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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 and the Community Facilitators. 

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.

The Vision Group

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 revisits and revises the Collective’s terms of reference, and provides guidance on the overall direction and values of the Collective. The group also reserves the right to nominate a current student or an alumnus to serve in the position of program coordinator. 

RGSC Vision Group
Name	Email	Membership Type
Abu Arif	aabu@mun.ca	Doctoral Candidate
Amoo Muhammed Mojibola	mmamoo@mun.ca	Current Student
Erum Angbeen	eangbeen@mun.ca	Alumni
Faith Kinyua	fnkinyua@mun.ca	Current Student

 

The Community Facilitators

The Community Facilitators consist of current students and alumni who are consistently present and available in the Faculty of Education to carry out the plans and execute the tasks of RGSC. This group includes the Program Coordinator and the Program Facilitators.

The Program Coodinator:

The Program Coordinator of RGSC is a current student or an alumnus that is nominated annually by the Vision Group. They serve as a relational facilitator between the Faculty of Education and the Racialized Graduate Student Collective. The program coordinator ensures continuity, nurtures collaboration, and holds the space where vision and action meet.

The Program Coordinator
Name	Email	Position
Iroda Abdunazarova	iabdunazarov@mun.ca	Program Coordinator

The Program Faciliatators:

The Program Facilitators’ 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.

The Community Connection Series is a weekly gathering created by and for racialized graduate students and allies in the Faculty of Education. It provides a gentle weekly community where students can reflect, celebrate small wins, share resources, and support one another. Each session varies, ranging from social mixers and peer-support circles to collaborative planning and resource-sharing. These programs are shaped by evolving needs and desires of the community.

Community Connection Schedule for Fall 2026:

Community Connections: Fall 2026
Date	Time	Event Name	Event Information
Friday, October 16	4:00pm to 6:00pm	Meet and Greet	The event will feature a welcome from the RGSC team, followed by a guest speaker who will introduce attendees to the history, culture, and unique character of Newfoundland and Labrador.   For more information, reach out to Jian Song at jians@mun.ca.
Wednesday, October 21	4:00pm to 6:00pm	Paint Your Roots	A creative and relaxed paint night inviting graduate students to express and celebrate an element, symbol, place, or tradition that holds special meaning in their country or culture. Participants will have the opportunity to share the stories behind their artwork while connecting with other students and learning about the diverse cultures represented within the RGSC community.   For more information, reach out to Eman Elbakry at esmmaelbakry@mun.ca.
Wednesday, October 28	2:00pm to 4:00pm	Wellness Walk	Join us for a relaxing walk around Burton’s Pond, beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a gathering point in front of the Education Library (ED-2030). The walk will provide students with an opportunity to step away from their academic routines, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with fellow graduate students in a casual and welcoming setting.   For more information, reach out to Eman Elbakry at esmmaelbakry@mun.ca.
Friday, November 6	2:00pm to 4:00pm	Discover NL: The Rooms	Join us at The Rooms at 2:00 p.m. for an opportunity to explore Newfoundland and Labrador’s diverse history, cultures, and heritage through its museum, art gallery, and archival collections. Participants will have the opportunity to explore exhibits highlighting Indigenous histories, Newfoundland and Labrador’s involvement in the World Wars, local art, wildlife, and other aspects of the province’s rich heritage. Please remember to bring your MUN Student ID.   For more information, reach out to Jian Song at jians@mun.ca.
Wednesday, November 11	4:00pm to 6:00pm	Pieces of Home	An evening of cultural sharing where students are invited to bring and showcase an object, game, piece of clothing, symbol, or other item that holds significance in their culture or home country. Participants will have the opportunity to share the stories and traditions behind their chosen items while discovering and celebrating the diverse cultures represented within the RGSC community.   For more information, reach out to Eman Elbakry at esmmaelbakry@mun.ca.
Friday, November 20	4:00pm to 6:00pm	Work Stories	This event brings together several international students who are currently working in Canada to share their real-life job-search experiences, workplace experiences, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you are looking for your first job or simply want to learn more about the Canadian workplace, everyone is welcome to hear from those who have been there and gain a better understanding of the world beyond campus.   For more information, reach out to Jian Song at jians@mun.ca.

 

SheWrites Circle is a weekly online writing space for graduate students who identify as women, offering a supportive community for developing writing skills and achieving writing goals. It is held every Saturday 4pm-6pm (NL time), providing a consistent hour for writing, sharing, resting, and reconnecting. Students working on a thesis, revising an article, or rebuilding a writing routine will benefit the most from this program. It is designed to counter isolation as the circle brings care, encouragement, and practical support directly to participants wherever they are.

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
• Skip the theory; get practical help you can use right away

Upcoming Sessions:

SheWrites Circle: Fall 2026
Date	Topic	Description	Questions? Contact
Oct. 17   4:00pm to 6:00pm	Welcome to SheWrites Circle: Connect, Write, Grow	Meet the community, discover the story behind SheWrites Circle, and set meaningful writing goals for the semester while reflecting on your purpose as a writer.	Asmar ababayeva@mun.ca
Oct. 24   4:00pm to 6:00pm	AI and Writing	Explore different AI tools, what AI can and can’t do well, apply critical thinking when using AI, and learn how to maintain academic integrity by consulting the MUN Library guide on AI.	Aliya anoreen@mun.ca
Oct. 31   4:00pm to 6:00pm	Your Creative Voice	Use low-pressure creative techniques, including brainstorming and short writing activities, to overcome hesitation, generate ideas, and reconnect with your creative writing voice.	Asmar ababayeva@mun.ca
Nov. 7   4:00pm to 6:00pm	Writing a Thesis Proposal	A peer-based session where participants share their experiences, challenges, and strategies for turning a research idea into a thesis proposal. The session creates space for discussion, reflection, and peer feedback on developing research questions, organizing ideas, and planning the proposal process.	Aliya anoreen@mun.ca
Nov. 14   4:00pm to 6:00pm	Many Voices, One Academic Space: Writing Across Cultures	Explore how language, culture, academic conventions, and identity shape the way we write, argue, and communicate. Discuss how writers can maintain their cultural voice while adapting to academic expectations.	Asmar ababayeva@mun.ca
Nov. 21   4:00pm to 6:00pm	APA 7 Without the Stress	Explore common citation practices, with a focus on APA 7, and learn practical tools for creating accurate citations and references. Find and fix common mistakes through hands-on activities, and discover tools such as Google Scholar, Mendeley, Zotero, and reliable APA resources.	Aliya anoreen@mun.ca
Nov. 28   4:00pm to 6:00pm	Guest Speaker Series	A conversation with an invited speaker about their experiences and perspectives on feminism.	Asmar ababayeva@mun.ca
Dec. 5   4:00pm to 6:00pm	Guest Speaker Series	A conversation with an invited speaker about their experiences and perspectives on feminism.	Aliya anoreen@mun.ca

 

Six months to move an idea towards a scholarly contribution.

A cohort-based program for 20 researchers from across disciplines. With sustained mentorship, peer support and protected writing time, you'll conceptualize an original research project, draft a scholarly manuscript and build a plan to publish or share it.

The program brings together in-person gatherings, virtual learning and peer research mentorship over six months. You arrive with an original research idea — not a finished proposal — and leave with a near-publication-ready manuscript, a scholarly presentation and a personal publication plan.

Apply Now:

• Application Deadline: October 15^th, 2026
• Application Form: 

Program Details:

• When: October 2026 to March 2027
• Who: Current graduate students at ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ University, from any discipline
• Where: In person in St. John’s and on the Avalon Peninsula, plus virtual sessions

Key Facts:

• 20 participant spots
• 50% of seats reserved for international students
• 3 senior scholar mentors

Learn More:

• Download the program booklet here: RGSC - Research Mentorship and Peer Learning Program Booklet - 2026

 

ED 4022

ED4022 is the office assigned to RGSC in the Faculty of Education. The office is open for four hours from 12pm to 4pm on Tuesday, and Thursdays. Graduate students can come to this office to consult with the graduate assistants supporting the program, access support and collaborate with the community. For more information email iabdunazarov@mun.ca.