The past six months have gone by quickly since I joined the ASPA team, and the experience has been both energizing and meaningful. Supporting members through difficult situations has shown me, time and again, the resilience, commitment, and strength that define our community. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do this work and have genuinely enjoyed my time so far.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first Common Grounds coffee gathering of the year. This event served as a pilot to gauge member interest—and we’re thrilled that the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive!
We welcomed 29 members to Louis’ Loft during the morning session, who stayed to connect and engage with one another while enjoying a beverage and pastry. Another 28 members joined us for the afternoon session, with many taking the opportunity to ask insightful questions of our Member Services Officer (Shayne Meggs).
“I really appreciate this opportunity to engage with ASPA in person and get some quick answers to my professional development questions on the spot,” said one ASPA member. “I also enjoyed making a new acquaintance from another unit, whom I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Thank you, ASPA, for putting this on.”
Based on this encouraging response, we are planning to host another Common Grounds event in November. Stay tuned for more information and help us spread the word by sharing with your fellow ASPA members.
On behalf of the Engagment Committee
Hello ASPA Members,
Do you like to stay engaged with the union, want to connect with colleagues, or maybe you have a few questions for our Member Services Officer. Please join us for the first Common Grounds event!
This will be held at Louis’ Loft from 10am-11am and again from 2pm-3pm. This is a come and go as you please event.
We will be providing you with coffee, tea, or non-caffeinated beverages listed below. All milk, non-dairy milks, and sweetener options are available for you to decide. We will also be providing a cookie or pastry.
Please register on Eventbrite to help us prepare for numbers, and please come join us for this coffee break!
In August, ASPA’s Engagement Committee proudly delivered “Scoops of Solidarity” to members across the Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Regina campuses, as well as the Calgary Hub.
Thanks to the incredible efforts of our dedicated volunteers, we were able to scoop ice cream to more than 500 ASPA members. We hope you had an opportunity to enjoy a refreshing treat and connect with fellow colleagues during this summer initiative.
If you missed out, don’t worry—our upcoming Common Grounds event offers another great chance to engage and build community. We also have an upcoming Lunch and Learn where you can learn more about ASPA and connect with other union members.
Sent on behalf of the Engagement Committee
Hello ASPA members,
May 1st is International Worker’s Day – or May Day – observed in many countries around the world. May Day commemorates the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement and can be traced back to the Haymarket Riot in Chicago in 1886, fueled by the political and social climate of the industrial revolution and a workers’ fight for the eight-hour workday. Although Canada and the United States later chose to celebrate worker’s rights on the first weekend of September, May Day continues to stand for the values of equality, solidarity, and internationalism.
May 1st also marks the beginning of USask’s fiscal year and is the day that a negotiated across-the-board raise of 2% takes effect, along with your increment increase (depending on your quartile placement, an additional 0.5-2%). You can review your salary under the PAWS channel “Pay and Time Reporting” by clicking on “Compensation History.”
These raises were achieved by the work of the ASPA Bargaining Committee, as can be seen in the 2022 – 2026 ASPA Collective Agreement. This is the final year of the current negotiated contract, and we encourage you to stay engaged and informed as we prepare for a new round of bargaining in the months ahead.
In solidarity,
Your ASPA Executive
Please reserve some time in your schedule to join us for the 2025 ASPA Annual General Meeting (AGM), and for a post-AGM social event.
The AGM is your chance to learn more about ASPA’s operations in the last year, find out who will make up the Executive Committee in the 2025-2026 term, and to ask questions of ASPA leadership. To review related documents in advance, please see the link below for the AGM Package.
📅 AGM Event Info:
Thursday, April 17
2:30 – 4:30 pm @ Arts 241 (or via Zoom *)
* Login information for Zoom will be emailed to members.
Please note: Zoom polls may be used during this meeting. Some devices may need to be updated to view polls.
We also want to invite you to our After-AGM Social! Drinks and appetizers will be provided. This is a great opportunity to socialize with ASPA members, mingle with the new Executive Committee, and cheers to another great year of union organization! 🍻
📅 After-AGM Social Info:
Thursday, April 17
4:30 – 6:30 pm @ Louis’ Loft
The following individuals have been nominated to join the ASPA Executive Committee in the 2025-2026 term. Please review the bios below.
Information on how ASPA members can vote will be shared via email, with the successful nominees being announced at the 2025 ASPA Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Year Joined the U of S: 2022
Clinical Pharmacist – USask Chronic Pain Clinic (College of Pharmacy & Nutrition)
My name is Michael Hewitt and I was born and raised in Saskatoon. Although my roots will always be on the prairies, some of my formative years were spent living abroad. A year spent backpacking around Australia taught me about humility, budgeting, and the value of an education. A year spent teaching English in rural China taught me an appreciation for the educators in my life, a fondness for new cuisine, and a desire to continue expanding my comfort zone. I enjoy reading, music, sports, and outdoor activities of all sorts.
I received a BSP from the USask College of Pharmacy and Nutrition in 2012, and I have been a clinical pharmacist with the USask Chronic Pain Clinic since 2022. Prior to accepting my current role, I worked as a community pharmacist in and around Saskatoon for 10 years, much of that with an emphasis on addictions treatment and harm reduction. I was a member of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals Complaints Committee from 2016-2023, and I served as Chair of that committee from 2019-2023. My current role involves helping residents of Saskatchewan who have chronic pain navigate medication management to improve their quality of life, and it provides me a great deal of professional and personal fulfillment. Our program has been acknowledged provincially, nationally, and internationally for our innovative work and I am so fortunate to be a member of such a fantastic team.
Throughout my time as an employee at the university, I have been appreciative of the role ASPA has played. The benefits that you and I enjoy as ASPA members are the direct result of the organization of our predecessors, and these will only be maintained or improved with persistent effort. I would be honoured to continue that effort on behalf of the ASPA membership.
Year Joined U of S: 2007
Director – kihci-okâwîmâw askiy Knowledge Centre
Candice Pete-Cardoso is a nêhiyaw-iskwêw (Cree woman) from wâskicôsihk (Little Pine First Nation), Treaty 6 Territory. She is a proud mother of 2 and grandmother of 5.
Candice is an alumnus of USask and holds a Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Commerce, and a Certificate in Indigenous Business Administration. She has over 25 years of experience working with federal, provincial, and Indigenous governments.
Candice’s early career started with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. She gained experience in the areas of human resources, economic development, and fiscal management. Her work related to the management of funding agreements between the federal government and Indigenous governments deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities.
Her expertise in these areas led her to the University of Saskatchewan where she worked as the Director of the Indigenous Peoples Resource Management/Coordinator of Aboriginal Programs for over 10 years. During her time at the University, over two hundred students successfully graduated with a certificate specializing in Indigenous lands and resource management. Candice ensured that the program met the needs of Indigenous communities by incorporating Indigenous content and worldviews into curriculum.
Driven by her belief that life should be a continuous learning journey, Candice explored new horizons. She accepted the role of Executive Director, Northern Engagement Branch, Ministry of Government Relations within the Government of Saskatchewan. This experience broadened her perspective and reinforced her passion for making a meaningful difference. Her passion for working with and for Indigenous communities brought her back to the University of Saskatchewan.
Candice returned to USask, where she supported the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement in operationalizing the office’s mandate. Her strategic acumen, and strong belief in ensuring that Indigenous peoples and communities are included in meaningful and respectful ways, contributed to the engagement approach for the development of the Indigenous Strategy at USask, as well as the development of the newly launched kihci-okâwîmâw askiy Knowledge Centre where she now serves as Director.
Year Joined U of S: 2011
Laboratory Coordinator – GIFS
Born in Argentina, I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology before moving to Saskatoon to pursue a Master’s in Physiology at the University of Saskatchewan. After taking some time off to raise my children, I returned in 2022 to join the Veterinary Department. Currently, I work as a Laboratory Coordinator in the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) and am a member of ASPA.
Throughout my life, I have been a dedicated activist. In Canada, I have served on the Varsity View Community Garden Committee and the Library of Things administrative team. I am also a member-at-large of the Caswell Hill Community Association, where I manage the grooming of cross-country ski trails.
Currently, I volunteer as the President of the Saskatoon Judo Club within the YMCA and at the SCC on Caswell Hill Community School, organizing events and recruiting volunteers. Additionally, I am involved with the community and I am always finding way to make our neighborhood better.
My passions are equality and waste, and I am committed to advocating for increased resources on the west side of the city. I have campaigned for various causes, including extending library hours in the west past 6 PM to address service inequalities across the city. I organized the “Swap in the Park” event, recruiting over 15 volunteers and collaborating with the food bank, event focused on waste reduction. I planned and organized a nutritional learning program withing Caswell Hill School and the Food bank I planned that sadly was interrupted by COVID-19.
Having experienced financial hardship and relying on social assistance myself, I bring a unique perspective to my advocacy work. I am passionate about creating equitable opportunities and resources for all community members.
Year Joined the U of S: 1998
Director of Programs – College of Arts & Science
After finishing my first USask degree (Education) and while still working on my second (Chemistry) I started working for USask in 1999. Over the years I worked in the Department of Chemistry as a Stores Clerk and Lab Demonstrator, in the Department of Political Studies as Administrative Assistant, assisted with the set-up year for the USask location of the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, and then for the last 15 years have worked for the College of Arts and Science as the Director of the Programs Office. My past volunteer work includes many years on the board of a summer camp, 3 years on the Stonebridge Community Association, and 10 years as a board member of a youth leadership conference held annually at Prairieland Park. A few years ago I felt that it was more than time to give back to ASPA and accepted a position on the Education committee. That lasted about a year before I stepped off to take on the position of co-lead of the Bargaining Committee, whose work resulted in the 2022-26 Collective Agreement. I view accepting the nomination to run for an executive position as another way to support my union, and whether I am elected or not I will continue to find ways to contribute.
Year Joined the U of S – 2013
Student Affairs Coordinator – College of Medicine
[Bio not available]
Year Joined the U of S: 2005
Research Coordinator/Navigator – College of Medicine (Surgery)
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Karen E. Mosier is a proud Saskatchewanian who has called the University of Saskatchewan campus her home since 1996. With a BA in Psychology and an MSc in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan, Karen has dedicated her career to supporting academic excellence and research.
Over the past 19 years, Karen has worked in various departments and colleges, including the Department of Psychiatry, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and currently, the Department of Surgery. As a Research Coordinator, she excels in helping faculty secure funding and navigate the grant writing process.
Karen’s commitment to ASPA is evident through her active involvement in multiple committees. She currently serves on the ASPA Education Committee and the ASPA Social Committee. Her previous roles include serving on the ASPA Executive from September 2023 to May 2024 and from May 2020 to April 2022. Karen also chaired the former ASPA Communications & Public Relations Committee from August 2019 to April 2022, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing ASPA’s communication efforts.
Karen’s passion for writing and connecting with people is showcased through her contributions to the ASPA Member Highlights, having authored 34 articles to date. Her journey with ASPA began as the ASPA Observer on the Non-Academic Pension and Benefits Committee (NAPBC) from March 2016 to June 2019.
In addition to her ASPA involvement, Karen is an active member of the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA). She has been on the CARA Executive since May 2020 and co-chairs the CARA Professional Development Committee.
Karen’s extensive experience, dedication to the academic community, and passion for fostering connections make her an excellent fit for the ASPA Executive. She looks forward to continuing her service and contributing to the growth and success of ASPA.
Year Joined the U of S: 2022
Communications Officer – University Relations
Darla Read (she/her) has worked as a Communications Officer for the past two years. During her time at USask, she has volunteered with the Pride Planning Committee and the ASPA Communications sub-committee. After taking anti-racism training at USask, she is also now part of the working group that is creating an anti-racist, anti-oppressive communications strategy for University Relations. Outside of USask, she volunteers regularly for Winterruption and the Jazz Fest, co-facilitates writing sessions at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre, and uses her background in journalism and communications to craft emails and newsletters on behalf of federal NDP candidate for Saskatoon-West, Rachel Loewen Walker. Darla is passionate about politics, community, and equity, leveraging her privilege as a queer cis white settler to make spaces safe for marginalized groups. She has enjoyed volunteering with ASPA and would like to continue that work: she is interested in joining the bargaining committee to advocate on behalf of ASPA employees across campus.
Year Joined the U of S: 1998
Operational Lead – USask Prince Albert Campus
I first became an ASPA member in 1998, and for the past twenty years, I have been the Operational Lead of the Usask Prince Albert Campus. My position is fast-paced and multifaceted, encompassing many duties, including program coordination, recruitment, advising, and advancement. As well, I perform supervisory duties for both ASPA and CUPE staff. I serve the University as a member of the Indigenous Advisory Circle, USask’s Pride Planning Committee, the PA Campus Operations Committee, and the PA Campus OHS Committee. I hold honours degrees in English and Indigenous Studies and a Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education. I have a keen interest in labour relations, and I value the importance of unions in creating and maintaining a safe and supportive workplace. I’m interested in labour relations, and would be honoured to serve on the ASPA Executive, being a strong voice for my fellow ASPA members. As well, it is imperative that there is a voice from outside of Saskatoon Campus on the ASPA Executive to advocate for members located in Prince Albert and elsewhere. Outside of work, I am a husband and a father of four (three who are current Usask students). I serve on community committees, such as the City of Prince Albert’s Property Appeals Board, and I am on the Executive for both the Prince Albert Northcote and Prince Albert Federal NDP committees. I have a particular interest in food security, and I volunteer each Sunday with Reaching Out, a group that feeds the unhoused, and I volunteer one week per month with the Calvary United Church Care and Share Food Hamper program. I am also a closeted personal essay writer, hoping to become Saskatchewan’s answer to David Sedaris. I look forward for the opportunity to work with ASPA to strengthen our position with the University.
Year Joined the U of S: 2025
IT Support Specialist – IT Support Services
[Bio not available]
Year Joined the U of S: 2017
Lab Manager – Usask Health Sciences
I am Dr. Adi (Aditya) Manek, your current ASPA President and former Vice President from 2023 to 2024. Serving you in these roles has been a privilege, and I hope to continue my support on the Executive, and as your ASPA President over the coming three years, which includes an upcoming bargaining year. During my past term, I have received training in inclusive leadership, labour management, Indigenous reconciliatory efforts, and most importantly, collective bargaining to support you as a member. Voting for me would support ASPA in capitalizing on these investments.
In my professional capacity, I am an experienced researcher and operations manager. I currently work as a Lab Manager for the Neuroscience research cluster and Histology Core Facility in the Health Sciences Building. I have been on campus for more than 16 years and have been part of ASPA since February of 2022.
On a personal note, I am originally from India and grew up amid one of the biodiversity hotspots (Western Ghats) of the world. During my undergraduate years in India, I was an active member of several non-profit organizations and managed events as a batch representative, cultural coordinator, and President of the Zoology Society. In Canada, I have been part of non-profit organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross for over 3 years and volunteer with the Saskatoon Dog Rescue.
As a visible minority on campus and a former international student, I understand the unique strengths and perspectives that come with these identities. I aim to leverage my background and training to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote equity, inclusivity, and collective well-being. It is my hope that the membership will value this perspective in combination with my extensive experience and training to support ASPA in this important capacity. Thank you for your consideration.
The AGM is your chance to learn more about ASPA’s operations in the last year, find out who will make up the Executive Committee in the 2025-2026 term, and to ask questions of ASPA leadership. More information will be sent closer to the date (including a Zoom link, financial reports, and an agenda).
In solidarity,
The ASPA Executive
It is that time of year again! Immediate family of ASPA members who are registered students at the University of Saskatchewan can apply for consideration under the Tuition Reimbursement Fund (TRF). See the following for more information on eligibility and how to apply.
Who is Eligible for the ASPA TRF?
The Eligibility Criteria (according to §12.12.1 of the Collective Agreement) states the following:
ASPA members with family members graduating in 2024 can still receive the award for work done in the 2024-2025 academic year, even if they are not taking any further courses at USask.
Credit units completed after the end of this academic year (after the end of April 2025) will not be counted for this application, although they will be counted as part of the 2025-2026 application, as per the agreement between ASPA and the University that this award is based on. For example, 3rd year medical students who complete their credit units after April 2025 will not receive the full amount for the 2024-2025 academic term, but will be able to receive it the following year (even though they started their studies during the 2024-2025 academic year).
For more information about the TRF and student eligibility, visit: 2025-2026 ASPA Tuition Reimbursement Fund
When Does the ASPA TRF Application Close?
The closing date for applications is April 30th, 2025.
How Does My Family Member Apply for the ASPA TRF?
Note that the application can only be accessed and submitted by students on their own PAWs account. ASPA members do not apply on their behalf, and ASPA Staff do not have the authorization to access the Scholarships and Bursaries PAWs channel.
Step-by-step guide to accessing the ASPA TRF:
Once the student has successfully submitted their application, the ASPA member will be notified by email and asked to confirm their direct relationship with the student.
Have Additional Questions?
For questions about the status of your application, please contact Student Finance and Awards. Student Finance and Awards reviews the applications and the university distributes the funds to successful applicants.
It was great to see everyone out on February 20th for the 2025 ASPA Winter Social!
The event provided ASPA members an opportunity to forget the frigid cold and enjoy the warmth of good company, catch up with some familiar faces, and even meet new acquaintances. A big thank you to Culinary Services and Marquis Hall staff who supplied a nice variety of lunch treats, including soup, sandwiches, salads, and for those with a sweet tooth, some delicious desserts brightened the afternoon! 25 members also took home a door prize (Co-op gift card), and we hope all those lucky folks have been able to redeem and enjoy their win.
Thank you to all who joined us! It was a wonderful way to wind down the winter season and look forward to the promise of some warmer weather.
See a few images from the event below:
In solidarity,
Your ASPA Executive Committee
