AMS Elections Endorsements
The AUS is proud to endorse these candidates in the AMS 2026–2027 elections. We believe they bring the experience and background needed, along with the dedication and ambition to be strong advocates for students’ academic interests and experiences. Voting Opens 9th March and closes 13th March. We encourage all Arts students to vote.
Jaiya Panchi - VP Academic and University Affairs
The Arts Undergraduate Society proudly endorses Jaiya Panchi for AMS VP Academic & University Affairs in the 2026 AMS Elections. Jaiya’s experience in the AUS and AMS make her the most qualified candidate in the race, and equip her to be a strong advocate for students’ academic interests and experiences.
At the AMS, Jaiya has served as Associate VP Administration for the past year, where she has drafted accessible club and building policies, and allocated $100,000 in funding towards clubs and student groups. She’s been a reliable advocate for student-led initiatives that benefit the entire campus community. Her platform for VP AUA consists of increasing undergraduate research opportunities, securing long-term food security funding, drafting consistent AI policies, expanding Open Educational Resources and cost-free materials, opposing tuition increases, building more affordable student housing, and improving Workday.
We encourage all 14,000 Arts students to go vote Jaiya for VP AUA!
Nathan Shack - VP Finance
The Arts Undergraduate Society proudly endorses Nathan Shack for AMS VP Finance in the 2026 AMS Elections. Nathan’s record of fiscal responsibility and engagement with students as AVP Finance with AMS this year makes him the most qualified candidate in the race. We are confident that he will bring strong leadership, responsibility, and care to the role.
At the AMS, Nathan has served as Associate VP Finance for the past year, where he has overseen a $35M budget. His experience handling financial difficulties that students face makes us confident in his commitment to improve the AMS. His platform for VP Finance consists of expanding mental health coverage, adding flexible or tiered Health and Dental Plan options, creating a 3-year financial plan to address deficits, leading a student-led review of AMS businesses, and making a streamlined user-friendly payment portal.
Dredyn Fontana - Board of Governors and Senate
The Arts Undergraduate Society proudly endorses Drédyn Fontana for UBC Board of Governors & Senate in the 2026 AMS Elections. Drédyn has shown dedication across his work in student government, and we believe he is the most qualified candidate to represent students and advocate for their interests on the Board of Governors and Senate.
At the AMS, Drédyn has previously served as VP Academic & University Affairs, where he has always advocated to elevate students in need. He has also served as VP Academic of the EUS. Across these roles, he has allocated $300k to student groups, committed faculty votes to reduce course material costs, worked with the CfA Director to publish a list of accommodations, and broken the record for responses to the Academic Experience Survey. His platform for the UBC Board of Governors consists of divesting from companies complicit in genocide, keeping tuition increases sub-inflationary, and expanding funding to vital teaching and learning programs. His platform for the Senate consists of introducing new graduation periods beyond November and May, and creating a January Standing Deferred Period.
Bryan Buraga - Board of Governors and Senate
The Arts Undergraduate Society proudly endorses Bryan Buraga for UBC Board of Governors & Senate in the 2026 AMS Elections. Bryan’s track record of advocacy wins at McGill and UBC make him the most qualified candidate to represent students and bring strong leadership to university governance.
At the AMS, Bryan has served as a Graduate Student Society Councillor for the past year, being appointed Vice Chair of Council. He has also previously served as President of the Students’ Society of McGill University, on McGill’s Board of Governors, and as a Senator, where he won a fall reading break for students. His platform for the UBC Board of Governors consists of fighting for a tuition freeze, ensuring long-term food security funding, and implementing tenant protections in student residences. His platform for the Senate consists of fighting for better student support, improving accessibility policy, securing access to lecture recordings, and establishing an exam and syllabus database.