.
Kisha Amoah
Corporate Secretary
Kisha Amoah (she/her) is ambitious in her goals, having run for Director at Large during her first year taking the fast-track program for Social Work at the Fennell Campus. Kisha wants to help students get more involved in life at Mohawk by accessing available resources, joining clubs of like-minded students, or taking the initiative at the college.
Harnoor Singh
Director at Large
Harnoor Singh (he/him) is taking Computer Systems Technology full-time at Mohawk’s Fennel Campus, focusing on Network Systems. During his spare time, Harnoor creates Instagram Reels and YouTube videos showing clips of popular video games, like Genshim Impact, an action role-playing game released worldwide by Hoyoverse in 2020.
Jassica Jassica
Director at Large
Jassica Jassica (she/her) is attending Mohawks triOS College in Mississauga and studying Business. Since an early age, Jassica has been interested in politics within her country, and her city, which led her to her current position as Director at Large with the MSA. As part of her platform, she hopes to improve the Mohawk College experience for international students and change its Health and Services sector.
Parvathy Rajan Palaparambil
Director at Large
Parvathy Rajan Palaparabil (she/they), a natural people person, ran for Director at Large while in her first year of Canadian Health Care for Foreign Trained Professionals at the IAHS campus. Parvathy wants to advocate for students from different communities, such as students with disabilities, international students, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ students, to enhance diversity and inclusion at Mohawk College.
Pedro Nemezio de Campos Silva
Director at Large
Pedro Nemezio de Campos Silva (he/him) comes into his role as Director at Large with several years of experience as a teacher from Brazil. He continues to pursue his passion for learning by taking the Educational Support program at the Fennel Campus. Pedro wants to address and re-evaluate post-pandemic learning at Mohawk College and hopes to create a space where bilingual students can share their languages with other students in a collaborative, fun, engaging way.
Rajneesh Saini
Director at Large
Rajneesh (Reet) Saini (she/her) is a first-year Early Childhood Education student studying at Mohawk College’s Fennell Campus. Reet wants to ensure every student gets an opportunity for personal and professional growth throughout their journey at Mohawk College. Reet also wants to ensure students can access the help and resources they need to be successful whenever they need it.
Shabadjot Kaur
Director at Large
Shabadjot Kaur (she/her) came to Canada in September fresh out of high school and excited to start her college experience. Shabad is a second-year biotechnology student who loves spending her free time in nature.
Alister Sadaghyani
Speaker
Meet the MSA Staff
The Mohawk Students' Association Staff
Administration 👋
Marc Iturriaga
Executive Director
During his 1.5-year tenure so far (as of May 2022) as Executive Director, Marc has found that the students are his favourite part of working at the MSA – it’s why we exist! He’s also a Lego enthusiast, and loves reading the Harry Potter book series to his kids before bed – he even has voices for every character!
Wendy Rolfe
Director, Student Experience
Wendy’s worked with the MSA for 35+ years, and her favourite thing about working here is the opportunity to work both for and with the students! If she could be best friends with anyone, it’d be Lorelai from Gilmore Girls! Wendy loves her family more than anything, and is happiest spending time with her many nieces, nephews and siblings. She also enjoys mornings (before everyone has woken) with a good coffee and a better book.
Jackie McCollom
Senior Manager, People & Culture
As of February 2022, Jackie has been working with the MSA for a full year! Jackie is a collector of experiences, and loves taking advantage of everything life has to offer, be it a story, a trip or a good laugh with great people. If she could have any superpower, it would be to talk to animals so we can learn how to better meet their needs.
Emalie Gunness-Maraj
People & Culture Specialist
Emalie has been working with the MSA for 10+ years! She loves being part of an organization so committed to empowering and inspiring its students. Emalie is happiest at home with her kids. If she could have any superpower, it’d be to see the future!
Alister Sadaghyani
People & Culture Administrator
Sandy Tepsic
Senior Manager, Finance
Sandy’s favourite thing about working with the MSA is knowing she can help students achieve their goals and aspirations at Mohawk! If Sandy could have ANY superpower, it would be to create a safe, welcoming and wholesome environment for everyone to live in and enjoy.
Rosa Maria Manjarrez
Finance Specialist
If Rosa could be friends with any fictional character, it’d be Wonder Woman! That’s definitely on brand for Rosa, whose favourite part of working with the MSA is the supportive, friendly environment. If she could have any superpower, it’d be telekinesis.
Governance & Advocacy 📢
Melanie Extance
Governance & Advocacy Specialist
Melanie’s favourite part of working at the MSA is being able to assist students with their journey at the college – forming relationships and living through it all alongside them! One of her favourite initiatives has been the Menstrual Product Program, which places free sanitary products in MSA washrooms! Melanie is happiest when spending time with the people she loves. And if that time includes a fat plate of salmon sashimi, well…
Events & Communities 🎉
Ty Howie
Events & Communities Manager
Ty is happiest with a coffee in his hand, and if he could spend an endless amount of time on any hobby it’d be music. If Ty could become friends with anyone, real or fake, he’d love to swap stories with standup comedian Mike Birbiglia. According to Tyler, the coolest superpower is definitely time travel.
Montana Hunter
Events Coordinator
Hibo Ahmed
Clubs and Communities Specialist
Hibo says her favourite part of the MSA is the dynamic, resourceful and empathetic team! If she could have any special ability, it’d be super healing! If there were more hours in the day, you’d definitely find Hibo learning as many new languages as possible!
Communications & Engagement 💬
Tinu Don
Communications & Engagement Manager
Emily McGregor
UX Graphic Design Specialist
Emily works hard to make a difference in the lives of Mohawk students. Every year she works with the Graphic Design program to give students an opportunity to create a mural for the school. Outside of work, if there’s one thing you need to know about Em it’s that she’ll never turn down a good adventure. You can find her most often with a cat in her lap and music in her ears.
Guadalupe Saito
Communication & Engagement Specialist
Student Services 💁♂️
Natalie Fisher
Manager, Student Services
Emma He
Student Services Coordinator, IAHS
Emma’s favourite thing about working with the MSA is the team! Emma is an artist, and loves drawing with any material she can get her hands on. She’s also the MSA’s resident coconut opener!
Dorthan Bruce
Student Services Coordinator, Stoney Creek
Food Services 🍳
April Chiro
Hospitality & Food Services Manager
Michael Williams
Food Services Specialist
Originally from Tennessee, Mike has been working with the MSA for four years (as of May 2022)! In 2016, Mike won Apex Chef of the Year in Nova Scotia. The talent doesn’t stop there though; Mike can whip up a mean serving of 12-minute rice in 8 minutes flat! He is happiest in the kitchen, cooking something good for his wonderful friends and family.
Jerrid Gibson
Operations Specialist
Jerrid’s favourite part of working with the MSA is the culture! He’s worked with us for a year now (as of May 2022), though having such amazing coworkers means it never feels like working at all! Jerrid is also a bowling enthusiast, having been in a bowling league for 20 years prior to his start at the MSA. If he could be friends with anyone, living or dead it’d have to be the late Canadian comedian, Norm MacDonald.
Val Vandervelde
Team Lead, Brewed Awakenings
Valerie has been working with the MSA since 2014! She is genuine and kind, and loves enjoying the daily interactions with Mohawk students. The world is such a big, beautiful place. That’s why if Valerie could spend unlimited time/money on any hobby, it’d be travel!
Karan Singh
Team Lead, Pizza Pizza
Ray Hayhurst
Team Lead, Booster Juice
Alyssa Outerson
Team Lead, Urban Fork
John Mulwa
Team Lead, Urban Fork
Harsh Patel
Team Lead, Urban Fork
A Historical Timeline
The Mohawk Students' Association
has a rich history
Our history started in 1964 (back when Mohawk College was still known as the Hamilton Institute of Technology) when conversations about non-academic student activities first began. Here are a few changes that have occurred throughout the years (although, this list only just scratches the surface).
Who We Are🖐🏿
The Mohawk Students’ Association (MSA) is a Non-Profit Organization built for and led by Mohawk College students through an elected Student Board of Directors (BOD). Though we are a separate entity of the college, we work collaboratively to support Mohawk Students.
We empower Mohawk Students to create a community they can lean on for positive experiences, relevant supports, a listening ear, and a strong voice so they can achieve personal success in their college experience and beyond.
Meet the 2022/2023 MSA Board of Directors
The Mohawk Students' Association Board Of Directors
The Board is made up of the MSA President, and several Directors at Large.
Want to put some faces to these swanky titles? Just toggle below!
Not curious
Meet them!
Meet The MSA Staff
The Mohawk Students’ Association staff
The Mohawk Students'
Association Staff
Our staff at the MSA staff are committed to providing every student with the best possible experience at Mohawk College.
Say ‘hi’ to our team by toggling below ✋
Bye-bye
Well, hello!
A Historical Timeline
The Mohawk Students' Association has a rich history
Our history started in 1964 (back when Mohawk College was still known as the Hamilton Institute of Technology) when conversations about non-academic student activities first began.
Check out a few changes that have occurred throughout the years (although, this list only just scratches the surface).