Former humanitarian worker launches Graduate Senate vice presidential bid

Amal Shimir. Photo by Eric Boll.

Amal Shimir, a vice presidential candidate for Graduate Student Senate’s (GSS) upcoming election, hopes to increase graduate student involvement and increase safety on campus.

Shimir will challenge Brett Fredericksen, the representative for the Environmental and Plant Biology Department, for the position.

In an interview before a protest erupted at GSS last Tuesday, Shimir said her campaign’s top priorities are to change Ohio University’s health insurance requirements, to increase graduate student involvement with GSS and to address housing concerns.

“I want to have more interaction among grad students and between GSS and the graduate student community,” Shimir said of her campaign.

Shimir, a master’s student pursuing a degree in international development studies, serves as the GSS representative for Ohio U’s sustainability committee, whose goal is to reduce the university’s impact on the environment.

Shimir began her college career at the American University of Iraq and received a bachelor's degree in international studies. Following graduation, she worked for various humanitarian organizations such as the International Rescue Committee and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

With her free time, Shimir enjoys reading and traveling.