Hi everyone, my name is Rana and I’m a fourth-year Politics & Governance student. I’ve had the opportunity to gain work, volunteer, and student-club experience across many sectors including law, politics, and the service industry as well as with people of all ages and backgrounds. I care deeply about social and economic issues, and I’ve always been told that my strongest qualities are my voice and my willingness to stand up for others. I hope to use that voice, along with my experience, to bring a nuanced representation to the Faculty of Arts and help create meaningful, long-term change.
One of my biggest concerns for our community is campus safety. In my first year, I experienced a violent crime outside our school, and since then I’ve seen how safety consistently affects students across our campus. Being located in the downtown core brings vibrancy, but it can also bring challenges especially during late hours when many of our commuter students are still on campus. Young female students in particular often face higher risks.
Affordability is another major issue tied to safety. With the high cost of living and housing in Toronto, TMU remains a largely commuter school. Many students struggle with long, expensive commutes, which can discourage attendance, limit participation in extracurriculars, and reduce the sense of belonging that makes university life meaningful and improve the quality of our school overall. I want to work on improving both safety measures and accessibility by finding and implementing ways to make commuting or living near campus easier, and ensuring campus feels like a true “home away from home” for those who spend long days here.
If you have any questions or concerns, I’m always open to a conversation. Please feel free to reach out at rana.ak@torontomu.ca.