Meet the UGSS Administrative Body! We are a dedicated team of students committed to serving our fellow students at the University of Guyana. As a governing body, we believe in building strong bonds with our community and fulfilling our promises and obligations to ensure that the needs and concerns of our student body are met. With a passion for advocacy, leadership, and excellence, we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Shaquawn Gill
President
Shaquawn Gill
President
This 21-year-old passionate young leader is a Communications Major in his third year. He has served for five (5) years as a Youth Ambassador, participating in and facilitating workshops in youth development, youth empowerment and professional development. He has also served as a Mentor for 3 consecutive National Youth Parliament Sittings, himself being a Youth Parliamentarian in 2018. Mr Gill is also the former Captain of the University’s U21 basketball team, leading them to two (2) championships in 2022.
Malika Russell
Senior Vice President
Malika Russell
Senior Vice-President
Malika Russell, a 25 year old, is reading for her masters degree in Agro-Technology and Business. Ms. Russell is a national youth debater, a regional youth ambassador, and she served as the Honourable Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition at Youth Parliament in 2021–2022. She strongly believes that we can all inspire each other, and she does this by helping with organisations like Empower Guyana and the youth group Small Steps Big Impact, which works to inspire change across Guyana.
She is enthusiastic about mental health, human rights, and youth empowerment. She shares Nelson Mandela’s philosophy that “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead” Ms. Russell is eager to do her best to represent all of the University of Guyana’s students wisely and to the best of her ability.
Jamaal Kaunda Thornhill
Junior Vice President
Jamaal Kaunda Thornhill
Junior Vice President
A Police Officer by profession, a Businessman and a Junior at the University of Guyana majoring in Public Management. An organized, analytical and competitive professional with approximately more than 7 years of youth advocacy in areas of natural justice, fundamental rights and youth development in financial literacy and financial discipline.
With an immense admiration for the words of President J. F. Kennedy, “…Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what can you do for your country.” Mr. Thornhill stands resolute to use his office to incorporate his skills and knowledge to alleviate the burning issues the student population faces and continue to bridge a student-lecturer relationship that will see academic improvements in students and an institution that provides the best of service to all students.
Selene Ramrattan
Executive Secretary
Selene Ramrattan
Executive Secretary
Ms. Selene Ramrattan, a 20-year-old, is a second-year student in the Medical Laboratory Science program. Currently, Ms. Ramrattan holds an executive position as the Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer in the Medical Laboratory Science Students’ Association at the University of Guyana. Ms. Ramrattan believes that every student at the University of Guyana has a right for their voices to be heard and they deserve to receive quality education.
Manisha Sagadaya
Assistant Secretary
Manisha Sagadaya
Assistant Secretary
Manisha Sagadaya is a vibrant 20-year-old and is in her third year of pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Management while attached to the University of Guyana’s Berbice Campus. She has a passionate drive and willingness to assist colleagues, coupled with her growing interest in literature writing and graphics designing. Thus far, Ms. Sagadaya has been elected as the Third-Year Representative within the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) Club and continues to be an advocate for voicing the concerns of her peers. With the exemplary skills she has acquired, Ms. Sagadaya intends to ensure equal representation for all students at the University of Guyana, regardless of their campus affiliations, while serving on the University of Guyana’s Students’ Society’s Administrative and Executive Body.
Akeem Stoby
Treasurer
Akeem Stoby
Treasurer
Mr. Akeem Stoby has been a Youth Advocate for more than five years. He is a third year Accountancy Major student at the University of Guyana, where he currently serves as the President of the School of Entrepreneurial and Business Innovation Mentorship Club (SEBIMC). Mr. Stoby also serves as the Chairman of the Youth Committee for International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly Guyana (IDPADA-G). He was always a strong advocate for being a voice for the voiceless. With all of these abilities and traits, he hopes to collaborate with the other executives in establishing a better learning environment for all University students.
Laurianne Lewis
Assistant Treasurer
Laurianne Lewis
Assistant Treasurer
Ms. Laurianne Lewis is an active youth leader. Ms. Lewis is in her fourth year of Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus. Ms. Lewis also serves as Treasurer for the Medical Laboratory Science Student Association (MLSSA). She has also previously served as Vice President. Ms. Lewis was also the Secretary and Vice President of the Interact Club at School of the Nations. Ms. Lewis is also the proprietor of a local Guyana store. Nonetheless, via her acts of service to every student body in which Ms. Lewis is a member, she seeks to effect good change for everybody.
This scripture serves as guidance for Ms. Lewis. Matt. 20:26 “If you want to be great, you must serve everyone else”.
Beverly Sills
Public Relations Officer
Beverly Sills
Public Relations Officer
Ms Sills is a first year Petroleum Engineering student under the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. As a member of the executive council, she is looking forward to creating a better experience for all members of the University of Guyana through effective communication and hospitality services.
Jaeda Curtis
Chairwoman - Publications Committee
Jaeda Curtis
Chairman of the Publications Committee
Jaeda Curtis is an international student hailing from the island of Jamaica, currently in her fourth year of pursuing her MBBS degree. From an early age, advocacy has played an important role in her personal development and nurturing her passion to put service above self. She would have served as Secretary/PRO for the National Secondary Students’ Council. Currently Ms. Curtis serves as Treasurer for University of Guyana Medical Students’ Association. She strives to make an impact wherever she is placed. Ms. Curtis is led by the word of God, not by the world, a scripture that resonates with her is 2 Chronicles 15:7-“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
Christopher Francisco
Chairman — Games Committee
Christopher Francisco
Chairman of the Games Committee
Mr. Francisco is a first-year Psychology major who is passionate about mental health and the effects of it on the younger population and eager to contribute to its eradication in our country in any way possible. He is very enthusiastic after becoming The Chairman of the Games Committee for the UGSS and would like to put both psychology and games (sports) together to impact the students of the University of Guyana mentally and physically. In addition, this will enable students to become actively involved in real-world activities after this type of engagement was subsequently neglected because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s play the mental games and get physically involved.
