African Caribbean Graduate Student Association
Description
Welcome to the African Caribbean Graduate Student Association (ACGSA) page. We are a club under the Graduate Student Association (GSA) that is tailored for students from Africa, the Caribbean, and/or for those that self-identify as being of African, Caribbean, or African American Ancestry. We are affiliated with the African Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster University (ACFAM) and all our undergraduate club counterparts. This means we are invited and can tap into each other’s networks and community, and also support each other.
Aim
To create a space for African and Caribbean students to know and interact with each other to give the students a sense of community.
History
This club was founded in 2017 by a group of graduate students at McMaster from Africa and the Caribbean. They felt the need to develop a community at McMaster for graduate students who come from similar backgrounds and socio-cultural contexts as who look and have similar socio-cultural interests as them. This also helps students learn from their peers from ‘home’, and other diverse global backgrounds. Since its commencement, the ACGSA has developed a sense of community for many students, new and old.
Structure
The ACGSA is made up of an executive committee (for all the policy, organizational and administrative tasks, roles, and responsibilities) and the rest of the team are members.
For our events and/or services: There are no additional fees charged to be a member and often, events and services are free (unless stated otherwise). However, the cost of attendance for some events and services may vary from member to non-members.
NB: The first step for one to become a member is by filling this form: https://rb.gy/1vczhb
General services and events
Our services and events aim to:
- Create a space for our students to know and interact with each other to give the students a sense of community.
- Advocate for opportunities for our members in McMaster University, Hamilton, and Canada.
- Welcome new African and Caribbean graduate students.
- Provide guidance and the information necessary for African and Caribbean students to integrate into McMaster University, Hamilton, and Canada.
- Organize informative, educational, and social events for African and Caribbean graduate students.
Other services:
We prefer students to reach out to us to assist them with any problems they might have, even if it means our club refers them to the correct resources, person, and/or services. Hence, we are also a “safe” space for our students to share anything.
People
Current Executive team starting from May 2021
- President: : Oyinade Adekunle — Oyinade is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities. She joined the club in Winter 2021 and served as the General Secretary for the 2022/23 academic session. As President, she plays a pivotal role in the overall administration and coordination of the association.
- Vice-president:
- General Secretary:
- Financial Secretary: Kennedy Nmecha — Kennedy is a Ph.D. student in the medical sciences department which is part of the Faculty of Health Sciences. He joined the club in the spring of 2020 and was later nominated as the Financial Secretary a year later. He is responsible for overseeing all financial dealings of the club; keeping complete records of all financial dealings of the club; as well as signing authority for financial transactions for the club. His role also develops strategies for financing activities of the club, and other duties that are from time to time assigned by the President, executive, or general membership
Ex-Officio
● Former president (2019-2021): Tafadzwa Machipisa — She is the third president of the ACGSA. She is a Ph.D. candidate in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Tafadzwa had been a volunteer on the executive council for over a year before taking on the role of president in 2019. She was instrumental to the club, especially in the organization of various events by the club during this period.
● Former vice president (2020-2021): Bre-Anna Owusu — Bre-Anna is a Ph.D. candidate in Neuroscience which is part of the faculty of Health Sciences. Bre-Anna joined the club as a member in 2021 and was elected as Vice-president at the end of the 2020/21 academic year. She supports ACGSA’s president in overseeing internal operations and leading campus events and student governance initiatives on ACGSA affairs. She was very instrumental in the organization of ACGSA’s inaugural conference in May 2022.
● Former president (2018-2019): Anthony Quarshie — He is the second president of the ACGSA. He currently is completing a PhD in Chemical engineering and currently, advises the ACGSA. He was nominated and promoted to an executive member of the GSA (end of 2019).
● Former president (2017): Akosua Pepra — She was inaugural president of the ACGSA and helped with its foundation. She graduated with a master’s degree in engineering.
Contact Information
Email: acgsa@mcmaster.ca
Photos and documents are linked to our social media accounts.
Our Facebook: https://www.
Our LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acgsamcmaster/
Our Website: https://gsa.mcmaster.ca/acgsa/
Disclaimer: We welcome members and attendees from all races, creed, color, gender, class, age, nation of origin, nationality, disability, marital status, religion, veteran status, or sexual orientation – as long as they are interested in things pertaining to the people of Africa (all races and colors), the Caribbean, African Americans and their socio-cultural interests.
Feel free to ask us any questions or connect with us!