COUNCIL 2023-2024

Johanna is a third-year CDP student in the library and archives concentrations at the iSchool. Now in her third year on MUSSA, she is exciting to continue Council's outreach and community development initiatives for all MMSt and CDP students within the faculty. When not doing MUSSA work or iJournal editing, she can be found working on a spreadsheet, trying to read through her tbr, attending or talking about sports, taking super funky photos, or trying all the shawarma places around campus. A fan of the Oxford comma (the song and the concept), as one of MUSSA's many listening ears, she is excited to help or hype with ideas, projects and presentations, and is always an email (or tap on the shoulder) away. Thanks for reading this and for being here. ​

Ruth is a second-year museum studies student who is passionate about working in museum education. She has a Bachelor of Arts and of Education from Queen’s University. This is her second year on MUSSA after being Secretary last year. When not in school, Ruth works as an occasional supply teacher or can often be found at the rock climbing gym or reading a book. She loves being outdoors and can talk you ear off about turtles. Ruth is excited for the year ahead with MUSSA and is happy to answer any questions about the upcoming year!

Van is a first-year Master of Museum Studies student, with a Bachelor of Arts Education from the University of Regina. His passion lies at the intersection of art, culture, and education, where he seeks to enrich learning experiences by integrating the worlds of schools and museums. He is interested in synergizing schools and museums to enhance the learning experience, believing in the transformative power of immersive education. Beyond the academic realm, Van Gonzales is the #3 ranked tennis player within his friend group, a collector of Art Books he might read one day and a sore monopoly loser. Eagerly offering his support to the program and its

Niki is a first year Master of Museum Studies student. She has an undergraduate degree in History, Political Science, and Material Culture from the University of Toronto. She is the current Exhibitions Curator at Gallery 1265, a contemporary art gallery at the University of Toronto Scarborough, and has previously worked as an Education Guide at the Bata Shoe Museum. She is really passionate about inclusive education and curatorial practices within museums.  In her free time, Niki can be found hobby-hopping from aerial arts to embroidery to zine-making much to the chagrin of her friends and family. Niki is excited to begin her journey on MUSSA and committed to continuing a tradition of financial transparency and accessibility within the association! 
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Panni is a second-year Master of Museum Studies student from Budapest, Hungary. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts, Culture and Media from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. Within the museum world, she is interested in programming and exhibitions development, as well as how museums adapt to the challenges of the 21st century. Outside of the classroom, she loves watching films, reading, the theatre, and exploring Toronto. There is also a good chance you’ll find her drinking/wishing for coffee (do tell her your favourite Toronto café!) or reading up on the latest news.​

Liz Sullivan is a second year CDP student concentrating in Library and Information Sciences. She has a Bachelor of Design in Environmental Design from OCAD University. Going into her second year on MUSSA, she is excited to develop many engaging events for students to enjoy. She is passionate about public programming and accessibility, and intends to incorporate them into her work within museums and within MUSSA. When not at U of T, she can usually be found exploring Toronto, or chilling with her cats, a good book or film, and a large cup of tea. 

Anna Benko is a second-year MMSt student at the iSchool. In her second year on council, Anna is our lead behind making sure our Instagram and Facebook accounts looks beautiful, constantly keeps us accountable to a very strict social media schedule, and often will remind us of events that other executives forgot about. Anna completed her BSc Honors in Archaeology in 2022 at the University of Calgary. Her drink of choice is Sprite, and can either be found checking out new museum exhibits and programs around Toronto (what started MUSSA's Museum Monday posts) or at BVM her favorite place to find a good book. 

Iris Wu is a first year Master of Museum Study student. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Visual Arts from St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick. She wants to be a curator and work in museums since middle school. In her free time, she loves trying different foods, novel reading, and cuddling with her animal siblings (Cheeto and Bagel). Iris is excited to join the MUSSA family!

Sophie Langille (MMSt ’24) is your Second Year Representative for the 2023-2024 year. Last year she served as Treasurer of MUSSA and is so excited to continue to help make things happen this year! Sophie moved to Toronto from Halifax in 2022 and is certainly no stranger to moving around and becoming acquainted with a new place. She was raised in Calgary until age 14 before her family moved to Nova Scotia. During her history degree at the University of King’s College she was fortunate to spend two summers in Banff and a semester abroad at Bader College, UK. Her goal of launching a career in museums began to come to fruition when she completed an internship at the DesBrisay Museum in Bridgewater, NS, (which also just so happened to be the hometown of her father of many generations). Entering this program at U of T has truly been a dream come true! In her spare time Sophie enjoys thrift shopping, admiring the streetscapes of Toronto, and listening to her vinyl record collection.

Laura is a first year Master of Museum Studies student from Newfoundland who holds a Bachelors in History (Hons) from Memorial University and a Masters in History from the University of Galway, Ireland. She has always loved visiting and working in museums and is really excited to be in this program to expand her knowledge of curation and collections management (she’s a history girl through and through). As first year representative, she is passionate about inclusivity, creating a welcoming environment, and making sure that all thoughts and concerns are brought to the right people so that they can be heard and addressed. When not in school, Laura loves listening to music, especially live music, cooking, and reading whatever was popular 80+ years ago (always doing so with a cup of tea or coffee in hand). Bio coming soon!