GISA Autumn Election 2024 Candidate Profiles: Marco Gabriell Muñoz & Rana Nur Aydin for Welfare Committee Co-Presidents

In conversation with Marco Gabriell Muñoz & Rana Nur Aydin (1st Year MINT students)

Q. How has your previous experience in leadership roles or student organizations prepared you to advocate for and implement welfare initiatives effectively within the Geneva Graduate Institute?

Our previous experiences inform how we approach student wellbeing. Marco’s work as a Communication and Consent Educator at Yale College helped forge a positive social climate at the university through student workshops, consent education, and collaborative initiatives. By working directly with over 250 students and serving as a liaison between students and administration, he developed a deep understanding of how to create empathetic and effective support systems. Leading Yale Club Taekwondo as its captain honed his physical wellness and ability to maintain student engagement; during his time on the board, the club grew from 4 members to over 100. Marco’s training in intercultural dialogue also shapes his work with students from various backgrounds, allowing him to approach welfare from a perspective of inclusivity and respect for diversity. Rana’s experience, particularly in working with student solidarity groups in Turkey, taught her the importance of advocacy in the face of adversity. She worked with students facing police violence, helped survivors of sexual harassment, and coordinated psychological and legal support for vulnerable individuals. These circumstances taught Rana how to navigate complex, sensitive issues with care, ensuring the privacy, safety, and well-being of those involved. Additionally, thanks to her yoga instructor training, she also offers support through physical activities, breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices. These tools are invaluable for promoting mental and physical well-being, providing students with ways to manage stress and improve their overall welfare. Together, our backgrounds have equipped us with the practical skills and emotional insights necessary to lead welfare initiatives that are inclusive, responsive, and grounded in the real needs of students. We understand how to balance advocacy with practical implementation, ensuring that the welfare initiatives we pursue at the Institute are impactful and sustainable.

Q. How would you handle a situation where a student approaches the committee with a welfare-related issue that is highly personal or sensitive in nature?

Both of us have worked with students in extremely sensitive situations, so we understand the importance of creating a safe environment. We will strictly honor the student’s wishes regarding confidentiality; if a student prefers that something shared with one of us remains private, even from the other, we will fully respect that. Trust is the foundation of our approach, and we want every student to know that they control their own narrative and what is shared. We have experience handling sensitive issues and identifying the appropriate campus resources for support. If additional help is needed, we’ll connect students to the right services while respecting their comfort and preferences. We believe in empowering students to make informed decisions, ensuring they fully understand both the benefits and potential challenges. If students wish to share their experiences publicly, they must understand the potential outcomes so they can make the best choice for themselves. Everyone’s well-being journey is different, and we know that there is no mold we can build that every student would fit into. With that in mind, our ultimate goal is to protect students’ privacy, safety, and well-being while ensuring they receive the help they need. The Welfare Committee will grow in its role as a trusted source of student support, which will be reflected in each one of its members. We want to assure every student that we are here to listen, support, and advocate for them; they are not alone.

Q. How will you create an open and approachable environment for students to voice their concerns about mental health and well-being without fear of stigma or judgment?

We will foster an open and approachable environment by prioritizing confidentiality and active listening in all student interactions. We will emphasize the importance of relatability: everyone experiences obstacles in their mental health. The openness present in the Welfare Committee will allow us to build on an already solid foundation of trust and advocacy, providing us with more chances to create avenues for students to share their input. We are looking forward to creating safe, non-judgmental spaces for students to express their concerns through initiatives like anonymous feedback systems and drop-in hours. Hearing from students and utilizing pre-existing resources have always been cornerstones of our campaign, and we look forward to leveraging the Institute’s talent to help students. We endeavor to provide the means for students to reflect on how normal the difficulties they are experiencing are and to help them get support. Our team will actively promote mental health awareness through educational campaigns, workshops, and collaborations with other student organizations, helping to normalize conversations about well-being. By building a network of trained student ambassadors and mental health professionals, we can ensure that every student knows they have a trusted space to turn to, free from stigma and judgment.

Q. Can you share an example of a creative or innovative welfare program you’d like to implement that would enhance the overall well-being of students?

Beyond cherished welfare initiatives like Zumba and yoga, we are excited to innovate our committee by harnessing the diverse talents within the Institute. We are committed to fostering student engagement and plan to actively consult students about their preferences to ensure our initiatives resonate with their needs. One key avenue for implementing this approach will be through our support groups. By polling students on a variety of topics—from heartbreak to loneliness—we aim to create a safe and welcoming environment where they can openly discuss their challenges and feelings. In addition to traditional support topics, we also endeavor to offer proactive themes, such as building self-esteem or navigating social pressures, with the guidance of our on-campus psychologists. This project would not only address a range of emotional concerns but would also allow students to lead discussions based on their own experiences and expertise. Through these efforts, we hope to build a stronger, more connected community where students know they are not alone in their struggles. Our ultimate goal is to enhance the overall well-being of our students and create an environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported. Together, we can foster a sense of belonging and resilience that empowers each student to thrive.

Q. How do you plan to ensure that the voices of students from diverse backgrounds and experiences are represented in welfare-related decisions and initiatives?

Coming from different religious and cultural backgrounds, we are uniquely positioned to ensure that the voices of students from all walks of life are represented. Both of us have worked with individuals from various identities— whether through Marco’s involvement in intercultural dialogue and social justice initiatives, or Rana’s efforts supporting marginalized groups in Turkey. We are the only candidates that advocate for diversity-enhancing events. To reflect this commitment, a large part of our thematic events will support underrepresented groups. Determined by students’ feedback, we plan to host events such as the ‘Healthy Snack Bar’ challenge for World Diabetes Day, where students can bring or create diabetes-friendly snacks, complemented by tips from nutrition experts on maintaining a balanced diet. Or, for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we want to host a ‘Walk in Their Shoes’ simulation to help students understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities. These initiatives will make use of preexisting channels of support such as the Disability Taskforce and Wellbeing & Support Service to further strengthen the ties they share with the Welfare Committee.
Through these events, we aim to not only raise awareness but also ensure that students from diverse backgrounds feel seen, heard, and supported in welfare-related decisions. Our backgrounds and leadership experiences keep the concerns of underrepresented groups present in our planning, creating an environment where inclusivity is at the core of every project.

Editor’s Note: Responses have been edited for clarity.

Voting is open now and will close on October 10 at 10:30 a.m. We encourage all students to participate and cast their votes!