GISA Fall 2025 Candidate Profiles: Erin Katrina Titiheruw for Welfare Committee President

In conversation with Erin Katrina Titiheruw, MINT 2nd Year Student.

Q: What makes you the ideal candidate for your role, and how do you believe your background will help you succeed in this position?

 I believe I am an ideal candidate for Welfare Coordinator because I combine strong organizational skills with a genuine commitment to student well-being and inclusivity. My academic and professional experiences have strengthened my ability to work across cultures, manage projects, and build initiatives that balance structure with empathy. I have engaged in research, event organization, and student support roles, so I understand how to translate ideas into concrete, community-driven outcomes. I want to make GISA’s welfare initiatives more cohesive, accessible, and reflective of the diverse student experiences at the Institute.

Q: How do you plan to approach the role in a way that ensures the smooth running of GISA’s operations and fosters a collaborative atmosphere?

I plan to approach this role through coordination, continuity, and communication.I will work closely with the current Wellbeing Coordinators to strengthen existing programs such as yoga and Zumba classes, the food distribution drive, and Wellbeing Day to ensure consistent communication and shared planning. Collaboration across student committees and offices will be central to my approach: I want GISA to feel like a supportive team where ideas flow easily, and every member feels their contribution matters.

Q: What past experiences have prepared you for the challenges of this role, and how will you use these experiences to improve GISA’s efficiency?

My experience in student initiatives and research-based internships has trained me to balance multiple tasks, organize logistics, and maintain effective communication across teams. In these settings, I learned that efficiency comes from having simple, transparent processes and well-defined goals. I plan to bring this mindset to GISA by improving coordination among welfare-related initiatives and ensuring that our communication with students is consistent and user-friendly.

Q: If elected, what would be your primary goal and how would you ensure its successful implementation during your tenure?

My primary goal is to reform and improve the Buddy Initiative so that it becomes a stronger support system for both first-year and returning students. This means introducing clearer guidelines, structured check-ins, and more social and cultural events that help students build genuine connections beyond orientation week. I will collaborate with program representatives and student groups to ensure that the initiative evolves into a sustainable and inclusive peer-support network.

Q: How do you plan to make GISA more accessible and transparent for students, particularly when it comes to administrative processes and decision-making?

I want to create a student-friendly digital guide for first-years that simplifies key information on housing, healthcare, budgeting, job-seeking, and community engagement that acts as a supplement to existing student guides for first years. I believe this will reduce confusion during the transition period and make support resources easier to find. Additionally, I’ll promote transparency by sharing regular updates about welfare initiatives through short, accessible posts and visuals, so students know exactly what’s happening and how they can get involved.

Q: What are three core values you bring to your role?

1. Empathy : listen with care and respond thoughtfully to students’ diverse needs.
2. Integrity : I value openness, accountability, and honest communication.
3. Collaboration : I believe effective welfare work depends on teamwork and shared responsibility.

Q: Lastly, a few creative ways or plans of action (chance to do something different)

• Community Sharing Spaces: Regular informal gatherings where students from different regions (e.g., EU and non-EU) exchange practical experiences about life in Geneva, job-hunting, and adapting to the Institute.
• Wellbeing Continuity Plan: Document and evaluate ongoing welfare initiatives so they can improve year after year, avoiding repetition and ensuring long-term impact.