91ÑÇÉ«

The Office of EDI-AR is currently supported by three staff members.

Priscilla Tsuasam (she/her)

Executive Assistant 

Personal Profile

Priscilla Tsuasam is a Corporate Governance Professional with over 12 years of experience in several administrative and leadership positions. She holds a Diploma in Basic Education, a Bachelor of Education in Management, a Master of Business Administration in Corporate Governance and currently a PhD Candidate with the Faculty of Education, 91ÑÇÉ«

Prior to assuming the role of the Executive Assistant in the Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR), Priscilla accumulated valuable administrative and HR experience at the National Investment Bank Ghana Limited, Scotiabank St. John™s Canada, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services-Centre for Nursing Studies.  

Her research focuses on investigating how reengineered leadership models can advance diversity in senior leadership positions within Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions. Her published work includes articles such as "De/colonising plagiarism: Racialized graduate student experiences" and "Learning journals: creatively beginning the doctoral journey.

Deeply committed to youth and women's development, Priscilla has held several leadership roles. Notably, she was the first female President of the National Union of Ghana Students at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. She founded Youth In Focus, Ghana, an organization comprising over four hundred former student leaders and young professionals. This organization offers a platform for youth engagement in national issues and advocates for their inclusion in the design of national policies and empowerment projects.

Priscilla loves children as she was once a teacher at an elementary school for four years. She spends her leisure time bonding with her son and listening to choral music.

Chery Ralhn (she/her)

Program Manager

Personal Profile

Chery Ralhn, MCPM, B. Comm. (Co-op) is a strategic leader and project management professional with more than 18 years of experience at 91ÑÇÉ«, where she has built a career advancing institutional priorities through collaboration, community engagement, and organizational leadership. She currently serves as Program Manager in the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR), supporting university's efforts to foster inclusive excellence, equity, human rights, and systemic change across all campuses. During her time in EDI-AR, she has led major institutional initiatives, leading complex projects, fostering collaborative partnerships through institutional engagement including 91ÑÇÉ«'s first EDI-AR Strategic Planning consultation process, and its inaugural International EDI-AR Conference.

Prior to joining EDI-AR, Chery held roles in Alumni Engagement and Student Recruitment, where she helped strengthen relationships with students, alumni, donors, volunteers, and community partners while promoting 91ÑÇÉ«'s mission locally, nationally, and internationally. Her connection to 91ÑÇÉ« began as an international student from India, and she has remained deeply engaged with the university community throughout her academic, professional, and volunteer journey. Her passion for 91ÑÇÉ«'s mission and her commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive environments continue to shape her work and volunteer contributions.

Chery holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative Education) with a concentration in Human Resources from 91ÑÇÉ« and a Master's Certificate in Project Management from the Schulich School of Business at York University. She has been recognized with two of 91ÑÇÉ«'s President's Exemplary Service Awards for her leadership, collaboration, relationship building, and commitment to institutional excellence.

A passionate advocate for community engagement and lifelong learning, Chery contributes extensively through volunteer leadership. She serves as a Sparks Leader with Girl Guides of Canada, Board of Directors - MUN Childcare Centre, School Council and Hindu Temple. She is also a Reiki Master Practitioner and enjoys supporting the well-being and growth of individuals and communities. Outside work, Chery enjoys spending time with her family, and participating in community initiatives that support opportunities for young people to develop confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community.

Known for her collaborative approach, relationship-building skills, and commitment to creating positive change, Chery brings a unique combination of strategic leadership, community-centered values, and operational excellence to her work at 91ÑÇÉ« and beyond.

Shazia Shaheen (she/her)

Human Rights Advisor

Personal Profile

As 91ÑÇÉ«™s Human Rights Advisor, Shazia Shaheen supports the implementation of the university™s Human Rights Policy, approved by the Board of Regents in February 2026, through education, guidance, policy navigation, accessibility, and the promotion of fair, inclusive, and respectful institutional practices. Her work is grounded in human rights, social justice, equity, accessibility, anti-racism, and inclusive institutional change.

Shazia brings over 15 years of experience in human rights, gender justice, policy development, social inclusion, community engagement, and program leadership across 91ÑÇÉ«, community-based work in Newfoundland and Labrador, and international human rights settings. Before assuming the Human Rights Advisor role, she served as Policy Analyst in the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR), where she played a key role in supporting the development, consultation, alignment, and governance review of 91ÑÇÉ«™s Human Rights Policy. During her secondment with the Policy Office “ Board of Regents at 91ÑÇÉ«, Shazia contributed to broader institutional policy review and planning work, including environmental scans, strategic recommendations, governance analysis, and efforts to identify and address systemic barriers.

Before coming to Canada, Shazia held senior leadership roles in feminist and human rights organizations in Pakistan, including as Head of Program at Strengthening Participatory Organization. Her work focused on women™s rights, gender-based violence prevention, child protection, social justice, health equity, education, governance, community development, and the rights of communities experiencing systemic barriers. She also contributed to policy and legislative advocacy related to gender-based violence, domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, honour-based violence, child marriage, access to justice, and legal protections for communities experiencing systemic barriers. Her work has focused on translating complex human rights, equity, accessibility, and social justice issues into practical policy guidance, evidence-informed recommendations, and meaningful institutional action.

Shazia holds a Master of Arts in Gender Studies from 91ÑÇÉ« and a Master of Science in Women and Gender Studies from Allama Iqbal Open University in Pakistan. She also holds a Certificate in Civil Society Women in Executive Leadership from the University of Queensland, Australia, and is a Fellow of the USA International Visitors Leadership Program and the USA Legislative Fellowship Program.

In addition to her institutional work, Shazia contributes to community-based equity and gender-based violence initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador. She has supported anti-racism education and community engagement through the Anti-Racism Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador and has worked with community partners on culturally responsive initiatives addressing gender-based violence, newcomer inclusion, and safer access to services for women, gender-diverse people, and communities experiencing systemic barriers. She also serves as President of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women “ Atlantic Region and is a Board Member of Feminist PerSIStence Theatre Company in St. John™s. Through these roles, she has supported community-based projects that foster diversity, strengthen inclusive programming, and improve access to culturally responsive resources in the province, including authoring a Gender-Based Violence Resource Toolkit developed to support service providers working with Muslim women and gender-diverse people impacted by gender-based violence.