Fall 2025 Candidates

The Fall 2025 Candidate list can be found below or through the document here!

Secretary (1)

  1. Rebecca Mononen: Hello! I’m Rebecca (she/her) and I am running for MUSSA secretary and MUSINGS communication officer. I would be an excellent candidate for these positions as I am very passionate about Museum Studies and want to be more involved in how students of the iSchool and the Museum Studies program can benefit from their time here. I have been in a student society exec position before, VP External and VP Communications at McGill’s Redpath Museum Society, and I absolutely loved it. I wish to continue this kind of work here. I promise to do my best in my participation in MUSSA and to go above and beyond for you, the students. I am always open to suggestions and improvements, and I want to hear from you! Thinking of visiting the R.O.M.? How about voting for Rebecca.O.Mononen?

Treasurer (1)

  1. Hannah Ruffner: Hi Everyone! My name is Hannah Ruffner and I am nominating myself to be MUSSA’s Treasurer for the 2025-2026 academic year! I am a first year Museum Studies student looking to connect and expand the MMSt, CDP and MI community! I have previous experience in budget creation, completing monthly financial statements, and managing membership dues from my time as Finance and Operations Vice President of Alpha Xi Delta. Using this experience, I believe I can work with the MUSSA Executive Board to promote financial transparency while maintaining fun and affordable events throughout the academic year!

Social Assistant (1)

  1. Bree Watson: Hello! I’m Bree! I am running for MUSSA’s Social Assistant for the 2025-2026 academic year! As a person who loves going to student events and planning community outreach, I am looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of bringing the MMST community together! I am a diligent and passionate individual who would work hard to service the student body as your Social Assistant!

First Year Representative (2)

  1. Han Wood (they/them): Hiya! My name is Han and I am a first year MMSt student here at UofT. I would love to have the opportunity to be your First-Year Rep for this academic year. I am a dedicated and hard-working student who is passionate about the GLAM sector and the people associated with it (aka you!). My goal as First-Year Rep is to help foster and maintain a community committed inclusivity and support for all MMSt and CDP students. As a student who is new to Toronto and UofT I bring a unique perspective for other first years to have their voices heard and needs met by MUSSA. As a team-player I am committed to bringing forth your needs to the council and working with other execs to get things done to ensure this year is fun and informative.
  1. Syd Derosi: Hey! I’m Syd (she/they) and I’m running for MUSSA First Year Representative for the 2025-26 academic year! In our first weeks of classes, I’ve been heartened to be met by kindness from so many of you, who like me, came into this program feeling a mix of emotions. Nervous perhaps, to be at a new university. But also excited to make new friendships and connections. I can already see a community being formed, and I hope to help it get stronger!

    If elected as the MUSSA First Year Representative, I would support community building by suggesting events to the MUSSA social cabinet (I’m a big escape room enthusiast). I would also be your first point of contact for information, and would advocate for our interests. I’m always open to a chat– even if you just want to show me pictures of your pets 👀. I’m confident I can serve you well in this role, and I look forward to getting to know you all as we progress through our degrees!

CDP Representative (2)

  1. Asa Madarang: Hello! My name is Asa and I would like to express my interest in the CDP Representative role. As a CDP student taking my first year of ARM classes, I want to find ways to be involved in MUSSA to get to know other students and connect with the community of like-minded people in our program, while also contributing to the museum studies program and its students. I am organized, creative, and team-oriented. My previous experience on academic councils and extra-curricular officer teams has prepared me for similar roles that include working and communicating with other student groups, and managing and contributing to projects and events. I look forward to getting to know everyone and please consider me for CDP representative!
  1. McKinley Zavitz: Hi! My name’s Mckinley and I’m a 2nd year CDP student in museum studies and ARM. I’ve had the opportunity over the last year and a bit to really get to know my fellow CDP students in information and museum studies and would love to represent their interests on MUSSA! As a small cohort, I want to help make us a close group who can navigate our degree and the workforce together. I’m very passionate and have excellent communication skills, which will be an asset in representing my fellow students on the council. I believe I bring valuable experience with my previous positions at museums and as a director of a university club. I’m reliable and dependable and will be a trustworthy representative. I love meeting everyone in the program and I firmly believe that all experiences, goals, and dreams should be reflected in MUSSA’s decisions. As the CDP representative, I will work hard to ensure our voices are heard. Thank you for your consideration 🙂

MUSINGS Copy Editors (3)

  1. Alexandra Goreham: Hi everyone! As a first year student in the MMSt program, I’m excited to be involved in the community. As someone who was an Associate Editor for my faculty journal at my last university, I had so much fun seeing what my peers were up to and being a pillar of support within the community and I hope I can do the same for everyone here while seeing what Musings becomes because of your diverse ideas and experiences.
  1. Hannah Guiang: Hi, friends! I’m Hannah G and I’m running for copy editor and/or administrative officer for MUSINGS this year. I have extensive experience in both of these roles as I was an associate editor for 2 academic journals for 3 years in my undergrad, and I led a team to execute an exhibition and the publication of its catalogue, contributing as a writer and the main editor. As MPOC’s Special Projects Coordinator last year, I was a writer and an editor of our newsletter and blog—which I continue to do! I hope to extend my objective of supporting and spotlighting your creative and critical works on both platforms. I aim to help revitalize MUSINGS and refine our outreach to create a shared creative space among students where they can share their work, learn about each other’s, and open up more opportunities to be published. Finally, I hope to ensure high-quality works that best displays the accomplishments of the MMSt and CDP student bodies! ❤️
  1. Iulia Vuia: Hey folks! My name is Iulia Vuia. I am a 2nd year MMSt student, an emerging queer museum professional inspired by 2SLGBTQIA+ histories, activist collections, and anti-oppressive approaches to museum work. I would be honoured to be your Musings Copy Editor for the 2025–2026 term. I am running for this position to pursue a Musings revamp. Last year, there was minimal engagement with our platform, which made me think: “It’s time for a change-up!” My vision is for Musings to become a space that caters to digital portfolio building for museum studies students. This entails accepting new submission formats, such as digital exhibitions, “grey literature” (i.e. planning documents), and so on. As Copy-Editor, my goal is to bring you a platform that offers an alternative to academic publishing streams and provides an opportunity to publicize your contributions to this program and the field!

    MUSINGS Administrative Editor (4)

    1. Hannah Guiang: Hi, friends! I’m Hannah G and I’m running for copy editor and/or administrative officer for MUSINGS this year. I have extensive experience in both of these roles as I was an associate editor for 2 academic journals for 3 years in my undergrad, and I led a team to execute an exhibition and the publication of its catalogue, contributing as a writer and the main editor. As MPOC’s Special Projects Coordinator last year, I was a writer and an editor of our newsletter and blog—which I continue to do! I hope to extend my objective of supporting and spotlighting your creative and critical works on both platforms. I aim to help revitalize MUSINGS and refine our outreach to create a shared creative space among students where they can share their work, learn about each other’s, and open up more opportunities to be published. Finally, I hope to ensure high-quality works that best displays the accomplishments of the MMSt and CDP student bodies! ❤️
    1. Hannah Ruffner: My passion for public outreach and community engagement will make me a great fit for Musing’s Administrative editor. In this role, I will work with the Copy Editors and Editor-in-Chief to ensure your publications and projects are accessible to the public. I am excited for the chance to support the growth of the MUSSA and Musings community!
    1. Han Wood (they/them): Hiya! My name is Han and I am a first year MMSt student here at UofT. I would love to have the opportunity to be your Musings Administrative Assistant for this academic year. I am a dedicated and hard-working student who is passionate about the GLAM sector and the people associated with it (aka you!). My goal as Musings Administrative Assistant is to help get the voices of our peers out into the public so that our works can be celebrated. I also would like to support Musings engdgement so that the platform will continue to thrive after this years committee graduate.
    1. Tyla Beke: I’m Tyla (she/they) and I’m a first year MMSt student hoping to be involved with the revitalization of MUSINGS as an administrative editor. I want to use my past experience surviving graduate studies at U of T, and my present experience working in digital archives and media management to help shape a professional growth and portfolio building launchpad for our MMSt cohort to build community, share in progress and accomplishments, keep up to date on our department, and garner a deeper understanding of the program experiences as they differ from one person to another. With this goal in mind, I can refer back to my time on the Anthropology Graduate Students Union’s Medusa Conference committee or as the admin coordinator of U of T Sexual Education Centre to provide stability while MUSINGS takes a step towards MUSSA’s plans for something different. Excited to foster relationships and learn from the MMSt’s diverse group I can call my peers 🙂

      MUSINGS Communication Officer (2)

      1. Asa Madarang: Hello 🙂 I am interested in being the Musings Communication Officer as a way to contribute to the Musings journal and connect with other students in the MMst program. In undergraduate, I held multiple positions on several campus publications including a satire newspaper and my program’s historical journal. I spent two years on the executive team for the historical journal and one year co-leading it, managing and organizing meetings, overseeing the executive board, communicating with other groups and departments, and assisting in publishing schedules. I have also been in other extra-curricular team roles with similar duties as the communications officer– as a secretary for my performance group, I regularly took notes at meetings and assisted with social media outreach! I am passionate about student publications and hope to join the community of MMst students that share my interests!
      1. Rebecca Mononen: Hello! I’m Rebecca (she/her) and I am running for MUSSA secretary and MUSINGS communication officer. I would be an excellent candidate for these positions as I am very passionate about Museum Studies and want to be more involved in how students of the iSchool and the Museum Studies program can benefit from their time here. I have been in a student society exec position before, VP External and VP Communications at McGill’s Redpath Museum Society, and I absolutely loved it. I wish to continue this kind of work here. I promise to do my best in my participation in MUSSA and to go above and beyond for you, the students. I am always open to suggestions and improvements, and I want to hear from you! Thinking of visiting the R.O.M.? How about voting for Rebecca.O.Mononen?

      Master Recruitment and Admissions Representative (2)

      1. Maya Sutherland: Hello! My name is Maya (she/her) and I am a first-year MMSt student running for the Masters Recruitment and Admissions Committee (MRAC) position. During my undergraduate at UofT, I studied Art History and Philosophy and was a member of two GLAM-related clubs. My club involvement instilled in me the value of community-building, support networks and interpersonal communication. As a resident of Tkaronto/Toronto for the past five years, I want to contribute to a program that encompasses and reflects its diversity. The progression of DEIA in the broader field is a significant matter for me as an Asian woman entering a historically exclusive field. I want to listen to your concerns and represent your voices on MRAC to foster a more inclusive and diverse environment in and out of the iSchool. My goal is to create a community of learning, growth and support at the iSchool through sharing resources, clear communication and open-door policy. I appreciate your interest and time towards voting!
      1. Syd Derosi: Hey! I’m Syd (she/they) and I’m running for the MUSSA Masters Recruitment & Admissions Committee (MRAC) for the 2025-26 academic year! Previously, I served as the President of my undergraduate program’s student association. In this role I attended recruitment events, and represented our small program to incoming students. For this, I was awarded a Certificate of Recognition for my efforts and contribution to the program. I am confident I would excel in this role, and thank you for your consideration!

      Indigenous Action and Anti-Colonialism Committee (IAACC) Representative (2)

      1. Alexandra Goreham: As a new student to Toronto, I want to take time to learn and be involved in the community. It’s also important to me, as a Métis student, that I learn about the community in a meaningful way and having the opportunity to be the Indigenous Action and Anti-Colonialism Committee Student Representative will give me an opportunity to do so. As someone who was an active member in decolonization practices in the last academic and professional spaces I was a member of, I am excited to learn and see them in action here while representing MUSSA and our student body in this space.
      1. Maya Sutherland: Hello! My name is Maya (she/her) and I am a first-year MMSt student running for the Indigenous Action and Anti-Colonialism Committee position. During my undergraduate at UofT, I studied Art History and Philosophy and was a member of two GLAM-related clubs. My club involvement taught me the value of community-building, support networks and interpersonal communication. The active work of museums decolonizing spaces to promote equity and diversity is a central concern of mine as a person of colour. As an immigrant from China, I am continuing to build upon my understanding of the histories and voices of Turtle Island. As your representative of IAACC, I want to foster an inclusive environment in and out of the iSchool so that we can take pride in the museum sector’s efforts to indigenize and decolonize. My goal is to create a community of learning, growth and support through sharing resources, clear communication and open-door policy. I appreciate your interest and time towards voting!