EGSA Team 2025-26
President | Antonia Yip
Antonia is a third-year Ph.D. student researching multilingual primary mathematics education. She completed her M.A. in Drama Education at the University of Warwick. When she’s not studying, you’ll probably find her out running. She just finished her first marathon in Berlin!
Get in touch: yyip7@uwo.ca
Vice President | Omotoyosi Ogunbanwo
Toyosi is a first-year PhD student in CPELS, in the field of leadership studies. She recently completed MA at Western in 2024. Her research focuses on school leaders’ work and well-being in urban low-income communities. During her leisure time, she enjoys taking long walks, meeting with friends and window shopping.
Get in touch: oogunba@uwo.ca
RMSE Chair | Pascale Gendron
Pascale is a first year Ph.D. student in the School and Applied Child Psychology program. She completed her M.A. in the same field and her B.A. in Psychology and B.Ed. from Laurentian University. She has a deep interest in child development, learning and exceptionalities. She enjoys being active and spending time with her friends and family.
Get in touch: pgendron@uwo.ca
Indigenous Student Representative | Cheyenne Richards-Anthony
Cheyenne is a first-year M.A. Counselling Psychology student. She completed her B.A at King’s University with an Honours specialization in psychology and a major in criminology. She is Ojibway (Wikwemikong) and Lenape (Six Nations of the Grand River). She enjoys playing video games, camping and going for hikes.
Get in touch: crich6@uwo.ca
FC/GFC Representative (PhD) | Samah Al Sabbagh
Samah is an academic leader, researcher, and trainer with over 20 years of experience in K–12 education and education for development, focusing on educational leadership, teacher development, and equity-driven reform. A proud Palestinian and advocate for social justice, she currently serves as President of the Canadian Palestinian Social Association (CPSA). Samah is a PhD candidate in Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies at Western University, committed to creating transformative educational spaces that empower future generations to lead and drive global change.
Get in touch: salsabba@uwo.ca
FC/GFC Representative (EdD) | John Tolentino
John is a first-year Doctor of Education (EdD) student exploring decolonial and relational approaches to education, counselling, and community leadership. He completed his Master of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. Outside of work and school, you’ll probably find him going to an art exhibit, music show or getting a good work out on!
Get in touch: jtolent2@uwo.ca
FC/GFC Representative (MA) | Wanying Lu
Wanying is a second-year MA student in Applied Linguistics. Fascinated by second language learning and teaching, she’s particularly interested in language assessment. Outside of her studies, she enjoys bodybuilding at the rec center and hiking on weekends.
Get in touch: wlu273@uwo.ca
FC/GFC Representative (MPEd) | Shengyuan Liang
Shengyuan is a first-year MPEd student in TESOL. She has a Master’s degree in Finance and previously taught business and English at an international high school. She now works as an IELTS instructor and translator of spiritual writings, and contributes to Living Earth, a project exploring the relationship between humans and the natural world.
Get in touch: slian226@uwo.ca
Research Committee Representative (PhD) | Ata Ghaderi
Ata is a second-year PhD student in applied linguistics. Being a language teacher, he is interested in the professional development of language teachers. He is fascinated by nature and loves to take a walk in his free time.
Get in touch: aghader3@uwo.ca
Research Committee Representative (MA) | Yutong Gao
Yutong is a first-year master’s student in Curriculum Studies. She recently completed her M.Ped. in TESOL at Western University. Outside of her studies, she loves going for hikes and brewing coffee at home.
Get in touch: ygao848@uwo.ca
Equity Committee Representative | Jing Ren
Jing is a second-year MA student in the Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership program. A total study buff, she thinks the program is just amazing. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels, travelling, and keeping up with progressive movements around the world.
Get in touch: jren254@uwo.ca
