Racialized Graduate Students Collective – Faculty of Education

The Racialized Graduate Students Collective (RGSC) is a student-led, non-hierarchical initiative grounded in equity, solidarity, and joy as resistance. Our structure is designed to be both collaborative and sustainable, centering the lived experiences and leadership of racialized graduate students.

We are organized into two interdependent groups that shape and sustain our work:

The Vision Group consists of alumni and current students who voluntarily hold space for long-term thinking, collective memory, and future-building. This group annually selects the Chair of RGSC, revisits and revises the Collective’s terms of reference, and provides guidance on the overall direction and values of the Collective.

Name	Email	Membership Type
Alejandra Escobedo	aescobedogon@mun.ca	Alumni
Esther Osei-Nkansah	eoseinkansah@mun.ca	Alumni
Grace Amako	giamako@mun.ca	Alumni
Amara Ehigie	abehigie@mun.ca	Current Student
Faith Kinyua	fnkinyua@mun.ca	Current Student
Priscilla Tsuasam	ptsuasam@mun.ca	On Leave

The Executive Leadership Team is composed of current students who receive Graduate Assistantships (GAs) in recognition of their contributions. This team carries out the day-to-day operations, organizes programming, and animates the vision set forth by the Vision Group.

Name	Email	Program Area
Rozhin Seifpanahi	rseifpanahi@mun.ca	Community Connections
Muhammed Mojibola Amoo	mmamoo@mun.ca	Community Connections
Iroda Meliquzi Qizi Abdunazarova	iabdunazarov@mun.ca	SheWrites
Baharehsadat Razavian	brazavian@mun.ca	SheWrites

The Chair of RGSC, selected annually by the Vision Group, serves as a relational facilitator between both groups. The Chair ensures continuity, nurtures collaboration, and holds the space where vision and action meet. The current chair of the group is Abu Arif. Their email address is aabu@mun.ca

Together, these two bodies embody a decolonial, community-rooted approach to leadership—one that resists hierarchical models and instead centers care, co-creation, and the transformative potential of racialized graduate student solidarity.

Community Connection Series

Every Tuesday starting June 3, 2025,  11:30 a.m. –1:30 p.m.
Faculty of Education, Room ED3007C

The Community Connection Series is a weekly gathering space created by and for racialized graduate students and allies in the Faculty of Education. Held every Tuesday at 3 p.m., these sessions are designed to nurture connection, belonging, and shared purpose—because community is not an afterthought, it is the foundation.

Whether you are navigating your first semester or returning with wisdom to share, this series offers a gentle rhythm to the week—a consistent hour to gather, reflect, celebrate

small wins, and hold space for one another. From social mixers and peer support circles to resource-sharing and collaborative planning, each week will offer something different, grounded in what our community needs and desires.

Why Join Us?

· Build meaningful relationships with other racialized graduate students
· Share strategies for navigating academic life with joy and intention
· Co-create initiatives that reflect our diverse lived experiences
· Enjoy snacks, solidarity, and a space where you can just be

Led by:

· Rozhin Seifpanahi – rseifpanahi@mun.ca
· Muhammed Mojibola Amoo – mmamoo@mun.ca 

Both Rozhin and Muhammed are committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment where no one has to choose between their scholarship and their well-being.

Come as you are, stay as long as you can. This is your space, too. Registration is not required.

 

Tuesday	Event
Week of June 3	Meet and Greet
Week of June 10	Father's Day Celebration
Week of June 17	Break
Week of June 24	Immigration Conversation
Week of July 1	Break
Week of July 8	Career Conversation
Week of July 15	Field Trip
Week of July 22	Sharing Memories
Thursday, August 7	End of Semester Celebration

 

SheWrites Circle

Every Wednesday (In-Person - ED 3011) & Saturday (Online via Webex)

SheWrites Circle is a weekly writing space for graduate students who self-identify as women. It’s not just about productivity—it’s about being in community, showing up as we are, and nurturing joy in our academic journeys. Held in-person on Wednesdays at 5:00 PM and online on Saturdays at 4 p.m. (NL Time), SheWrites offers a consistent space to write, share, rest, and reconnect with your own voice.

Whether you're working on your thesis, revising an article, or just trying to get back into the rhythm of writing—this is your invitation to write in community, not in isolation.

Why Join SheWrites?

· Build or rebuild a consistent writing practice
· Share feedback, tips, and motivation with fellow writers
· Be in community with other women navigating grad school
· Reclaim writing as a source of connection, not just stress
· Receive one-on-one support for working with multilingual sources (e.g., Russian, Persian, Uzbek)

In-Person Circle

Wednesdays | 5–6 p.m. Starting June 4, 2025 Room ED 3011, Faculty of Education Kid-friendly and welcoming—feel free to bring your little ones. We’ll have quiet play activities available so you can focus on your writing while they’re gently engaged nearby. No registration needed. Just drop in.

Date	Topic	Contact
June 4	When Writing Feels Heavy: Coping with Emotions and the Struggle	Iroda Abdunazarova iabdunazarov@mun.ca
June 11	Basic Peer Feedback on Writing/Thesis	Bahareh Razavian brazavian@mun.ca
June 18	Storytelling the Research Journey	Bahareh Razavian brazavian@mun.ca
June 25	From Broad Curiosity to Focused Inquiry: Why Your Question Matters	Iroda Abdunazarova iabdunazarov@mun.ca
July 2	From Descriptive to Critical Writing: Personal Reflections and My Practical Strategies	Iroda Abdunazarova iabdunazarov@mun.ca
July 9	Navigating Academic Unspoken Rules	Bahareh Razavian brazavian@mun.ca
July 16	The Art of Persuasion: Using the Toulmin Argument Model	Iroda Abdunazarova iabdunazarov@mun.ca
July 23	APA, Grammar, and Citation Tips	Bahareh Razavian brazavian@mun.ca

Online Circle

Saturdays, 4:00–5:00 PM (Newfoundland Time) Starting June 7, 2025

Prefer to write from home? The online SheWrites Circle brings the same care and support to your screen, wherever you are. Check the topic list and register to attend online: Join SheWrites Online For any questions, please contact Iroda Abdunazarova (iabdunazarov@mun.ca) or Bahareh Razavian (brazavian@mun.ca).

Both Iroda and Bahareh know that writing can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be isolating. Come write with us. Your presence matters, and your seat is already waiting.

The Racialized Graduate Students Collective (RGSC) is proud to offer a range of special events tailored to meet the diverse needs and interests of our members. These events, organized upon request, reflect our commitment to personal growth, professional development, community celebration, and academic support and dialogue. By partnering with both on-campus and off-campus service providers, we ensure a rich and comprehensive array of resources and opportunities. Through these special events, the RGSC reaffirms its dedication to support racialized graduate students and enriching their educational and social experiences. We are committed to listening to our members' needs and continually evolving our offerings to better serve our vibrant community. Following are the special events planned for Summer and Fall 2025:

Event	Date
Welcome Joy Feast	TBA
Writer's Retreat (Details coming soon)	October 17-19
PhD Defense Celebration	Throughout the Year
Summer Field Trip	July 19
Fall Field Trip	TBA