Operations Team

FACULTY ADVISOR & PROGRAM ASSISTANTS

Dr. Gavin Brockett

Faculty Advisor

Gavin is Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Wilfrid Laurier University and teaches in the Departments of History, Global Studies, and Religion & Culture. In his role with ISOW, he supports student leadership through experiential learning opportunities, mentors Program Assistants, and contributes to the educational aspect of the initiative by teaching ISOW courses. He also serves as a liaison between the student team and university administration, fostering strong communication and institutional support, while helping guide ISOW’s future direction and global partnerships. His research interests include the history of modern Turkey, international Islam in the 20th century, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and active learning in the arts. He earned his Ph.D. in History from the University of Chicago.

Kyaw Zin Phyoe

Program Assistant and Director of Communications

KZP was the President of ISOW for the 2024-2025 academic year, and graduating from Political Science at Laurier. A scholar himself, KZP’s journey with ISOW began nearly four years ago when he arrived in Canada. Since then, he has been actively involved in the community, starting as a team member and contributing to various projects. What KZP values most about ISOW is its ability to provide learning opportunities that go far beyond the classroom. Through his involvement, he has gained hands-on, experiential learning alongside a team of passionate and professional peers.

Jaron Bowman

Program Assistant and Director of Scholar Support

Jaron recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in International Education Studies. For the past two years, he has served as the Director of Scholar Support for ISOW, working closely with the Scholars that ISOW supports to help ensure their success in university. Jaron values his time with ISOW not only for the meaningful impact it has but also for the opportunity to connect with incredible individuals from diverse backgrounds. He believes that helping others is a fundamental part of what it means to be truly human, and ISOW has given him a powerful space to live out that belief.

Jill Tomlin

Program Assistant and Director of Scholar Support

Jill recently graduated from International Education studies program and is set to begin in the BEd program at Laurier in September. ISOW's initiative is what peaked her interest in getting involved. She is looking forward to working with passionate and hard working individuals while creating positive change through her position. She enjoyed her time as a student volunteer and is looking forward to step into the role of Program Assistant!

PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENTS

Sharmaine Lichty

President

Sharmaine is a fourth-year student studying History and English. This academic year, she is ISOW’s President and is looking forward to contributing to the Laurier and ISOW communities through leading and encouraging student responses to global humanitarian crises. Universities are uniquely positioned in the current geopolitical landscape to respond to conflict, and students have a powerful voice within their institutions to demand practical solutions to modern problems. She is excited to continue her research and work with our scholarship programs, connect with the ever-growing ISOW community, and strengthen her critical thinking through leading and learning with the team. Her inspiration to join ISOW stemmed from her studies in history, where she examined the tragedies of the past and reflected on how she might have acted if she had lived during those events. ISOW offered her a tangible way to use her talents and experience to create the change she wanted to see in the world.

Parmida Rahbar

Secretary

Parmida is a fourth-year Communication Studies student at Wilfrid Laurier University. This year, she serves as ISOW’s Associate Director Secretary, helping keep the team running smoothly by organizing key information, capturing meeting notes and decisions, and making sure everyone stays connected and informed. While her program doesn’t directly connect to ISOW’s mission, it has strengthened the communication and coordination skills she brings to the role, allowing her to support the team in a way that keeps the work clear, consistent, and collaborative. She was inspired to get involved after meeting so many kind and passionate members of the community, and as an immigrant who moved here for better educational opportunities, she feels a personal connection to ISOW’s goal of helping other students find those same possibilities. She’s excited to continue contributing to ISOW, strengthen the community, and learn alongside the team while working toward real impact.

Erica Reppo

Vice President

Erica is the Vice-President and Director of Finance.  She joined the organization to help drive life-changing impact and break down barriers for students from conflict-affected regions. With an international background herself, Erica deeply values ISOW’s mission of fostering mentorship, opportunity, and global connections. Throughout her time with ISOW as the Director of Finance in 2024-2025, she has been part of a close-knit, collaborative team. While her role is rooted in finance, her involvement has extended far beyond numbers, allowing her to gain insight into complex global issues.

DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

Acacia Henderson-Wentzell

Associate Director of Scholarships

Acacia, is in her fourth year of the Global Studies Honours BA program at Laurier. Acacia is excited to serve as Associate Director of Scholarships and join the ISOW team. Acacia's studies have deepened her understanding of the structural barriers that limit access to higher education, both globally and locally, and fueled her passion for equity, social justice, and accessibility.

Ayah Mooman

Associate Director of Creative Design

Ayah is a second year of International Education Studies at Laurier. She is excited to be joining ISOW. Her program aligns closely with ISOW’s mission, as she's been studying global development, education across cultures, and how communities rebuild after conflict. This, along with ISOW’s student-led approach and the opportunity to support scholars from conflict-affected areas, is what inspired her to get involved.

Sayeedul Arafat

Scholar Support and Events

Arafat is a Political Science student at Laurier. He hopes to pursue a career in Public Service. He believes that ISOW is the perfect place for him to learn and grow. Having spent a year as an Assistant Director of Scholar Support he is excited to be stepping in as the Associate Director and taking on more responsibility.

Cole Vagueiro

Associate Director of Finance

Cole is a second-year BBA student. He joined ISOW because he wanted to get involved in a meaningful organization and contribute to creating an inclusive campus community. Cole enjoys working with passionate, purpose-driven teams and look forward to being part of ISOW.

Rachel Shuh

Associate Director of Finance

Rachel is a second-year student in the BBA program. As an Associate Director of Finance, she will help manage the scholarship fund - creating budges, allocating funds to scholars, and support event planning. This role lets her apply her financial skills to a cause that matters deeply to her. She was inspired to join ISOW because of her grandfather, who fled war in Europe as a child and never had the chance to pursue higher education in Canada. Being part of ISOW allows her to honour his story and support students facing similar barriers.

ASSISTANT DIRECTORS

Rajat Gumman

Scholar Support and Events

Rajat is a fourth-year Political Science student, and his academic background directly supports his role in ISOW. Rajat's studies have strengthened his understanding of political systems and socio-political contexts, helping ISOW respond to political shifts and engage meaningfully with partners in Canada and abroad. What inspired him to join ISOW was a strong desire to help others. He believe that if everyone contributed in their own way, we could build a better world. 

Maheen Shah

Scholar Support and Events

Maheen is a second-year Global Studies student. She is passionate about ISOW’s mission because she believes education is a right that should never be taken away, especially from those affected by conflict. This role has connected her to a community where she can help change lives and support scholars in reclaiming their education and identity. Her studies align closely with this work, and she hopes to continue advocating for those facing conflict. 

Aung Kyaw Hlaing

Photographer

Aung Kyaw Hlaing is a second-year student in the undergraduate Global Studies Program at Wilfrid Laurier University. During the 2025-26 academic year, he is serving as a photographer for ISOW. As an ISOW scholar from Myanmar, Aung is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the organization and give back to the community that has supported him. Before beginning his studies in Canada, Aung worked as a teacher at migrant schools in Myanmar and Thailand from 2021 to 2023. Looking ahead, he aspires to pursue a career as an educator, social worker, writer, and politician, with the goal of creating meaningful social impact.

Nazillah Hassanzada

Communication

Nazillah Hassanzada is an Afghan scholar at Wilfrid Laurier University and a member of the ISOW Communications Team. She is currently completing a qualifying year in Global Studies and is set to begin her Master’s degree in Global Justice, Religion, and Culture in 2026. Nazillah holds a background in law, with professional experience in both governmental and non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan. She is a women’s rights activist and an online university instructor, teaching law to Afghan women in Afghanistan. Deeply committed to refugee education and gender justice, Nazillah is also known for her love of Afghan cuisine, and she considers her father to be her greatest role model in life.

Farhiyo Hussein

Scholar Support and Events

Farhiyo Hussein Ali is a third-year Political Science student at Wilfrid Laurier University, an ISOW scholar, and the Assistant Director of Scholar Support. In this role, she supports fellow scholars in their academic and personal growth. Farhiyo was inspired to join ISOW because she has personally experienced the life-changing impact the program has on students like herself, coming from conflict-affected regions. Grateful for the opportunities ISOW has provided, she is committed to giving back by helping others who face similar challenges, fostering a community of mutual support and empowerment.

Delta Collard

Scholarships

Delta is a third-year International Education Studies student at Laurier. Her program aligns closely with ISOW’s mission, sharing a focus on education for empowerment, diverse learner identities, experiential learning, and community engagement. Both emphasize equity, inclusivity, and humanitarian initiatives, making her studies highly relevant to ISOW’s work. She was inspired to join ISOW by my passion for expanding access, equity, and diversity in education. 

Phyu Tee

Communication

Phyu Tee is a first-year International Education Studies student and (a member of the Communications Team at ISOW. ) As an ISOW Scholar, she has experienced firsthand how ISOW operates not only as a program, but as a community rooted in care, solidarity, and access to education for students affected by conflict. Through her role on the ISOW team, she aims to amplify student voices, support ISOW’s advocacy, and contribute to the sustainability of a program that creates meaningful educational pathways. Believing in education as a tool for justice and social change, she hopes to pursue a future in education policy and advocacy focused on expanding equitable access to education. 

GOVERNANCE


ISOW is led by a team of elected Laurier students and operates as a Wilfrid Laurier University Students' Union club. The Team meets regularly throughout the school year and at a Summer Leadership Retreat to plan for the year ahead. The Team also participates in professional training days in September. While ISOW student leaders learn hands-on skills by managing the student levy, Laurier administrators oversee the scholarship and ensure that ISOW's finances adhere to the University's procedures.


ISOW has in place a set of Administration Protocols that govern its relationship with Wilfrid Laurier University and the Students' Union, and establish the limits within which it operates. ISOW's Faculty Advisor, Dr. Gavin Brockett,  guides the Team and ensures conformity with University procedures. The Faculty Advisor role extends to implementing the educational dimension of ISOW's mission. In addition, an ISOW Advisory Committee made up of senior University administrators was recently established to hold ISOW student leaders accountable to Laurier.